i'm a soil scientist, photographer, and chef with a deep love for nature, adventure, and making the most out of every minute. as long as the sun is shining, you can bet i'm outside soaking it up, and when i'm having a bad week, i'm known to disappear into the woods alone with my backpack for a few days. since i was a boy, i've felt most at home wandering the woods & rivers of ann arbor, and i'm lucky enough to have a lifestyle that lets me chase that feeling through everything i do — behind a camera, in the kitchen, and out in the field.

 

I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I’ve had a camera in my hands since I was in sixth grade. I’d spend hours in the botanical gardens taking photos of every plant I loved, and I’m still that person today.

My love for the outdoors pushed me to study molecular environmental biology & food systems at UC Berkeley while enjoying the mountains + rivers + fields of the west coast. I spent 5 years falling in love with my research, training and working as a private chef , which is where Dinners With Will started, cooking seasonal meals for friends that eventually turned into something people wanted to hire me for.

As of Fall 2022, I'm back in Ann Arbor pursuing my PhD in Soil Science at the University of Michigan School for Sustainability and Environment. My research is centered around sustainable farming practices which benefit both farmers and the environment, and I'm especially excited about the re-integration of livestock into our croplands for a more sustainable food system. It's the same instinct that shows up in my cooking: sourcing seasonally, working with local farms, and in my photography: chasing natural light, finding the most beautiful version of a place.

I love hearing what part of my work gets you excited, whatever brought you here: a portrait session, a seat at the table, or just curiosity about the research. Contact me & let's talk. 

Curious about what else I do? Check out my passion for food and dining or visit my recent research.

Private Dining
Soil Research