The evening temps hovered around 29 Fahrenheit. Although we’ve been in Bisbee for three nights so far, this was my first on the patio with only my thoughts and the frigid night air.

I took my perch.

One man traipsed by, eventually disappearing into the hills via a broken, haphazard staircase that didn’t seem to have an end. Every step and pant echoed through the valley. The amplification of sound is one of my favorite parts of freezing cold winters. ‘Never tell a secret on a cold day,’ they say. Frigid temperatures slow down speed of sound and also carry the sound wave farther, according to a few articles I skimmed.

My plan is to spend more time in Nogales, Sonora starting now. But let me be clear: My photos, and the stories behind them aren’t about me. My work is a beautification project. I’m trying to show the world how graceful it appears to me everyday—especially since I started taking better care of myself. The goal is to provide perspective— as if my pixels are telling everyone, ‘Yes, your life and community is beautiful without being perfect or in some cases far from being organized.’ It’s a body of work shaped like love letters to the world that say thank you for a second chance at happiness.

The Faces of Cochise County is a street portrait project that aims to highlight everyday people. For the past three months, I've spent my weekends traipsing around Southern Arizona search for someone to rap with about life. The project is published by Sierra Vista Herald. This is the first interview we pressed on Nov. 5. Click here for the print version of this story, which includes the my photo.  

In August 2021, I took part in The 24 Hour Project for the first time. The project asks photogs around the world post a photo each hour that depicts humanity. The goal is to gain exposure and raise money for humanitarian NGOs. I'd been flirting with the idea of taking street portraits during the event. I'm so glad I did. It's now quite common that I roll up on someone and ask to take their portrait. I have a dozen street portrait projects I'm interested in completing. My conversation with Christian took place months after The 24 Hour Project, but his image would've been a shoo-in. His image is thus far unpublished. 

Out of habit, I arrive places early. Whether it's a dentist appointment in Nogales, Sonora or a freelance gig in Cochise County. This gives me time to assess what I need to capture, plus I get more time for creativity. I make time for my art—seven days a week. Here's the shot I'm describing. 

A recurring locale in my dreams brought me out of sound sleep on Dec. 14, 2021. And Tucson was storming. So just after 4 a.m. I got ready for the day and headed to Winterhaven, aiming to grab some moody flicks of Tucson's best Christmas lights displays. 

Fourth Avenue in Tucson is the endearing center of the city's bohemian vibrations. It's the type of place where you can never tell if it's Halloween or not. Del Grande grabbed some moody street photographs and chatted up a few vendors at the 4th Ave. Street Fair, Winter 2021. The weather was cool and the dank scents of BBQ hounded the neighborhood.