Florida, April 2025 — With Trump back in office, the weight of fear in America feels heavier — especially in states like Florida, where policies are shifting fast and silence is becoming survival.
Junior, a 28-year-old documentary photographer based in St. Petersburg, FL, uses his lens to expose what’s often overlooked: the emotional toll of living under a government that feels increasingly authoritarian. His new body of work, American Nightmare, is an unflinching look at what it means to live in the shadows of political power — where the line between safety and threat is constantly shifting.
Junior’s work doesn’t rely on spectacle. Instead, it captures quiet, deeply human moments: There’s no violence in the frame, but the tension is everywhere.
““This project came from the notion of “The American Dream”. With political tensions rising once again under the new administration, I find myself asking more and more who’s included in this “Dream”. This piece feels rebellious; our subject sporting a custom Black Panther Party inspired trench coat with a stern expression throughout. Every detail was intentional. Posted with all-black ‘68 Charger and chrome rims that match the pieces on his neck, I envisioned a space where we took back the meaning of “Whips and Chains”.
"Being Black in America is a double entendre in itself. Every day it feels we’re living in a nightmare, while our unification and rebellious spirit is theirs. Since of the inception of this nation, we’ve continued to push through the cracks regardless of what policies were set against us; this term is no different. That’s the real nightmare."
"As artists, it’s our responsibility to capture these moments in time. Our work gives voices to the voiceless. I personally find more pieces of myself with every project I capture and aim to inspire the next generation to carry on the voices of ones who paved the way for us. No matter who’s in office, we’ll make a way. We always do.”
With his docu background, Junior approaches each image with care, intimacy, and truth. American Nightmare is not about taking sides — it’s about revealing the emotional reality for millions of Americans who feel like their voices are being erased.