When Theo Carol takes a photograph, his motivation for doing so changes depending on where he is.

“I find that I need to put myself into an environment that inspires me,” he says. “For example, if I’m in the city, I’ll walk around for hours observing what’s going on around me. I react when I see something I find funny or odd [like the photo featured below, titled “Snowman”] or poignant—then I take a photo.”

Most importantly, the 19-year-old photographer, who is currently majoring in art history a Skidmore College, says he strives to be in the moment and respond by taking a picture. “I never debate if I should or should not take the photo, I just react. I always save the editing for later.”

When Elizabeth Avedon, a photography book designer, curator, writer and much-sought after consultant for photographers interviewed Theo while he was still in high school in 2018, he talked about two upcoming gallery shows he was in at the time, his camera of choice—the Leica Q—and what he looks for when walking around.

“I’m looking for unique people and peculiar subjects in general. I like to shoot through openings, windows, doorways, etc. I love to include reflections and interesting light. I want to show things that people wouldn’t see if I didn’t take a picture,” he told her.

Theo is currently having a print sale of his work (see more of his images in the gallery at top) through June 12th. “I am doing this to raise money to donate to a cause I am passionate about. I will be donating 100 percent of the profits to The Bail Project in order to free those unjustly arrested during the [George Floyd and Black Lives Matter] protests.” (Email Theo at tcarol@skidmore.edu to purchase prints or DM him on his Insta (@theocarolphotography).

Check out more Photos of the Day, and email submissions to RF’s editor-in-chief at jacqueline.tobin@emeraldx.com.