Today I wanted to share more about myself, my family, my interests. Some of the things that make me, well… me. In photography sessions, it is helpful for me not only to get to know you, but for you to know a little bit about me. Whenever a potential client reaches out to chat about about a session, I set up a phone call with them, so we can get to know one another a little bit. It is very important that my families feel comfortable with me. I am coming alongside them at some of the most precious, but also more vulnerable moments in their lives. Empathy and understanding are key cornerstones in my business and it begins with this phone call!

Photography is a passion that began over twenty years ago.

yes, I’m that old.

Joining a mission trip to the Morant Bay area of Jamaica in the winter of 2004, was both an artistic and spiritual awakening for me. Documenting the amazing sights and wonderful people that we interacted with was contagious. It sparked a passion that has never left me. As I look back on those old 35mm shots, I see a focus on connection between family members, children playing, mother’s nurturing… not much has changed in my work, honestly. I saw this passion through and attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I double majored in Art History and Photography. Following college, I had the privilege to work at four different art museums, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. 

One of my career-high moments was living in New York City the summer before Steven and I married while working at the MET. My time in museums and my art history degree directly inspire my photography every day! 

I’m actually pretty nerdy (thanks partially to my husband!)

I found another love while in college, my husband, Steven! Our entire dating relationship was long distance as he graduated 2 years before me. We tied the knot on January 1, 2011, making remembering our anniversary easy, and we can celebrate by ringing in the new year. We love playing board games, disc golf, and binge-watching out favorite YouTubers!

Throughout the years, I found a calling in documenting the relationships between a mother and child as a means of healing. During that time, my husband and I were on our path to beginning a family, which felt isolating at times with years of infertility and loss. 

Some people might have found it hard to document mothers and their babies while struggling with such an enormous amount of grief, but my faith, husband, and camera helped heal me. We have been blessed with two wonderful daughters earth-side and grateful is an understatement. I share my faith tangibly as I serve families in their most precious moments. I can also walk alongside fellow women who have struggled and lend an empathetic and understanding ear and heart to those struggling.  

Most of my hobbies are pretty old-world.

You can find me in the kitchen when I am not behind the camera or behind a computer editing photos. I love trying new recipes, especially if they are from Half Baked Harvest; I am a not-so-secret fan girl of Tieghan. Her food always brings me so much joy, but I wish I could skip the messy kitchen part. I also love baking and have perfected sourdough bread; I am not sure there was ever a more pretty sight than a freshly baked sourdough loaf, y’all. I also love to knit and cross-stitch; it is a great way for me to be creative outside of photography. Another passion of mine is keeping honeybees. I plan to keep a few hives again next year to get back to harvesting delicious honey and contributing to the local flora with these wonderful little pollinators.

Disney is our Happy Place!

It has been a few years since we have been able to take a trip, but we are eager to return soon. It is so sweet to see the parks through my daughters’ eyes. So much joy and wonder! And who am I kidding?! I have that same feeling! We’ve gone almost every year since 2011. Twice, while I was pregnant! Yeah, we like it that much.

At the beginning of 2022, Steven, Cora, Evie and I found our forever home. Over the last year and a half, we have slowly started to make it our own. We also welcomed our two Ragdoll kittens, Remy and Emile (yes, like from Ratatouille!). Currently, we are creating a dreamy garden with a stone wall and walkway that will be the perfect spot for our family, as well as for my clients in the coming years!

Photo credits: The Mallorys and Beatific Visions Photography

Dresses: Anthropologie, Selkie, Ivy City Co., NoraLee

See my last post on Gratitude here