I believe:
love is love, the woods hold deep truths, and life is a beautiful mess.

I specialize in natural light, documentary-style family narratives producing raw, authentic visual imagery - finding beauty in everyday adventures. I love going on adventure sessions with families to capture the ordinary and extraordinary moments. I shoot both in digital and on film.

HOW IT STARTED

Here I am at age six. Perhaps my first self-portrait, straight into the mirror. I remember taking control of my mom’s point-and-shoot when I was in elementary school and begging for underwater disposable cameras for each summer vacation. And when my dad got a camcorder, I was obsessed. My friends and I used to make the silliest videos, and maybe someday I’ll share these in a blog. I became determined to “refine” my photography as a middle schooler, being especially drawn to the macro photography in the pages of National Geographic. I wanted desperately to recreate these images, to get so close to something to study it scientifically and to see it intimately in a way few take the time to examine. I remember feeling confident that I too could make photographs like that. I wandered into my backyard with that simple point-and-shoot, and getting as close as I could to the honeysuckle, the boxwood, and ivy, I clicked away.  I was so excited to get the film back but was instantly disappointed at the blur staring back at me. My mom, recognizing my passion, interest, and disappointment, bought me my first “real” camera - a used Pentax SLR. I think mothers are the best at that - nourishing curiosity and allowing exploration.

HOW IT’S GOING

By my side I have two super rad kids, three rescue cats and the most wonderful life partner. On the schooling side, I hold an MA in Arts Administration, Education and Policy from The Ohio State University and a BA in Anthropology from Wake Forest University. In addition to being a photographer, I have also managed art galleries at Stanford University, directed creative programming for the Urban Arts Space in Columbus, OH, and built houses in Mississippi, Georgia, California and Honduras. If anyone wants to chat about the benefits of taking a year (or two) to serve with Americorps - give me call. I currently volunteer with Life Lab, which cultivates children's love of learning, healthy food, and nature through garden-based education.