Boy mom, rescue dog mom, Marine wife and photographer/videographer.
I am a believer of capturing the true emotions and documenting what makes you all ‘YOU’ through photographs and video. I am a true people person so half of the fun for me is really getting to know you, your people and what makes your heart whole and happy. When I take the time to know your story, that, my friend, is where the real magic happens. I am so IN LOVE with what I do!
How did I get here? Well, I give credit to my dad. He would have his camera with him on all of our family vacations traveling the far east side of the world as a little girl when we lived in Japan. My informal education on cameras and ignition of my passion started from there. In high school, I was the head of photography for our yearbook as well as the darkroom manager for the school newspaper, developing my own film for our publications.
A little interesting tidbit; I was in front of the camera professionally before I ever stepped behind it. My first job ever was that of a model for commercial print advertisements when I lived in Japan. From clothing, to space heaters, to cars, I rocked some pretty interesting hair-dos and outfits. I was even on the back cover of the Shinkansen train’s magazine (the bullet train). Celebrity status anyone?! Trust me when I say, I completely know the feeling of awkwardness and fear in front of the lens, but I can confidently guide you through it with some giggles along the way.
The time came to attend college where I majored in something completely different, but never lost my love of photography. While living back in the Washington D.C. area in 2016, I picked my camera back up and I took photography courses through the George Washington University at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, as well as through the Smithsonian Institute. I never looked back and launched my business a month after welcoming my son in 2017.
Here I am now, ready to capture you and your people. Couples and engagements, elopements, maternity, family, babies, military life, military homecomings, headshots, branding, video and more.
Random facts:
I am an alumni of the University of South Carolina and huge Gamecocks fan, lover of beautiful landscapes, the great outdoors, architecture, beaches, wine, family, cooking, dance (I danced from 4 years old through college), world travel, coffee, and my rescue dog, Fender. I’m a mover and a shaker, moving 20 times in my life. Military child, turned military wife and love serving this community I’m in.
Recent Accomplishments:
I Placed 12th out of over 10,000 entries in the Shoot and Share international photo contest in the “Emotion and Excitement” category in 2020. Break out your tissues for this picture (and any emotionally driven military homecoming)!
Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic started, fellow photographer, Nicole Tidei Photography, and I launched #TWFfrontporchpics fundraiser where we spent a total of 48 hours documenting 120 families across Hanford, Lemoore and NAS Lemoore, CA. We walked about 15.5 miles or 27,000 steps and took 7,960 photos of families to support The Wingman Foundation and raised $7,018.50!!!
100% of all the proceeds went to the non-profit organization, The Wingman Foundation.
This organization plays a significant role to the Navy and Marine Corps aviation community that my family is a part of. I also had the honor of being the official photographer for The Wingman Foundation D.C. Memorial Walk 2019 and 2022. For more information about this organization please visit https://www.wingmanfoundation.org.
Featured images on ABC30 Action News - Fresno, CA, People Magazine - Instagram and Twitter and Lilly Pulitzer - Instagram.
Currently serving the Yuma, Arizona and San Diego + SoCal areas of California. Can be booked for travel!
All in all, I would love to work with you to freeze your moments in time! Let’s chat about your session!