When I was three years old, my grandma and mom took me to get portraits done at JCPenney. According to my grandma, I was in a terrible mood that day. I told her that, no matter what, I was not going to smile.

Being a stubborn Cancer, they could not get me to smile, but they took the photos anyway.

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My grandma’s favorite picture came from that photoshoot.

 

That photo of me, pouting and looking down at a plastic rose, sat on her dresser for 30+ years.

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It wasn't until I was a little bit older that I noticed my dad always had a camera in his hand. He had such a great time capturing us growing up, that I picked up a camera to see what the magic was all about.

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When I moved across the country with my brother to help raise my nephews, I fell in head-over-heels, no-going-back love with lifestyle and family photography. I pulled out my camera any chance I could. First day of preschool, I tagged along with my camera. When my brother would take them fishing, you can bet I was right behind them with my camera. 

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To this day, just looking at the real-life moments preserved in my dad's images and those shots I took of my nephews brings the memories to life.

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That’s why my work doesn’t include cookie-cutter Pinterest poses. I believe when kids get to play, they forget there is a camera there so I can get candids of that grin, that laugh, that hug. And that sometimes the shots without smiles can be the most brilliant. I want to give you natural, true-to-life images that make you laugh, cry, and feel joy every time you look at them.

So if you want to chase the smiles, find the magic in the sunset, and wholeheartedly embrace the chaos, I’d love to work with you!