Grandma & Grandma gifted me a hot pink point-and-shoot on my 10th birthday, and I’ve never been without a camera since. I fell in love with taking portraits when so many of my friends asked me to take their senior photos. I got to hang out with my people AND celebrate life & milestones with them. As someone whose love language is quality time, my heart was so happy. I knew I wanted to experience more of this feeling.

Me on my 10th birthday in 2008, photo taken on my first camera :)

photos from summer 2015, going into my senior year :)

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The first wedding I photographed was for two of my good friends from high school. They called me and told me they wanted me to be their photographer. Their original photographer lived in Canada and could no longer make it due to border restrictions during Covid Times. Of course I said yes.

The day after their wedding, we went to Tipsoo Lake for more portraits. A few years prior, I took photos of them at the same place!! It was all so special!!! Another moment where I knew I wanted to experience more of this feeling.

Photos from My first Wedding - October 2020

Photography has remained constant throughout my life — through college, adopting guinea pigs, moving in with my person, grad school, and student teaching. Photography was always there on the side, on the weekends, after school.

Last year I taught high school English part-time, which meant I could pursue both of my dreams simultaneously!!! I taught every other weekday & on the days I was at home, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone with photography. I began posting more on Instagram, which allowed my people (you) to find me. I was almost fully booked for my 2024 wedding season, just in time to be laid off from teaching due to budget cuts.

Although it was emotional, I’ll never forget the way my students were there for me. I’ll never forget watching the entire student body walk out of 4th period and march to the district office to protest. All I ever wanted was for them to know their voice matters. They asked if I thought anything would come from the protest, and I said I wasn’t sure, but watching them stand up for something they care about was enough of a success for me.

I couldn’t imagine leaving my students and teaching somewhere else. When I got the news, there was no question about what I’d do — I knew I’d pursue photography full-time & sub a day or two a week so I could see my students.

Photography became more stable than the job I was “supposed” to have to fall back on. Both as a teacher & photographer, all I want is for people to feel like their story matters & is worthy of being shared.

I remember always dreaming about being a real photographer, and now I am. Life is funny how things fall into place like that.

Anyways, all this to say — you’re the one that brought me here. You’re the reason I cry happy tears when I think about my “job” — I get the honor of celebrating you & making a big deal, going to places special to your relationship, frolicking around at sunset, and watching the way your loved ones love you. Every season feels like that very first summer in 2015. I feel lucky every day to be here.

“Here’s my heart, now hold it close”

My favorite band, The Maine, has been just as constant in my life as photography has. I’ve loved them since 7th grade. They always have a way of putting my exact feelings into words, and this song sums up how I’m feeling right now :)

P.S. Funny enough, their song, “How to Exit a Room” came out the same week as my last day of teaching. With my car packed with items from my classroom, I listened to that song the whole way home.