Of all of the things I have had to do relating to my photography business, writing this page – telling you about myself – has been one of the hardest!  It seems too obvious to tell you that I love photography… or that I am a mother, wife, sister, daughter, cousin, aunt, neice, granddaughter, and friend.  Chances are, you are at least one of those, too (although the odds are much higher if you are female).  I can tell you that I talk… a LOT…, love to laugh, and will always choose fun over chores!   I love to travel even though I hate airplanes, and am most ready to plan a vacation when I’ve just returned from one.  I love music.  LOVE music.  I would secretly like to be a part of the Von Trapp family just so I can sing everywhere I go – even though I’m not a great singer!  My one wish for my children is that they grow up to be people that others refer to as “kind”… “funny” would be an added bonus.

Probably one of the most telling aspects of my life is my daughter.  She is amazing.  She’s beautiful, creative, and feisty!  She’s the leader of the pack – the oldest child of three and the only girl.  She was also diagnosed two years ago with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  She has taught us to be tolerant.  She has taught us acceptance.  She has taught us to be less judgmental when we see others around us who don’t seem “typical”.  Most importantly, she has taught us teamwork… she has brought our family closer.

When picturing my life, I had never imagined myself as an advocate for people with disabilities.  I can honestly say I am glad to have this privilege.  It has opened my eyes.  I have come to realize that every person – with or without a disability – has a unique personality and incredible spirit, and that a disability is not a measure of what someone can’t do, but more accurately a measure of their unique abilities.   I take this knowledge into my sessions and try to capture a fleeting glimpse of that spirit and beauty in each and every image I create.

My photography style reflects the perspective I have found through my daughter.  I love to create contrast in my images, both visually and in theory.  I love grungy places that showcase the beauty of my subjects with incredible clarity.  I love bold colors, rich black and whites, interesting textures, and unexpected locations.  I’m definitely not your mother’s photographer!  My business has grown fast and furious, and I am excited for the ride!  I am constantly looking for new and interesting endeavors and can’t wait to see where this journey will take me!

To read a little more about my story click HERE.  To read about Project Hope and find out how you can support Missouri Families for Effective Autism Treatment, click HERE.  To view my portfolio site click HERE.