where it all began
As a young girl, I always had a passion for photography; whether it was my mom and I doing random photoshoots in our front yard or going around my hometown on a nice day to find creative spots inside our favorite places. This love for photography is something I learned from my mother. She was always taking my photo, wanting to capture memories and hold onto them forever.
I began my journey by finding spots in nature, taking selfies, and photographing friends and family. I didn’t have my own camera at first; it started as simply using a cell phone or borrowing my mom’s Canon. During my first couple of years in college at KVCC, I received a Canon Rebel as my very first camera to call my own. At that time, photography was just a hobby. Honestly, I was too scared to take the leap, the fear of failure kept me from stepping into my full potential. Over the next few years, I took more and more photographs with no real direction or clear vision of where it might lead. Right before I took that jump into the unknown, I truly had little understanding of editing styles, lighting, exposure, or how to use those elements to complement a subject. I’ll be the first to admit that even with passion for something you love, there is always room to improve and grow.
Taken with my Canon with computer preset editing ( clicked it and let it go) 2020-2021)
deciding to take the leep
In October of 2021, my parents asked Oh Shoot Photography (Shawnia), a longtime family friend to capture our family photos. Shortly after our session, I knew it was time to take the first step toward turning my passion into a career. I reached out to Shawnia to ask where I should start next.
From my very first year in business, Shawnia became my mentor and guide through every beginning stage. She has been the best mentor I could ever ask for. I assisted her at countless weddings as a second and third photographer, learning everything I could and soaking it all in like a sponge.
During this time, when I wasn’t photographing weddings alongside my mentor, I spent my evenings and weekends taking online classes and learning new techniques from other photographers. My goal was to continuously expand my knowledge so I could better serve my clients both now and in the future. Learning has become a lifelong part of my journey, especially in an ever-changing industry like photography. This period allowed me to take on clients, experiment creatively, and begin shaping what I truly wanted my business and style to look like.
2022- Early 2023 starting to find my way
2023-2024
This timeframe marked a major turning point for me. I began to hone in on my editing style, the moments I love to capture, and the niches I wanted to add to my portfolio and expand on in the future. I realized that my capture style leans toward photojournalistic storytelling and candid moments, while still embracing an editorial flare. I also discovered how much I love meeting new people and hearing their stories.
During this time, I explored various editing aesthetics light & airy, true to color, dark & moody, warm-toned and found that my style leans most toward light and moody, a look that best represents my artistic vision.
2023- Early 2024
Mid 2024- Present
Fast forward to now, 2026, and I have had the honor of capturing 24 weddings of my own between 2024 and 2025, along with many more while working as a lead or second photographer for my mentor & a few other local wedding photographers. Today, I photograph a wide variety of sessions, including:
- Portraits (families, couples, and individuals)
- Senior portraits
- Children’s milestones
- Maternity
- Engagements
- Weddings, elopements, and micro weddings
I love capturing authentic candids, including the “bloopers”, the unexpected moments that are often too funny or meaningful not to include. My goal is not only to document your most special moments, but to ensure you’re having fun while doing it.
When working with me, you can expect someone who is:
- Organized
- A hype girl (capturing candids and dancing on the dance floor with you)
- Sentimental (you might catch me tearing up at your wedding)
- Go-with-the-flow (because sometimes timelines shift and that’s okay)
Knowing where we started helps us appreciate where we are now and how we continue to move forward. I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family, clients, and mentors along the way and promise to keep learning, growing, and evolving my skills. Without you, I would not have a business or the passion to continue striving to be better.
2024- Present