My story starts in New Jersey, where I was born....youngest of 4 kids who started life with the Hong Kong Flu (that really is a thing!) My family lived in New York, which I think is so cool, but I only got to experience that kind of life for 2 weeks before my dad transferred out to the Midwest. I am the only one in our family who wasn’t born in Ohio, and my mom tells me how that used to bother me something terrible when I was young. I wanted to be the same as everyone else....only I wasn’t. I was terribly shy and unsure of myself. The one thing I was sure of is, that I loved taking photographs. Maybe it was the hiding behind the camera instead of being in front of it that I was drawn to. Being a part of the action of fun, without anyone really noticing me.

I developed film for my high school yearbook. The smell of the chemicals did nothing for me, but it was mesmerizing to watch the images come to life right in front of my eyes. It was magical! The whole process from taking a photo to giving it life in the darkroom....the quiet and isolated darkroom. Yes, I was at home here! Fast forward some years to the process of giving real life, to 3 incredible gifts. I spent all my time at home from then on, raising them and amping up the amount of film I was purchasing. I loved photographing their every move! My way of freezing their sweetness in my soul forever. I can honestly say that these kids really gave life to me!

People started to notice my photographic abilities about this time. It was at a sick visit to our Pediatric office that I started my professional photography journey. I’m positive that God Himself whispered in my ear that day as I would never have called the office to ask them about hanging my photos in the lobby. Not only did they say absolutely, but they decorated the entire space of the brand new build with my “incognito” style images. That was the beginning of not only my photography career, but of busting out of my “shy” shell.

Today, I have no problem talking to anyone, anywhere, anytime ( much to my family’s dismay sometimes). I have traveled on airplanes, rented cars and shared hotel rooms with complete strangers on photography workshops...up until this time I had never lived on my own or traveled anywhere by myself. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true.

Today, I am an Associate Photographer and Mentor for world renown Headshot Photographer, Peter Hurley. I am one of only 111 Associates world wide and 1 of under 18 females. Being an Associate, means that Peter has personally approved my headshot photos and deems me as excellent to send work to and use his name to promote my business. That is pretty mind blowing to a quiet girl who was afraid to speak to people. I absolutely love my job and I especially love meeting new people every day!