I get asked a lot about how I got into photography. A week ago, I screwed up my color settings and I am in the process of fixing my big boo boo. So while I’m waiting to see the results of my monitor calibration, I will share the story.

This is my son…6 years ago. This photo is very special to me in so many ways. He was 3 and a half months old here and had just discovered his hand. I had to sneak up to him to get this shot and I thought for sure I would miss it since digital cameras were a new thing and very slooooow. But I got it and I was so ecstatic! It’s one of those things your child does that you later recall, not actually have a photo of. I have the finger movement and all! [ok I'm done now, just excited]

The camera was a Kodak Easy Share. I stayed up all night and went to walmart at 4am for their black Friday sale to buy it :p and I still have it, haha!  I had always been interested in photography, especially after I had my first child. But it was THIS photo that sparked the flame. Even more exciting, it was published a year later in the March issue of PaperKuts Magazine. Yes, I scrapbooked for a few years ;) It helped pass the time during J’s deployments. Before he left, he bought me my first SLR and I studied everything I could about photography. I practiced on my kids til they were so sick of me they would run as soon as they saw me grab the camera, hahaha! I didn’t have to bribe Sarah though, she enjoyed it and even graced the cover of a magazine! In 2007, I was asked to be a  ’Simple Gal’ and designed for Simple Scrapbooks Magazine.  It was during that time I decided I wanted to do more with photography. It was such an honor working with all of those talented women at Simple! I was always inspired, always learning. Just as J was returning home, I was finishing my year with the magazine and beginning to learn about the business side to photography.

What started as a personal quest has transformed into such a rewarding career. I havent stepped into a portrait studio in years. To me theyre awkward and impersonal. I love the connections I have with the families I meet. I remember their children, the time I spend with them, and my favorite part, I get to watch them [their children and their family] grow. And I love the fact that unlike a studio, I will always remember each and every one them. I feel honored to capture their love, and thier moments :)

To me there is no such thing as a bad photo, only good memories. a personal favorite of mine. My son at age 2, emptying the dishwasher ;)

my first cover :)