More About Me...

That image of my family and I was the FIRST professional session we ever had done. So this is me, practicing what I preach and getting our photos taken professionally. I wore the long flowy dress. I got my makeup done. I drove to an epic location. But it wasn't always like that. I chose my outfits based on something cute, that I would wear again. And it wasn't necessarily a long flowy dress. I'd set up a tri-pod, set my family up in a row, and we all smiled for the camera. Easy peasy. What I wasn't capturing when I did that, was any connection or emotion, movement or pretty light flares, genuine smiles or laughter. All the things I wanted in my own images, but, to be honest, didn't want to invest in. And now I'm sad. Sad that I don't have images like that with my children when they were young. Now, one is in her 20's, and the other two, hormonal teenagers. But that doesn't mean we still can't capture the story of our family (of YOUR family) and have beautiful images to show for it. The days of JCPenney posed stuffy family photos are gone. At least in my opinion. If you still like that style, that's okay too. I'm just not the photographer for you.

I enjoy an ice cold diet coke (pretty much every day), chips & salsa, Jesus and country music. I grew up here in the Valley of the Sun and I LOVE monsoon season. Nothing beats that smell of summer rain. My husband works in law enforcement, loves sports, and is especially good at spoiling me and the kids. We built our family a bit unconditionally, adopting the youngest two at birth, each from different birth parents, just 14-months apart! Alyssa, my oldest is a 3rd grade teacher and is such a gift to everyone she meets. Joshua, my son is a talented musician, playing the piano and percussion and has the best dimples. Addison, plays the piano as well, and is an incredible soccer goal keeper and keeps us extremely busy with practices and games.

All those hours I spend at soccer practice - that's when you'll find me editing. Some people listen to podcasts or put a movie on in the background while editing sessions. Not me. I pick an artist (country, more often than not) and listen to an entire catalog of their music. And I really LOVE concerts, like really! My husband and I see at least 6-8 concerts every year, if not more, and even travel out of state to see the artists we love. Hello Morgan Wallen. Traveling as a family is something we love to do together also. Whether it's for my daughter's club soccer team (which is almost once a month, out of state), taking our travel trailer camping, or just getting out of town, I'm always in. Beach. Mountains. Countryside. I see beauty in it all.

I see beauty in YOU and I want to capture that. That means fun, candid, unposed, true authentic connection, love and laughs with your family. Those are the moments, the images, the memories that will matter in 5, 10, 30 years. The ones I didn't get when my kids were little.