my story
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Over a decade ago, when my oldest son was a baby, my husband gifted me my first camera. We were young, first time parents and as a newbie stay-at-home mom, I found the transition challenging. My husband, Brad, was going to school and working – providing for our little family and gone for long hours every day. We only had one vehicle, which he had to take to get to school & work, and I was three hours from my family & friends. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was struggling with severe postpartum depression & anxiety. It’s still hard to think back and remember how long & lonely those days were.
A camera was not something that was in our budget at the time, but we (my husband & I) both knew that I needed an outlet and a hobby. Something that was just for me – but something that I could easily do with my toddler, as a stay at home mom with no vehicle or childcare.
Photography was the light that helped me see the beauty of my life (of childhood & motherhood), even through the darkest, loneliest days of postpartum depression.
I’ve always been artistic and growing up I loved drawing, painting & crafting – things that all became too messy and hard to do with a busy one year old around. I’ve also always loved taking pictures, but I don’t know if I necessarily thought of it as art until my husband bought me that first “real” (DSLR) camera. When I learned I COULD create art with a camera, I quickly fell in love with story-telling and lifestyle photography. I learned how to create magic out of the ordinary days, and how to find the beauty in the mundane. I learned how to capture details like my son's dimpled baby knuckles, his blonde wispy curls, and his big, bright, blue eyes. All the things that I loved so much about him then… all the things that have changed about him now. Those soft, dimpled baby hands turned into rough, little boy hands. Those blonde curls straightened out and turned dark brown. Those blue eyes turned hazel. Every year he changes more and every year those photos I took of him as a baby & toddler become more priceless.
“We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.”
I think my story is a lot like many photographers. What started as a hobby, became a passion… became a career. I started photographing my own babies as an outlet and a way to cope with depression. I never planned on doing it as a job or profession – but soon I was asked to start photographing for family, then for friends, and eventually friends of friends. Before I knew it, I had grown a clientele and a business. Photography has saved and blessed my life, and my family’s life, in so many ways and I feel so grateful that I am able to share my talent and love with others through this priceless gift of preserving memories.
“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
- Marc Anthony
I’m married to my best friend and I’m a mom of five – we have three adventurous, energetic boys who are 11, 9 & 7 and two sweet, sassy little girls who are 5 & 3. We live in the cutest small town in southern Utah and love everything about it.
When I’m not out shooting, you will often find me on the couch under a soft blanket, a cat on my lap and kids snuggled up all around me. My laptop close by (always editing) and a cup of caffeinated hot cocoa in my hand.
more about me
Easy going & mellow | Calm | Funny | Kind | Pays attention to detail
Friends and Family Describe Me As:
Books
Mugs
Sweats
Blankets
My Collections:
Online Window Shopping
Scrolling Pinterest
A good audiobook or netflix series
Adventuring or being home with my family
Trying new things & seeing new places
Barnes & Noble & TJ Maxx
Favorite Things:
FUN FACTS
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