I’ve always loved photography.
Growing up in Mississippi, my older brother regularly transformed the small bathroom we shared into a darkroom. He printed photos he took for the school newspaper, photos of friends, and images of our family he took by the fireplace. I really believe it was this first introduction to photography that stuck with me and finally grew into more than a hobby over the years.
I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts Degree in Journalism with an emphasis in photojournalism. This led to jobs working as a reporter and photographer at local newspapers during the “darkroom days,” before digital, and as a freelance photographer at a major metropolitan newspaper. Yes, I’ve spent many days and nights standing in the darkroom inside the newsroom, attempting to blindly thread film onto a metal developing wheel and saying a silent prayer that the film isn’t ruined. It was there where I learned to appreciate photography and capture “real life moments” that tell a story.
So why should you hire me?
Ok, this might sound a little rough but, here goes… Digital photography has unfortunately opened the door to hundreds of so-called photographers who bought a camera and decided to go into business selling an entire session of digital images for $100. If this is what you had in mind, I’m not the photographer for you.
Good photography is an investment.
Repeat after me: Good photography is an investment.
A great amount of time and energy is spent photographing and editing those images. It’s not a simple “point, shoot and upload” process. It’s about creating images based on years of experience and education. As a professional photographer, I continue to study and learn as any artist should. I also consider it an honor to be selected to photograph your family. I take that job seriously and hope you’ll give me the chance.
Now enough of the boring, ramble! Here’s the fun stuff…
1. My husband Brent and I have two crazy boys who keep us on our toes with their teenage sarcasm, bedrooms fit for the show “Hoarders,” and “brotherly love,” aka fighting.
2. I’m obsessed with my Standard Poodle Patrick who I know is the coolest pet on the planet. He really is. Trust me. TRUST. ME.
3. My family and I moved to Asheville from Arkansas several years ago and couldn’t be happier. I can’t believe it took us this long to get here! What an amazing city!
4. And the cheesy stuff… I love chocolate, LOVE chocolate, black coffee, guacamole, I’m getting hungry…, swimming, hiking, boating, did I mention chocolate?, riding bikes…okay just eating and being outdoors! Oh and I hate laundry. Hate it. It won’t go away. Ever. Hence…the self-portrait!
