I was first introduced to visual storytelling by my grandfather. A photographer himself, he enjoyed piecing together family albums, and I was eager to help him. I can still remember the smell of those old photo books, the white gloves he made me wear to handle them, the black-and-white images of family members long gone. It was a beautiful lesson in preserving moments, no matter how big or small, for others to cherish.
I went on to get my degree in photojournalism from Kent State University before landing a position as a magazine photographer. I’ve documented everything from military homecomings and drag queens to a high school student courageously battling AIDS. And I’m proud to have earned a handful of awards for my editorial work, which has been featured on the covers of Columbus Monthly, Columbus CEO and Columbus Weddings. I love meeting people of all backgrounds, hearing their stories and helping them get comfortable in front of the camera. (In other words, you can count on me to strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone and make even the grumpiest of family members crack a smile!)
Once I began shooting weddings on the weekends and capturing friends and their growing families, I realized I was in love with love. Getting to know you, discovering what makes you unique, and then bringing that to life in photos is my favorite part of this work. I’m a decade into my career as a wedding and family photographer, and I still pinch myself when a couple books me to shoot their big day.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me chasing my three girls around the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, enjoying a scoop (or three) of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams with my husband or dreaming about my next trip abroad.