THE LONG VERSION

My personal brand journey

I grew up in a small farming town in Northern California.

And when I say small, I mean I had 45 people in my graduating class, kinda small.

There were many days spent on horseback, but most of all there were days spent dreaming of turning my childhood passion of being a photographer into reality.

Not knowing the slightest idea how to do that, I went to college and pursued graphic design. It seemed like the a safer alternative, and was still creative. 

While finishing up college I got a job at a local dot com. I also was shooting weddings and portraits on the side.

And still - dreaming.

Then the recession of 2009 came crashing down on my world. I lost my ‘safe’ job. 

Even though I was devastated and even more so scared, a piece of me knew it was the opportunity to make my dream of being a full time photographer come true.

I ended up building a wedding photography business that was great on paper. 

….Until it wasn't.

I started to burn myself out. To overcome that I started doing ‘just for fun’ styled model shoots. 

And I felt ALIVE.

In 2020 I had a baby girl. And when I say it was THE BEST thing that has ever happened to me, I mean it with every fiber of my being. Becoming a mom taught me what really matters in life.

It was then that I decided if I was going to spend time away from my family, I was going to do it with something that made me feel alive and not drained.

I also realized all those model shoots laid the foundation to branding and commercial photography.

And now here I am. Today I’m building a life, family, and a career with meaning and love. I’m not just working to work. But working to live.