About Me

When I was growing up, we had a drawer filled with pictures.  Every so often, I found myself pouring through them, reliving those memories yet again.  It seemed like that little drawer held my life.  It was full of the people I loved; friends and family frozen in time.  One of my favorites was of my Uncle Paul, who has since passed.  It was a bit of an extreme close up of his tongue with his laughing face behind it.  A grown up giving the raspberries to the camera...what kid wouldn't love that?! 

When I think back to where my love of photography started, I would have to say that little drawer was it.  In those days, it was just the love of the photos themselves.  As I got older, I began to appreciate "quality" photos.  All I had ever taken were simple snapshots that captured a moment in time.  Someone told me that if I wanted to take better photos, I needed a 35mm camera.  Not realizing they were talking about an SLR, I went out and bought a camera that took 35mm film.  I still couldn't get the pictures I had imagined.

Eventually, someone pointed me in the right direction, and I bought my first Nikon.  FINALLY...I was making progress!  I filled album after album with my friends and family...a little scenery here & there.  I joined a camera club and awed at the stunning scenic photos the others were creating.  Then I began to see a difference.  I began to see a pattern in my own photos.  It was a small group, so we would not only bring our "topic of the month" photos, but other favorites as well.  My favorites...were always of people.

A few years later, I decided to take my daughter to Glamour Shots.  I figured it would be fun.  She was seven, missing a few teeth, and I thought it would be cute to capture that stage in her life with some "real portraits".  Little did I know that would be a turning point for me.  We had the best time.  I had my own photos done, and we did some mother/daughter shots too.  I enjoyed being on the other side of the camera for a change.  During our shoot, I chatted with the photographer about her schooling, and for the first time it donned on me that I could make a living doing what I loved...

Soon after, I applied for a temporary job as a photographer.  With no "professional" experience, I went to an interview armed with some of my favorite photos.  I was shocked at the emotional reaction the lady had to my work.  She just about hired me on the spot. 

Needless to say, I loved the job.  I was sad when it was over, but I had built a portfolio that I used to get another job at a chain studio.  The pay was less, but now I was looking more at what I could learn than what I could earn.  It didn't take long to realize that I wanted to do this on my own, so I began a course through the New York Institute of Photography. 

During my stay with that company, I was asked by a friend to be his wedding photographer.  I was nervous, but I said ok.  I had lots of experience with posing and groups.  Again...little did I know another world of opportunity had just opened up.  I began shooting weddings for friends, family, and eventually as a subcontractor for a wedding photography studio.

Through the years, I had held other jobs to pay the bills.  In the spring of 2009,  I had had it with my "regular job".  All winter long I had been saying to myself and coworkers, "there's got to be a better way".  Of course they would laugh and tell me to let them know if I figured one out.  But I was serious.  It was time for real change.  I was no longer willing to spend the days doing something that did nothing more for me than pay the bills.

The time was right.  It occurred to me that if I didn't do it now, I never would.

So, here I sit.
A photographer.
Following my dreams....