Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Now that you have read some of my stories and browsed through some of my pictures, I would like to introduce myself! Sit back, relax, and read a little bit about who I am!
How did you get into newborn photography?
My first day on the job at St. Vincent's Medical Center is what led me to newborn photography. It was when I had to deliver hospital supplies to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) that I knew I wanted to work with babies. I had worked as a nursery supervisor in the past, holding and caring for newborns, and was already in school. It made perfect sense to continue my education at my local community college and try to get accepted into the nursing field to become a NICU nurse. After my failed attempt at nursing, I took some time off and worked in other areas of the medical field.
After some time went by, I moved out to the Columbia River Gorge and took up the hobby of photography. From then on, I knew that I wanted to take pictures of nature and sell them at local venues. School was still screaming my name from across the room so it seemed right to go to school for photography. Luckily, a friend of mine suggested The Art Institute of Portland. I applied and was accepted into the college's photography program. From then on out, I pursued my new passion for photography and discovered how to incorporate my love for newborns as well.
All in all I have been a photographer for about 4 years.
Do you only photograph newborns?
No, but it is what my main subject of photography is (or eventually will be). I absolutely LOVE photographing people, lifestyles, love, farmers markets, ect. I really do enjoy photographing all aspects of life.
What level of photography do you consider yourself to be at?
I title myself as a "professional student photographer" which by (my) definition means " I love what I do and think I am pretty good at what I do, but I am still a student who is learning a newly discovered talent that takes years of practice". And because I am still learning, I try to keep my prices affordable and reasonable in terms of my experience.
If I were to ask a previous client about your work, what would they say about you?
Clients of mine have stated that I am great at capturing moments. I am good at documenting a moment in time, whether that be an excited senior who is just a couple months away from graduating, to a newborn who's wrinkles are still fresh and tiny limbs are able to hold those precious newborn poses. I have the gift of making someone feel beautiful and comfortable.
I also have the gift of developing a relationship! I love getting to know you, your family, the people you surround yourself with, ect. I want to know you as if we were best friends from way back when!
What is your educational background?
Along with taking many classes at The Art Institute of Portland, I have also taken a newborn workshop taught by the world renowned newborn photographer, Kelley Ryden. During my time with Kelley, I was able to learn how to pose a newborn in a safe and serene manner, I was taught how to capture those facial expressions that only newborns can display and learned how to edit an image just to a clients liking.
I am still a student (as mentioned before) at The Art Institute of Portland and plan on graduating in the next couple of years. I maintain a 3.0 average or above at all times and take pride and value in the work I submit. Because of my diligence, I have had my work displayed in our schools first floor gallery, as well as poster sized prints of my photographs displayed on our school walls.
What motivates you and excites you about photography?
What excites me the most about the photography field is developing relationships with clients, being able to be hands on with newborns and be a part of their lives forever, being able to make a woman of any age feel beautiful, letting a couple see their love in a photograph and giving that senior a picture for their year book that will never grow old. I just love being able to visualize a scene, set up, pose, or image and make that image come true in the form of a photograph. I have complete control over the look I want to achieve and because I this, I know how to get the image "just right". Photography allows me to be an artist.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I am an avid cleaner, animal lover, hiker, I love cooking and caring for others. When I am not working on photography, homework or my normal 9-5 job, you can find me obsessively cleaning, repainting or redecorating, or most of the time you can find me at a local restaurant with friends and family!
I am an Oregon native and love it! I love when our two weeks of summer rolls on past and the fall weather returns. I love listening to the sound of the rain inside my nice warm house on cold winter days.I also spend a lot of my free time reading and learning about the style and type of photography I enjoy looking at.
What have you done to give back to your community?
I have also volunteered at Legacy Emanuel Hospital reading to sick children, I have volunteered at my local church as a leader in the children's ministries and I have also volunteered at Camp Tilikum for five years, helping children have fun summer's and develope a personal relationship with God.
Any awards?
In high school, I graduated early while obtaining over 90+ hours of community service. I received an award for this and special recognition.
I was also pretty good at getting pins and prizes for selling those AWESOME Camp Fire cookies you know you all love...yumm!
What is most important to you in your life? What could you NEVER give up?
I would never be able to give up my animals, especially my cats. Oh, and of course my family and those closest to me...not necessarily in that order either...As of today, I probably won't plan on having children. So my cats are like my kids and I love them all very much!
And my family and friends are my foundation! They have supported me with every decision I have made and have made sure that I am well taken care of when needed. I can't thank them enough for all of their help and support!
I could also never give up my flat iron, Snickers Ice Cream candy bars or tank tops! Or those jeans with the cute pockets on the back!
Anything else we should know about you?
Yes, I have tattoo's and with each of them has an inspirational story. Don't let them scare you, embrace them and learn something new!
I love to be organic in style and creative in designing my photography.
