A bit about me, my life and of course my dogs

A few years back, my late grandfather pulled me aside, said “I think you may have an eye for photography,” and gifted me my first camera as a graduation present. Little did I know that would be the first step in my career as a photographer. It truly changed my life forever. He is what makes this passion even more special. He was one of my favorite people on earth and the fact that he got me started on this path makes me cherish my craft even more. I know he would be proud of the business I have built and the community I have created, and I think of him and his legacy often as I am working.

After moving to the Bay area and not knowing anyone or really anything about it, I craved connection and community. Photography allowed me to build connections with people by documenting them for several milestones throughout many years. I realized that while watching other people’s lives grow and change with time, that I was deeply impacted and changed as well in all the best ways. This realization is what’s drawn me closer to this love of documenting people throughout their lives. I always hope to see my clients again, and some have even become family to me. I’ve seen their milestones, I know their histories, I’ve been a part of big life changes, and have witnessed families grow. This has provided me with a unique and beautiful perspective that finds itself in every image I take. It’s an immense privilege and honor to create an experience that makes memories tangible.

I'm guilty of being a workaholic, but over the last few years I've been working on finding balance in my life and finding joy in the slow moments. Really taking a moment to slow down balances me, which helps me serve my clients better, build my relationships stronger, and makes my community better. It’s why I like to focus on the little moments during sessions and the candid images between the posed. Slowing life down, even for a couple of hours to shoot, changes the very feeling of the images and it’s refreshing for me and my clients. I’m so lucky to have a job that combines so many things that I’m passionate about. I’m grateful I have the skills to be able to provide more of an experience than just beautiful photographs.

If I'm not working, I'm often out hiking/exploring/walking with my dogs. You can also find me doing yoga in a tiny corner of my home or practicing locally at some of the amazing studios in the Oakland. I recently took up rock climbing and love finding time to work on a project or two. I also love swimming, I am no stranger to swimming in Half Moon Bay, Lake Tahoe, or really anywhere that I can hop in for a sec, no wetsuit required.

Okay as a wedding photographer one of my favorite things to do at a wedding is try all the treats! I'm totally guilty of eating all the cupcakes! So in no particular order my top 4 favorites have been:

1. Cinnabon, I had a client bring a microwave and Cinnabons to heat up, AMAZING!
2. Funfetti cake/cupcakes, I've had funfetti cake a handful of times at weddings and it's always my favorite.
3. Donuts, okay again I have had donuts at a few wedding and tbh I am a total sucker for a donut. I had some clients bring in Bob's donuts from the city and they were PERFECT.
4. Pancakes, okay so they actually didn't have these as a treat but it was a brunch/breakfast wedding and I freaking love pancakes.

• Dogs, of course this an obvious one.
• Foggy Days, I absolutely love it when it's foggy out.
• The color green, I'm a green girl through and through (obviously).
• Moving, I love many different forms of movement. Yoga, handstands, rock climbing, walking, hiking, swimming.
• Pizza, a few summers ago we bought a pizza oven and pizza nights in the yard are my favorite.