And I've basically been a photographer my whole life.

I started with my mom's 35mm film camera. She brought it to every family event, every school thing, every moment of our childhoods. By high school I was borrowing it...okay, mostly stealing it...to photograph my friends. I would shoot a roll of Kodak Gold and then run it up to the local Meijer and drop it off at the 1-hour photo lab. There was nothing better than picking up those double prints and taking them back to school to give out. (I definitely was NOT buying friendship.)

In 2001, I took my first formal photography classes at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, and that's where I walked into a black-and-white darkroom for the first time and fell in love. From there, I knew I wanted to go all in which led me to Columbia College Chicago, where I graduated in 2007 with a BA in Photography, focusing on documentary, photojournalism, and studio lighting.

After moving back to Michigan, life took a pretty great detour. My mom had a dream of opening a bakery, and I jumped in to help make it happen. I spent over a decade running and growing that business alongside her. I loved helping my mom achieve her dream. Who else gets the experience of working side-by-side with their mom for over a decade. When she retired in 2024, it felt like the right moment to come back to my own dream.

So here we are! Ready to take some more pictures! Just let me know if you want double prints so you can give them out.

When I'm not behind the camera, you'll probably find me on a trail with my dog Penny, out on the water kayaking with friends, or deep into a board game where i "definitely" paid attention when the rules were read aloud. I'm also a Disney World girl (unapologetically!!) and I love any excuse to travel and explore somewhere new. Life's too short not to enjoy it, and I think that spirit shows up in my work too.

Working with a photographer should feel good — from the first message you send to the moment your gallery lands in your inbox. That's the whole goal. Comfortable, relaxed, and actually enjoyable for everyone who steps in front of my camera.

I also believe photography should be accessible. Not just for people who can swing high session fees and expensive print packages — everyone deserves to have their people, their moments, and their everyday lives documented and celebrated.

Creating an inclusive, welcoming space is something I care deeply about. I proudly support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and I'm committed to making sure every single client feels seen, respected, and valued. I also bring personal experience working with neurodivergent individuals. I helped raise two autistic children, and I have ADHD myself — so I get it. Not everyone thrives in a traditional, structured session, and that's completely fine with me. I show up with patience, flexibility, and zero expectations about how things are "supposed" to go. We'll figure it out together.

If the idea of being in front of a camera makes you want to hide — totally normal. Seriously. Whether you're a senior, a couple, or a whole chaotic family, I'll guide you through it in a way that feels easy and natural. Nothing forced, nothing stiff. And hey, if you feel a little awkward, don't worry — I probably do too. We're all just humans out here.

My background in documentary photography, portraiture, and studio lighting means I can adapt to just about any vision, vibe, or location. I have my own artistic eye, but at the end of the day, the photos should look like you — not like me. What matters most is that you walk away with images you genuinely love. Photos that feel real, that feel like yours, and that you'll keep coming back to for years.