THE GAL BEHIND THE LENS

Most of my childhood was spent starting over-- new towns, new schools, new faces, new chapters. 

At the time, I struggled to understand and all I longed for was stability and belonging. 

Looking back now, I am able to see that despite the hardships of being the perpetual new kid, and having to restart life over and over again, I am so grateful for what I was able to take away from those never ending new chapters. 

Those chapters taught me to be curious about the world, and to find beauty in the people who are different from me. They taught me to find beauty in whatever environment I am placed in. Those chapters taught me that every family looks a little different, every love story has its own rhythm, and that each person has such a unique story to tell that you cannot understand simply by looking at them. 

Most importantly, because I spent so much time starting over and trying to find my place, I better understand what it means to belong. 

Being a photographer has never been about just taking photos for me. It is about making people feel seen and celebrated. It is about reminding people that there is so much beauty in the seemingly ordinary moments, and that saving this little snippet of life at this exact moment is so important. 

I do not expect perfection, ever. I appreciate the humanity of each person that steps in front of my lens and gives me the privilege of their time. I embrace the awkward, imperfect, silly, authentic, chaos that is the human experience.