why I believe in print
My Mother understood the importance of creating a timeless image. Our town was blessed with a professional portrait photographer – Roland Thompson. He had a studio in town and a resident Siamese cat “George”. We regularly met with him for different portrait sessions. He photographed my parent’s wedding and became a family friend as well. I still have a few of his beautiful prints.
I believe he influenced me to follow photography as a passion and eventual career.
A portrait of me as a child taken by Roland Thompson, behind my Grandmother.
A Lifelong Passion
I started taking photographs when I was nine. I couldn’t wait to get the prints back from the drugstore. They weren’t very good, but I would spend hours creating photo albums – telling stories in a visual way. At seventeen I had a darkroom set up in our basement and processed and printed the black and white photographs I’d taken. It was magical seeing the images develop in front of my eyes.
Becoming a Professional Photographer
I later enrolled in the Commercial Photography program at the Ohio Institute of Photography in Dayton, Ohio. Upon graduation, I was hired by the Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. based in Dayton, Ohio. I started in the darkroom, then progressed to photographing tabletop items and later became the sole fashion photographer for eight years. After a total of ten years, I ventured out on my own and opened a studio in Dayton. My primary client was Nexcom, the Navy’s retail store located on Naval bases around the world. In addition to this work, I had other commercial clients and began to shoot more portraiture. Additionally, I taught photography classes at OIP.
Eventually, I moved back to my hometown and opened a portrait studio and operated it for six years. During that time I also achieved the Certified Professional Photographer certification from Professional Photographers of America (PPA). However, I began to feel like I had missed out on other opportunities in education (and life) and relocated to Colorado- pausing my photography career. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communication Design and a Master’s degree in Instruction and Learning Technologies, as well as taking advantage of the beauty and recreational opportunities in Colorado.
I relocated to Northern Michigan in 2021. I missed the Midwest (and its people) and am so happy to have made the move with my horses, dog Lily, and two cockatiels. My partner Jim and I hike and kayak and trail ride whenever we can.
I’ve relaunched my photography business and am looking forward to the collaborations and relationships I’ll build here in Northern Michigan – and beyond!
My Philosophy
For many years, I was a film photographer. I was taught composition, lighting and technical expertise and I know the importance of capturing properly lit, exposed, and focused images. Then, every click of the shutter was the equivalent of a dollar in film and processing costs. I do my very best to “get it right” in camera during the session. Photoshop and other digital tools are a great addition to a photographer’s toolkit, but I don’t like to rely heavily on them. I use a light hand in retouching whenever possible. You should still look like YOU.
I feel that it’s my responsibility to bring out the very best in my portrait subjects, and to deliver technically excellent and aesthetically appealing artwork. Trust that I will rely on my years of experience to capture you, your children, your pets, at your very best!
A Visual Introduction to me and those i love
Now it’s my turn to get to know you! Please continue to the Process section where I will walk you through the high touch experience I offer in helping you create heirloom images of those most important in your life.