One of my earliest memories is sitting at the kitchen counter when I was about 3, with crayons and paper in hand, coloring away. My love for art blossomed early in life, which has allowed me to explore many forms of visual and performing arts over the past 30 years. My creative journey has taken me from dancing recitals as a ballerina, to painting large murals, being awarded top honors as a florist, and even roaming around Europe, photographing it’s beautiful sights.
Uncertainty with my future took me through 5 majors early in my college career; until, by accident I discovered my hidden talent in photography. I began my photography degree at age 22 and found myself prospering like never before, winning several awards before graduating in 2001. While I was still in school, coworkers began asking me to take pictures of their children for fun, becoming the resident family photographer. These early experiences of photographing children planted a seed in my heart that would take a few more years before maturing.
In 2005, after traveling the world and discovering myself, I moved from my hometown of Modesto, to Fresno CA, to continue my education. Two years later I graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University Fresno, with my Bachelors Degree in Fine Art. The department of Art and Design at Fresno State gave me the highest honors a graduating student can receive, choosing me as their Deans Medalist nominee. While pursuing this last degree, I gained the confidence to take my well-loved hobby of photography, and made it into a full time career.
Today, those early seeds are in full blossom as I live out my calling. Uniting my talent as an artist, my passion for photography, and my love for children, I am now doing what I love best – Artistic Childhood Portraiture. Although my dream of being a mother has yet to be realized, my clients and their children fill my heart with gladness as they invite me into their lives to capture their memories.
I realize with such blessings I must find a way to pass on my gratitude. Recognizing the vital role education plays in young lives, I have dedicated myself to the education of children around the world. Using the funds raised through my photography, I have donated to local organizations dedicated to helping children; like The Fresno Covenant Foundation, Scholarship Uganda, and The Ronald McDonald House. I also spent the last 4 years sponsoring the education of six children in West Africa. I provided them with all the necessary resources of food, clothing, books and tuition to brighten their future.
I’ve had the privilege of photographing children for the past 10 years, capturing the magical stages of their young lives as they fly by. It is with great honor I am welcomed into the homes and lives of my clients, forming friendships, and capturing the beauty and innocence of childhood.
Rumi says it best, “Let the beauty we love, be what we do.”