Since 2008, I’ve found myself as a photographer who strives to capture life candidly, in all of its twists + turns. I have two fancy pieces of paper that tell me: I graduated in May 2004 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in art history and gender + women’s studies and completed a master’s degree in art education with a certification to teach in 2010. I’d like to open a not-for-profit art program one day because I owe everything to those who taught me in such a setting at Chicago’s Gallery 37 in photo.
In addition to taking pictures, I am: the owner and co-producer of PYGMALION + The Made Fest; a co-founder of Smile Politely, a Champaign-Urbana local culture magazine; a master gardener; an epicurean; and a mother. I am a feminist and an LGBTQIA+ ally. I take photos of consumed goods to satiate my soul. For 2023, I found myself also taking on the role of festival producer at the Edgewater Arts Festival in Chicago. Plus, I have stepped into a new realm as a Farmer Education Manager at Marbleseed. There's no limit to what you can take on as long as it motivates you, keeps your creative soul fed, and still lets you stop to smell the poppies.
I have no pretenses. I am who I am + you are who you are. I bet we have things in common that make us laugh so hard that it hurts.
ILLUSTRATION: JANA KINSMAN // Photo: Anna Longworth
And...
Brooklyn Bride; The Knot NYC In-Print; Grey Likes Weddings; The Black Tie Bride; Every Last Detail; Borrowed + Blue; Zola; H&H Weddings; Elizabeth Anne Designs; Swooned
Personal Work: PhotoLucida’s Critical Mass Top 50 Photographer winner; Upworthy; + Feature Shoot