My Journey Behind the Lens

The Spark (Age 10–11)

It all started in the Blue Ridge Mountains. My dad’s friend — a professional photographer — handed me his camera during a trip. Suddenly, I was exploring lens filters, twisting settings, and capturing anything that caught my eye. At that age, I didn’t realize it could ever be more than a fun afternoon, but the seed was planted.

Sunset over a grassy field with hills in the background, with the sun near the horizon and a few clouds in the sky. Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
A view of rolling green hills and mountains under a colorful sunset sky with soft pinks, oranges, and blues. Blue Ridge
A view of lush green mountains under a cloudy sky with layers of hills stretching into the distance.

Phone Cameras + Everyday Moments

Years went by, and my “camera” became my phone. I snapped sunsets, friends, pets — anything that sparked joy. It wasn’t a passion I thought could become a career, but it was always quietly there.

A creamy holiday-themed cocktail topped with whipped cream and red and white peppermint candies, served in a martini glass with black straws, alongside a decorative white Christmas tree ornament on a dark table.
A bottle of Cronier Coffee Pinotage wine, a wine glass filled with water, and a small black vase with yellow flowers on a marble table.

College + Canon Camera Magic

Fast-forward to studying Graphic Design, where a couple of photography classes changed everything. We were each given a Canon mirrorless camera for the semester with a simple assignment: capture cool stuff. Challenge accepted. I dove into composition, exposure, and editing — and that dormant spark reignited into a full-blown passion.

A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a black t-shirt with a graphic of a woman, is illuminated by pink and blue neon lighting against a black background.
Close-up of purple lavender flowers with green leaves and a blurred natural background.
Nighttime city street with light trails from moving vehicles, traffic lights, and illuminated street signs.

The Sony a6600 Era

In my last semester, I kept talking about needing my own camera for product shots and design work. My boyfriend, being the resourceful and generous person he is, surprised me with a Sony a6600 body. That camera hasn’t left my side since. A few lenses and extra batteries later, I was ready to roll.

A black Sony digital camera with a large attached lens resting on a wooden surface.
Young woman with brown hair wearing a black dress, black jacket, fishnet stockings, and black combat boots taking a photo with a camera on a sidewalk

First Shoots + Growing Skills

I began offering free shoots to practice and gain exposure — portraits, events, karaoke nights, you name it. Each shoot taught me something new about lighting, directing people, and capturing emotion.

A couple embracing and kissing in the rain outdoors with green grass and trees in the background.
A young woman with long, red hair and a septum piercing, wearing a cream-colored spaghetti strap top, is sitting in a field of colorful flowers, holding a flower and smelling it with a peaceful expression.
A man is holding a laughing baby up in the air outdoors in a park with trees and a grassy area.
Close-up of an orange flower in a field of flowers with a blurred statue of a woman in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman and a young girl sitting on a white picnic blanket outdoors near a pond, with green grass and trees in the background. The woman is smiling and engaging with the girl, who is holding and eating a strawberry.
Woman lying down with eyes closed, holding a lit candle balanced on her lips in a dark setting.

Enter Videography + Social Media

My curiosity for motion led me into videography and social media work. An internship with Zero Gravity Media in NC gave me the chance to work under a seasoned professional with a booked-out media company. Learning from him has been both inspiring and invaluable for refining my craft.

What’s Next?

The journey is just getting started. As I continue to find my way through the world of photography, videography and marketing I find growth and learning around every corner. and I am dedicated to having fun while mastering the craft and continuing to expand within this creative space.

My next step? A drone and my remote pilot license, opening new creative possibilities from the sky. So stay tuned!

A young woman with curly dark hair, wearing a cream-colored spaghetti strap top and matching skirt, smiling indoors. She has a tattoo of leaves on her right arm.
A woman with curly blonde hair enjoying the sunlight while standing among blooming roses in a garden.
A woman with dark brown hair styled in loose waves, facing sideways, with her hand touching her head, standing outdoors in front of a blurred background of green trees and pink flowers.
A smiling man with glasses and tattoos wearing a NASA t-shirt, standing in a dark room with colorful lighting.