Let’s talk About my Background…
I studied Higher Level Visual Art for the last two years of my high school career as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. During this two-year course, I was able to do a self-led investigative study of different art/artists, build my portfolio, and produce studio pieces. At the end of my studies, I was able to curate my own art exhibit consisting of my personal work for an international examiner. I scored a perfect score in HL Visual Art and graduated with an IB Diploma alongside my High School Diploma in 2012. I received my first DSLR camera from my grandparents as a high school graduation present and mainly focused on creative digital self-portraits + nature photography between 2009-2013.
my education…
During my freshman and sophomore year of college, I took art courses as electives, and practiced photography outside my studies by volunteering at TLC Humane Society photographing animals available for adoption. I did film soaks in my dorm room and drove around Dahlonega, GA looking for things to photograph. In 2015, I started developing and scanning my own film while working on completing my Psychology degree. And in 2016, I graduated with a BS in Psychology and minor in Sociology. After graduating, I interned for two years with an amazing Art Therapist who worked with Gateway Domestic Violence Center, Angel House, and Black Bear Lodge Rehab while working full-time as a Lead Day School Teacher in Gainesville, GA. In 2017, I also took courses for UNG’s Continuing Education Professional Photography Certificate Program; these courses covered basics in photography, Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as specific topics like photographing people and night photography. In 2017, I shot my first paid photography session and in 2018, I shot my first paid wedding.
The present …
Luckily, as time’s gone on, my photography business has only continued to grow and I’m so grateful to everyone who has allowed and trusted me to document all the important moments of their lives. I try to set aside time each week to either read about or practice different art and photography techniques. I’ve recently been exploring different ways to manipulate 35mm film and working with encaustic photography. When I’m not at work or behind the camera, you can find me at a thrift store, playing any new Taylor Swift album (relentlessly, on repeat for weeks) in my car, or at home editing + working on art while watching Criminal Minds, King of the Hill, or bad kids movies. Oh, and 80% of the time, I’ll probably be wearing my docs.