Welcome!!
Here you will find all sorts of things: tips and tricks, book reviews, stories of my adventures, client features, and so much more!
What Serving YOU Means to Me
I recently had a conversation with another wedding friendor (a wedding vendor turned friend) about my commitment to customer service- or rather my over-commitment to it. It made me realize that I haven’t publicly shared something about myself and my business that I’ve been hoping y’all would just figure out (and some of you have!!!). What I need to share about myself and my business with y’all is that my commitment to service is not superficial or something that I know I should have because I’m providing a service to you guys. It is an ingrained part of my core being, and something I do, no matter what.
Simpson-Parrott Family- Albuquerque, New Mexico
I have had the pleasure of knowing Meg for a number of years now. We first met through Girl Scouts, and if it weren't for her, I'm pretty sure I would have given up on graduating from college. I've taken her family's portraits since I began my business nearly four years ago, and in that time it has been an honor and a pleasure to watch her family grow.
The Gray Family- Belen, New Mexico
I had the pleasure of working with Patty, her daughter Jamie, Jamie's husband Ryan, and their daughter Leah this past Saturday to capture their very first family portraits in many, many years. While Jamie, Ryan, and Leah actually live in Portland, Oregon, Patty and her husband (who was still traveling home) have spent the last two years working in Poland. Before that they traveled the country working for various contractors in scientific research, design, and develop capacities.
10 Things Your Wedding Photographer Wishes You Knew
There are things we wish we could all tell others about our jobs. But, when you work in a service-based industry, where you work with people who've hired you to do something for them that they can't do for themselves, it's even more prevalent. Following- and in no particular order- are the things I wish I could tell all of my clients, so that they can understand that they're not alone.
The Romero Family- Bosque Farms, New Mexico
I had the absolute honor of working with the Romero family a few weeks ago. This amazing family is behind Bosque Farm's Farmhouse Style- a small local business featuring reclaimed antique furniture and other goodies that come from Chip and Joanna Gaines' retail line. And, I'm lucky enough to have several of their pieces residing in my own home!
A Family Session in Ruidoso, New Mexico- The Mendiola Family
This awesome family and I met just outside of Ruidoso, along the road to Bonito Lake for their family session over Memorial Day weekend, and it was definitely an adventurous session!
What is the Golden Hour, and Why Should You Care?
Even before I knew that this special time of day had a specific name, it was my favorite part of the day. Simply put, the Golden Hour is the 30 minutes before sunset and the 30 minutes right after sunset each day. This is the time of day when the sun is at an angle to the spot you are at on the Earth. Specifically in New Mexico, it's the time of day when we get all those pretty skies and colors. You know- the pinks and purples and blues that have made our sunsets famous.
An Old Town Christmas in Albuquerque, NM- The Bennett Family
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with the Bennett Family a few weeks ago to capture their Christmas Portraits this year. Little did I know that Ms. Gianna had just turned 1 year old as well! It truly was a special- albeit very cold- portrait session!
An In-Home Session in Peralta, NM- Harry and Maryanne McCormick
One of the many joys that I have in my job is getting to meet some really incredible people and learn their stories. That was the case that brought me to the home of Harry and Maryanne McCormick, but first a bit of backstory.
An Old Town Christmas Session in Albuquerque, New Mexico- The Simpson-Parrott Family
I had the pleasure of photographing my friend Meg's family again this year for their Christmas portraits. Its always great to get to work with a friend, but one of the things that struck me most this year is that Meg is a mom to three wonderful boys, and an awesome little girl. She has done (and is doing) an awesome job parenting all four of her kids, but it is great to see the relationship that has developed between her three boys. While they tease and torment each other (what siblings don't, right?!), they also obviously love and support each other just as much. And, it goes without saying that the three of them would do anything for their little sister.
The Martinez Family- At-Home Session in Los Lunas, NM
I recently had the pleasure of meeting and working with the Martinez family to capture and create their family portraits for Christmas this year. Mark, Stephanie, Mark Jr., and Lillyana were kind enough to invite me to their home to create these beautiful photographs.
The Johnson Family- Carlito Springs Park in Tijeras, New Mexico
I was honored to serve the Johnson Family by creating their fall family portraits! This awesome family chose to use Carlito Springs- and Open Space park owned and maintained by Bernalillo County in New Mexico.
Why You Should Choose a Local Photographer Over a National Chain
I admit it. I used to be one of those people that went to a national chain to have my family's portraits taken. In this particular case (the photo on the left), it was Portrait Innovations, and my eldest son- Christopher- was two. This was two years before I picked up my camera, learned how to use it, and started creating portraits myself. The portrait on the right, I took myself earlier this evening. Oh, and Christopher is now six.
The Flores Family: A Military Homecoming- Albuquerque, NM
I had the honor of meeting the Flores family about a month ago, at Master Sergeant Flores' homecoming ceremony. Master Sergeant Flores serves in the Red Horse Battalion of the New Mexico National Guard, and was returning from a six-month deployment to Qatar, where he helped maintain military infrastructure, and supervising the building of new roads.
The Trujillo Family- A Roswell, New Mexico Family Portrait Session
I have to say, this is by far the funnest photo session I've done to date! Let me explain...
I've known Karin for more years than I want to admit to (she saw me in pigtails and lace socks), and she is an all around awesome person. So, when she called and asked if I could shoot their family photos, I said of course!
The Tellez Family- Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Tellez Family was a referral from another client of mine, and I so enjoyed meeting and working with this precious family!
The Simpson-Parrott Family- Albuquerque, New Mexico
Meg and I have been friends for a while now- we're both Girl Scouts- so when she asked if I'd shoot her family photos, of course I said yes!
The Strickland Family- An Albuquerque, New Mexico Maternity Portrait Session
It was truly a surprise when Brittney sent me a message saying that she was pregnant with twins and wanted me to shoot her maternity photos, but I couldn't have been happier for her, Justin, and their older daughter Rayleigh.
The Benavidez Family: An Adoption Story in Los Lunas, New Mexico
It was an amazing experience to be included in this event! I'm the type of person that cries when the 'I dos' are exchanged, and when heartfelt stories are shared at funerals, so y'all can imagine I was shedding a lot of happy tears at this event.
The Hendren Family- A Belen, New Mexico Portrait Session
I had the pleasure of working with the Hendren family this past August, and I had an absolute blast with them!