I've always been interested in creating art. Like many others, I started painting trees and mountains with Bob Ross when I was seven. I even won two awards for my art before I finished elementary school! When I was ten, I remember being at a friend's house who's mother was a painter. I'll never forget the first time I saw her mother's in-home art studio. It truly imprinted on my mind. I knew I had to be an artist when I grew up!

Drawing and painting however didn't come as naturally to me as I wanted them to. In middle school I was drawn to photographs in magazines. By high school I knew photography was my new hobby! I received my first film camera with two lenses as a Christmas present from my grandparents. In high school I took a photography class where I fell in love with film photography. I learned to develop my own film in the dark room and print my own photographs. After high school I continued shooting film for a while, but life took some unexpected twists and I put down the camera for a time.

I found my way back to photography in 2008, and this time around it was digital. By 2010 I was ready to graduate to my first DSLR camera. I've been shooting and continuing to develop as a photographer ever since. I got married to my Soldier in 2015, then started my own photography business shortly thereafter. I guess you can say I'm finally living the dream I had for myself all those years ago!

My husband retired from the US Army after 20 years. My business has moved across state lines a few times, and changed names along the way, but I'm happy to announce that in December of 2022 we made the Branson, Missouri area our permanent home! My husband, Chris, is now my second shooter on many wedding days. We love working together and feel honored to play such an important role in the lives of so many newlyweds.

I've been creative my whole life! From childhood, I've always yearned for creative expression. I used to draw pictures of fast airplanes and helicopters when I was young. In middle school, I began playing trombone in the school band played through the rest of school. I picked up the guitar and bass guitar in high school and played both in school ensembles as well as with my friends in our own bands. I began writing poetry in high school as well. There always had to be some way to create!

I briefly studied the recording industry in college, but decided to pursue a career in the United States Army. I crewed CH-47 Chinook helicopters for just about 6 years. I worked on them and served as a Flight Engineer in South Korea, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as well as disater relief in New Orleans and Southeast Texas. This job wasn't very creative, so I began writing poetry again, along with teaching myself how to cook creatively.

In 2009, I became a warrant officer and attended the Army's flight school, where I learned to fly Blackhawk helicopters. I had a blast flying in South Korea, throughout Europe, and across the United States. I eventually found myself as a tactics trainer, which allowed just a smidgeon of creativity in my otherwise very technical career.

Fortunately for me, I found my wonderful wife somewhere along the way and we got married in 2015. At that point, I hardly could tell one camera from another, but in the past 8 years, Amy has shown me a lot about cameras, and I've grown to love photography nearly as much as she does! For me, it's just one a many ways I've enjoyed creating!

I recently retired from the Army after 20 years, and quite welcome the change of pace and freedom to pursue this dream of running a business with my best friend and wife. She's a great boss! :)