I’ve been a photographer for as long as I can remember. My camera has been my constant companion, my faithful friend, since the age of 7 when I received a Kodak Instamatic for my birthday. With her I could speak, for she was my voice. With her I could see, for she gave me clear focus. With her, I could both celebrate and be comforted, for at all at once, she was the expression of my joy and the outlet for my pain. She never lied, but always told the truth. Her images explained everything.
As I grew, I traded up…from the Kodak Instamatic (the 60’s) to a hand-me-down Leica from my grandfather (the ’70’s) again trading up to a brand new Minolta from my parents one Christmas (the 80’s), and finally a series of Nikon’s, most of them gifts from my husband (the 90’s and 00’s). Note: I finally bought my own camera, a Nikon D300, as a Christmas present to myself in 2008!
I learned the importance of documenting family history, precious moments and just plain old life in the “in-between” from my father who practically always had a camera in front of his face. And so, it’s hardly a wonder that my fascination with photography began at the age of tender age of 2 when my father’s camera’s and lenses ranked upon my favorite toys…and in those days, the camera and lens cases were made of real leather!
When I was 4 years old, my parents took my sister and I to have formal portraits taken. I hated it. I did not like the photographer and I did NOT want my portrait taken! I remember him giving me a hard candy to cheer me up and nearly choking on it to the point of tears. After that, I was just plain mad. Many parents would not purchase a print of their child looking this way, but mine did. Perhaps they were obligated. Perhaps they wanted me to remember what a snot I was that day.
I’m glad they ordered this photo because it reveals a lot about who I am today. Why I’m a children’s portrait photographer. Why I choose to work outside rather than in an indoor studio. Why I always want to make sure your family and especially your children have the BEST portrait photography experience possible. Why I always go with the flow rather than force any child to do anything, because the more you try, the worse it gets. And most importantly…why I will never give your child a hard candy!!!
I am married to Doug, the man of my dreams and together we have a beautiful set of twins, Sam & Larissa who just turned 9! We make our home at Sky Ranch, high on a mountain-top in the Bozeman Pass along with 4 dogs, 4 horses, 3 goats and a cockatiel.
