How long have you been in business?

Just a little over 2 years

What percentage of your business is seniors?

Kindof depends on the time of year J Overall, about 30%

What do you think makes a perfect senior session?

Well, all of the technical stuff is important of course (gear, lighting, location), but really the magic happens when we’re having fun. Having a real connection with your senior is really important – we both relax, laugh a lot. Poses become more natural, smiles are genuine and personalities start to sparkle.

What do you love most about photographing seniors?

I love how excited they are – about everything! From Friday night’s basketball game, their new amazing pair of shoes, the tunes on their iPod, their new lip gloss, to Grandma’s fried chicken dinner on Sundays. They are just so fun, and they are excited to try new things, to be different. I love being able to capture this amazing time in their lives, and to give them photos that make them feel great about who they are.

What would you say is the biggest challenge in your business?

Right now the biggest challenge my business is managing my time and my projects. Having just come back from WPPI, I have all kinds of ideas and new information swirling and twirling around in my head. Also, I’ve just started branding my senior line, and I am really excited to get the new look and site going, so that my seniors can have their own place to “hang out”

Describe your photography style?

I think my photography style is a lot like my personal style: genuine, vibrant and fun. I like to shoot up close and personal, because those beautiful faces deserve to be full frame. My goal in every session is to capture my senior’s personal charm and sparkle, and to create fun, fresh, vibrant images that genuinely reflect the amazing, unique people they are. When they look at their photos 20 years from now, I want them to be able to see themselves and remember how they felt at this time in their lives, not be lost in the image due to over-the-top styling, posing and processing. Oh, and that’s not to say I don’t LOVE a beautifully styled session –  because I absolutely do!

What motivates or inspires you in your photography?

I get positively giddy when I hear my clients say, “Oh my gosh – I love my photos so much!” Being able to show people how beautiful they are colors my heart happy! Capturing high school seniors at this amazing, fantastic, BIG time in their life is so much fun.  Being present for sweet moments between family members, silly expressions, pouty faces, first steps and next steps is such an honor, and I am inspired from each session I have. I believe that all the little bits and pieces of life are a gift and they deserve to be preserved and kept in our memories…helping helping people do this is what keeps me clicking J

Twenty Questions Game…Just for fun!

1. Where are you from/live?

I’m a California native lovin’ life in Tucson, AZ

2. Married?

Happily!

3. Kids?

I’m a step-mom to two of the world’s most amazing kiddos.

4. What are their ages?

Step-daughter Kelsey is almost 16 and step-son, Chase, is 12 going on 25.

5. Nikon or Cannon?

Canon girl!

6. Favorite Lens?

85mm f1.2L – it’s my most favorite. Ever.

7. What kind of Camera Bag do you carry?

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I kindof have a camera bag addiction. My current favorite is Kelly Moore’s Libby in orange. I love this bag so much – I used it as my carry on item when I went to WPPI, and carried it everywhere. Libby was a great conversation starter!

8. Favorite music to edit to?

I have to confess that I get too distracted listening to music while I edit – I end up wanting to bebop all over. I usually have a kiddo sitting in my office while I edit, and I love listening to them chatter on and on about their day

9. Favorite Photoshop Action?  My favorite is actually a free action from Coffeeshop Blog called PowderRoom. It’s for eyes, teeth and skin, but I find it really versatile and use it for all kinds of stuff .

10. A Photographer that inspires you?

Oh gosh, there are so, so many. I always find something inspiring from every photographer that I come across, whether it’s posing, or post processing, or styling, or even something inspiring on the business end of things. I really love the work of Gina Lee, out of Redlands, CA.  Her use of light is so yummy, and she evokes such feeling and connection in her images.

11. Favorite food?

Tacos! Or French fries. Or spaghetti. Honestly, I have never met a carbohydrate I didn’t like 😉

12. Favorite place to shop?

I love White House / Black Market, Anthropologie and Buckle for clothing, and I could spend hours in the Home Goods store, just wandering around looking at fun stuff. I always seem to find some kind of fun photo prop, like my favorite raspberry crushed velvet chair.

13. Favorite drink at Starbucks?

Skinny hazelnut latte, no whip.

14. Favorite Guilty Pleasure?

Guacamole and tortilla chips.

 15. Favorite Memory from when you were a senior?

PowderPuff football. So fun!

16. Favorite Quote or saying?

“No one cries your tears at night but you”. My great-grandma always used to say that, meaning that you should always be true in your words and your deeds, because you are the one who has to live with yourself. I love this – it’s a great reminder to follow your own path.

17. Favorite Workshop or photography event you have attended? I haven’t been to very many, but WPPI was amazing. Amazing!  And I am really looking forward to attending Amanda Holloway’s Kitchen Sink Workshop, and the Jinky Art workshop with Barb Uil.

18. Favorite Magazine? In Style.

19.Favorite Vacation spot? Anywhere there’s sun, sand and water.

20. Favorite Movie? Weird Science. I know, it’s totally old school, but it’s just so funny!