Why I’m a Whole-Life Photographer

I got into photography THIRTY YEARS AGO. That feels really weird to read, but it’s true. I was at summer camp, I fell in love with it, and that was that.

When I started my business a little over a decade ago, I tried really hard to learn from all of the awesome people in my industry who had built the sort of business I wanted to have. I got so much wonderful advice from so many fantastic and talented people, but one of the things I kept hearing from people was that I needed to pick an area of focus and really develop my reputation inside of that niche.

I tried that for a while. First I was a family photographer, then I was a wedding photographer. But when my wedding clients started their own families and I saw photos other people were taking of their kids, I honestly got a little bit jealous; I wanted to be telling those stories, too! In order to show someone at their most beautiful, you have to love them at least a little bit, and I do really love a lot of my clients. My work has definitely given my some of my favorite people, and the opportunity to follow and celebrate them through their lives is one of my top joys.

I met Jessica and Clint almost exactly five years ago, when they were engaged.

We took their engagement photos at Mt. Soledad and around La Jolla.

I photographed their wedding at Martin Johnson House.

That’s Clint and I running through a tunnel of their friends. I think Jess took this one? I seriously wanted to keep them forever by the time the night was over.

When they first started on their parenting adventure, I not only got to share their excitement during our maternity session, I got to help celebrate Jessica at her baby shower!

I got to cheer them on as they figured out parenting for the first time, and helped capture what it felt like to become a family together.

And of course, their first annual family photo session!

I love it when kids first start to show their personalities with those cute little wry smiles, and I love it when I can tell they feel safe and loved with me. Especially if they try to eat me.

I got to help celebrate when their family grew!

And this year, I got to meet another new human I already knew I was going to love.

I used to put so much pressure on myself to try to fit into a certain niche, to try to have an area of focus, but over the years I’ve realized that I do have a specialty, and I do have a niche. I’m a storyteller, and I’m telling the story of your lives. Whether you’re getting married, starting a family, or starting a business, I’m excited to help you celebrate and capture the feeling of it. I really can’t think of anything I’d rather do.