Learning any craft comes from fellow creatives, just being around them, picking up little aspects of how they work, and just sitting back and watching them work. Most of the time, it’s people I meet when I am at one my favorite haunts, or chatting with someone online about a posted photo, is when I may learn something new, or meet some fascinating people.

I only took one class in my years of being in photography, however, looking back I wish I would have taken more. It is a world that is every changing and always plenty to learn in the process of mastering DSLR cameras, as well as some of the editing software that is out there.

As far as obstacles that were in my way of learning, the biggest one was just that little thing called life.
I have always had what some call “the eye” however, I did not go full throttle with photography until about the last 5 years when the planets aligned and I was given an opportunity to really start honing in on my craft.

The photography world is eclectic and I feel that is the one of beauty’s of it. I love that it brings people together from all walks of life with a common thread and because it seems to be ever-changing with newer technology, we as creatives also have to be willing to keep up with those changes and not be left in the dust.

The world of photography has been a constant in my life for as far back as I can remember. I had a camera put in my hands at a very young age by my father, who was an amateur photographer. When I was very young he built a darkroom in our basement. I remember being taught that a photo is much like a poem, that it is very personal. Odds are each person will walk away with a different feeling from the same image. I excel in all aspects of nature/Wildlife photography. However I also photograph people in a variety of settings.

What sets me apart is my ability to capture a unique view of the world. I am perfectionist. My definition of perfect is constantly evolving. It isi not unusal to see on my computer for hours editing photos, or reading about something new with the software that just came out that I use. I have tried to stay old school on some aspects, however if you want to stay competitive these days you really need to stay up on everything, I suppose that could be true with many things in our world these days.

Being primarily a nature/wildlife photographer one would not think it would be considered very rewarding. However, many aspects of what I do are.

I would have to answer this in two parts. The first, getting a type of shot that I never thought I could get in such detail. For example, when two Salt River American Mustangs are sparring in the river, to capture the detail of splash and spray, seeing each droplet, to me that is such great detail as though you are standing right there with them. The other example is being able to capture a bolt of lightning. (despite being petrified of storms most of my life). Both of these examples to me can be very challenging just in different ways. The other part that has become very rewarding is I have started to learn much about our Wild Horses at the Salt River but also all over Western United States, which are in dire need of our help to this day.

The second part that I find very rewarding is Social Media. The immediate feedback that I can receive on a global scale about my photography has been quite helpful and gratifying. The knowledge that I have been able to pull from other photographers has been amazing, It also helps me determine photos to put onto my webiste. I may post a photo or a series of photographs and depending on the feedback it will help guide me for the pictures I determine to put them up on my website for sale. If aren’t received well, I will look at the photo again and determine if it was a bad shot, possibly re-edit it or just trash it all together.

I have had to pivot in my life a few times, however, the most recent occurrence, is what has landed me here today, as a full-time Photographer. I had been a mobile personal trainer for over 10 years and loved helping people. But after having multiple right hand/wrist surgeries, it started to take its toll. I brought all the necessary (heavy) equipment to and from my clients. The stress and pain became unbearable. At the time, I loved that It gave me the flexibility, as a single parent, to be there for my daughter during the formative years of middle and high school.

Photography has always been an avocation and hobby, so it was an effortless pivot for me to slip into this. Don’t get me wrong, this is just as much work and can be just as much of a challenge, but its just a different level of challenges. Particularly on the days when you can find me thigh deep in the middle of the Salt River running after the horses to get “that one shot”, or when at Lake Powell on the boat, heading uplake and I am trying to balance  myself while getting that perfect shot of Camel Rock, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I have come to love not only the Salt River Wild Horses, but nature as a whole has become my solice.