TO FOOD:  In the Fall of 2015 and after nearly eight years of searching for answers, I was diagnosed with both an autoimmune disease and an autonomic disorder. While I believe modern medicine has its place, and an important one at that, food has been an important part of my healing process. I believe in food as medicine and in the science behind taking care of our bodies and minds by nurturing ourselves with healthy, albeit delicious, food choices. I'm also a believer of moderation and am weary of enabling addictive and destructive behaviors when it comes to eating disorders, so I do my best to steer clear of using shame or guilt as a motivator. Stress management and sleep are equally as important as our food choices. Literally, if we are not getting adequate sleep or are not managing our stress levels, all of the time and energy spent on our food choices are for naught. If I could, I would travel the world on a food tour, sampling the fare in each new village, city, and town I come across. My husband and I often remember events and vacations by recalling the different dishes we have tried, recalling the textures, flavors, and aromas. In cooking for myself, I desire to create dishes that are both delicious as well as beneficial for my healing process. 

TO PHOTOGRAPHY:  My desire is to connect.  To form friendships.  In doing so, my goal is to be the observer of moments who has the privilege of capturing your laughs.  Your loves.  Your tears.  Your joys and hopes.  Your dreams and the effervescence of your livelihood.  I want to capture the details.  The raw emotions.  I want your photos to tell a story.  If someone stumbles across your photos 50 years from now and desires to know more about the people in them and about the emotion and the love they see captured, then my goal has been accomplished.
          I've spent a good portion of my life pretending to be someone that I'm not in order to please the people around me.  I've walked down the paths I thought others would be impressed by - and to be honest, it never really led to me being all that impressive.  I tell you this to let you know that I'm not about sitting your family down and bribing your kids with candy - or anything, for that matter - to get the "perfect portrait."  There are plenty of photographers that will do that - they are happy to have your business - and I take no offense if you prefer their photographic style over mine.
          
          So now that we have that out of the way...  Let's take this thing called life and make something beautiful of what we currently see as the mundane and everyday.  Let's take this thing called love and show the world its power and potential to change the human race for the better.  Let's take this thing called time and slow it down - slow it way down - freezing it for our sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters to have an honest glimpse into our lives.  
          Because isn't that worth framing?