Photography was basically always my jam. I took an interest as a teenager and even found jobs in high school shooting portraits (those classic camp pics and school photos). Way back when, I knew that I loved portraiture. Humans are so strange and beautiful and complex. No matter how many photos you take of someone, you will always find a new facet.
In my early days I did on-mountain photography for Crested Butte and some adventure photography. Then, 22 years ago, a friend asked me to shoot her wedding. I knew then that I needed to be capturing people in these huge and meaningful moments. I built my business while working other jobs on the side, and in 2010 I made the switch to full time photography and I’ve been living the dream ever since.
If you’re counting, that’s a lot of years of experience. I’ve been through ALL the phases and fads of photography and I’ve settled on keeping things classic and timeless. I have actually handed people negatives, not because I’m a hipster, but because digital didn’t exist! I’ve handed over CDs, DVDs and thumb drives as their final product. Can you even imagine!?
So, did you grow up in Crested Butte?
Yes and no. I’ve been here for over half my life (more than 25 years, hopefully you’re not a math whiz), so most of my most formative growing up happened in the Butte. But I’m originally from Boston.
The road home is long and winding (and Crested Butte is most definitely my home). I first moved here when I was 19. I spent a season here then went back to Rochester, NY to finish college (after a year long detour in Israel, then all over the Middle East and Europe). I had it solidified in my mind that, no matter what, I was moving to CB after I graduated. Nothing would stop me, not even this cute guy I met (who later followed me to CB and became my husband 20 years ago).
As life happens, I graduated from a 20-something ski bum into a responsible adult. We built a house, had a kid (he’s a teenager now, so I know what it’s like to have a kid that won’t smile for you), and turned our passions into full time careers.
And that’s the short version of how I found my home and how that home became the greatest source of inspiration for my photographic passion. It’s also, of course, the best place for all my favorite mountain things: skiing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, bench sitting, you name it.There’s no place like CB!