about the artist
I am interested in and fascinated by just about everything. I’ve learned to live life this way by watching the wonder of children as they experience the world. This is probably why I love photographing little ones so much.
I read everything I can get my hands on.
I pursue lots of goals (sometimes simultaneously) and dream magnificent dreams that usually involve my family, small houses, lots of light, and delicious hot cocoa.
I love children. And sushi. And red wine. And chocolate.
I want to improve the world. I want to heal the earth. I want to be a part of the conversation about justice, equity, and fairness.
I want everything out of life.
My favorite thing about myself is my son. I am head-over heels in love with that wonderful little guy.
I love photography. I love telling stories with images. I want to create images that hold the joy, wonder, and beauty of each moment. I strive to capture authenticity in every picture that I take.
I grew up barefoot in the green hills of Kentucky and currently live in Owensboro , KY with my amazingly supportive husband, our beautiful son, and our nutcase dog. I am a full-time wife, momma, and student at Western Kentucky University.
I totally want to be your photographer.
about the session & what to expect
I believe that photography is meant to absorb the fullness of life’s beautiful moments. These moments do not happen within the walls of a studio or under the pressure of a staged image. Therefore, my sessions take place outdoors or in your home and are very relaxed. I offer minimum direction for posing to allow for organic images. The typical session involves a mix of natural/candid/photojournalistic shots with some ‘traditional’ portrait shots. My goal is to create beautiful images of you and your child that are totally genuine. Sessions last 1-2 hours and can cover multiple locations and outfit changes. About two weeks after your session, you will receive copies of your images and/or a link to your fabulous online gallery.
What to expect? Expect to laugh and be a little silly. Expect to have fun and to take yourself much less than seriously. Expect to hug and kiss the person you love. Expect to play. Expect to relax and enjoy yourself.
My commitment to “befree photography”: I believe the best part of life is giving back, so 10% of all of my profits are donated to freeing people of the oppression of poverty, disease, hunger, disability, and injustice. More information to come!
about the price
Session Fees are $50 for session booked through the end of 2011. This covers up to two hours of shooting, hand-selection and editing of chosen images, and an online photo gallery.
CDs with full copyright are available for purchase for $100, which is really convenient because a minimum purchase of $100 is required to book.
Contact me for pricing on collections and specialty products including custom photo coffee table books, DVDs, canvas-wrapped gallery prints, metal prints, custom design invitations, and cards.
Wedding packages begin at $1,200 and include a full day of shooting, and CDs with copyright release. I only do a few weddings a year to make sure that I can focus on them completely so let’s talk so you can build your perfect wedding package.
FAQ
What should I/my child wear?
Colors! Fun prints! Hats! Something you/your child is comfortable in.
You should NOT wear: shoes! (if you are a kiddo), statement/logo shirts, busy/contrasting patterns (but some texture and pattern work great. A little goes a long way), lots of white, lots of black, totally absolutely matching outfits (because you don’t really go out like that, do you?)
My child hates having his/her picture made.
This is not exactly a question, but I hear it all the time. That’s fine. Because we’re not going to make her sit on a white sheet in front of a bunch of blinding lights and scream CHEESE at her. I would hate that too. As a matter of a fact, you don’t even have to tell your kiddo he or she is having his/her picture made. Tell your child that a friend is coming to play. Then let us play. Don’t coax your child into smiling or looking at the camera. Trust me to capture your child as he or she truly is.
My house is not “fancy.” Should we go somewhere else?
For infants, I recommend only in-home shoots. Your precious little one is most comfortable in his/her home and in-home shoots provide amazing intimate images of your child exactly as he or she truly is. The only “props” we need are blankets, mommy and daddy’s arms, and a comfy place for baby to lie. Once your child is older and mobile, we can take our shoots on the road. Houses do not have to be “fancy” for photographs, especially of babies. I can help you find the best places for images in your home.
Are you available for travel?
Of course. I do require a small fee for travel outside of Daviess County . But, please, feel free to fly me anywhere in the world. As in, I like the beach and NYC. ;)
Do you have portrait packages?
Well… yes and no. I offer discounting on large orders because I don’t possess the skill of mind-reading. I believe that the portrait collection that you purchase will be determined by your own wants and needs. I don’t want to force you to buy a bunch of prints that you don’t want or need by bundling things together to make more money for myself. I prefer to let you choose the images you want. I have collections to help guide your choice, but they're very flexible.
How many images will I get?
That depends. I carefully (read: painstakingly) hand-select each image and then do minor corrections. Usually you can expect between 20-30 images for a regular shoot and several hundred for a wedding.
That depends. I carefully (read: painstakingly) hand-select each image and then do minor corrections. Usually you can expect between 20-30 images for a regular shoot and several hundred for a wedding.
How long will my images be available?
Images will be accessible online for 30 days and archived with the photographer for one year from your session date. After that time, images may be destroyed to make room for new client images so I can’t guarantee that I will have them.
Images will be accessible online for 30 days and archived with the photographer for one year from your session date. After that time, images may be destroyed to make room for new client images so I can’t guarantee that I will have them.
How long do I have to wait to see my images?
For sessions, about two weeks from session date. For weddings, about a month.
For sessions, about two weeks from session date. For weddings, about a month.
Do you “fix” problems in Photoshop?
I believe in shooting well from the beginning (actually before the beginning with good planning) so I am not a "photoshopographer." But I do use Photoshop for minor color correction or light contrast. I can also edit out any blemishes, bumps, bruises, or scratches your child may have acquired in their daily adventures that you would like gotten rid of. Please, please, please understand that we need to go easy on those corrections though. Scary radioactive eyes or blinding teeth are not authentic or especially kind. Let's keep it real.
Do you offer those really cool colorization effects in Photoshop?
Short answer: Nope.
Long answer: I offer some color enhancements, filters, or actions very sparingly and ONLY when I know that the enhancement will actually help tell the image's story. I am very sparse with these though because the image should not be overpowered by post-production effects and, again, my goal is authenticity. Photoshop effects are fun, but not timeless and I want you to love your images twenty years from now... so yes, you might have a neat effect if it's classic, and no, I won't be applying uber trendy post -production filters or colorization effects to them.
Long answer: I offer some color enhancements, filters, or actions very sparingly and ONLY when I know that the enhancement will actually help tell the image's story. I am very sparse with these though because the image should not be overpowered by post-production effects and, again, my goal is authenticity. Photoshop effects are fun, but not timeless and I want you to love your images twenty years from now... so yes, you might have a neat effect if it's classic, and no, I won't be applying uber trendy post -production filters or colorization effects to them.
What’s your favorite part?
You. Telling the story. Capturing the image. Creating the artwork. Seeing the final product. Living the process. Meeting you and your family. Engaging in your life’s most precious moments. All of the above.
