Learning Light

My journey into photography started long before I ever imagined it would become my career. When I was in high school, my aunt had the coolest Minolta film camera, and I was instantly fascinated by it. She was taking photography classes at Modesto Junior College, and watching her learn and create sparked something in me. I didn’t have a “real” camera yet, but I always had disposable cameras and Polaroids in my hands, documenting my friends and everyday moments without realizing I was already falling in love with storytelling through images.

Everything shifted when I became a mother in 2002. Holding my first child made time feel different—faster, more fragile, more meaningful. That’s when I decided to take photography more seriously. I began taking classes and learning on my aunt’s Minolta, diving into film photography and the fundamentals of light, composition, and patience. What started as curiosity quickly became a deep passion, especially as I realized how powerful photographs could be in preserving fleeting moments.

At the time, I was working in the medical field, where I spent eight years building a stable and meaningful career. But photography kept calling me. Eventually, I made the brave decision to leave my full time job behind and pursue photography full time, all while raising my growing family. It wasn’t the easy path, but it was the right one. I built my business alongside motherhood, learning, growing, and evolving with every season of life.

Photography has now been part of my life for over two decades, woven into every chapter of my story. I’ve raised four children while building a career rooted in connection, trust, and emotion—and I’ve never once looked back. What began with a borrowed film camera and a deep curiosity has become a lifelong passion, and I’m endlessly grateful that I get to do what I love while honoring the moments that matter most.