My curiosity — and my tendency to follow rabbit trails — means I wear a lot of hats! I started out as a professional photographer in 2009, balancing the demands of three young kids, homeschooling, special needs, and financial pressures. It wasn’t always easy, but I managed to build a successful photography business, earn awards for my portraits, and even write the #1 Amazon bestseller, 123 Launch It:  How to Start a Photography Business With No Money, No Time, and No Energy.

One of the biggest reasons I was able to do this – despite the stress and pressure – was learning to slow down, be present, and be kind to myself. That shift didn’t just help me navigate life, it also enriched my photography and gave me more peace and joy.

In 2020 when in-person photography became impossible for a time, I began teaching some of these ideas online through a Mindful Photography workshop and a photography challenge, helping others find beauty and positivity in their surroundings during uncertain times.

Later, during a difficult year as a caretaker for my father, I found solace in pottery — a tactile, grounding art form that allowed me to slow down, work with my hands, and release my frustration at the messiness and unpredictability of life. What started as a distraction quickly became a passion, blending creativity and mindfulness in a whole new way. Since then, I’ve been grieving his loss and settling his estate, a process that has deepened my appreciation for the ways art, creativity, and presence can help move us through life’s hardest moments.