Who am I?

I had to ask my friends on this one. I have been described as: “funny as sh&t” “problem solver”, “creative” “fun to work with” “silly” “hard-working”, “high-energy”, “spunky”, “highly-organized”, “badass”,… uh, thanks Ya’ll.

I am a commercial photographer and drone pilot, and I've embraced photography and creativity my entire life. I didn't excel in math; my favorite subjects were always art and photography. Originally from North Carolina, I grew up in Western Nebraska near the Colorado border. I attended the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, where I met my two best friends. I moved to Texas in June 1991 and have called it home ever since.

I am a mom to a funny and creative daughter who is now a college student—it's hard to believe I'm typing that! I was a single mom for many years until I remarried in 2020, yes, during COVID. That's another story for another time. I’m enjoying this chapter of my life, often referred to as “middle-aged” (gasp)! But honestly, I don’t feel old!

A warning label: I’m not a native Texan, but I may speak like one. You’ll notice terms like “y’all” and “fixin’ to” in my writing, so please don’t correct me—bless your heart!

I love staying active and working out; it helps with carrying all my gear on location. I hold a 4th-degree black belt in Shito-Ryu, as well as black belts in Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, and Kobudo (Japanese weapons). I once taught martial arts for many years, served as a program director for a dojo, and taught kickboxing and Zumba.

I enjoy gardening, though it can be challenging in this Texas heat. Cooking and sipping wine are two of my favorite hobbies, and I often combine them. I love the ocean and cherish creating art! More on all of that later!