So it’s been a long time since I really introduced myself on here. I mean – sure you can look at my about page and see some tidbits about me. But some of you may be new here and just starting to get to know me… So I thought maybe I should share some random things you might now know about me!

1. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography and Design
Well, I figured I should start with something related to my business since this is my business blog (technically). There are a TON of photographers out there these days, but I’m pretty sure you won’t find very many who actually have a degree in photography. So I’m pretty proud of the fact that I can say I do! I actually took so many classes (because I am a nerd after all) that I double majored in graphic design and photography. And I love that I get to put my degree to use in my business daily!

2. I’m actually decent at drawing
My love of art started with drawing and kind of expanded from there. In grade school, I used to get in trouble for spending more time coloring our cursive sheets than working on my handwriting. My drawings were always based in realism and at the time I was a HUGE perfectionist. I just never felt like my drawings were good enough. So if you can’t make your drawing look real… find a camera 😉

3. My husband and I started dating when I was in high school
I’ve been with my hubby for a really long time! We were dating before texting was really a thing and before the iPhone was invented. We started dating my senior year of high school and we’ve been together ever since! He’s my best friend and he’s been there for me through so much! He has been the bright spot in my life for the past thirteen years and I’m so grateful to get to do life by his side.

4. I love animals, especially dogs!
There was a time when I actually considered becoming a veterinarian. I actually job shadowed at our vet’s office for a summer too to try and decide if it was right for me. Ultimately I decided it wasn’t a good fit but I still love animals! Doesn’t matter where we go – I always find the animals and give them loves and cuddles. It’s also why I get super excited when you bring your pets to your session!

5. I love Jesus
I know this one might turn some people away, but it’s definitely a huge part of who I am. The last three years of my life have been a centered on building a deep relationship with God. And my life would look so very different without him in it! Many of the major decisions we’ve made the past couple years have been directly influenced by God’s guidance. And when I say I love Jesus – that means I believe in the power of love and compassion and forgiveness. It means that I believe we are all broken people and that we are stronger together – and more beautiful because of our brokenness.

6. I’m hugely passionate about people
I’ve struggled with a lot in my life – anxiety, depression, body image issues, low self esteem, infertility, etc. Having gone through all these things my heart is so so open to others struggles. Adoption too has opened my eyes to a variety of issues. Particularly our struggle to grow our family has impacted me greatly, and seeing how little compassion and understanding there are for people like us makes me strive everyday to be an advocate for others. Please know that I am always here for you! I truly do care about you!

7. I’m a nerd at heart
My nerdiness began in the 5th grade with an obsession with Tolkien and Lord of the Rings. I stayed a huge fan of Tolkien through high school and even now today, I love it! But my nerddom has certainly grown since then. I’m a nerd in the sense of school – I love to learn and getting good grades is important to me. I also have increased my fandoms to include Sherlock BBC, Supernatural, Doctor Who, Marvel, vlogbrothers, and the list goes on. I am so not ashamed of my nerdiness – I’m proud of it and you’ll never see me trying to be anyone other than the crazy nerdy girl I am!

8. I’m an introvert
I am absolutely 100% an introvert! I get over-stimulated and overwhelmed easily. Often after social interactions I need a lot of quiet, alone time to unwind. This is especially true after holidays where there’s a lot of social events to attend. My introversion also makes me a bit of an empath, which means I tend to absorb the emotions of those around me. This can be hard because sometimes I’ll feel the emotions of others, if someone is hurting and upset – I often feel it too. So the alone time is really crucial for me to figure out my feelings and stay level. But the perk of this is that when I photograph you – all of these things come into play and help me to capture real, authentic portraits that capture the true you!

9. We started trying to grow our family almost seven years ago
Those who’ve been following me here for any length of time know about our struggle to grow our family. I’ve been fairly open about our journey here. After being married for two years, my husband and I started trying to have kids but things haven’t worked out as we planned. I saw so many doctors. I was poked and prodded. Tons of tests. And ultimately we were told that IVF was our only option to conceive, and God called us away from that just days before our first appointment with the specialist. We’ve currently been a waiting adoptive family for over a year and it’s been incredibly hard. But we’re still trying to remain hopeful that God has a plan greater than our own. (You can read about our journey here.)

10. I started writing a book a year ago
That last point leads me to this one. Our story actually inspired me to start writing a book. Our story… our child’s story… written down for him/her to read. I’ve had to put it on the back burner as God put other things in front of me to work on. But it’s still there and it’s got a slew of notes as new moments have arisen. (And actually if you’re at all interested in this – let me know in the comments area… I haven’t decided yet if this is a just for us book or something I should publish.)

11. I hope to eventually have my fine art photography in an art exhibit
I have big hopes to start printing and framing all my fine art pieces this year. It’s an expensive venture but the idea of showcasing my art – the creations made over the past couple years – makes me nervous and excited all at the same time. It’s going to take me a while to get them printed – but I’ll definitely be letting you know if and or when I get to have a show!

So there it is – 11 random things you might not know about me. I hope that was kind of fun. It was fun to try and figure out what to share honestly. If you want to learn more or have questions for me to answer in the future – I’d love to hear them! Leave them in the comments below and I’ll make a list for the next one!