I’m so excited to share this post of 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me because I know I love getting to know each of my clients, so I figured you might enjoy hearing a little bit more about me as well! I’ve also found that when I know my clients and my clients know me, it improves the whole photography experience! So, enjoy 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me.
1. First on the list of 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me, I love to play guitar, sing, and write music
My house was filled with music growing up. Both of my parents play guitar and sing and my sister also plays piano and sings. My Dad taught me how to strum on his acoustic guitar and my Mom taught me how to pick on her classical guitar. They gave me my very own guitar when I was 13, which I still have today!
2. During the day, I’m the Chief of Quality Management in support of the military’s Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program
I’ve been doing health science research for the past 10 years. I started out as a Research Assistant intern during college, landed a job after I graduated as a Clinical Research Coordinator, moved into the role of Clinical Research Program Manager, and now work as Chief of Quality Management. We’re working on many clinical research studies with hospitals across the country and are currently focused on COVID-19 vaccine trials!
3. I studied Psychology in undergrad and loved it!
I’m particularly interested in Positive Psychology, which is the study of behavior as it relates to well-being. This is also one of my favorite topics to read about in my free time. Some of my favorite authors on this topic are Drs. Brené Brown (Daring Greatly, The Gifts of Imperfection), Sonja Lyubomirsky (The How of Happiness), Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience), and Martin Seligman (Flourish, Authentic Happiness).
4. I love to travel as much as I can
One of my favorite trips was backpacking through Thailand and Vietnam for 3 weeks. I have a wonderful group of friends who enjoy traveling as much as I do and we take turns planning trips together. I just got back from a trip to Denver, Colorado and will be sharing more about it on the blog soon!
5. I have a sweet dog named Ceasar
He is a 10-year-old Australian Shepherd who loves to cuddle and follow me around the house. He has a calm, quiet personality with a little safety obsession (a.k.a. no sudden dance parties!). Ceasar loves peanut butter, quality time, and long walks on the beach. Whew, we’re half way through my 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me!
6. I enjoy hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors
There is nothing quite as calming to me as spending time outside. Some of my favorite places to hike in Virginia are Spy Rock, Crabtree Falls, and Humpback Rock. In my free time, I also love visiting local gardens and arboretums. Nature photography keeps me inspired and motivated to learn new photography skills. Some places that I’ve enjoyed recently are Brookside Gardens, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the U.S. National Arboretum.
7. One of my favorite things to do is listen to live music
Whether it’s a huge concert, a festival, or a small acoustic set, I’m in my element listening to live music in the the front row or directly beside the speaker. After I bought my first camera, I began practicing photography by taking pictures at concerts for Sofar Sounds Norfolk and various other concert venues in Hampton Roads and Richmond. There is something about listening to live music surrounded by other people having the same experience that just can’t be beat.
8. I love to read
Getting free books from the library is one of the best things. Cuddling up under a blanket with a fire, a hot drink, some music, and a good book is heaven.
9. My favorite shows are Anne with an E and When Calls the Heart
These are both inspiring stories about strong women. I love Anne with an E because of the beautiful cinematography and the story of Anne who is an incredibly strong-willed, intelligent, unique orphan with a gift for writing. When Calls the Heart is the story of a young woman named Elizabeth who is a teacher in the Pacific Northwest who navigates the hardships of living in a Coal Mining town and leading her community through healing after a terrible accident. Both shows also have great love stories and are worth a watch!
10. The purpose behind my business: Legacy
Finally, to close out this list of the 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me, one of the main reasons that I created this photography business is because I absolutely love capturing images that my clients will treasure throughout their lives! I want my clients to leave with meaningful, timeless images that they can hang on their walls, save in albums, and share with their friends and family. My hope is that they will be able to turn to their images over the years to remember the most meaningful moments of their lives and have the opportunity to leave them as a legacy for their children’s children!
Want to learn more about my photography services? If so, I’d love to chat with you! Please reach out to me! Click here.
