Milestone Images

Why do you want to work with APW Couples?

The APW community is comprised of thoughtful people acting with intention as they celebrate their love, and they value creativity. That’s a dynamite combination. I am so lucky. 99.999% of my clients are AWESOME. I am truly humbled when people trust me with their wedding memories, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I love that on Valentine’s Day and future anniversaries, my couples sit together with their wedding album, reminiscing. My work reminds them why they love each other. Getting to be a part of their lives in that way is just the most amazing thing.

Describe your artistic approach to weddings?

My training and educational background is in photojournalism, so that’s definitely at the heart of my approach to weddings. I love capturing all the laughter, tears and beauty that effortlessly emerge on a wedding day. I try to be as unobtrusive as possible, stepping forward when I need my clients’ attention and then stepping back to let them enjoy themselves.

That said, your wedding day and your funeral are the two days in your life when everyone you love is all together in one place, so I like to make sure to shoot very flattering, very efficient, posed portraits with the happy couple and their nearest and dearest.

I also make sure to get some great detail shots of anything the couple has spent time, energy or money on, whether that’s elaborate DIY projects, amazing flowers, custom cufflinks, elaborate desserts, or a unique cake topper. I was a DIY bride; EVERYTHING was important to me. I spent weeks collecting all my guests’ own wedding photos for the most time-consuming favors ever. I know how important documenting “the little things” can be.

Lastly, I also like to take a little time to do very creative, artistic and romantic pictures with the newlyweds. I am always so moved when my clients put their trust in me. My couples have jumped in lakes, climbed under electrical livestock fencing and hiked to waterfalls in high heels on my recommendation, and there’s nothing I love more than giving them pictures that mean the world to them. People welcome me into their lives on the busiest, most emotional day- the BEST day. It’s an honor and a privilege to do this work.

What are your non-work-related hobbies?

Um, photography? Seriously, I always have my camera with me. I’m seldom without it. I work for a newspaper during the week, and I love getting to show our readers the world they see around them every day in a way they’ve never seen it before. Photography is my job, my calling, my passion, my volunteer work and my activism. I love to travel and plan my vacations around where I can seek out the best spots for nature and wildlife photography. I also try to take one international trip every year to a developing country where I donate my time and talents to support an NGO doing work I believe in. Recently, I’ve been to India and Rwanda, and I’m heading to Haiti next. I’m also a photographer with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which is another way I give back. I also love scrapbooking all the pictures I take of my friends and family, including my three beloved pets.

What’s your favorite book?

Currently obsessed with the Hunger Games Trilogy, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books, and the entire Harry Potter series

What’s your favorite movie?

Believe it or not, “Dream for an Insomniac,” a 90s indie movie starring the extremely unlikely combination of Ione Skye, Jennifer Aniston, and Mackenzie Astin. It’s sooo 90s. Coffee houses and flannel shirts, ahoy! It’s also the source of the quote, “Anything less than mad passionate extraordinary love is waste of your time. There are too many mediocre things in life, and love shouldn’t be one of them.” See, I almost married the wrong person. My college boyfriend was wonderful, and we were really happy for a very long time. The thing is, sometimes the person who’s right for you at 19 isn’t always right for you at 26. I thought I had the rest of my life figured out, and then, I didn’t anymore. I had to re-imagine my future completely. But I would absolutely go through it all again- the heartbreak, the tears- to end up with the life, the wedding, the spouse, and the future I now have. My husband Joel is awesome. You might meet him if you book second shooter coverage or come by the studio. Our marriage isn’t madly passionate at every single moment of every day (that might be awkward if we co-shoot your wedding, no?) but it’s always extraordinary. I’m glad I didn’t settle. My ex and I are still friends, though. It’s all good.

If you could have a one minute dance party at your desk, what song would you pick?

“Some Nights” by Fun., the theme song from “Wreck-It Ralph.” That’s right, the band is called “Fun.” with its own special extra period. Who doesn’t love extraneous punctuation??