The story of a photographer


You are a badass. That’s what I believe, and I want to celebrate that in you. Professional empowerment sessions honor you and your personal growth in self appreciation. Images of you embracing who you are will only affirm your inner strength and remind you exactly how worthy and wonderful you are! When you flip through your gorgeous album, or walk by your wall art, you will have an overwhelming feeling of pride that you have captured this feeling. And its my goal to make that feeling tangible for you, so that you never forget it.


When your professional images are printed and designed for you, all of the sudden YOU are the art, and the art is you. An investment so worth it, that you will want to relive the experience again and again in your collection. As the world turns, you’re changing and evolving every day. All of us are constantly growing, and learning, and creating new adventures, discovering new things about ourselves, and healing old wounds. Giving yourself the chance to honor who you are in this moment is an unforgettable way to accept the most true, most badass you.


My own big grown up steps to self healing started here in Westminster, MD of all places, a place I swore up and down that I’d leave and never look back. But here is where I have found and created my own family. Its smallish town, but we’ve created a little community here full of people who value each other, and who value personal growth, and working to have their best lives for themselves and their family. 


I’ve moved in and out of the state, traveled with drum corps (where I put my talents for making people feel included to very good use), and sampled many other off the beaten path life adventures. But when my best friends Helene and Mike called me, and told me they had a beautiful baby girl who needed a nanny for a while (more on that later), I packed my stuff as fast as I could and moved into their guest room. It is here in this townhouse that I found my stride in helping them in their home, which then lead me to be able to feel safe enough to work on my own mental health, learn what true support is, and make it a mission of mine to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to feel loved, important, and worthy. 


Nine years, 2 dogs, a turtle, many fish, and another kiddo for Helene and Mike later… I AM STILL here and madly in love with their kiddos, and my camera’s magic ability to help others. I am incredibly grateful for all lifes twists and turns to get me here, and to be able to help others celebrate their own journey.

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Our story

"I used to have nothing. And then I got this. This job. This family."

Well, in case your new to me and my life, I feel like I should introduce the studio in a way that explains the dynamic here! I live with my two best friends and their two kiddos. They’ve been so gracious to allow me to start my photography journey here, in their home. How does it work? It just does! I want to take a minute to introduce them and our life together, because our support for each other is why this studio exists (and also its their hospitality and their belief in me that allows me to have a studio here).


It seems almost like a fever dream now, but my housemates Helene and Mike, and I all went to high school together. We didn’t really know each other then, but this was in the era of livejournal (2004!), and when I posted about moving to the Towson, MD area for college, Helene commented saying “Hey, we know each other, but not enough to get on each others nerves, wanna be roommates?” Thus began the FIRST time of us living together.


Since then we’ve ebbed and flowed in and out of each others lives, but I think we were destined to have the family we have now. Helene and Mike got married in 2009 (during our second time living together), and soon after I moved away for some of my own adventures; travelling, photoshoots, new relationships, experimenting with possible careers... you know, the usual for a 20 something single chick who did not want kids. During that time I was really pushing the limits of myself and discovering who I was and what I wanted. It was really difficult a lot of the time especially dealing with a monumental mental health problem (bi-polar 2), but I feel like without that stretch of time, I wouldn’t be as solidified in my boundaries and dreams as I am today. I’ve put a huge concentration on mental health and been an advocate for normalizing what I call “mean brains” (anxiety, depression etc etc). Years had passed when Helene and Mike reached out to me, sharing that they needed childcare, which was serendipity because my rolling stone self needed a new adventure (and place to live). None of us thought it would be permanent. But here I am in 2021 still here! *sings to the tune of 12 days of Christmas* Helene and Mike, their two kids, our two dogs, and four cats, and two fish, and a turtle, one townhouse, one pandeeemicccc, many family trips, house shopping, much support and love… and a martha in her studiooooooo.* Not bad for an only child who didn’t want kiddos. Oops I, by proxy, have two!

This image is from housemate Mikes work party a while ago! We are VERY over due for a professional image of us. Not just a picture of a picture from 2 years ago.

#photographerproblems

Meet the fam:

Martha (aka Mflave)

I'm the one in the sunglasses. Photographer, nanny, fierce advocate for mental health. Always trying to make sure no one feels left behind.

Helene and Mike

They're the sweethearts at the top!

Helene:

Teacher of tiny humans. Constantly humming nonsensical tunes in the house. Lover of books.

Mike:

Technology guru, car officianado, brew maker, tolerant of Helenes and mines nonsense.

Ian (aka Iggs)

Younger tiny human.

Science and math wiz.

Energy bomb. 

Proficient in Mario and Karate

Amelia (aka Meals)

Eldest tiny human.

Loves art and helping.

Ranch and youtube addict. Experimenting with Cello and Karate

Our Home now, and our home soon!

hey! its me! in the door way of the studio!

We are currently residing in a small townhouse in Westminster, MD. We have managed to create two learning spaces, one teaching space, one office space, and a photography studio all within our house during this Pandemic. We all love each other but this has us realizing that no matter how much love there is…. We require more space. And… maybe a pool.


We have a dream of expanding soon, and we are on the hunt for a space that’s bigger, brighter, and ready for some absolutely hilarity to move in. But while we’re dreaming about that, we’re also currently pulling up floors, pipes, walls, and then putting down floors, pipes, walls so we can make this space ready for its next occupants!


I am so lucky to have housemates who are who they are. We have a pretty easy time complimenting each other in getting these projects done. Its going to be a really fun time designing the new place and for me, designing the new studio!! Its going to be amazing. More space to entertain inside and outside, a place for the dogs to run (and add more dogs), more area for the kids to play, more corners for our laundry, more windows for our plants, and a new space to create in and we can’t wait!

My "team"

Puppy Steve (aka party ears)

I am Steve Rogers. Am not s’posed to be a doggo. But am doggo. I have party ears that listen to many things. I do a bork too, loud borks, but its cuz am scared. Am nervous doggo and think my humans are going to leave me forever. I will never stop borking if I am worried. Martha says I am annoying when I won’t stop borking but she will still play with me because she also says I am the goodest boy. I wub cheese. And chimken. And drip water everywhere because am doing an experiment: try make whole house wet. I sometimes open studio door and get in pictures because I think when doors close you are in an interdimensional portal and I need to make sure u ok.

Ella (aka ella pants)

I am big brown dog. do much bark. My Martha says am old, and hips don’t work but I try to jump on do peoples anyways, cuz I wub humans. I sound scary… but I only sounds scares because I am so excite to wub you. I do best wiggle butt. I think I sits on laps. Am not too big, your lap too smol! I go mental for crunchy cucumbers and chimken. And also probably definitely you.

Turtle (aka squirtle, lucky, Drax)

Am aqua dog. You cannot see me if I do not move.


Gimme dried shrimp.

I BELIEVE IN THE MIRACLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

I believe that we all have incredible difficulties and struggles

AND that there is beauty in that we often miss, and we deserve to find ourselves in the dark places as well as in the light. I think that acknowledging who we are and where we are in our space and in our mental state are important in helping us grow and learn. And I believe that we all deserve to have reminders that we are worthy and loved and important. Being a human can be hard, but it is magnificent. And having images that help us tell our story can allow us to treasure that priceless journey.

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OUR VALUES


You matter.

authenticity.


Dreaming big.

Embracing who you are.

Knowledge is power. 

Everyone matters always.

Leaning in to self discover.y


Growth is strength.

Respecting that Every season has a purpose even when it’s a difficult season.

Remembering A ship is safe in harbour but that’s not what ships are built for.

Courage is a muscle. flex.

exist in photographs.

You are never alone.


YOU ARE WORTHY.