Who am I? In 1000 words or less.
Summing up who I am, where I came from and what makes me tick in 1000 words or less is a bit of a challenge. All the facets of what makes a person is truly fascinating. I lived most of my life in Colorado Springs, CO in a suburban neighborhood. My mom and dad worked hard to provide a nice life for our family. When it was time to grow up and get a career, I went to college for Dental Assisting. I worked as a dental assistant for 8 years and met some truly amazing people. I have bosses, coworkers and patients who impacted my life forever. You know those people, who no matter how long or brief the encounter, leave an imprint on your heart forever? I'm honored to have met them. During those years, I learned one thing about myself: loving and learning about people, lights my soul on fire. Maybe its the extrovert in me. Interacting with those around me gives me life.
Speaking of people who impact your life, I couldn't move on without giving mention to my sweet husband. All along the way, he has supported every crazy idea I have ever had. I'm really lucky to be married to such an awesome and encouraging guy! The younger me would have laughed at my gaggle of four kids, whom I homeschool. Baking a fresh loaf of sourdough for fun, wouldn't have been a figment of my imagination of my future self. But, alas, here I am, and loving every minute of it. And at least I don't own a jean jumper.
Summer of 2019, Dustin and I sold our little house in Colorado, packed Everything we owned into a uhaul and started our journey to a city we had never even visited before: Coeur D'Alene, Idaho-and man am I glad. I will never forget the feeling, of driving over Veteran's Memorial Bridge, and seeing lake Coeur D'Alene for the first time. Such breathtaking beauty. I could not believe that I was going to be able to call this place home. I still have to pinch myself on occasion. This beautiful place is where my passion would be born. North Idaho has so much to offer an adventurer like myself. I love that I can wake up on a random Wednesday, throw on some hiking shoes and be at a trail head in 10 minutes or less. Swimming, boating, fishing, camping and exploring fill my summer days. Skiing, sledding and hiking makes up the rest of the year.
Throughout my whole life, I have always had a creative streak. I love writing, designing and creating. I took a digital photography class in high school, which really sparked my interest and love for this particular art form. Who knew that many years later, I would be blessed enough to turn a hobby into a career. With such epic scenery, I can not think of any better place to be a professional photographer. I started my photography business in September of 2019. Just like with my former career, I have had some truly amazing people cross my path. I have met people who have made me laugh, made me cry (the good kind), built me up, encouraged and inspired me.
If personality types had labels, I would be "the researcher." I research everything. If there is information available on a topic I am interested in, I eat it up. This has served me well in becoming the best photographer I can be. I don't want to ever stop learning and growing my skills. I feel so blessed that so many amazing photographers all over the world offer so much amazing content to those of us ready to learn. Besides being a researcher, I am outgoing, friendly, observant and kind. I love making people laugh and love a good sarcastic banter. I will give you the shirt off my back. I love God and am so thankful for his daily faithfulness.
I seriously have so much to be thankful for in this life. My family, my home, the place that I live, and the fact that I get to get up every day and do a job that I LOVE. Marc Anthony said, "If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." And its true. It doesn't feel like work. It feels like joy, like connections and relationships, like creating, and like I was born to do this!
