I’ve always loved to create and tell stories. Learning and discovering new things and meeting new people are what make me feel most alive. Photography and travel have fed my curious mind and helped me care more about the world and the people, flora and fauna that share it with us.
My goal as a photographer is either to convey the beauty that I see through my lens or freeze moments in time that grab your attention. Whether photographing an event, a place, a person, elements of nature or wildlife, I will never tire of searching for the next great photograph and working to improve my craft.
In terms of how I got here, I earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Image Arts: Film Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) then worked for arts organizations and non-profits for many years before launching my business in 2007. I’m an accredited member of the Professional Photographers of Canada with 12 accreditations under my belt (see list below) and have earned both my Craftsman of Photographic Arts (2015) and my Master of Photographic Arts (2017). But mostly, I will always consider myself a student of the craft, attending lectures and conferences to stay inspired and learn something new or push myself in a new direction.
I love sharing what I know through teaching classes, workshops and summer camps for teens at the Ottawa School of Art or in private one-on-one sessions in both French and English. My favourite way to share my passion is by leading photo tours with Focus on Photography Tours, a travel company I founded in 2015. If you love to travel and take pictures, or want to learn to take better pictures, I’d love to have you join me!
When I’m not travelling, teaching or taking pictures, I help small businesses and charities with their websites, headshots and graphic design requirements through another business I co-founded with my husband: Rigadoon New Media. A true Mom and Pop, one-stop shop for small businesses.
I also love to help people plan their own trips as an independent travel advisor. I’ve been able to learn so much about different regions of the world and travel styles. My bucket list just keeps getting longer!
During the pandemic, I had to shift gears and took a fantastic course through the Travel Media Lab to learn how to pitch travel stories. I’d always dreamed of being published but didn’t know where to start. I have no doubt what I learned and the support I got from a group of like-minded travel writers helped fast-track me down this new path of sharing my adventures. I am now a proud member of the Society of American Travel Writers.
While I wear many hats, my career has always been about flexibility and being there for my family. My husband James and son Benjamin are my world. We also have a Portuguese Water Dog named Rio and a Ragamese cat (half Siamese, half Ragdoll) named Miko who both think my main role in life is to feed them.
Nikon or Canon? I have always shot on Nikon cameras since I got my Dad’s old Nikon FE as a teenager and am a member of Nikon Professional Services. That said, I’ve been really impressed by many other makes on the market these days and am not a brand snob! I most recently jumped onto the mirrorless bandwagon with a Panasonic Lumix G9II. I love how much lighter it is, especially for travel.
Nationally Accredited in:
Animal Portrait
Botanical
Children & Infant Portrait
Child High Key Portrait
Fine Art/Photo Decor
Maternity
Nature
Ornithology/Birds
Pictorial/Scenic
Travel Illustration
Wedding Story
Wildlife
with the Professional Photographers of Canada.
