Very few of my customers know what I have been through the past year.? A few figured it out when they saw me in my “Life is Good” lucky hat. Photography has always been my passion, my escape and lastly my job.? I love what I do.? Creating images that speak to the soul, that sear these moments in time forever. When I photograph a family, a wedding or a child, I do my very best to create images that will recreate these wonderful memories.

I had the privilege of photographing Katie and Chris Barnes wedding last October.? I had been working with them the year before and we had a great engagement session at Loch Nairn Golf Club. ?Sometime after the session, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.? At first, I thought of my mother who had succumbed to this disease. She was a very strong person but could not beat it.? My life was turned upside down.? I had a 12 year old and 2 other children in college.? I knew I was in for the fight of my life. I started chemotherapy in May of 2012 and had my last treatment in October, right before Katie and Chris’s wedding. I photographed their wedding by myself – wearing a hat (to hide my bald head), and they were absolutely wonderful to me.? Yesterday, this arrived in the mail.? Words cannot express how much this means to me….Thank You Katie and Chris.? I am fighting like a girl!

I never missed a wedding, portrait or obligation during the treatment.? It was the most unpleasant and hardest thing I have ever done.? After the chemo I sought out the BEST surgeon and found him at HUP – Dr. Brian Czerniecki. I have had 4 surgeries and am getting stronger every day.? I have survived breast cancer and I am still creating the images that my clients will cherish forever.? I love what I do and I am grateful for the gift that I have been given.? My sister – Carol was by my side for every moment and I could not have wished for a better sister.? My children are the most supportive and wonderful kids.? They are the reason I do what I do.

“I will always treasure them. The loyalty is unbreakable. The thought of losing their memory could never be realized; because to forget my family is to forget myself.

This is what inspires me to photograph.”