What made you want to become a photographer?
I’m not sure I know the answer to that. I was hanging out with skaters as a teen and my mom had a camera that I appropriated lol… The rest is a long sordid history!
You shoot a ton of different subjects from weddings to landscape to portraits, do you have a favorite subject and why?
Yes, long exposure night sky photography is my favorite, but I have to admit that I love anything that gives me a challenge. Night skies do that from planning out the trips, to timing, to composition, to editing and more. It’s non-stop challenges.
How and why are you using Lume Cube 2.0s in your work?
Lume Cubes are so portable. I remember wishing that I had a portable lighting system that was remotely controllable… And then my friend was showing me the 1st version of the Lume Cube (Pre Lume Cube!!) and it was easily 8 times larger than the Original Lume Cube. When this was released I ran straight to him and said, I NEED THESE!
Who are you inspired by?
This is a hard question as I am inspired by many.. Dale & Karlie Sharpe (RIP Dale), Shaun Peterson, Deb Heyer, Mike Killian, Marybeth Kiczenski… I’m definitely missing many more. I’m inspired by people who are getting out there and shooting, constantly striving to learn more and progress.
If you weren’t a photographer? What would you be instead?
I am also a social media consultant and content creator currently. I would continue with that path were I not a photographer. It still allows me to travel the world!
What is your go-to camera?
I am and always have been a Canon girl. I currently have the 5DMK4 as the 1st one I pull out of my bag with a 6DMK1 as the backup.
So, you also run the @milkywaychasers account on Instagram, which is an amazing community. Have you always loved astrophotography? When did the fascination start?
I started being fascinated by it back almost exactly 4 years ago which is when I started MWC… I was strictly into action sports photography almost 100% till then.
Any advice for new photographers?
Don’t be scared of a crop sensor. It’s a less expensive way to start shooting until you know what you want to do with your photography. There are so many ways to get around the noise issues nowadays.
How do you keep your photos fresh and new?
I am ALWAYS trying to progress in my shooting and editing… One thing I have always stood up to is “Rules” in long exposure and Astro and done everything I can to defy them.
What is the best part of your day?
All Day!!! I love being awake and being productive!
Coffee or tea?
Haha tea. No coffee, no energy drinks.
What’s your favorite photo you’ve taken and why?
One of my favorites has to be the first time I shot the night sky at reflection canyon. It was such an effort to get there, and I really wasn’t very proficient as a night photographer at the time and was shooting on a crop sensor. But the juice was worth the squeeze and I always look back on that image with fond memories.
Describe your photography style in 5 words.
This is a question I can never answer as I don’t feel like I have a style that runs through my imagery… Evolving? Well-lit? I like to light my foregrounds so that might be somewhat recognizable as my style.
What is one photography type/technique that you want to try next?
I was wanting to try deep space last season but got so busy with work I never ventured into it. That and storm chasing!! Oh, and I had a small taste of launch photography (rockets, NASA launches) and that was pretty awesome.
If you could go on an adventure-photography trip anywhere in the world with one other person… where would you go and who would you take (you don’t need to know the person… celebrities are fair game)?
I wanna go to Son Doong Cave in Vietnam… I also wanna go to Iceland (I’m going next week). As for who with? Wow, I’m not sure who to say. I wanna go with the person I can get along with while traveling that I stand to learn the most from.
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