Welcome

Well, this is a bit overdue. I'm attempting to start my own business doing portrait photography, specializing in children's portraits. Someday, down the road, I would love to have a small studio but right now I shoot on location in natural lighting.

I've enjoyed taking pictures since I got my first camera when I was around 9 or 10. It was a cabbage patch camera. I remember having to get a little flash cartridge that would attach to it and let you use a flash 10 or 12 times. Then you would have to get a new one. After I "outgrew" my cabbage patch camera, I got to move up to a LeClick- that one was hot pink. All this time my dad had a side job as a wildlife artist and would work from photographs.

Here's a link to one of my dad's pictures (Joe Mattock) http://www.fish.state.pa.us/2tstamp/2004/entries/24mattockx750.jpg.

I remember looking at his pictures and thinking how beautiful they were and wanting to take beautiful pictures too. It didn't always work.

Finally, I asked for and got my very first "real" camera- a canon rebel slr. I loved it and had absolutely no idea how to use it. I also didn't have access to any photography classes so I made do and continued taking pictures.

In college I started working with children and that's where I found my calling. Somehow, I was able to relate and enjoy interacting with 2 and 3 yr olds. They were so much fun. I started taking picture of the kids. Then I went to grad school and needed to do a thesis exhibition of my artwork. I finally found a black and white photography course, and it was perfect. I loved being in the darkroom and loved my subjects. I was very pleased with my work and wanted to continue but I graduated and became a first year teacher in a challenging middle school outside of Baltimore. The camera was set aside because I just no longer had the time.

Two years ago, I stopped teaching and picked up my camera again. I had my first child, my son and the perfect reason to take up photography again. This time, I used my little digital camera. As a stay-at-home mom I just didn't have the time or the money to spend on film and developing. I used the manual settings mostly and gradually I became more and more pleased with my images. Then I had baby number 2. Our little surprise, a sweet little girl that gave me even more reasons to keep taking pictures.

Well, I love being mom but I have to admit that I'm an artist at heart and I need to create. I've gotten more confident in my abilities to capture moments and as I've taken pictures of other kids, I've found other people who are enjoying my work.

So here I am today. I've done a total of 7 photo shoots and I've learned more with each experience. Everyone has been pleased with their pictures (I tend to be my worst critic because there's always room for improvement). I'm working on balancing everything now...I'm still mom- that comes first...but I'm also excited at this new outlet and I want to keep improving.

I feel so blessed to be able to do these things that I love to do.