If I had to describe myself in five words, I’d say I’m passionate, outgoing, authentic, creative, and motivated. For me, photography has been the one constant that continues to challenge me, push me, and keep me excited.
I grew up in a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where I lived for 19 years before attending college. Coming from a small town shaped me in a lot of ways; it taught me independence, patience, and how to make the most of what I had. At the same time, it also made me realize pretty early on that I wanted more than what the UP had to offer. When it came time for college, I knew I didn’t want to stay in the UP, especially since not many schools offered a photography degree. That search eventually led me to Grand Valley State University, and choosing to leave home was one of the first big steps toward becoming the person and professional I am today.
During my sophomore year at Grand Valley, I applied for a photography job with the Promotions Office on campus. What started as just a student job quickly became one of the most important experiences of my college career. I’ve now been with the Promotions Office for about 2.5 years, and it taught me how to work fast, think creatively under pressure, and collaborate as part of a team. One of the most pivotal moments for me happened while working Campus Life Night for the Promotions Office, where I met Kendra, the Associate Director of Photography at Grand Valley State University. At the time, University Communications was looking for a student photographer, so I applied in the fall of 2024. Working with University Communications alongside Kendra and Cory completely changed how I approach photography. For the first two years of my photography journey, I was mostly figuring things out on my own, so having mentors for the first time was genuinely life-changing. They pushed me to slow down, be intentional, think about angles and lighting more critically, and really consider the story I was telling with each photo. Being challenged creatively while also feeling supported helped me grow not just as a photographer but as a professional who understands accountability, consistency, and visual storytelling. Outside of my campus work, I also run my own freelance photography business and have worked on over five weddings so far. Each wedding taught me something different, from how to communicate clearly with clients, manage timelines, and problem-solve on the fly, to understanding just how important trust is in a professional relationship. Those experiences strengthened how I work with people and reinforced my belief that photography is just as much about connection as it is about the final image.
When it comes to communication, I always try to be my authentic self. I lead myself with curiosity and genuinely enjoy connecting with people. I’ve found that I can talk to almost anyone after asking just a few questions, and that ability has helped me a lot in collaborative environments. When I’m photographing athletes or working in high-pressure sports settings, I focus on building trust quickly and making sure the people in front of my camera feel comfortable and respected. My goal isn’t just to capture action, but to tell their story in a way that feels honest and true to who they are.
My personal mission is pretty simple: to keep learning and to keep pushing myself to be better. I want to be the most open and dedicated photographer I can be, someone who never settles creatively and is always looking for ways to improve. I care deeply about using photography as a storytelling tool, especially when working with athletes, to highlight the work, emotion, and identity behind the moments people usually only see on the surface.
Right now, I’m 23 years old and preparing to graduate with a photography degree. I see myself as someone deeply passionate about the overall craft of photography and someone constantly craving creative growth. Looking ahead, I aspire to become a high-level sports photographer while continuing to run my freelance business. I love the variety that photography offers, moving between fast-paced sports environments and more personal client work keeps me inspired and allows me to tell different kinds of stories.
Within photography, I’m most passionate about technique, lighting, and shooting anything high-action. Sports photography is where my heart really is. I love spending my Saturdays shooting football and capturing moments that are gone in a split second. What drives me is being able to freeze those moments in time and tell a story that reflects an athlete’s dedication, intensity, and personality beyond just the scoreboard. Skill-wise, I bring a wide range of experience to the table. I’m comfortable working in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, handling editing workflows, captioning, keywording, and studio lighting. I’m creatively adaptable, work well in team environments, and feel confident working independently when needed. I consider myself a self-sufficient problem solver who can stay calm and focused, even when things move fast or don’t go as planned. Like anyone, I have strengths and weaknesses. One of my biggest weaknesses is that I sometimes take on too much because I care deeply about my work and want to do it well. At the same time, my biggest strength is that I put full effort into everything I shoot and hold myself accountable. I take pride in delivering work that reflects intention, effort, and respect for the people I’m photographing. My long-term goal is to become a professional sports photographer while continuing to grow my freelance business. I’d love to work within collegiate or professional sports and collaborate with creative teams to produce meaningful, story-driven images. My target audience includes other photographers, creative professionals, and athletes who value authentic storytelling and strong visual narratives. What I want to be known for is being one of the best photographers to graduate from Grand Valley, creating powerful sports imagery, and telling compelling narrative stories through photography. I bring passion, dedication, and teamwork into every environment I’m part of, and I care deeply about making sure the people I photograph feel seen and represented through my work. This blog is a space to share that journey, the learning, the growth, and the stories behind the images.
