Back Behind the Lens: Capturing Families, Including My Own

It’s hard to believe my blog post of a session was 7 years ago! Back then, I was mostly photographing weddings — big celebrations, happy tears, and late-night dance floors. Since then, life looks different. I built a career in healthcare, became a mom to two girls (and a dog), and photography took a long pause while I focused on family.

Now I’m in a new season. My girls are growing, I’ve scaled back in healthcare, which has given me more balance and flexibility to pursue creative work again. Photography has always been a passion of mine — something that balances out the technical, structured world of healthcare with creativity, storytelling, and connection. And because of my own life experiences, I feel like I can connect more deeply with young families.

That’s why I’ve rebranded as Cardinal Keepsakes Photography. Cardinals have always felt symbolic to me — bright, joyful little reminders of presence and connection. And “keepsakes” reflects what I want these photographs to be: treasures you can hold onto, long after the fleeting moments of childhood have passed. This new chapter isn’t about twelve-hour wedding days or chasing every weekend gig — it’s about the real, everyday moments that are worth remembering.

Running my own business lets me set my pace, balance creativity with healthcare, and make space for my kids in these formative years. If you’ve been here a while, thank you for sticking around — and if you’re new, welcome! I’d love to capture your family’s story in this season alongside my own. Here’s to fresh starts, meaningful moments, and photos that will feel like treasures for years to come!

Enjoy these recent favorites of my girls: