For as long as I can remember, I’ve been wired for creativity. Numbers, math, and science? Not my strong suit. But creating—that’s where I’ve always come alive.

When I was six, my mom entered my photos into the county fair. A few years later, on a family trip to Disneyland, I spent the entire day on Tom Sawyer’s Island photographing every single waterfall I could find. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just taking pictures—I was chasing a feeling.

Fast forward to Costco, where my mom and I were shopping for a camera. The salesman, Dan, casually mentioned that Seattle Central Community College had one of the top-ranked photography programs in the country. That conversation changed everything. On the same day as my high school graduation, I found out I’d been accepted to start that fall.

College wasn’t always easy—the numbers and technical side of photography (apertures, f-stops, lighting ratios… what even are those?) didn’t come naturally. But I trusted my instincts. I didn’t need to calculate an image to know when it felt right.

I graduated just a few months before my 21st birthday—and I dare you to find another 20-year-old trying to run a “thriving” business. The truth? I knew nothing about the world. Taxes? No clue. Money? I was broke. Software and design tools? Couldn’t afford them.

But I did know how to connect with people. So I networked. I built relationships. I said yes to opportunities, no matter how small. I worked as a DJ’s assistant, a photobooth assistant, even lent a hand to a florist or two. I was eager to learn, hungry for experience, and happy to jump in wherever I was needed.

That hustle eventually led me into event planning. I started small—coordinating date nights and local bar crawls—but before long, I was running large-scale events. I helped with major installations at Issaquah Salmon Days, assisted at the NHL Kraken Draft Party at Gas Works Park, and executed two Opening Day celebrations for the Seattle Yacht Club.

Through it all, one thing never changed: I was creating experiences. Sometimes it was with my camera, sometimes through events—but always with the same goal: to capture moments people would remember.

And now, I’m back where it all began: behind the camera. I’m excited to be doing what I love—creating imagery that lasts a lifetime, and capturing the sparks, smirks, and fleeting moments that make your story uniquely yours.