If you can’t find me behind a camera or out on a running trail and the weather is good, I am probably outside on some sort of adventure. Favorites include sightseeing, lazing in a pool or kayaking one of the many bodies of water located here in Green Country. Simply put I have a hard time sitting still.
ABOUT MY BACKGROUND
As a child I grew up in a small Oklahoma town before moving to Broken Arrow. After attending Oklahoma State for a few semesters, I realized a 4 year school just wasn’t for me and that my passion lie in Photography. Subsequently, I attended OSU-Okmulgee where I studied Photography. After moving to the East Coast for 6 years I came back. One thing never changed while I was away; I was still an Okie girl at heart. Okies are a hearty and fierce bunch. Adaptable to whatever Mother Nature can throw at them. In that way I never left Indian Territory… I still roll with the punches. Once I came back I knew I was home.
RUNNING
At the age of 30 (!) I woke up one day and decided to become a runner. Just a 5K was the plan. After a few 5Ks I thought maybe a 15K wouldn’t be so bad. A few short weeks after the 15K was a half-marathon; after all, what’s a few more miles? Once I became comfortable with a few half marathons I took up trail running and jumped up to a 25K. In 2 years’ time, I went from being the kid who did not participate in PE to a Marathon Runner. Moreover, I didn’t stop there, and 11 months after my first marathon I ran a 50K. What can I say? Running gets inside you and doesn’t let you go!
MY FAMILY
I come from a very large extended family, long-term life partner and a host of fur babies. Lets be honest, I adore them and will likely mention them in conversations. 3.5 dogs & 1 cat all of them rescues.
RUBY
First I have my loyal running partner Ruby (I often call her Ru or Ru-ru). Ru is a Labarottie, ok so she is really a Lab/Rott mix but I call her a Labarottie – hey, if other people hybrid the names of a Golden Retriever/Labrador/Poodle mix and call it a Goldendoodle, why can’t I? Ru has trained with me for marathons and participated in trail races with me. She is 13 and in the early stages of becoming an older dog, but she still runs and plays!
GRETA
In contrast, six years ago we adopted a female Pit-bull mix (I call her a Pibble) named Greta. Strictly speaking, she is my boyfriend’s dog, but we aren’t very strict about that. Greta is a complete snuggle monster.
BLUE
Or Bluceifer our two-year-old foster fail male pitbull, my constant sidekick and protector. If Blue had his vote he would be by my side every time I leave the house.
MARBLES
She is up for adoption but we have been fostering her since January 2022 so I count her as half ours. We think she is half Jack Russel and Half Pitt. She is a handful of well-behaved cuddly love but would be best as an only dog.
SMUDGE
We adopted Mr Smudge from Animal Aid of Tulsa – he was found in a trash can at QT covered in glue traps with a broken leg. He is a water cat and his favorite place in the world is in the shower.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
As an active member of Professional Photographers of Oklahoma serving on the board of directors, and the Professional Photographers of America (member #8252876). Locally I am also the 2016 Past President of Indian Nations Professional Photographers Association – the Tulsa affiliate guild of PPA and PPOK. Personally, I have a firm belief that you never stop learning and that everyone has something to teach you. For this reason, I am continually furthering my education in both Photography and owning a business.
Volunteer Work
I firmly believe in giving back to the community. With this in mind, I serve in various capacities within the following organizations: