A Life Reframed: From Grit to Gallery

A Life Reframed: From Grit to Gallery

Photography That Transforms Resilience Into Art. I create large-format fine art that evokes memory, silence, and awe. For collectors who want presence, not prints. No AI. Just light and lens.

I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a photographer. I learned to survive.

I joined the U.S. Air Force almost straight out of high school, working as a machinist and welder on F-15s, F-4s, and F-16s. I wore the uniform proudly, doing work that demanded precision, grit, and no small amount of risk. But after my daughter was born and my ex walked out, I knew I couldn’t keep risking my life while raising her alone. My body was already starting to show the wear from service—and I would have likely been medically discharged anyway. So I made the decision myself.

I got out. And I started over. More than once.

I dreamed of becoming a doctor—my parents' idea of “real success.” But single motherhood left no room for med school. A bachelor’s degree was covered by the GI Bill, but anything beyond that was out of reach. I chased what would pay the bills: first computer science, then graphic design. I earned both a BFA and an MFA—where I joyfully painted, sculpted, and drew whenever I could. But practicality always won. I focused on graphic design, web development, and new media, shelving the artist in me for the sake of stability.

Over the years, I worked as an EMT, a nurse’s aide, a web developer, an eLearning designer, a college instructor. I did whatever it took to keep food on the table, lights on, and dreams deferred.

I dabbled in photography—weddings, portraits, occasional passion projects. But eventually, my camera sat forgotten in a drawer.

Then one day, I stumbled across the work of Serge Ramelli. His cinematic cityscapes lit something in me that had gone quiet. I joined his Inner Circle mentorship and started shooting again. That course also introduced me to Craig Alexander’s Thriving Artist program—and eventually, to one of my greatest photography heroes: Scott Kelby.

I was finally starting to believe I could do this—not just dabble, but be an artist.

I booked Serge’s Paris photo workshop. This was it: my dream. My reset. My return to art.

But just before the trip, everything fell apart. My new camera—already glitchy in Lisbon—completely failed. I sent it in twice. Still broken. Days before Paris, I had to buy a brand-new system I hadn’t budgeted for or learned to use. The used lens I picked up refused to focus. My military injuries flared. I couldn’t walk far. I missed key shots. I felt like an imposter in a room full of pros.

I sat in my Paris hotel room staring at blurry files, wondering if I had made a massive mistake. My bank account was in the red. My body was breaking down. My heart whispered, You’re not meant to be an artist. You were foolish to try.

But I couldn’t let go.

The next morning, I walked out alone—painful step by step, far behind the group. Then I saw it: the Eiffel Tower, glowing in the soft blue of dawn. The city still asleep.

I set up my tripod. I checked focus. Again and again. I pressed the shutter and whispered a prayer.

Back in my hotel, I opened the file with one eye closed, breath caught in my throat.

It was tack sharp. Glowing. Balanced. Mine.

That single image changed everything. It wasn’t just a good photo. It was the moment I reclaimed the part of myself I had long buried. The artist. The dreamer. The survivor.

I knew right then: I’m not going back. This is who I am.

 

My Work

I create large-format fine art photography of Europe’s most iconic and emotional places—Venice, Paris, Lisbon, Budapest—captured at first light, last light, and the sacred hush in between.

Each image is a single exposure. No composites. No sky swaps. Just light, story, and soul.

My service dog Cole is with me on every trip. His quiet presence keeps me grounded through the pain and uncertainty. He’s not always in the frame—but he’s in the heart of every shot.

Collectors tell me my work makes them feel—nostalgia, stillness, memory. Like they’ve returned to a place they loved, or found a dream they hadn’t known they were missing.

Recognition & Praise

Since that turning point in Paris, everything has changed.

My images have been published on the covers and spreads of Coral Ave, Taurus, World Encounter, and Artells. I’ve been named Photographer of the Year by Club Noir and UCP, awarded on 1x.com, and earned Honorable Mentions in the ReFocus Awards. My work has been recognized by international collectors and praised by the very mentors who inspired me.

Serge Ramelli and Scott Kelby—two of the most respected names in the field—have both publicly called me one of their best students, and an exceptional travel photographer.

And this time, I believe them.

Join the Journey

Photography isn’t just what I do—it’s how I found my way back to myself. It’s how I turned survival into art. Grit into grace. Pain into peace.

I’m proud of this journey. Proud of the resilience it took. Proud of the work I create and the story it tells.

Travel and photography feed my soul. If one of my images speaks to yours, I hope you’ll make it part of your journey too.