I've loved photography basically since I could hold a camera, or as close to a real camera as I could get. If I told little me where I am with photography now, she would light up with pride, joy, and so so much excitement.

As a kid, I took pictures mostly of various views and animals. My mom and I traveled all over the place (& still do) which is something I'll forever be grateful I've had the opportunity to do. A camera was perpetually on my wrist or around my neck during those trips, and whether I was taking pictures of random hotel decorations in Las Vegas, exploring San Diego during the beautiful evening glow, snapping pictures in the butterfly garden at the Minnesota Zoo, or taking a camera selfie with a penguin in Kansas City, my camera and I were always up to something.