Get To Know Me
I have been a family photographer for 4 years and I LOVE creating photos that transport parents and kids alike back in time - photos that don't just remind you of what your family looked like through the years, but that actually take you back to how your life FELT and all the little things that make your family unique.
In 2021 I fell in love with documentary family photography - a true hidden gem of a genre of family photography! If I'm being totally honest, I have always hated posing families in traditional portraits. Since my teenage years, with an old film SLR camera in hand, I have loved taking candid photos of my own life. When I started my photography business I found myself gravitating more and more back to my roots of looking for candid and unexpected moments that happened in each session. As an artist, deep down I always found real and authentic moments more beautiful and inspiring to photograph. After many personal projects, completing several family documentary photography classes and learning from some wonderful teachers and peers, I decided to take a leap of faith and specialize in Day In The Life Sessions. This change has been an unbelievably rewarding experience and I cannot imagine doing anything else!
More about me...
I live in Montgomery County, MD with my husband, our two daughters, a very hyper black and white cocker spaniel named Willow (Willow Pillow when she's being cuddly), and our old man of the house - our orange tabby named Leo. When we're all together we love to play video games (the kids are currently trying to teach us how to play Roblox), taking trips to the library, cheering on our favorite teams (Go SPIRIT!), and bouncing from one local playground to another. To be honest, much of our life these days revolves around the girls' social lives and school activities.
At the age of 32, after many years of trying to learn how to take care of myself in therapy, I was diagnosed with Autism. It shook my world, but I'm so grateful to finally have a deeper understanding my needs and my limits. All of the sensory, social and emotional things I struggle with are now more clear and I have learned to be very intentional with my self-care to live a manageable and calm life. I believe my Autism is what has made me into such a keen observer of all the little moments that make life beautiful - it's my superpower.
Before I became a photographer I was a case manager for children and adults who have developmental disabilities, clients who are living and thriving in their everyday lives because they have the supports to pursue their life goals. It was an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career. These experiences have informed the way that I approach family photography in so many ways.
I am extremely sensitive to the wide range of needs of neurodivergent parents and kids, and the dynamics of each family. During our sessions together I am not there to judge you or your parenting choices. Quite the opposite - I am there to shine a light so you can celebrate all the things you are doing right!
I am not afraid to admit that I also lose my sh*t, I also yell, I also can't keep up with cooking healthy meals (that rarely goes well anyway), I don't have the motivation to clean every single day, I don't have the bandwidth to have a beautifully decorated home, and I certainly don't have perfect relationships with my husband and kids. What I do have is self-compassion to help me keep going despite all the stumbles and mistakes along the way, and that's the true gift that documentary family photography gives all of us. It's an opportunity to look back at our life, despite all our regrets and mistakes, and remind ourselves that our best was always good enough.
Other quick facts...
I was born and raised in Brazil. We go back about once a year to visit my parents and eat all of my mom's amazing home cooking.
My favorite breakfast is eggs benedict with Maryland crab cakes and old bay. YUM!
One of the things I miss the most about my kids being little is when my husband would read them bedtime stories and they would giggle at his silly character voices. I could hear them from my bedroom and it was my favorite part of the night.
When I need to unwind I get in my pajamas and and watch The Lion King in bed. I'm usually asleep before the end of Circle of Life.
I lived in Beijing for 6 years and can still speak a little bit of Mandarin. One of the coolest things I ever did there was camping on the Great Wall.
Photo taken by my 7yo. Completely out of focus but still one of my favorite photos ever.
