You’ve heard plenty of small-town-girl stories, but you have never heard mine. I moved to Arizona back in 2006 and spent the latter part of my childhood being raised in Coolidge. This was an abrupt change from living in southern Illinois with my mother and northern Arkansas with my father. Where I was accustomed to climbing trees, I surprisingly had to learn to dodge thorns. I found myself comfortable in a moderate level of humidity, and now I had to suffer through dry, dusty oven-like heat. Waltzing around in shorts during 70 degree desert winters, I found myself collecting stares and whispers. A new climate and culture made me adaptable.

I left to return back to Arkansas my Sophomore year of high school, where I began my hand at personal photography. Finding success and solace in this newfound hobby, I carried this talent with me when I returned to the desert a few years later. For the beginning years of my 20’s I worked passionately as a Certified Nursing Assistant, where I managed to bring joy to many of my dying patients with my stories and artwork. After caring for my only daughter and opening a homecare agency with my sister, I found my way back to photography with a renewed sense of purpose and passion.

Allow me to share my experiences, art and unique view of the world to inspire you as much as it had me, and you’ll find a few stories of your own to share.