Let’s talk shop. One of the best parts of what I do is talking to jewelry designers about where they came from, where they’re at, and where they want to be. I’ve worked in the jewelry industry for over 10 years from the design side, doing artist markets, selling door to door in NYC, working retail at a jewelry gallery in Chicago and working at a fine jewelry showroom in NYC. That said, I’m more than a photographer.
HOW DID I END UP HERE? The long story… (video at the end)
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been drawn to pretty and shiny things. In high school, I always opted for art classes and even taught myself how to sew. When it was time for college, I set my eyes on Fashion and Digital Media. After graduating with a Fine Arts degree from the University of Georgia, I did what every naive, ambitious girl dreams of doing and moved to New York City.
New York is where my entrepreneurial spirit really flourished. I was an intern at an indie fashion label when I started making necklaces out of fabric scraps. This was the beginning of my journey into all things jewelry. I worked in a fine jewelry showroom alongside jewelry designers who sold at Barney's, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. My own designs were sold in boutiques in Manhattan and Brooklyn, so my exposure ran the gamut from diamonds and 24 karat gold to brass and beads.
The more I created and designed jewelry, the more I understood the importance of photographing the products in a way that honored their beauty and craftsmanship. Once I started selling my jewelry online, I quickly realized that this was the key to success. After all, if your pieces don’t have the right photography to do it justice, potential customers will surely overlook your brand. I learned everything I possibly could about commercial photography and over time, something magical happened: I discovered my true calling.
After 5 years in New York, I decided it was time for a change. Chicago was calling my name, and there I made a shift into video production. I climbed up the creative ladder to become a video producer and eventually a prop stylist, which is still a big part of what I do. Many failed attempts, side gigs, some wins and 4 years later, I left Chicago to move back home to Georgia.
Today, I run my own photography business, shooting for all types of jewelry designers from my beautiful studio in Atlanta — sometimes, I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. I’m so grateful for my journey because it has led me to you.
BASED IN ATL | AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE