Hi!

Are you a future bride that wants to know who you’re about to spend 10 hours with? Or maybe you’re a relative who wonders what the heck I’ve been up to? Or a friend that needs a giggle? Fellow photo-lover? I welcome all of you.

This is me.  Aaaaaand this is also me.I made this blog to have a place to show both sides.

Professional me:

I have my Master’s degree from the University of Illinois in journalism. After a few side photo-job stints, I was a full-time photographer for 10 years with the Sun-Times Media Group, specifically for the group of weeklies called Pioneer Press, that covered a large portion of the Chicago burbs. Then in 2012 the paper laid off it’s entire photography staff.

This was a good thing.

It was one of those moments in life where I was ready for that change. I needed that change. But I also needed a shove. Shove induced = tada! Photo Moxie Studio becomes a full-time business instead of a side business. And I’m a happy camper. I get to photograph people who are genuinely happy to have me at their wedding, birthday party, family gatherings. I see grooms tear up, kids giggling, dogs romping, sisters sharing a secret. And I get to capture those once-in-a-second moments and make them permanent. Getting to experience all that happiness as my full-time “job” is ridiculous. I’m a lucky lucky gal.

Personal me:

I grew up in a small rural town, and now I live in a small rural-ish burb, (this sounds like country song. I’ll work on that,)  with my husband and our four fur-children; three dogs, one slightly annoyed cat.

I make a fabulous vegan mac and cheese but most of my food is flaming hot, so if you are tender tongued, stay away. I dig on good coffee, great glasses of wine, spicy Bloody Mary’s with creative garnish. I love love love animals. I dislike parallel parking and math. And olives. I have been known to swear like a sailor, but I curb it. I was raised on black and white films and big band music and it has a special place in my heart still to this day.

If you have questions for me, or want to tell me a good story, (or a good joke, I love good jokes!) please drop me a line.

Regardless, thanks for stopping by! It’s been a pleasure having you.