My interest in photography came when I was young.  My uncle was a portrait photographer with
a studio in Queens, New York.  At family events, he was the one with the camera, capturing all
the fantastic moments.  He often showed me his cameras and lenses and taught me how to
develop film.  When I was 13, he bought me my first digital camera–an Olympus Stylus 300
3-Megapixel.  I thought it was terrific and loved how you could see the photo instantaneously,
unlike with film.  That was when I was hooked on photography and my love for it continues to
this day.

I shoot mainly with Canon and Olympus.  I have two mirrorless Canon cameras-EOS R6 Mark II
and EOS R and one mirrorless Olympus camera, the E-M10II.  My go to lens is the Tamron
18-400 mm lens, but I also love shooting with my Sigma 150-600mm for wildlife (or the NYC
Skyline from Sandy Hook!); Canon 24mm for wide angle and macro (it’s good at the beach!);
Canon 50mm and Tamron 35mm for my portrait sessions (or my dog and cat!).

During high school, I had an art teacher who took an interest in my photography and
encouraged me to pursue my passion.  I entered my first art show, sponsored by Pocono
ArtsCouncil, in tenth grade and won first place.  It was an amazing feeling knowing that people
saw value in my work.  From then on, I made photography a part of my life.  I never stop
learning or enhancing my skills.  I strive to make my next photograph better than the last.  I have
taken classes through the New York Institute of Photography, where I received a certificate in
Professional Photography. I also took classes through Northampton Community College where
I received the Roving Photographer Certificate.  Currently, I am taking classes through the
Academy of Newborn Photography.

Since that first win back in high school, I have accumulated numerous awards and recognitions. 
I have been recognized as Photographer of the Month “through the Facebook Group, Universe
of Colour Photography July 2022); I won “Best in Category” through the Ward Museum Nature
Photography Contest (July 2020); my work has been featured in the Friends of the Delaware
Water Gap National Recreation Area calendar (2022 & 2023) as well as in Pocono Living
Magazine (2020, 2021, 2022); Pocono Tourism, Discover NEPA, Visit PA, The Pocono
Mountains Vacation Bureau, Mount Airy Casino Resort, and Channel 13 have all featured my
work on their social media outlets; and I have won numerous awards through the Coolbaugh
Township Historical Association Art Show.

If someone were to ask me the type of photographer I am, it would be hard to narrow it down to
just one subject.  I love photographing the beauty of flowers, but I also chase sunsets, spy on
animals, and capture the ebb tide.  Sandy Hook Beach in New Jersey, as well as local spots
such as Big Pocono State Park, and Tobyhanna State Park, are my favorite places to capture
photos!  With the establishment of my studio, Studio R Photography, in 2021, I branched out of
my comfort zone and began to capture people.  I love connecting with families, making photo
sessions fun, and seeing smiling faces when a hesitant model sees their photograph.  This has given
me great joy.