1971 through 1992
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to quality photography.
Throughout my school years, I carried a point-and-shoot camera, capturing moments whenever I could. But everything changed in 1989, when I bought my first real camera—a Minolta Maxxum 3000i with a set of beautiful lenses. That moment marked the true beginning of my journey behind the lens. I photographed friends, family, and anyone who would let me practice.
At the time, I had just started college at a local university and eagerly enrolled in a black and white photography course. The first time I stepped into the darkroom, I fell in love—with the process, the craft, and the magic of watching an image come to life in the developer tray. Sadly, the college didn’t offer more photography classes, so I made the difficult decision to leave.
That same summer, fresh out of high school, my dad helped me land a job at Coppinger and Associates, a portrait printing company where he worked. I started as a switchboard operator, but before long, he helped me transition into a position at their studio, The Portrait Shoppe. It was there that I truly began to hone my skills—learning about lighting, composition, and how to photograph people, especially children. That hands-on experience became the foundation for everything I would go on to pursue in photography.
1992 through 1996
My Journey with Olan Mills: From Glamour to Grit
In 1992, I landed my dream job with Olan Mills Portrait Studios when they launched a new photography division called Olan Mills Glamour Studios. I was lucky enough to get in on the ground floor and quickly worked my way up to become a national trainer. That role allowed me to travel the country, helping open new studios and train photographers—a dream come true for a young, passionate creative like me.
The job included many Delta flights across the country, but my favorite by far was the time I got to fly on the company plane to the corporate headquarters in Springfield, Ohio. That’s my friend John Martin in the picture with me in front of the plane. I even had the chance to meet Olan Mills II—"OM2"—who had inherited the company from his father, Olan Mills, Sr.
It truly was the best job I’ve ever had.
Unfortunately, the glamour division only lasted a couple of years before it was shut down and everyone was laid off. But not long after, my friend John Martin recruited me to work with the Jim Jolly division, which focused on school photography.
That job was a whole different experience.
I spent about two years photographing thousands of children each year. My days started at 5 a.m.—I’d get ready, drive an hour to a school, unload and set up a full vehicle load of equipment, and then photograph around 350 students before lunchtime. It was intense, exhausting work, and my paycheck was $500 every two weeks.
Honestly, I hated it. I was young, immature, and had a bad attitude—which made me a not-so-great employee. But looking back, it turned out to be one of the best training grounds for what I do today. That job gave me the skills, speed, and resilience I now use every day in my school photography work.
Funny how life works, isn’t it?
1996 - Present Day
In 1996, I became a mom—and all I wanted was to be home with my son. So that’s exactly what I did. I homeschooled him through 2nd grade, and in 2003, we welcomed our second son into the world. During those years, photography remained a creative outlet for me. I shot weddings, family sessions, and senior portraits—capturing memories while keeping my passion alive.
When I left my position at Jim Jolley Photography in 1996, I told myself I’d never photograph school portraits again. But life has a funny way of bringing things full circle. A few years later, a friend asked me to photograph their small Christian school in North Georgia—and I said yes.
Now, more than 30 years later, school photography is all I do. I’ve found my niche, and I truly love it. The schedule fits my life perfectly, and I enjoy the upbeat, relaxed atmosphere of working with students, faculty, and staff. There’s something special about capturing these moments in a school setting—and I’m thankful every day that I get to do what I love.
