My earliest memories in life include running around with a camera in hand. Yet, I spent much of my life absorbed with work and studying. I was letting life speed by unnoticed.
When I began scuba diving in 2004, I brought a camera to every dive. I wanted to show my mom the many beautiful creatures I saw on my adventures. Before long, I decided to share the unique beauty of the underwater world to the surface for all to appreciate.
My ultimate goal was to live near the ocean and take stunning pictures of marine life and everything to do with the sea.
Unfortunately, adult obligations and living in the hot, dry desert have made this dream challenging to achieve. "Work" is the most significant hurdle that seems to keep me bound near home.
However, I have patience and perseverance, open-mindedness, and unrelenting diligence as part of who I am at the core.
Over the years, my goal has been to make it to the coast and photograph my adventures. The ocean is the place I find the most peace.
I often traveled to these places with family or my scuba diving companions. Lately, my loving Husband has been my travel buddy. He has even decided to pick up a camera himself!
Around 2020, my life changed completely. Spending time near or even traveling to the ocean became even more challenging. I found myself trapped in the desert without access to my muse.
The events the world experienced during this period were a turning point for my perception and where I placed my priorities. Traveling was limited, but I had the freedom of time! I got a taste of what it would be like to put adventures and photography higher on the list.
Since then, my studies of meditation and mindfulness have opened my eyes to the beauty around me. This allowed me to expand my photographic work to dry land. Landscapes, starscapes, and wildlife have now become staples in my photography. After taking photographs for more than 15 years, this was the first time I attempted to create with subjects above the ocean's surface!
Since the camera doesn't always do a scene justice, I have learned to have as much fun in the digital darkroom as I do taking the pictures. Some of my most rewarding pieces have come from turning what might have been a "throwaway" photo into a beautiful piece of art.
I have devoted many years to capturing Earth's beauty and uniquely showcasing scenes above and below the ocean's surface. I hope my photography helps others see the beauty around them and conserve and protect it.
Whether they're from deep below the ocean's surface or far out in the stars, I hope my photographs bring you as much peace and happiness as they brought me in creating them for you.
