MEET HOPE
High school student and big dreamer turned industry-leading business owner.
But, God laid on my heart that maybe something should be different.
A few years ago, if you had told me I’d have the opportunity to be a full-time photographer and business owner, I would have laughed. Because, you see, a few years ago I was just a high school student with a part-time job at a retail store. My life was a constant race between stocking shelves, studying for AP classes, getting to cheer practices, rushing through the halls and applying for universities. The thought of being an entrepreneur seemed daunting and far off, if not impossible.
Maybe the college I committed to attending wasn’t where I was supposed to be. Maybe, just maybe, the way I pictured my life was not what He had mapped out for me. So, one morning, I made a big decision: I was revoking my admission to a 4-year business university and pursuing this crazy, seemingly unattainable dream full time. And I was going to chase after those dreams like a freight train. I feel so thankful every day to have the opportunity to do what I love through serving and loving my clients. And while photography is something that I love and adore - creating lasting relationships with my clients is where my heart will always lie. And, in my journey to pursue my purpose and build a business rooted in love, I’ve found an even deeper passion for educating and equipping other photographers to do the same.
f you’re looking for me, you can typically find me snuggled up under a fuzzy blanket, working hard on my laptop with a candle burning nearby. I'm always eating,
so I'm sure I have some sort of snack in hand while I hustle hard for these big dreams of mine.
But, enough about how this business of mine got started; let’s get to the important stuff
I
Target, obvs.
Place to shop
Netflix Series:
Monogram
Accessory
Pale Blue
Color
Chicken Nuggets
Food
Popcorn, extra butter
movie snack
Gossip Girl
I’m a Southern girl at heart with a deep spiritual connection to buttered popcorn and Christmas-scented candles. Here’s all the important stuff you’ll need to know to see if we’re soul sisters:
Santorini, Greece
destinatIon
PERSON
White
NAIL color
Brunch (mimosas)
Brunch (bottomless mimosas!)
MEAL
A bit of everything
MUSIC
Frogs (I’m obsessed)
Animal
My Momma
I’m a Southern girl at heart with a deep spiritual connection to buttered popcorn and Christmas-scented candles. Here’s all the important stuff you’ll need to know to see if we’re soul sisters:
Charleston, SC
city
chik fil a order
Peonies!
flower
Strawberry Refresher
Brunch (bottomless mimosas!)
Starbucks
Vodka soda + lime
Adult drink
Marshmallow Fireside
Candle
8 ct. nugget + fries
I’m a Southern girl at heart with a deep spiritual connection to buttered popcorn and Christmas-scented candles. Here’s all the important stuff you’ll need to know to see if we’re soul sisters:
At age 16, I was working a part time job at a local retail store and stacking AP classes on top of cheer practice. I signed up for a photojournalism class as a way to trick my dad into buying me a nice camera (because it was required).
it all started with junior year
september 2012
I quit my part-time job to pursue photography as more than just a hobby! Still, I was barely making money and still had so much to learn.
THE LEAP OF FAITH
May 2013
I turned seventeen and made my business officially official! I signed all the documents, filed all the paperwork and started paying taxes. AH!
sweet seventeen
August 2013:
I began my senior year of high school as a part-time student and full-time photographer. I had enough credits to leave class every day by 10am…and I HUSTLED.
do THE HUSTLE
september 2013
I began applying to colleges. First to art schools that were out of state…then to schools closer to home to pursue a degree in marketing...
College dreams
October 2013
I knew so little about photography that I was called out in front of my entire photojournalism class for having the wrong type of camera. OOPS. To Ebay I went!
...IT WAS A SLOW START
DECEMBER 2012
... with photography! Took photos more often for friends and family. Still working a part-time job. Still hustling through the hardest year of high school.
FALLING iN LOVE
APRIL 2013
NEXT
Acceptance letters starting rolling in. My business was growing. I had 6 schools to choose from, and I committed to the closest school: but still an 8-hour round trip from home (and my business).
BIG DECISIONS
JANUary 2014
I went to orientation at the college I had committed to. I met my roommate. Signed up for classes. Said hi to my professors. Paid all the fees and started shopping for my dorm! But, something didn’t feel right.
ORIENTATION.
July 2014
I photographed my very first SOLO wedding!!!
THE FIRST
April 2014
I celebrated 5 years as a full-time business owner!
ANNIVERSARY
August 2018
I graduated high school at age 17 with an advanced degree…and a full-blown, full-time business as a wedding photographer. I almost skipped graduation to photograph a wedding instead!
skip graduation?
JUNE 2014
After weeks of tearful praying and feeling unsettled…I made a huge decision. I revoked my admission to a four-year university to go full-time as a photographer!
path, chosen
AUGUST 2014
PREV
At age 16, I was working a part time job at a local retail store and stacking AP classes on top of cheer practice. I signed up for a photojournalism class as a way to trick my dad into buying me a nice camera (because it was required).
it all started with junior year
september 2012
I knew so little about photography that I was called out in front of my entire photojournalism class for having the wrong type of camera. OOPS. To Ebay I went!
It was a slow start
DECEMBER 2012
... with photography! Took photos more often for friends and family. Still working a part-time job. Still hustling through the hardest year of high school.
the leap of faith
April 2013
I quit my part-time job to pursue photography as more than just a hobby! Still, I was barely making money and still had so much to learn.
THE LEAP OF FAITH
may 2013
I turned seventeen and made my business officially official! I signed all the documents, filed all the paperwork and started paying taxes. AH!
SWEET SEVENTEEN
August 2013
I began my senior year of high school as a part-time student and full-time photographer. I had enough credits to leave class every day by 10am…and I HUSTLED.
DO THE HUSTLE
SEPTEMBER 2013
I began applying to colleges. First to art schools that were out of state…then to schools closer to home to pursue a degree in marketing...
College dreams
OCTOBER 2013
Acceptance letters starting rolling in. My business was growing. I had 6 schools to choose from, and I committed to the closest school: but still an 8-hour round trip from home (and my business).
BIG DECISIONS
JANUARY 2014
I graduated high school at age 17 with an advanced degree…and a full-blown, full-time business as a wedding photographer. I almost skipped graduation to photograph a wedding instead!
skip graduation
June 2014
I went to orientation at the college I had committed to. I met my roommate. Signed up for classes. Said hi to my professors. Paid all the fees and started shopping for my dorm! But, something didn’t feel right.
ORIENTATION
July 2014
After weeks of tearful praying and feeling unsettled…I made a huge decision. I revoked my admission to a four-year university to go full-time as a photographer!
PATH, CHOSEN
AUgust 2014
I photographed my very first SOLO wedding!!!
THE FIRST
APRIL 2014
I celebrated 5 years as a full-time business owner!
ANNIVERSARY
AUGUST 2018
Not That
I have a slight (major) obsession with coffee mugs. You should see the stack on my desk!
ACTUAL COFFEE
But, the catch? I don’t actually drink coffee. Like, ever. Ice water in pretty mugs, it is!
CoffeE
mugs
Picky eaters, unite!? Chicken tenders and French fries is my go-to order at any fancy restaurant…you can never go wrong!
Chicken Tenders
ANYTHING GREEN
About that picky eating thing…I don’t actually eat most green things. Oops!
I LOVE traveling! Traveling is a huge source of inspiration for my business and I can’t get enough of exploring
Traveling
STAYING PUT
I’m not very good at staying in one place. I want to stamp my passport as many times as I can in one lifetime
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are my weaknesses! I absolutely love to bake sweets in the kitchen with my family.
BAKING
Cooking
But, if we’re being honest…I’m not very good at anything else domestic. Cooking actual food is not my forte.
Can I just get an “amen” on this?
YOGA PANTS
ANY OTHER PANTS
Is there anyone that LIKES jeans? I mean, really?
