California Lifestyle Food + Wine Photographer

“People confuse me. Food doesn’t.” – Anthony Bourdain

As I get older, I’m becoming increasingly aware of my energy and how quickly it moves and goes away. After I became a mother, I became more protective of that energy, because I needed it for other things. And as an introvert, that energy hardly ever gets a full reboot any more. So I took a look at my life and business and started to brainstorm how I could change the way my energy was exchanged in my work. Turns out, people (as much as I adore them and their unique stories) have a higher energy price tag than food. It also turns out, I’m incredible good at photographing it. I get to tap into creative streams and muscles I haven’t worked in years. Photographing food is strictly creative — directing dumplings is a world away from directing children.

Don’t worry, I’m not planning on quitting portraiture photography any time soon.
However, the only new clients I’m taking in 2022 are restaurants & boudoir sessions.
And I’m pretty. darn. thrilled.

Ready to take your restaurant imagery to the next level?
Email me. 
I would LOVE to hear from you.

The Alchemists’ Garden | Paso Robles, CA

Big Sky Cafe | San Luis Obispo, CA

Chulo’s Cafe & Cantina | Templeton, CA
Jennie’s Kitchen | New York, New York

Órale Taqueria | Paso Robles, CA

Persephone Unleashed | Leah’s 40th Birthday Retreat | Whisper Valley Ranch, Santa Margarita

Back in November, I had the distinct honor of hosting a special edition of Persephone Unleashed for a retreat alumni’s 40th birthday. This gaggle of goddesses welcomed me into their girl squad like I’d been there the whole time.

Whisper Valley Ranch set the perfect space and backdrop to our retreat — complete with zero cell service and not another soul or house for MILES. This being a birthday party, we opted for a more playful approach to nourishing ourselves, vs. the spiritual & emotional healing of Persephone’s past. We leaned into creativity and sisterhood, and laughed from sunup to sundown every single day.

As always, the photo shoot portion of the retreat blew my mind and filled my heart. I watched as each of these 6 women dropped out of their heads and into their bodies, releasing a lifetime of social expectations, shame, fear, and self-hatred. I watched as they stepped out of fear and into their own power, and it. was. epic.

This retreat wouldn’t have been what it was without the incredible team of women who brought it to life:

Whisper Valley Ranch, for inviting us into their sacred space and land.
Flora & Fauna Fine Foods, for making the trek out into the middle of nowhere to feed us 3 times a day.
Rozetree Bridal, for treating these women like the queens they are and enhancing their natural beauty for their photo shoots.
Events by Lilies of the Field, for helping us make floral crowns fit for forest nymph royalty and supplying stunning florals for our dining experiences.
All About Events, for bringing elegance to our dining ambiance, making every meal feel like a royal banquet.
Beauty Poet, for loving on these weary goddesses’ bodies with the healing touch of therapeutic massage.
Fable Rune, for making our skin glow from day one with their natural ayurvedic facials and clay mask bar.
Jena Baird, for guiding us through morning yoga practices and bringing healing through both movement and sound.
Jennifer DeTrèglodè, for teaching us the ancient methods of Shibori Dye and allowing us to stretch some creative muscles.
& Nicole Joy, for painting these stunning portraits of our goddesses, something they will treasure forever.

There are still a few seats available for 2022 retreats (registration for the March retreat closes Feb 1st!) — I invite you to say YES to yourself in this big way and claim one of those seats for yourself.

Whitney + Oliver | Madonna Inn Intimate Wedding

I am over the moon to be making the transition to exclusively photographing intimate weddings from here on out. Whitney & Oliver’s wedding was the perfect reminder that I am making the right decision, letting go of large weddings — the energy is precious, the celebration more potent, and time for the important portraits makes my heart sing.

Mattie + Trevor | Whisper Valley Ranch, Santa Margarita CA Intimate Wedding

May weddings continue on this path of simplicity, because I’m kind of in love with couples getting back to the roots of why they’re there in the first place.
Mattie & Trevor’s wedding was everything I love about intimate weddings: a gorgeous bride, a tearful groom, handmade dried floral centerpieces, a dress with wings, a taco truck, and s’mores.
Thank you, more please.

Venue: Whisper Valley Ranch | Catering: Taqueria 805 | Bouquet: Lori Boe | Rentals: All About Events | Dress: Moondance Bridal

Based in San Luis Obispo and traveling the globe documenting destination weddings, elopements, and stories of all kinds. Inspired by love, light, heartache, and all the things that make us human.

San Luis Obispo Elopement Photographer
San Luis Obispo Elopement Photographer