“Great photography’s about depth of feeling, not depth of field.”

Growing up we all dream of being something. Ballerinas, fire fighters, police men, astronauts, super hero’s, but growing up, all I wanted was to be able to use two hands. As strange as that sounds to most, it was an everyday normal for a girl growing up with Cerebral Palsy. I tried being a ballerina but I’m sure as you can imagine pointing toes and balancing on the other with your arms up high isn’t going to go well with a lack of equilibrium. As I grew older I wondered what I would grow up to be. How could someone missing a part of her be fulfilled with a job made for normal functioning people? Cerebral Palsy is a part of my life that I was ashamed of most of my life. I didn’t want anyone to know and hid it away like the chipped china you wouldn’t serve a guest. My insecurities and what I thought about myself kept me from so many opportunities and blessings God had sent my way. Growing up, I wonder what would my life have looked like if I was born normal. What if I never had a stroke, never had cereal palsy, never had to go through surgeries, therapy, casting, and the awkward stairs from kids in school. I often questioned why God would leave me to navigate life like this, and for the longest time never saw the blessing in it all. I didn’t think I’d ever find someone that would love me for me, never thought I would be able to get an education, find a job, and never imagined that I’d be a photographer.

Now as an adult, I see how far God has brought me, and all the questions and doubts that were once spinning in my mind aren’t there anymore. He has fulfilled every promise I once doubted for my life. I’m a wife to a man who looks past any differences and puts God first in our marriage, a family that believes I can turn any limitation into an oppertunity, and I have found a carrerr that allows me to capture love stories and the beauty of Gods creation. What more could a child of God ask for?

When I started photography, I was hesitant at first, and scared that I wouldn’t be good enough to make it a career. How was I going to hold a 10+ pound camera with one hand and get clear pictures without messing up? It seemed like an insurmountable challenge. I’m not going to lie, it was hard starting out, and there were a lot of trials. I remember struggling to understand the technical aspects of photography, the aperture settings, and shutter speed. On top of that, there were times when I questioned my own creative abilities. There were many shots that turned out to be not so great, and it was disheartening. But, I look back on those today and see just how far I have come. Every blurry or poorly composed picture served as a learning experience, pushing me to refine my skills and develop a unique style. If you think about it, photographers reading this, don’t we all start out there? We all start out somewhere, filled with doubts and uncertainties, yet propelled by a passion that drives us to improve and evolve.

I look back on my life, and all I have overcome not just as a photographer but as a girl growing up with a limitation I’d never think I would defeat. There’s no cure to cerebral palsy, but my insecurities about who I am, and my worth have shaped me into a person with immense strength and tenacity. Despite facing numerous challenges, I have refused to let my condition define me, and instead, I have used it as a source of inspiration to break barriers and exceed expectations. Through my journey, I have discovered a profound resilience within myself, and I have learned to embrace my unique perspective and abilities. Each photograph I capture reflects not only my artistic vision but also the resilience and determination that have propelled me forward in the face of adversity. Much like the art of photography and the trials that come with learning, God uses broken pieces to create masterpieces.