Its only fitting that I am a photographer now, as I have had a love for taking pictures all my life. I have always enjoyed recording events and objects through film. Growing up on a farm, I had endless subjects and models! I attended Montello Schools, kindergarten through graduation. My art teachers always had a great impact on my life and my high school art teacher helped me tremendously when I was looking to go to college. After filling out many grant and scholarship applications (and a lot of praying!), I was accepted at Edgewood College in Madison. After four years, and a summer semester in there somewhere, I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design and Art. I decided to apply to grad school, and was accepted by two schools. However, God had a different plan for me. This hobby that I loved so much turned into a career for me and I ran with it!

In June of 2001, Studio C Photography officially opened its doors. My husband Greg and I had lived in a small house in Portage and I set up the studio in the dining room. Although not ideal, it worked. In February of 2003, we learned that there would soon be an addition to our family and so the search for a larger home began.

Greg and I found the home of our dreams in February of 2003 and moved in a month later. It had 7 acres and an almost new barn, a perfect place for the studio. With a baby due in the fall, we needed to get to work! I spent most of my time painting in the house and getting things ready there (and using the dining room yet again for a temporary studio), while Greg spent most of his time in the barn working on the real studio.

While it was no where near being finished, by God's grace I was able to start working out there in June of 2003. It took two years to complete the studio, but the wait was definitely worth it! I am not sure what people must think when I tell them the studio is in the barn, but they sure are surprised when they walk through the door. And as you can imagine I have kept a photo journal of all the work that has been done to the studio.

Greg and I were married in August of 1998. In September of 2003, we were expecting our first child. The Lord blessed us with a sweet little flower by the name of Lily. I am so grateful to be able to work at home and care for her as well.

Greg and I both grew up on farms. I grew up on a dairy farm and Greg grew up a cattle and hog farm. While our little 7 acres is no farm, we still have lots to care for and we hope to instill the lessons we learned into our daughter. Duke, our chocolate lab is just a wonderful dog. He and Lily are buds. We have one horse, Jake (although I would like more!!), and a shetland pony named Charlie. We also have three barn cats on mouse patrol-Brutus, Maggie, and Stella and Lily's new kitty, Gunner, who lives in the house with us on occasion. Lily helps us take care of all of them. We also have a large garden and there are always never ending projects when you own a house. So it all keeps us pretty busy!

 

Where do I begin? Photography, of course, has always been an interest, but I love backpacking/hiking in the mountains. Greg and I have done several trips-Glacier, the Adirondacks, Yellowstone...and we took Lily on her first mini-backpacking trip in June of 2006 to Rock Island off the tip of Door County. She's hooked!

We also enjoy hunting. We hunt on his dad's farm for deer, turkey, ducks and other birds. This was the first year we took Lily hunting with us. Greg took her out duck hunting a few times and on opening day of the '06 Gun Deer Season she sat in my stand with me all day. She spotted some deer and I was able to shoot a nice 8 pointer and a doe. She still tells the story about "our" deer if you ask her!

I also love to read, go horseback riding, and spend as much time as I can with my daughter and my husband. And I love to travel! In 2001, I was fortunate to be able to travel to Paris, France and Florence, Italy. It was absolutely wonderful to see everything I had studied/learned about the artists and their work. My favorite place was Claude Monet's home and gardens. That's where Lily got her name-his waterlily gardens. On the other end of the spectrum, I flew to Guatemala with others from my church on a missions trip. It was truly a life changing experience! I have been other places as well, but I would much rather travel with my family! Especially around the beautiful state of Wisconsin!