Sometimes the best sessions come from unexpected connections.

I first met Christine through my obsession with Shelvis and the Roustabouts. Over time, she became one of my favorite dancing buddies at their shows. She’s also the partner of Donny Dark—one of the band’s lead guitar players—who surprised her with a Valentine’s Day photo session I was running earlier this year.

When Christine and I started talking about ideas, she wasn’t sure what kind of shoot she wanted. I asked about her interests, and she mentioned her love for the outdoors and horses. That was all I needed to hear.

Through my connections in the recovery community, I reached out to Serenity Stables, a beautiful nonprofit that helps people heal through connection with horses. The owner, also named Christine, and her team—especially Kelsey—welcomed us with open arms. Their kindness and passion made the entire experience unforgettable.

For Christine, this was a chance to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with something bigger than herself. The horses offered her a few kisses and created moments that felt genuinely moving. Bear, the dog, was the unexpected bonus—adding a touch of warmth and humor to the evening.

I’ll be photographing with Serenity Stables again soon, and I can’t wait to highlight the incredible work they’re doing. For now, I’m simply grateful for the day we all shared—the light, the laughter, and the reminder that connection can heal in more ways than one.

Sophia swore she wasn’t comfortable in front of the camera… and then immediately proved herself wrong. Within minutes, she was posing like she’d been doing this for years — all confidence, laughter, and those perfectly chill “yeah, I got this” vibes.

She chose a gorgeous spot where we could get it all — mountains, sky, and those golden fall colors that make Colorado show off a little. The light was perfect, the wind was on our side (mostly), and Sophia made the whole session easy.

She’s one of those people who doesn’t need to try to look natural — she just is. Sweet, genuine, and totally herself.

Every once in a while, a session finds its way to you at exactly the right time. This one did that for me.

Savannah and Trevor’s story is one of strength. You can feel it the second you’re near them. There’s a calm to their energy, but beneath it is the kind of resilience that only comes from walking through things most people don’t see — and still choosing love, still choosing life, still choosing hope.

Photographing them as they prepare to welcome a new baby into the world hit something deep in me. I’ve spent years behind the camera, capturing milestones and love stories, but this one reminded me what it’s all really about — the work it takes to get here. The unseen effort. The rebuilding. The courage to stand in front of a lens and say, “We made it to this moment.”

Lately, I’ve been questioning my purpose — wondering where I fit, what still matters. But standing there with them, watching the way they laughed together, held each other, and looked ahead with quiet pride… it brought me back. It reminded me why I started doing this two decades ago: to bear witness to love that survives.

Savannah and Trevor, thank you for letting me into this chapter — for trusting me with your truth, your joy, and your in-between moments. Photographing you reminded me that purpose always lands in connection and love.

And Dottie, thanks for coming along and sneaking your love in along the way.

Some people just belong in front of a camera. Gina is one of them.

When her mom asked me about her senior photos, I knew we had to find a spot that felt like her. Not the typical brick walls or park benches—nah. Gina is full-on gothy cemetery vibes. And we found the perfect place for her to sparkle like America’s Next Top Model.

She didn’t need direction. She just stepped in front of the lens and presented herself exactly as she is—confident, radiant, and completely at ease.

Senior sessions aren’t just about marking the end of high school. They’re about freezing this moment in time, capturing who someone really is before the next chapter starts. With Gina, you can already tell that chapter is going to be bright.

I feel so lucky I got to be the one behind the camera for her.

Days before putting on the biggest recovery event in Denver, I had the honor of photographing some of the truest faces working in the field. Coaches, directors, board members — people whose daily work doesn’t just support recovery, but actively reshapes what it looks like in Colorado.

The session felt more like a gathering of friends than a formal shoot. Many of these advocates I now call my friends, and it was moving to capture their portraits against the anticipation of the Rally for Recovery.

A heartfelt thank you to Tonya Wheeler, whose vision and support brought me into this incredible community. Tonya’s leadership has always lifted others, and I’m deeply grateful she opened the door for me to witness and document this work up close.

Advocates for Recovery Colorado is the state’s first peer-led, peer-run Recovery Community Organization. Their mission is rooted in peer recovery coaching, family support, inclusive meetings, and advocacy that reminds us all: there is more than one way to recover. They are the face and voice of recovery in Colorado — and on this day, I got to help put faces to that voice.

This gallery is just a glimpse — a handful of portraits from a much larger session. Every single person I photographed that day carries a story worth telling, and together they embody the resilience, advocacy, and heart of recovery in Colorado.

And just to make sure you were paying attention — here’s the final shot. Because recovery isn’t only serious work, it’s also joy, laughter, and sometimes even cat claws. Thank you, Advocates for Recovery Colorado, for letting me capture both the strength and the playfulness of this community.

If you happen to see a crew of weather-worn dreamers thumbing a ride on a dirt road in Colorado, do yourself a favor and stop the car. These aren’t ordinary travelers — they’re The Legendary Hitchhikers. And let me tell you, once you hear them play, you’ll be glad you picked them up.

Our session played out like a road story itself: red rocks glowing like embers, wide blue skies stretching forever, and the kind of blazing sun that makes you wonder why anyone would carry this much equipment up a hill. (Spoiler: they did. For me.)

These gentlemen didn’t just show up to play rock and roll — they showed up with kindness. When I couldn’t quite catch my breath on the climb, they stepped in without hesitation, lugging gear to keep us moving. It’s not every day your photo subjects become your road crew.

And that’s the essence of The Legendary Hitchhikers: talent mixed with generosity. On stage, they’re Denver’s longest-running tribute to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, weaving in southern rock staples and classic gems — Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, you name it. Offstage, they’re the kind of guys who’ll help you carry the load, in every sense.

So if you see them on the roadside, don’t think twice. Pull over. Pick them up. Let them remind you what it feels like when music, kindness, and a little bit of road dust come together. And better yet — go hear them live. Crank up their set, sing along, and let these hitchhikers take you exactly where good music’s supposed to go.

Last year, I attended the Peer Rural Conference in Glenwood Springs as a Peer Support Specialist. This year, I returned with a different badge—Photographer.

Hosted by the Northwest Colorado Community Health Partnership, this annual event brought together hundreds of Peer Recovery Coaches and Peer Support Specialists from across the state. I had the honor of photographing them all—capturing not just headshots, but the energy, resilience, and connection that filled the room.

What made this experience even more meaningful was getting to connect with people who’ve shaped my story—some since the very beginning. These portraits aren’t just images of attendees. They’re reminders of the relationships that helped me grow, heal, and keep showing up.

Meet Vanessa.

Vanessa doesn’t need an introduction—not in this world. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in Colorado’s recovery community, you already know her name. You’ve seen her advocating, connecting, organizing, and somehow showing up everywhere at once—with that unstoppable fire of hers.

What you might not know is how much she’s done behind the scenes—quietly making space, holding doors open, and rooting for people even when they’ve forgotten how to root for themselves. I met Vanessa at a Stray Cats concert, which feels hilariously on-brand in hindsight. I didn’t know then that she’d become one of the reasons I stayed connected to this community, even as my career began to shift.

Vanessa reminds me what it looks like to lead with heart and integrity. She doesn’t just do the work—she is the work. And if you’ve ever been encouraged by her, championed by her, or even just hugged by her… you already know what a rare gift that is.

Meet Alyssa.

Some people come into our lives for a reason. As I look back on my journey in Peer Support, Alyssa is the embodiment of everything I hoped this work could be.

Through working together, I’ve been met with encouragement, hope, and a rare kind of reciprocity. Alyssa has a way of seeing multiple truths at once—and she holds space with a curiosity most people never learn. She’s feisty in all the best ways, bringing fierce energy and grounded presence into every room she enters.

What I love most is that she connects with people in a way that’s completely her own—different from me, and so vey powerful. Every day I’m grateful to know her. She’s strong. She’s independent. And she reminds me that this work is worth doing.

Meet Amy.

When I saw Amy for the first time, it was at a baby shower. I didn’t know her, but I was intimidated—and definitely a little jealous. She’s stunning. I had no idea this beautiful woman would end up becoming part of my life through Peer Support.

We started working together in 2023, and that’s when I got to know her heart. Over time, she let me see her softness, her strength, and her depth—and now I have new reasons to be intimidated by her. She’s a powerhouse.

Being welcomed into her world has been a true honor—especially when she trusted me to photograph her wedding. Amy is fiercely family-oriented, and capturing the people she holds closest was a privilege I don’t take lightly. Of course, she was a beautiful bride—but more importantly, she’s a beautiful person.

Meet Dresden.

We started our peer journey together seven years ago in training at Colorado Mental Wellness Network. When I first met her, I wasn’t sure we’d click. We came from different worlds—she came from the lens of substance misuse, and I came from the world of mental illness. But under the umbrella of peer support, I found a friendship that is unfathomable and has carried me through more than I ever imagined.

Dresden is one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever seen work in this field. She doesn’t flinch in the dark places—she meets people exactly where they are. And she’s done that for me too. She’s walked with me through heartbreak, loss, grief, and growth. And when it was time for me to step away from peer work, it was Dresden who said, “You will fly, friend.”

I cried the first time I heard her full story—she shared it from the stage, and I remember thinking, this woman must be heard by everyone. She’s an incredible keynote speaker, and I can’t wait for the day we share a stage—her story, my puppets, and two different lived experiences bridging the worlds of recovery together.

She’s one of the best people I know. And I’ll forever be honored that one day, she called me her ride or die (a phrase I never would’ve used—but now completely treasure).

Peer support didn’t just give me a career—it gave me people. While I’ve only shared a handful of stories here, there are so many others who’ve shaped my life through this work. Colleagues, supervisors, and fellow travelers who held me up, called me forward, or simply stood beside me when I needed it most. I wanted to include their photos in this blog because they’re part of my story too. Every face is a reminder of what we survived and what we built together. This isn’t just a goodbye to a job—it’s a tribute to the community that carried me, and a living anchor as I continue forward on my path.

And for those of you waiting for your portrait, be on the lookout—coming to your inbox next week!

The photos are new, but this adventure started on March 2, 2024.
That night, I did something for myself that lit me up like the Vegas strip.

I’d been feeling low—deep in my own head, stuck in a cycle I couldn’t quite break. Out of desperation (and maybe a flicker of hope), I checked the Facebook events page. Nothing. Refreshed again. Still nothing. But then—one more time, one more scroll—and I found Shelvis and the Roustabouts.

An Elvis tribute band? In Denver? How had I never heard of them?

As someone who lives and breathes all things Vegas, retro, and rock-n-roll, I knew I had to go. And that night, walking into that show, I had no idea I’d be walking into the arms of people who would come to mean the world to me.

I didn’t realize at first that Shelvis was a she—a powerhouse female Elvis channeling not only the King, but also the spirit of Buddy Holly, John Travolta, and more. She had the swagger, the soul, and the stage presence of a seasoned legend. And the band? Electric. Talented. Full of heart. I was blown away.

In my excited fangirl state, I handed them a business card and blurted, “If you ever need photos, I’d love to photograph you.” And then… I just kept showing up to their concerts for my heart. I brought my camera. And somehow, they didn’t just let me in—they welcomed me into their lives and their greenroom.

They became friends. Chosen family. People who not only lit up the stage, but lit up my life.

Shelvis and her partner showed up to support my debut at Denver Fringe this summer. They’ve believed in me, encouraged me, and made me feel seen during one of the most meaningful chapters of my recovery. They are more than performers. They are pure love, wrapped in compassion.

This past Sunday, I had the honor of photographing them again officially at the Buffalo Rose. The show was a full-on party—complete with scarves, stories, giveaways, and one unforgettable performance by guest saxophonist SuperSaxy. The energy was electric. The love was palpable. The crowd was all in. And I got to capture it.

I don’t always have the words to explain what people mean to me.
But I hope my photos do.

They say a photo is worth a thousand words—but it’s the stories behind the photos that stay with me.

Last week, I had the honor of photographing the wedding of Ayla and John. It was a small ceremony—intimate, heartfelt, and entirely focused on the couple and their journey. They’ll be celebrating with more friends and family at a larger reception soon, but this day… this day was just for them.

They were married in their pastor’s home, and when I walked through the “secret door,” I stopped in my tracks. The room was flooded with soft pink tones, gentle light, and an unexpected romantic warmth. It felt like stepping into a dream—a fantasy not just created, but earned.

That’s what moved me most. Every detail of the day was soaked in meaning—not performance. It wasn’t about appearances. It was about love—the real kind. The kind that grows through time and tenderness, through pain and healing, through honesty and deep, sacred work.

This is where the stories hide behind the images. And those who know them—truly know them—carry a deeper understanding.

The ceremony was filled with deep emotion—from tears to laughter. Much of that was thanks to the pastor, who not only held space for every feeling, but in many ways helped bring them to life. The faith in that room was palpable. So was the love—for each other, for the couple, and for the road that brought them to this moment.

The rings were presented by Ayla’s sons—a quiet moment that carried more weight than words could say. They stepped forward with careful hands, guided gently through the exchange. It wasn’t staged or formal. It was real. Honest. A small act that somehow held the whole meaning of the day: love, growth, and presence. Watching them share that space together made the moment feel even more sacred.

The ceremony closed with the perfect kiss—genuine, joyful, and exactly right for them. After signing the marriage license and officially sealing the day, the newlyweds and their guests boarded a party bus to Maggiano’s for dinner and celebration. The shift from ceremony to reception carried the same energy: full hearts, full presence, and a love that didn’t need to prove anything.

Dinner at Maggiano’s was as good as you’re imagining. (Of course I took food photos—and yes, I absolutely balanced the bride’s ring on pepperoni. Why wouldn’t I?) The meal was incredible, but what stood out most was the atmosphere. Guests began giving impromptu toasts—no schedule, no pressure, just genuine words from the heart. One after another, people stood up to speak love over the couple. It was emotional, unscripted, and full of truth. The kind of toasts you remember.

I often say my favorite weddings are the ones that feel personal. This one? It was more than that. It was a testament—a celebration of everything they’ve been through, and everything still ahead. And maybe most beautiful of all, it was a reminder that they don’t have to walk that path alone. They’ve got people behind them, supporting them every step of the way.