10 Things you Didn't Know About Me | Flemington, Central NJ Family Portrait Photographer

Today I’m sharing something a little different… 10 things you didn’t know about me!

1. I have a tiny-home! In 2015 I purchased a small cabin in upstate NY and spend every free weekend and most of my summer there. It’s totally off the grid (no electricity or running water) and super adorable, nestled in a forest of hemlocks in the Eastern Adirondacks. It’s my happy place for sure!

chickadeecreekcamp

{Photo of my cabin. I named the property “Chickadee Creek”}

2. I have a BA in art education and photography. I went to Montclair State University and specialized in large format film photography – you know the kind in the old movies where the photographer throws a blanket over their head to see through the camera… I still shoot with those cameras and have a freezer full of 4×5 film. <3

{Looking through the ground glass of my 4×5 camera}

3. My other full time job is being a photography teacher at a central jersey high school! I get to share my passion with teenagers all day every day and I love every second of it! (Before that I taught elementary art to the little ones in Paterson, NJ and loved that too!)

{Photo of me talking to my students about a pinhole image we just made with a pumpkin as a camera}

4. When I vacation, I would rather go camping than stay in a hotel. Saves money and is more fun! I love going to sleep looking up at the stars!

5. Speaking of… I’ve travelled by car to almost every state in the continental US. In my twenties when school was out for the summer, I’d jump in my car with my camping gear and travel around the country visiting national parks, hiking, exploring different cultures and places, and loving every second of it. My favorite national park so far is Zion. I loved the South Dakota Badlands too. One of my favorite states was Wyoming!

{One of my favorite road trip memories happened just after this photo was taken. When we got to the peek of The Rocky Mountains in the background there we pulled out our camping mats from the trunk of the car and went sledding in the snow in 80 degree weather on a mountain top. It was unforgettably amazing!}

6. When I was in high school one of my closest friends, Jackie, tried to get me into modeling and brought me to her photographer. After trying it out I realized that modeling wasn’t for me – I liked being a photographer better. Now she’s a famous model and you can still find me on the other side of the camera! I much prefer it there! 🙂

7. I am a trail angel on the AT! In 2014 I fulfilled a dream of mine to start doing trail magic full time when the “bubble” comes through NJ on the Appalachian Trail. I’ve been doing it ever since. I sit along the trail in a parking lot and give out homemade meals to thru-hikers as well as medical supplies, take their garbage, give rides into town/to the hostel, and anything else I can do for them. Meeting these individuals is so inspiring to me ~ It’s my way of giving back to the trail community. It’s a lifetime goal of mine to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.

{Photo of Thru-Hikers enjoying some trail magic in Vernon, NJ in 2014}

8. I am a member of The Rising Tide Society, and am the local leader of their Princeton, NJ chapter. I hold monthly meetings with my fellow creative entrepreneurs about different business topics. It’s been such a joy getting to facilitate meetings, meet and socialize with so many inspiring local creatives. I love it!

9. This one might be surprising, but I’ve never eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I’m not allergic to peanut butter or anything… I’ve just never eaten one. My mom made us peanut butter and fluff sandwiches every day for lunch instead!

10. I am happiest when: laying in a hammock (of which I own dozens), at a concert, hiking in nature, or with my camera in my hand. <3