professional third wheel who’s obsessed with all things true crime, cats, coffee…and love stories like yours

Originally from a tiny dot on a map in the foothills of North Carolina, but as a long running Kansas City transplant, I can confidently say KC has my heart!

I overly use exclamation points!!! Seemingly always on a coffee-high. I can be random and quirky, sometimes mistaken as shy. I’m an extroverted introvert, an INFJ, and a enneagram 4w3! I have a slight tendency toward awkwardness, an irrational fear of ladybugs, and I tend to get excited over everything — especially animals, mostly cats!!

Basically if you're quirky, laugh easily, love cats, and have a streak of awkwardness — we're probably going to be best friends.

a little more about me

Of all things, I wanted to be an actress long before my photographer dream was realized. Though a camera was in my hands from an early age, being a “professional wedding photographer” was something I thought didn’t exist.

When a girl I barely knew asked me to shoot her wedding back in 2006 — I didn’t even own the proper gear, but that wedding was really what struck the strongest chord for me. Once a fun hobby to a paid side job, to working for various photography studios, to a hiatus that led to one day realizing I couldn’t sit in a gray cubicle for forever — ELP was born out of a culmination of a lot of things, and a lot of dreams…and it is 100% my dream job!

If I’m not out on an adventure, gleefully taking photos of love stories, then I’m at home working away at my computer (equally gleefully) in yoga pants and a cozy crewneck, coffee and cats nearby, chances are with a true-crime docuseries on Netflix playing in the background. Super pro multitasker over here.

If I’m doing none of those things, you’ll likely find me cozied up, devouring a good book. Or I might be shopping at one (or all) of my favorite places — TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Homegoods. En route to Chick-fil-a or the closest antique store. Behind the wheel of Roxie (yes, I named my car!) out exploring old roads with no destination in mind. Or on a bike ride, a walk, a jog, or a hike — any excuse to be outside feeling connected to the universe and all that.

MEET MY CHILD

Phillip, aka Phil Phil

AKA AGAIN:

*Mr. Phil Phil, Phillydill, Chubby Bunny, Mr. Sweetface, Mama’s BOI, Bubby, Ginger BB, Boho King,…and Stage 5 Clinger.*
Obsessive wild child sums him up. He gallops like a pony and has the cutest trot I’ve ever seen — all complete with his chubby saddlebags that swing side to side lol. He has major attachment issues — some would call him a stage five clinger (and I would agree). He carries toys in his mouth, won’t be fooled by a laser pointer and has an obsession with strawberries. Head-butts with force, plays hard, loves hard, naps hard.

my “why” — at the heart of it

My “why” stems from the fact that life is too damn short to do anything other than something that lights you up. And there is just something about the magic of a wedding day and the magic of love between two people that is unparalleled. Whether you stand before your closest friends and family or stand surrounded by nothing but nature and vow forever — those moments are full of a goodness that is hard to find. This “job” of mine is about preserving moments that tell a greater story. I basically get to document joy and love for a living, and it is without a freakin’ doubt, a dream job!

Random Facts

about ya girl

A - Random Facts about Me

.01

Coffee coffee coffee! Am I right? I have mostly switched to decaf, which makes me feel better about how much I love coffee, thankfully I barely recognize any difference! At home, it’s always hot coffee with a lot of basic creamer. If I’m out and about, 9 times out of 10, it’s iced!! My go-to is an iced vanilla latte. When I’m feeling extra… it’s an iced vanilla hazelnut. At trusty Starbucks, I’ll always pass on a PSL, but I’m basically obsessed with their seasonal goodies like the chestnut praline and the sugar cookie latte!!

.02

I collect twigs. True story. Take me to the woods and I’ll come out with a treasure like these here! I mostly use them for decorating and am in a constant state of trying to keep the cats from eating them.

.03

OH YES…...I am in fact….a Murderino. The first time I heard this word and its meaning, I was all *raises hand and hangs head* True crime documentaries of any sort are something I weirdly can’t get enough of?? Thank goodness for Netflix. I have yet to enjoy them podcast style though - I know, I know, who even am I to not like My Favorite Murderer. Feel free to judge.

.04

I bet you saw this one coming! I totally collect old cameras! Finding them for a steal of a price is cause for celebration, I’m a snob when they are priced high!

.05

I have a diagnosable candle obsession….I AM WHO I AM. :) I keep several on reserve, and I buy more on nearly every single trip to TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods.

.06

Speaking of TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods….those are my 3 favorite places to shop, hands down. The only other place that even comes close, is of course, Target!

.07

I loveeee to read! Fluffy feel-good stories, historical fiction and a dang-good memoir are my fave genres! A few of my all-time favorites include -
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

.08

I loveeee going to antique stores! I can be in them for hours on end! Old glass bottles and milk glass vases are two things I will almost always come home with! How many do I already own you ask?? Too many to count. Shhh, it’s fine. What do I do with them you wonder? Decorate mostly! These can be found all throughout the house and definitely in my home office!

.09

I love writing, and story telling, and I think I can attribute that love to how I tell my couples stories! The heart behind it all though, stems from a long-running dream to one day, write and publish a book of my own! It’s in the works!!

.10

As #basic as it is, I love love love Chick-fil-A! 8 count nuggets, waffle fries, ranch dipping sauce and a Dr. Pepper is my go-to order every time!

.11

I once heard someone refer to themselves as a “travel-loving homebody” and I was all ohhh yeahhh that totallyyy resonates with me! Give me a cozy night in most any night really, but when I take the time to actually go out and travel, it always gives me so much LIFE! Utah is easily one of my favorite states to hike in, and seen here from that very state — The Delicate Arch — something I had wanted to see for so so long, and on my 32nd birthday, I did!

.12

Last, but definitely not least…..the thing I try to not talk about too often because of its level of seriousness… my obsession with donuts. Y’all. It’s bad. Donuts are my biggest vice without a doubt! They don’t have to be fancy at all, I like basic and traditional glazed, chocolate frosted, and strawberry-flavoring frosted. I once had a fruity pebbles donut…pretty sure a real life angel handed it to me. For all the love I have for donuts though…don’t you dare come at me with jelly-filled, that’s an abomination.