I am a real estate photographer, Mom to three adult children, wife of 25 years and long-time resident of the Ballantyne, Weddington, Waxhaw area. I absolutely love what I do, and I am so grateful to be able to wake up and do something I find fulfilling each day. I am a planner, a habitual list maker, a country music lover, and an iced coffee addict. We have two pets -a cat named Dan and a dog named Finn. I’d love to eventually add some goats and chickens to the mix.
Q: Where did you grow up and what brought you to the area?
I was born in New York, but I grew up in Kentucky and Texas before finally landing in the Carolinas.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in the Ballantyne/Weddington/Waxhaw area?
My husband and I moved to the Ballantyne area with our small children in 2000. We then moved to the Weddington area in 2007, and we currently live in Indian Trail.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
My father always had a camera in hand while I was growing up. He loved taking pictures of my sister and me. So, it seemed natural that I, too, enjoyed taking pictures of my children. I eventually began to read books, take classes and work with mentors to improve my skills and gain a real understanding of good photography. I started my own portrait business in 2015, but it wasn’t until I found real estate photography that I truly felt like I found my “place.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about the Ballantyne/Weddington/Waxhaw area?
I love that this area blends a feeling of the old with the new. The small- town feel and history of Waxhaw and Weddington is so charming. But we have all the great food and fun things to do in Charlotte just minutes away.
Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself still shooting real estate of course! But, I hope to be traveling with my husband and spending my weekends with lots of grandbabies.
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the area and what do you order?
I love Ilios Noche. If you’ve never had their ribs, you must try them! Trust me!
Q: What 3 bands or musicians would you like to see? (dead or alive)
George Strait – The GOAT, Eric Church and Chris Stapleton
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? Why?
I have never traveled internationally, so there are many places I’d love to see outside of the US. But, I’m always eager for a trip to Valle Crucis, NC. When you have such beauty and history right here in our own backyard, it’s hard to ignore how lucky we are.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d love to rent a RV and spend a few weeks traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast.
Q: What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I have triplets: 2 boys and a girl. They are almost 24 years old. My son, Bryson, is a truck driver for a local company. My daughter, Carter, is an Orthodontist Assistant , and my son Garrison works for a medical equipment company as an account manager. We are so proud of them all!!
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you like to have lunch? Why?
More than anyone rich or famous, I would love to have lunch with my grandmother again. She saw such change and advancement during her lifetime. She lived through the Great Depression, raised my Mother during WWII with her husband overseas and eventually saw the beginnings of the internet. She had so many skills from sewing, making pottery, roofing a home and basic carpentry. She was fearless and willing to learn almost anything to solve a need. I admired her strength and the love she had for her family. I know there would be much I could learn from her now as an adult.
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? (Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Personal Trainer, or Nanny)
When my children were small, it would have been a Nanny hands down! But, now, I think I’d love to have a chef. I love trying new foods, and not having to do the cooking would be amazing!
Q: What is your personal philosophy for achieving happiness and success?
I think its hugely important to continue to learn and grow both personally and professionally. It’s scary to take on new things, but I find I am the happiest and feel the most fulfilled when I challenge myself to learn something new.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
My-happy-place!
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of Ballantyne? Why?
I think Daryl Sutherland would be fabulous! He started a non profit here on the streets of Charlotte called Rice and Beans that provides hot meals, food and personal care items to under-served communities. It has now grown to include multiple cities as well a Roatan Island and Honduras.
