Discovering Photography

Times in my life, I’ve leaned into photography but then life would get busy and I would drift from photography.

I grew up in Boston. In college I was the photo editor of the school paper, that was then, back when there was a dark room and mixing chemicals by hand, a smelly solitary process that I enjoyed. I created many a purple and white image before getting it “right” with the chemical mixing and actually making the photos black and white not purple and white. I had Boston, Back Bay brownstones, antique street lights, the Common, snow and beauty. I was trying to capture the beauty I felt onto photos. 

But like I said, life can get busy.

Rediscovering What I Love

I moved to Chicago many years ago but in 2022, I moved from Chicago to Cape Cod and fell in love with New England’s beauty all over again. I had many childhood summers on the Cape — sunburns and all — and all that time on the Cape left me with a lifelong love of the water. I feel called to the ocean.

One evening, I joined master photographer Nancy Orbe and a small group at Stage Harbor Lighthouse for sunset. All I had was my iPhone, but the experience moved me to buy a camera and begin again. Nancy’s encouragement and teaching reminded me that the best teachers lift you up and ncourage you to keep going.

Becoming a Student Again

Photography has changed a lot in the time I’d been away. Dark rooms have been replaced by Lightroom, Photoshop and plugins.  But my career in software specifically software testing, has helped me as a student in photography.  I’ve returned to my career in software testing as well, check out my new website.

I took classes. I went on photo shoots. I met master photographers and I found community.  One great opportunity was a photo shoot to the elusive Race Point lighthouse for sunset and night photography. I borrowed a tripod and discovered how little I really knew being the rookie in the group as I discovered night photography is an advanced art form.

Learning with a Community

My professional career in software testing included speaking at conferences. I joke that as an introvert and shy kid, I finally learned how to talk to other people and I haven’t shut up since. Truth is I’m still an introvert but my career has shown me that learning is more fun alongside other people who want to learn, who are passionate about what they are doing and are willing to make mistakes, laugh about it and move on. 

I’ve gained a great group of photography friends with people like Debra, Lisa and Mari. We follow each other on Instagram and go out together when we can. We encourage each other and that sense of community in photography reminds me of the community I’ve found and helped contribute to in software testing.  We learn from each other and it’s all the more fun to be part of a community.

Practicing Through Imperfection

The blurry messy photo on this page is all mine from the evening shoot at Race Point. It is a humbling shot. It is a reminder to keep practicing, like yoga, it’s a practice. Sometimes your skills bring forth great work and sometimes, it’s a mess which is just a reminder to stay humble, keep learning, laugh at your mistakes and keep going.

One thing I needed to learn was to learn the basics for myself even though it was the advanced photos taken by others that inspired me. I had to remind myself, you’re not there yet. I started breaking my learning down from feeling like I wanted to master everything to something more do-able, like what one thing do I want to learn next? Having a single focus has helped me stay on track to not trying for too many skills all at the same time. I can be impatient, I want to do better but when I try for too much all at once, I can feel the overwhelm, the perfectionism taking root which hurts more than helps. What is the one next step I tell myself.

Focusing My Learning

Early on, I just wanted sharp, well-lit shots. Now I understand that mastery comes from repetition. John Tunney teaches knowing your equipment so well you can shoot in the dark (and he does night photography.) Steve Koppel says, “build muscle memory.” Tim Little, the person behind Cape Cod After Dark, has his own style of teaching and helping his students succeed.  Noticing other people’s work I admire has inspired me and helped me form what I want to learn and what I am trying to achieve.

Learning different approaches and techniques

Through Steve Koppel’s Online Expressions forum and Kristen Anderson’s guidance, I’ve learned as much about creativity as about technique. When John Tunney once asked if I leaned more toward photojournalism or expressionism, it stopped me in my tracks. I realized I’m drawn to both — documenting what’s real while interpreting what I feel. That balance is where I’m beginning to find my own photography voice.

Learning on My Own

Some of my most valuable learning has come from experimenting alone — long walks with my camera, trial and error, and quiet evenings editing until something finally clicks. There’s something grounding about figuring things out by yourself; it builds confidence, patience, and intuition. I have that same experience with my day job as a software tester. Self-learning has reminded me that progress doesn’t always need an audience — sometimes it’s just you, your lens, and curiosity.

Continuing the Journey

I built this site to share my photography — and someday, to sell my work. For now, I share small moments of joy on Instagram and I lean into photography when I’m not working as a software tester. I’m keeping photography close. Because life feels fuller with art.

For now as this website is under construction, contact me through Instagram.