My father was a photographer and a musician, and my maternal grandmother was a painter, gardener, and children's book editor. While I don't claim to be a photographer, I love the freedom found in taking pictures of people, places, and things that inspire me.

Born in Miami and having lived in Virginia for the last decade, I've been blessed with a mix of cultures and landscapes that are both beautiful in their own right.

Originally pursuing a degree in biology, a change of heart and the inspiration of a professor lead me to study the arts, specifically, Spanish and Leadership at Hollins University, a private women's college nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia.

Close to my heart are the values my mother instilled in me as a young girl: charity, kindness, and faith. I find myself most fulfilled when giving what I have to others, and even more so when I can encourage others to do the same.

My time at Hollins gave me a broader platform for charitable fundraising and event planning, both of which continue to be close to my heart.