How I Learned to Create Fine Art Portraits

Learning the Craft
My photography journey began 16 years ago with a few night classes at our local community college. I learned the basics—aperture, shutter speed, composition—but I quickly realized that technical skills were just the beginning.

A few years later, my son encouraged me to join the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). At the time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but he convinced me—and it turned out to be one of the smartest decisions I ever made. Through PPA, I had the privilege of working alongside Master Photographers who helped refine my eye for detail. During that time, I also became a Certified Professional Photographer and earned my Master Photographer distinction. Equally valuable were the friendships I made along the way—the people who supported, inspired, and challenged me as much as the lessons themselves.

Since then, I’ve made it a point to invest in attending one exclusive workshop a year with some of the world’s top children’s photographers. Iwona Podlasinska and Noelle Mirabella Photography inspired me not just in storytelling, light, intention, and wardrobe, but most importantly in how to connect with children and make them feel comfortable in front of a camera. . These lessons now guide every session I plan, from the first idea to the final fine art images.