Founder Q&A
I've always been drawn to creating. Long before photography became a business, I was chasing stories, ideas, and the feeling that happens when people come together to make something meaningful. Photography gave me a way to combine all of those things. It allows me to collaborate with incredible people, transform ideas into tangible art, and create experiences that feel a little bit like magic. Whether it's an elaborate creative concept or a simple portrait session, I love the process of taking someone's vision, personality, and story and turning it into something they can hold onto forever. Affinity Fire Studios grew from that desire—to create, to connect, and to build something beautiful alongside other people.
Because Maine is home. There's something special about the people here. We value community, resilience, creativity, and authenticity. Maine offers a beautiful balance of rugged landscapes and close-knit communities, and both have shaped the way I approach my work. Building a business here has allowed me to connect with incredible individuals from all walks of life and create a studio culture that feels welcoming, inclusive, and deeply rooted in human connection.
I've always believed there's something magical about making things with other people. A photograph isn't something I create for someone—it's something we create together. Sometimes that looks like an elaborate editorial concept with body paint and wild storytelling. Sometimes it looks like sitting in a quiet room and giving someone permission to take up space. The common thread is connection. I want people to leave a session feeling like they were seen. Not just photographed, but truly seen. If they walk away with beautiful images, that's wonderful. But if they also walk away feeling a little more confident, a little more understood, or a little more connected to themselves than when they arrived—that's the part that matters most to me. At the end of the day, I'm just a person who loves stories, loves creating, and feels incredibly lucky to make art with other humans. ✨
Like many small business owners, learning to balance passion with sustainability has been my biggest challenge. When you care deeply about your clients and your community, it's easy to pour everything you have into your work. Over the years, I've had to learn how to build systems, set boundaries, and create a business that can continue serving others without sacrificing my own well-being. It's an ongoing lesson, but one that has ultimately helped me become a better business owner and artist.
Right now, I'm settling into Affinity Fire Studios' new space within Eight Limbs Wellness Center in Fairfield, Maine, and dreaming up all the possibilities that come with it. The studio exists inside a larger community-centered wellness space, which means creativity, connection, and collaboration are constantly crossing paths. It's the kind of environment that sparks ideas over cups of tea and turns "what if?" conversations into real projects. I'm excited to continue creating portrait experiences there, welcoming new faces into the studio, and exploring what happens when artists, healers, storytellers, and community members all share the same space. I have a feeling we're only just getting started. ✨
The really big, outside-the-box concepts will always be my favorite. I love taking an idea that exists only in someone's imagination and figuring out how to make it real. Give me the elaborate costumes, the strange storylines, the body paint, the fantasy worlds, the concepts that make people say, "I don't know if this is possible." The truth is, I'm not just passionate about photography—I'm passionate about creating. The camera is simply the tool that lets me collaborate with other people and
A look at their work
