You can read About Me on my bio page, but in honor of Throwback Thursday, let’s take a walk down memory lane. Won’t you join me on this journey that led me to Family Photography…
Secret Shopping
I’ve always liked learning about new things, so after graduating college in Photojournalism, I would sign up for UT Informal Classes. Classes I took included Ballet, Swing Dancing, Alternative Photo Processes and Secret Shopping. That Secret Shopping (or Mystery Shopping) class led to me getting paid to see almost every movie at Regal Cinemas (circa 1999-2003).
With secret shopping, the most stressful part was having to count every person who came in the theater (while subtracting anyone who went out to get popcorn or made a trip to the bathroom before the movie started).
My favorite part was liking movies that I might not have seen except they were free.
Yoga Instructor
In 2008, I got my Hatha Yoga 200 hour certification through Yoga Yoga. Once I graduated, I was part of their “Yoga at Work” program where I went to different offices and taught classes. My favorite part was how relaxed people were after class (and that I got to wear yoga pants for my side job). My least favorite part was how disgusting office conference room floors were. Nowadays, I still occasionally teach a class to my own co-workers.
As part of my Yoga Yoga Teacher Training, I taught free classes (here at Hill Country Weavers)
Fabric Artist / Etsy Shop
The next phase went closely together. I had bought a sewing machine on eBay and was excited to use it. I opened up my (now empty) Etsy Shop in 2008 to sell fabric art and hand goods. My favorite part was being an active member of the Etsy Austin community. My least favorite part was when my appendix burst during an Etsy Austin show at SXSW in 2009 (not the fabric’s fault). In 2015, I sold my last item: a gift certificate for a Family Photo Session.
Close-up of sewn piece
Family Photographer
For the last few years, I’ve been mostly focused on Family Photography. Whether with my own kids (or yours), my favorite part is capturing family connections. And I don’t have a least favorite part yet 😉
Showing Max & Miles the test shots for the “fake snow” set-up