The Portrait Witch

10/05/2026

My next newsletter "On Being Ridiculous" is coming Saturday. Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating. You will get a first peak at images I haven't shared yet!

I'm a weirdo portrait photographer currently navigating the loss of my husband and rediscovering who I am as a creative. Every New Moon I send out a missive with deep thoughts, updates, maybe some dark humour and sometimes a tarot reading.

08/08/2026

DISCOVERING

It's a strange feeling to carry sadness and joy together, constantly. To be delighted and awed but also feel a deep sense of longing and loss.

It is possible, I've learned, to feel a complex range of emotions in a very short period of time. While in this place I felt:

Intimidated by the incredibly talented creatives I was with.

Insecure about my own ability to create.

Envious that I wasn't as comfortable in my skin.

Resentful when asked if I was going to make something witchy.

Longing for the husband who would never experience this vista.

Awed by the beauty of the place.

Curious about how I would approach creating here.

Entertained by the antics and banter of my newfound friends.

Hopeful that I still have an artist living in me that wants to share with the world.

Grateful that I had this opportunity.

That's just what I remember off the top of my head.

I went with the intention to be open, and sometimes that means just being present with your feelings.

And all of that is part of discovering who I'm becoming.

07/19/2026

Where Witches Roam

I went to Iceland with the intention of being open. Just open. Before my husband died, I was sure of who I was and what type of creator I wanted to be. Ok. Maybe "should" be. I was proud to be The Portrait Witch.

Identity transforms deeply when you lose the love of your life. Your best friend. Who am I now?

Did I figure it out while trekking all over Iceland with people, especially women, who inspired me? F**k no. But I have an inkling of who I want to be, and who I am no longer.

I was deeply resistant to making witchy images. I was just as resistant to making self-portraits.

I am not in love with myself right now.

But I want to be.

What I will remember from this moment is: I loved the feeling of the black sand beneath my toes. Of the icy water flowing around my ankles. Of the wind whipping my hair and my fabric around me.

I was present. I am alive. That's what matters.

04/16/2026

My next newsletter "Choices Shape Us" is coming tomorrow. Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating.

I'm a weirdo portrait photographer currently navigating the loss of my husband and rediscovering who I am as a creative. Every New Moon I send out a missive with deep thoughts, updates, maybe some dark humour and a tarot reading.

01/16/2026

If you didn't know, I've been sending out a newsletter every New Moon for the last few years. The next one is delivered to inboxes this Sunday.

It has evolved into a personal letter where I share what's happening in my life, what I'm thinking about, what I'm working on, and share some things I think are interesting.

I also try to share a tarot reading.

If that all sounds interesting, sign up! I only send them on the new moon, which is about once a month.

Just make sure you check your junkmail for the confirmation email.

01/03/2026

Hello Weirdos,

I know things have been extremely quiet around here, and I wanted to pop in and share a little about why.

You may have already figured it out when I posted my Widow image back in May, and some of you do know, but in case you haven't heard. . . My husband, my best friend, passed away back in April. I've been largely private about my grief and I kind of want to keep it that way, but it absolutely impacts what I'm doing here at The Portrait Witch.

I, as a person, am evolving, and I think The Portrait Witch will be too. I don't know what the will look like yet, but it will definitely be shifting from client-focused to art(s)-focused. I want to make more meaningful and impactful work. I want to keep learning new things. And, I want to keep growing as an artist.

Probably the best decision I made in 2025 after my loss, was to attend University in person. This is a big deal for someone in their mid-40s. I'm studying Studio Art and planning to Double Major that with English. I spent the last few months learning film photography and dark room processing in my Photography class and learning to draw. I also took Creative Writing, Art History and French. I passed all my classes with pretty darn good marks, too.

I have also reaffirmed a passion for helping others grow and develop as creatives and students. Nothing perks me up more than helping people meet challenges, problem solve creative issues, and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones. My friend coined this tendency as being "Tara-fied" and I love it. So these are probably the first hints as to where I'm going. I also believe that in order to help others I have to keep learning and doing myself.

And I care about this community I've been building. I'd like to see it grow. I want you to talk to me about art, what inspires you, how you are facing the creative challenges that come your way.

I have been consistent in sharing my New Moon Missives and talking about a lot of this stuff there, so if you want to make sure you see how things are going, sign up for them (Link in the comments).

These images are just a glimpse of the creative work I've been doing these last few months. Still some photography, but other stuff too.

So my question to you is:

Are you here for it?
Are you interested in evolving with me?
In seeing what I'm creating if it isn't just photography?

Please, share your thoughts with me. I appreciate them more than you know.

01/01/2026

Mother Warrior

I wanted to close out this year with an image I've been sitting on for a while. Maybe I'm nervous about it. Maybe it's because I care a lot.

I want to tell more stories like this!

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

P.S. Happy New Year, send me your expecting mamas!

10/08/2025

Ever wonder what happens when 90s grunge meets the undead?
“Smells Like Zombie Spirit” was born from giggles, fake blood, and a rebellious spark. Dive into the behind-the-scenes chaos, severed-head pompoms, and all.

Read the whole Portrait Story here: http://www.theportraitwitch.com/the-grimoire/portrait-stories-smells-like-zombie-spirit?utm_medium=social-media&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=portrait-stories

10/01/2025

This month’s Creative Quest has arrived: Dramatic Light. Shadows deepen, contrasts sharpen, and atmosphere takes center stage. Will you take up the call? Create in your own medium—photography, painting, writing, film—and share your journey in The Portrait Witch's Workshop.

http://www.theportraitwitch.com/the-inspiration-bank/creative-quest-dramatic-light

09/25/2025

What started with my daughter’s love of mushrooms turned into a fantasy portrait built in Blender and Photoshop. In this Portrait Story, I share how I built the world from scratch — and what I learned along the way.

Read the full Portrait Story here:
http://www.theportraitwitch.com/the-grimoire/portrait-story-mushroom-world