08/30/2026
Normally, I don’t share much of myself like this on my photography page. I’m usually much more comfortable being the one behind the camera than the one caught in the moment. But my friend captured this little clip and sent it to me, and for some reason, I felt like sharing it.
Yesterday evening was spent in downtown Tulsa, and I already know I’ll be going back. There were so many beautiful places, but what really caught my attention were the little overlooked corners—the places people may walk right past without realizing how beautiful they could be through a different lens.
And maybe that’s where my heart has been lately, too.
I’ve been trying to notice the good. To look for joy. To choose it on purpose.
That sounds simple, but sometimes it really isn’t.
There is so much heaviness everywhere we look. Social media can feel discouraging, life can feel overwhelming, and even the smallest things can start to wear on you if you let them.
So lately, I’ve been reminding myself that joy doesn’t always have to come from some big, perfect moment.
Sometimes joy looks like dancing around downtown Tulsa when your hear someone's music and it’s way too hot outside.
Sometimes it looks like wearing your little granny outfit and laughing at yourself. 😂
And sometimes it looks like being a little goofy behind the camera just to help someone else loosen up, laugh, and forget for a minute that they’re nervous.
I’ve always been a little silly with my clients. I’ll dance, make faces, say something ridiculous whatever it takes to get that real smile. And maybe I look a little crazy doing it, but those genuine laughs are some of my favorite moments to capture.
It’s almost like a completely different side of me comes out when I have that camera in my hand. A freer, sillier, more carefree version of me. And maybe that’s part of why I love photography so much. It gives me the chance to create a space where people can let their guard down, be themselves, and hopefully feel a little joy in the process.
I wasn’t dressed perfectly yesterday.
My hair definitely wasn’t perfect.
And I probably looked ridiculous dancing around at least in someone else’s eyes.
But I was happy.
And right now, I think that matters more.
We only get one life, and I don’t want to spend mine waiting until everything looks perfect before I allow myself to enjoy it. We aren’t promised tomorrow, and I’m learning that sometimes the moments worth holding onto are the ones where we simply let ourselves be.
So here’s your little behind-the-scenes reminder from a slightly silly photographer: find the joy where you can. Laugh loudly. Be a little goofy. Dance even if someone is watching.
Because your authenticity can’t be replaced.
There is only one you.
And when you find a little joy, don’t be afraid to dance in it, and ill do my job to capture it! 😘
