Looking back on the years as I was growing up, it; should've been obvious this would become my passion and career. I watched my father create images everyday, clicking the shutter of his camera, moving lights around glamorous models, and making beautiful art.

Models, actors, entertainers, musicians, makeup artists and stylists were scattered throughout the years of my life. Most nights I would be in the darkroom with my dad as he developed the days worth of film and I would help him move prints from chemical tray to chemical tray. I thought my friend's lives were similar..

As a result, I ended up loving creating art myself, and seeing what would happen..I ended up going to college for graphic design. For a few years, I worked different jobs as a designer behind a desk.This was not the life I was used to, and I knew I would be so unhappy if I didn't change it.

Finally, I decided to take the jump and follow in my dad's footsteps and revive their photography business (they stopped shooting in 2005). I had always carried around a little camera with me, photographing random things and friends. But you know what they say, "just because you own a camera, it doesn't make you a photographer, it just makes you a camera owner." Which was very true for me when I started this!

I knew I was intrigued by photography and how different things looked in the viewfinder and what you could do with it. It ignited a passion inside me that I had never felt before and I decided I needed to make a change. All my life I saw my parents work hard, but they were able to do as they pleased and didn't have to answer to anyone. I was tired of having to eat lunch in a 30 minute time frame, punch in and out, and really tired of daydreaming of how my life could be.

In 2007 I started actually learning from my dad; Brian Dougherty, of Dougherty Photographics as he taught and guided me. He was an industry staple for headshots for 20 years, creating the best headshots in the business! I use what he has taught me and my own visions in my photography for a unique experience. I am more inspired by fashion, make-up, music, movies and anything and it seems like everything. I really think it shows in my work, I love bright colors and unique framing of my clients.

I absolutely love styling and conceptualizing some of my own shoots when I get the chance. I can see something as simple as scarf in a store, or a color, or a hair clip, and it will spark my imagination for a shoot I just have.to.do.right.at.this.moment! I definitely believe this is my purpose, and there is nothing I get more joy out of than creating, capturing and working on my art and photography. My ultimate goal is to shoot fashion and editorials for magazines, where I can travel and shoot, where I am able to combine 2 of my favorite past times!

When I'm not shooting and working, I love spending time with my family and friends. Although I am an only child, I married into a family of 6, so I have many in laws and nieces and nephews that I love dearly. I love to travel, and meet new people and experience different cultures than my own. I also am a big animal lover, and have a 6 year old german shepherd named Lexi. She is me and my husband's big furbaby. She is so very spoiled, but we wouldn't have it any other way!

Over the past few years I have had a great journey, I appreciate what I've learned and look forward to the future!

If you like what you see here, and want to see what else I am up to, you can find me on Facebook, and also check out my blog! I would love to hear from you!