About Me
_edited.jpg)
Hello !
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to get to know me!
Let’s start from the beginning — ever since I was young, I’ve had a deep passion for art. In high school, I took every painting class I could until I eventually ran out of options, which led me to discover photography. I began my photography journey at Dorman High School, taking their photography class several times before graduating.
From there, I attended the University of North Florida (SWOOP!), where I competed as a Division I swimmer and earned my bachelor’s degree in Marketing. I later continued my education at UNF, completing my Master of Business Administration.
Throughout my college years, I grew my photography business and built incredible connections while photographing UNF athletics, students, and events. Today, I’m based in Northeast Florida and love connecting with clients all across the Southeast.
Photography holds such a special place in my heart, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to share my passion — and a small part of my story — with you.
Why Photography? Why Not!
I have always been drawn to art ( pun intended).
Originally, my focus was on painting, but over time, I discovered photography and felt an immediate connection to it. What I love most about photography is the human connection it creates—being able to capture meaningful moments and see the joy on my clients’ faces as they experience something truly special. These are moments they will look back on for years to come.
Another important reason I chose photography is my family history. My grandfather, Emiel Blaakman, was also a photographer, and his career has been spoken about in my family for as long as I can remember. He worked for Kodak in the 1990s and continued his photography career until retirement. Growing up surrounded by stories of his work inspired me deeply and helped shape my passion for the craft.
Photography allows me to combine creativity, emotion, and storytelling, and it has become the art form through which I best express myself.
Do you shoot film?
One of my goals while attending UNF was to take a film photography class, and it exceeded every expectation. I fell in love with the entire process—from shooting on film to developing the negatives and finally printing in the darkroom. There was something incredibly rewarding and intentional about each step.
Although I do not currently shoot film for my clients, the experience was deeply meaningful to me. In a previous blurb, I mentioned my grandfather’s career in photography, but my mom also explored photography at a young age. During this class, I had the special opportunity to use her film camera from her own photography era, which made the experience even more personal and nostalgic.
Perhaps one day, film photography will become a welcomed addition to the services I offer.