june 2024, vizua
the most special way summer could have ever begun,
with the most remarkable group of women
held by @leahlivefree@margorenate@katiecalder_
many more coming your way ladies ✨
‘The Feminine Rising.’
At the very beginning of October, I flew to Idaho for Purify.
A 5-day immersion space held for women by @leahlivefree and @lila.lunaa .
A space held for women to rise. An invitation into sisterhood.
No judgements. No right or wrong way.
A place to just be pure.
It is such a high honor to be immersed into these spaces with these women.
It has helped heal my own trauma and distrust with women from the past.
So healing. So transformational. When women hold space for each other in a container like this, it is an energy you can’t describe.
I’ve come out of these experiences more confident, more driven, and more inspired than I’ve ever been.
Thank you to each and every one of you. I truly love you all so much.
I’ve had the privilege of visiting Casa Zula a handful of times now and somehow, each time, it leaves me just as in awe as the first.
It genuinely feels like something out of a movie. A whimsical, open air castle tucked into the side of the mountain. The waves echoing through the rocks is heard louder than what feels possible, like the whole place was intentionally designed to amplify the magic.
There’s something really special about this space. A kind of rare whimsy that’s hard to explain until you experience it yourself. A must visit when in Sayulita, plus I deeply vouch for the host. 😉 You can view here on Instagram or on the official Airbnb site.
#sayulita #sayulitalife #airbnbsuperhost #airbnboftheday #airbnbexperience
NEW HEADSHOTS, WHO DIS?!
One of my goals for 2026 was to get fresh headshots as part of my personal rebrand. For the last decade, most my content has revolved around *gardening* so as I shift back into politics and journalism, need something to represent that.
And there was only one woman I had in mind for the job…
I knew @mandeerae would help bring my vision to life. We worked together on countless *gardening* shoots and she’s one of my favorite creatives to work with. Mandee has a great way of helping you feel comfortable on-camera. She encourages you to try new poses and concepts outside the box. Her knowledge of lighting and sets is insane. I honestly can’t rave enough about how much I love working with her.
So here’s a sneak peek of my new headshots (I’ll be sharing more in the weeks ahead), plus a little flashback down memory lane from our adventures together.
If you live in Washington, or anywhere really, and you need branding shots, wedding photos, food photography, an event to remember, honestly anything, please contact Mandee. She will capture your content even better than you envisioned. I guarantee it. 🙏🏼📸
#headshots #photography #studiophotography #FBF
Polaroids from @wppievents What a special week!!!! WPPI is like a massive educational, playground for photographers held in Las Vegas. Surrounded by leading industry professionals who love to nerd out on all the same things. A lineup of seminars, summits, parties, photo walks and bays, along side a massive expo floor(s) packed with people, gear, and apps shaping the industry. My energy was buzzing this entire week as I got to work with the support team and help build out and support a part of this extravagant production. Moving around where needed. Helping support the photo bays and models. I went to bed grinning and joyfully exhausted every night. Running into @summergrace.photo at the airport was an unexpected highlight, along with finding @jontaylorsweet at the @vsco booth and even coming across photo & youtube queen @jessicakobeissi . Getting to hug @angelaandersonportrait@artisright and see a whole @thephotocreatorsconference crew made this week even more magical. My only regret is not having gone years sooner. Can’t wait to see you all next year. 💞
Self Portraits. December 2025, Buenos Aires.
This week at @wppievents I was reminded of the pure passion and reason I started photography in the first place. Seeing Annie Leibovitz in person and sharing her photos from the past 30 years and her passions. Talking with industry professionals who are involved in products that have greatly influenced my life such as @flickr@adobe & @vsco . Meeting photographers IRL who I’ve followed for over a decade+. It is a pretty surreal experience. It brought back the excitement of the 12 year old Mandee who was messing around with a Canon Powershot at all hours of the night before school. The young version of me who would spend hours in class daydreaming of concepts and ideas. Putting the ideas together as soon as the school bus dropped me off.
The one whose walls were collaged and covered in pages from magazines.
My main takeaway from WPPI was a reminder of the importance to always continue to shoot for yourself. To not stop creating for yourself. To never stop exploring new ways to feel inspired and motivated.
Even decades later, I still continue to find the excitement and joy of capturing self portraits in foreign, far off places. Creating forever time stamps of those moments in my life. A coming back home to myself. Thank you @angelaandersonportrait for bringing me into the world of WPPI & community. ❤️
Back in April 2025, I shot this winter menu campaign for @tuxedosandtennisshoes and @dsquaredhospitality . Always beginning with an all team meeting over at @4105seattle to discuss desired color pallets, plate and fabric textures, the overall feel and emotion we are wanting to evoke. Down to the food that will be plated on which plate.
Shot in one day with multiple set ups. A mix of NYE, moody, sexy and elegant. It’s truly an honor, dream and joy getting to work with this wonderful group of humans over at 4105.
Been feeling a lot these days, especially arriving back into the states after a month abroad. Felt deeply moved and inspired by the people of Uruguay to share my journaled thoughts & observations.
An instagram caption didn’t feel like enough for all these words, so the entire read is up on substack.
Self portraits taken this December in Montevideo.
food on film
this last month in uruguay and mexico
thank you and more of this please
#uruguay #lifeonfilm #foodphotography #filmphotomag #foodmoments #foodandfriends
Reflecting on 2025, it would not have been what it was without the people who trusted me with their stories. Thank you to every client, collaborator, and creative partner who made 2025 expansive and alive.
It was a year of action and saying yes to all things possible. I live for the montage of work this life brings and all the unexpected. From working with authors, artists, to real estate agents, salons, spa & health professionals and even corporate companies like Google. It’s truly a privilege and honor to get to be a part of work that centers on seeing people authentically and in the most beautiful way possible. And then, translating that into imagery that empowers and promotes in a positive way.
Thanks for being a part of another year. 💞 Thank you and more please 2026.
