About Me

The task of coming up with a name to suit a photography business is not an easy one I've found! Every presumably original name I would come up with: "Fly on the Wall Photography" "Wallflower Photography" "AK Photo" "Ash Photo"  was already used! I would like to meet these unique and cutting edge photographers! :-) I tried Finnish words that held meaning to my work as a photographer. Ihana, which basically means everything wonderful was a top contender, but was a little too cutesy! Aito, which means original and true, felt like it epitomized what I value in photography but....to be honest I had to google translate to find out what the word was in Finnish, so that felt a little cheap. When it came down to it, none of these names held a uniquely personal meaning, while still making a connection to my work as a photographer. I brainstormed for over a year on what to name my photography business! Around Mother's Day I found myself thinking a lot about my late grandma Alice Francelia, or Franny. She was truly an inspiration in every capacity to me while she was alive, and continues to be even in the eve of her passing. She is always in my thoughts because of the kindness and gentleness she gave to everyone she encountered. She forgave before being asked, she thought of others before herself, and she was one of the few truly good listeners I have come across in my years on this planet. She was also quietly creative. She valued and collected beautiful Finnish glassware, jewelry, and textiles, and had a store selling these unique treasures. I spent a lot of time with my grandma as a kid (like a LOT..I was one of the rare kids that actually ate tuna; that's how much I was with her), and I believe that I can attribute much of my appreciation for art to the influence she has always had on me. For me, that appreciation has manifested itself in photography. I value making beautiful images that capture genuinity in all its forms. I want to look at a photograph and get a feeling from it. I want to feel the love that people have for each other. I want to hear a laugh bubbling out of a child's mouth, or see them being shy. Whatever it is that people truly are, and however it is that people truly feel, that is what I want to capture in a beautiful way.