My Story

When I look back at where I began, I have to say my late teens, early 20’s when I started playing with a camera. I was always the designated driver when it came to going places as well as the one who ended up holding the camera at family events. It wasn’t always intentional, it kind of just happened and after while I didn’t mind. I remember attending church and the resident photographer took notice of my curiosity and said, “Hey kiddo, you look like you wanna do this.” I looked up with a smile nodding my head and replied, “Yeap!”  So, he took me under his wing and as great instructors do, they try to teach you everything they know. Well, that was information overload and I decided quickly, I didn’t need to know everything about the camera. Keep in mind, this was during the 90’s when film was still being developed in labs and slowly moving to the Digital era.

This was also during a time when I was back from the military trying to get self-grounded again, adapting to civilian life, while raising a child. My attitude then was, cliff notes please. I love that you know what you know but I honestly can’t digest all of that right now, so I ended up walking away from photography / events and kept it as a hobby.

Fast forward 20+ years later, the picture bug hits me again and in 2021 I start my LLC as That’s My Mama’s Photography. A lot of people asked, how did you come up with that name? One, I wanted something that stands out. Two, I want to pay homage to Mothers who purely represent whatever it is we do. For example, when it comes to food, if you hear somebody say, “OMG, she put her foot up in here!” Or, OMG, this is Delicious, with emphasis on the Dee! You know right away something great has happened with their taste buds. My mom, truly represents for our family when it comes to her homemade Chicken Salad and her Turkey and Dressing. So, when they ask, I proudly say, That’s My Mama’s… When it comes to whatever it is your mom, or mom figure creates and do it well, you proudly say, That’s My Mama’s.

True and all my business is not about food, however the pictures and experience I want for you is to bring out the OMG moments.

Taking my determination just a little further, prior to getting my LLC, I signed up for a couple of classes with the School of Chicago Photography. Yes, it was time for me to learn those basic steps that my mentor was trying to teach me years ago. Well, it’s obvious back then, I wasn’t ready, but when something is in you, it comes out when it’s supposed to. I reached out to my mentor to let him know what I was doing and just like getting back on a bike you haven’t ridden in years, everything synced like he never stopped teaching me. His first response when he picked up the phone was, “Hey Kiddo! That followed with, ok this is what you need to do.” So, I took what I learned from the school, my mentor and my own teachings, combining them all and here we are.

Respectfully, to my mentor, Mr. AJ Earls, thank you for not giving up on me. My message to others, if something is in you, even if you walked away from it but it keeps coming back… listen to it and act on it. You never know to what great opportunities it may lead. More importantly, if you are so fortunate to have someone take time out to want to teach you, embrace it and listen.

Now, let’s go Build Dreams!