I was born in Florida, USA. I moved to Switzerland in the summer of 1999 just after my mother and stepfather married. I am thankful for the drastic change in cultures; I believe it has given me a better outlook on life and the variety it has to offer. I had always had a great appreciation for the beauty in the world, but after a school trip to South Africa my appreciation escalated. Capturing moods of people and creative pictures of animals and nature has been what really inspired me to study photography. I am often asked if I really need to study photography, isn't it something I can just learn on my own. I answer with: "If there is something you love, why not explore it further? If it interests you, why wouldn't you want to know more?" Nothing interests me like photography does. Even though I take a great deal of nature photographs and portraits, I have a strong interest in commercial photography. I simply do not have the resources (lighting, make-up, backgrounds, etc.) to do such photography. In all honesty, when it comes down to it, if I am taking pictures of something that inspires me or I find interesting or beautiful then there isn't anything else I wish to do.