Long before becoming a professional photographer, everyone around me knew that was what was supposed to happen... except for myself. Truthfully, as a high school student choosing a college major, or a college student changing majors, it never occurred to me to choose photography. I always saw it as something fun and interesting - just a super fun summer job on the way to my “real” career - whatever that was.  Fast forward through a cross country move, 4 changes of majors and a bachelor’s degree in social psychology before I realized what everyone else knew all along. As my husband and I were about to leave our first home in Southern California, I picked up an old Kodak camera to photograph what had become my favorite place in the entire world. I didn’t want to ever forget any tiny piece of the sandy streets and colorful panoramas that stole my heart and forever changed my views of the world.

Coming home that day, I never felt more like myself. Something inside of me clicked, and I knew I didn’t want to let it go. Together, we moved to Missouri to finish my husband’s last duty station as a US Marine.  There is where my journey from photography lover to photography professional (and still lover) really began. I poured myself into any book, video, workshop, conference, online course and social media groups to learn everything I could. Slowly but surely, the pieces began to fall together that lead me to where I am today. Even the journey to playing host to our historic building felt like God was guiding me - but I’ll save that story for another day. 

Hillary is wife and mother of four, residing in Breese, Illinois. She is a graduate of Park University and a proud member of Professional Photographers of America and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.