MEET ABBY
a Santa Cruz based portrait photographer
I’ve been behind a camera since braces and T-Pain (a long time).
Creativity has always been my thing. I was the kid running around with a camera, raised by artists (my mom’s not far off from the Princess Diaries mom). Painting, dance, music, and all things expressive were just part of the rhythm.
I’m also a big empath and people person. I’m the one who stops to say hi to the old men eating alone. And don’t even get me started on kids (especially my own). Kids are so often underestimated and deserve more people rooting for them.
Photography is art, and it’s people. It gives me a way to connect and create all at once. It just makes sense, I can never imagine my life without it.
I also love
pretending to eat my daughter, surfing, whipping up meals in 15 minutes, thrifting, a good road trip, painting, laying in the sun, jazz music, late night reading and chatting for hours with my friends.
Codie White
“Abby really considers who you are.”
Alexandra Sideman
“You will not regret this investment in her and in yourself!””
MY
PHOTOGRAPHY
EXPERIENCE
“The Moment” with Ivy, 2017
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN. My first paid gig was in middle school. HA! I took the engaged couple onto a grassy field, with a suitcase as a prop. I guess not much has changed since then. Still shooting couples, still in fields. Can’t say I want to relive the suitcase moment though.
DOVE IN HEAD FIRST. Some years had passed, and I was a nanny for two wonderful little girls in 2017. I brought my dusty old camera to their house one day and this image, to the left, was my “I need to pursue this” moment.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. In 2019 I had a unique opportunity to work as a full-time photographer for a company. I traveled all over the country photographing professional athletes and talented models. It was a very dynamic experience and I learned A LOT. But most importantly, I found that my true passion lies in working without products and exclusively with real, everyday people.
EVOLUTION OF PASSION. The magic, for me, lies in capturing the authenticity and beauty within families and individuals who might not have experience in front of the camera. This is my inspiration, my muse.
THE MEANING. I’m fired up about delivering photographs to you that will be treasured not just for a moment, not just for one lifetime but for generations to come! I often have pinch-me moments because I can’t believe that my job is documenting the love people share. I truly believe that it will be a life long pursuit.
NOW LET’S GET HONEST
HONORING THE JOURNEY
Life comes with its share of struggles and challenges. Marriage, babies, and kids bring so much joy, but they also come with their own set of hurdles. The twists and turns can be overwhelming at times, and if you're here, you probably understand that. But wouldn’t you agree there’s also so much to celebrate? The highs and lows not only shape us, but the high’s and low’s are the story. Like any epic tale.
Wherever you are in life, I hope you take a moment to honor and celebrate all it took to get here—because the path hasn’t been without its challenges.
It sure wasn’t for me!!
So please don’t wait for life to feel perfect to document this precious time in your life. Life is always imperfect, and in fact, that’s what makes my job so enjoyable and creative.
I’m here to not only be your photographer, but your fellow life-doer. Because I get it.
