Last weekend I was given the opportunity to go home and take photos for the Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival, it was an absolute blast. Shooting on a snowing winter day was definitely new territory for me, so it was a great learning experience. Things started to run a little bit more smoothly after I figured out how to keep my camera’s buttons from freezing and how to work in a relatively wet environment.
I met some interesting people during the festival, I’ve always enjoyed being in the presence of fellow climbers. It was surprising just how far so many people traveled just to ice climb in my little hometown. It makes me realize just how fortunate I am to have grown up in such a unique corner of the world.

I’m already stoked for next year!

Last year my friend Aly and I were roommates, one of the first things I learned about her was that she LOVES her dog Bear. I lost count of the amount of Bear photos that were hanging on the walls of our small dorm room, so I figured if I bought up the idea of a photoshoot with the two of them Aly would be all for it. She was! The two of us went back to her hometown after classes yesterday, had some fun in the snow and got these adorable shots!

Twenty-Fourteen was quite the year.

I got a plane ticket to Colorado for spring break (then told parents I was going), finished my first year of college, drove to Virginia for the Dominion Riverrock Festival, got an amazing internship opportunity with Anne Skidmore Photography, worked as an in-house staff member and volunteer climbing instructor for Kismet Rock Foundation, my dog had litter of eight puppies, I lead my first trad climb and I encountered so many positive and inspiring individuals along the way. On top of all that, I feel as though I’ve developed greatly as an artist. Thanks to great professors, mentors and peers.

This coming year already has so much in store, like going on my first big climbing trip and spending my birthday halfway across the world. But I can’t wait to see what other surprises it will bring as well.

Here are some of my artistic highlights of 2014:

It was quite the semester this fall, with it’s fair share of ups and downs. And a few all-nighters to boot. I can’t wait to get back on campus in January, but some good R&R at home with family and old friends, and a few hours spent at Frontside Grind are long overdue.

I’m incredibly happy with the artistic work that I’ve produced over this semester, so I’m dedicating this post to sharing it.

Kismet Rock Foundation is a non-profit climbing school that helps children in need through their developmental teen years via an education in technical rock climbing and a family like atmosphere.

This program came into my life in 2007, when I was fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to be a student. Since then I have interned for the organization and I am now one of three alumni in-house staff members.

Kismet has opened so many doors for me, by giving me the courage to stand up for what I believe in and work towards my goals. As well as igniting my passion for doing things that some people may find crazy, like climbing up and hanging off of cliffs with little fear.

The kids that I currently work with are some of the strongest and most amazing individuals that I have encountered in my entire life. They teach me something new every second that I spend with them and I’m honored to call them a part of my Kismet Family.

This past summer while I volunteered at the cliff with the them, I took some time to practice my climbing photography skills. Here was the outcome…

Last Tuesday my friend’s little sister, Sheri and my cousin’s girlfriend, Lexie asked me to take their senior pictures while I was home for Thanksgiving. We drove around the valley and found a few nice places to take their portraits, it was a blast. We sure are lucky that we squeezed these in before the nor’easter hit the North East on Wednesday!

I can’t believe these girls are already about to graduate high school!