It was one of those e-mails that you get that you start jumping up and down when you open it. When I saw an e-mail in my inbox from the ever wonderful Shelley Nicholson asking if I would like to participate in Hallmark’s upcoming Alumni Roundtable, I couldn’t respond “YES!” fast enough. It was just last year that I sat in those blue auditorium seats at Hallmark looking up at the panelists on stage like Melissa Mullen, Scott Zuehlke, & Michael Cali – trying my best to take in every word they were saying, sitting completely in awe of all of their beautiful images & successes. Fast forward a year, and I couldn’t have felt more honored to be sitting up on that stage yesterday with 5 other alumni, all from different graduating classes & photography-related careers. As we were asked questions from the faculty & students, it was an amazing experience to hear what the other panelists had to say and to talk about life before, during & after Hallmark. It made me realize how much my life has changed in such a short time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! As always when visiting Hallmark, it was great catching up with the amazing faculty who prepared me for my career and to meet new students who are in all different parts of their crazy, 10-month Hallmark journey. Thank you so much to Hallmark for having me!

That girl second from the left… that’s me!

Photo Courtesy of Hallmark Institute of Photography