Illuminating Souls
My Evolution as a Photographer
Happy birthday to me! 🎉
March is my birthday month 🥳 —a time to celebrate another year of life, light, and creative evolution. With each trip around the sun, I find myself deepening my connection to photography—not just as a profession but as a way of seeing, understanding, and illuminating the essence of others.
This month, as I reflect on the journey that has shaped me as both an artist and a soul, I’m drawn to explore how photography became more than a craft. It has been a path of discovery, transformation, and connection—both with those I capture and with myself.
Photography has never been just a career or a hobby—it’s been woven into the very fabric of my life. My fascination began early, rooted in childhood moments spent sifting through old photo albums. I was mesmerized by the black-and-white portraits from my great-grandmother’s boarding house in Canada—images that felt like portals to another time. Each photograph held a presence, a story, a glimpse into lives once lived. As my grandmother shared their histories, she unknowingly planted the first seeds of my lifelong passion.
A Storybook Start
My first hands-on experience with photography began in high school when I landed my first real job—beyond babysitting—at Arthur Whitty Studios in Hollis, New Hampshire. Arthur was a master of natural light portraiture and a former engineer who deeply understood his craft. The Whittys’ country home felt like something out of a storybook, with a sprawling yard lined with stone walls and a barn full of small farm animals.
My job? I was the silent entertainer—the “Vanna White” of the photo set—using a duck, a goat, and a rabbit as live focal props while Arthur worked his magic behind his Hasselblad. Watching him, I learned to truly see light—to recognize its quality, movement, and impact. Eventually, I earned my place in the darkroom, where I watched images slowly emerge on paper, an alchemical process that felt nothing short of magical. I was hooked.
That experience ignited my passion. I fundraised to build a darkroom at my high school, teaching my peers how to capture everything from candid moments to cows in the nearby fields. Yet, despite my growing obsession, I still hadn’t considered photography as a career path. (Funny how we can be blind to what’s right in front of us, isn’t it?)
Finding (and Losing) My Focus
College was a time of exploration. I started in the media and communications department, thinking TV production or film might be my path—until I realized just how much I hated group projects. The pull of photography was too strong to ignore. Under the mentorship of fine art photographer Peter Laytin, I immersed myself in the art form, studying the history of photography and mastering various camera formats. An unexpected internship in Boston introduced me to the fast-paced world of fashion photography, but I quickly realized it wasn’t where my passion lay.
The road after college was anything but linear. I moved through various roles in commercial and fashion photography, each experience refining my skills and deepening my understanding of the business side of running a studio. Mentors like photographer Larry Maglott helped me hone my expertise in black-and-white photography and portfolio printing. Yet, after a series of unfulfilling jobs, I found myself searching for something more.
A Detour into Teaching
Despite my love for photography, I stepped away from the industry and pursued a master’s degree in education, focusing on integrating the creative arts into the classroom. Teaching in an elementary classroom became my new creative playground, allowing me to merge my passion for photography with my love for teaching. I used photography as a tool, helping children see the world through a different lens—both literally and figuratively.
And yet, photography never really left me.
When I eventually stepped away from teaching, I felt the pull to return to my craft. But by then, the landscape had changed—digital photography had taken over. Once again, I had to adapt, learn new technology, and rediscover my voice in a shifting medium. Encouraged by fine art photographer David Ulrich, I returned to my artistic roots, creating a portfolio titled Old Souls—a series of black-and-white close-up portraits of children that captured a depth beyond their years.
Stepping into My Purpose
My evolution continued as I transitioned into headshot and branding photography, building a reputation and a business in Honolulu. But it was never just about taking pictures—each person I photographed carried a unique essence waiting to be revealed. This realization deepened my approach, ultimately leading me to develop the Soul Light Portrait Experience, where a portrait becomes more than an image—it becomes a reflection of one's essence, a tool for transformation.
Looking back, I see how every pivot and every shift has guided me toward a deeper understanding of the connection between light, life, and legacy. Photography has been my guide, my challenge, and my greatest inspiration. It has taught me to look beyond the surface, to seek the unseen threads that connect us all. Through it all—whether as a teacher, a photographer, or a soul guide—I have remained devoted to one purpose: helping others uncover and illuminate their true essence.
From a curious child enchanted by old portraits to a light warrior using photography as a mirror for the soul, my journey has always been one of self-discovery and exploration. Through every frame, every face, and every fleeting moment, I continue to find beauty—not just in what is seen but in the luminous presence that lies beneath, in the stillness, in the quiet revelation of light itself.
Beautiful story - just like you, Tracy!