ABOUT THE CREATOR
WARRIOR
STORYTELLER
OVER SHARER
AND DOG OBSESSED
I began my photography career in 2008, specializing in family and high school senior photography. While I enjoyed connecting with the families, something was missing.
A decade later, I became fascinated with animal photography. Mostly dogs, but also exotics and other animals. At this time, I recruited my fantastic husband, who became my dog handler, my mule, and my jack-of-all-trades.
Using my love of animal imagery, we produced a successful calendar fundraiser and published 2 (soon to be 3) coffee table books.
Giving back to the community is a must in our eyes. We’ve raised $17K+ for non-profits and donated countless hours to covering events at no cost. We only wish there was enough time to give even more.
March to the beat of your own drum
MY CANCER JOURNEY
MY CANCER JOURNEY
I feel it in my soul that “Warrior Women Portraits” will be my life legacy!
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2022
As we came out of Covid lockdown, I was unsure when my last mammogram was. After making a call, it had been 2 years, so I got an appointment immediately.
The appointment was standard until I saw the technician’s face. She compared the last scan, and there was something there that wasn’t prior. At this point, I knew I had cancer (not official yet).
Ultrasound quickly moved to having a biopsy. Two days later, my pathology report hit My Chart.
Diagnosis: DCIS, Triple Negative (only 10% of women get), Stage 1, Grade 3
FUN FACT: We named my cancer “Toby,” and 24 hours before surgery, I served him an eviction letter.
Bilateral (double) Mastectomy (DMX)
I always knew if I got breast cancer, I’d have a double mastectomy with NO reconstruction (going flat). That’s exactly what I did. Triple-negative is hard to treat because you don’t know what’s “feeding” the tumor.
90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer know the tumor is being fed by hormones. Part of the treatment is hormone blockers to eliminate cancer “food.”
Since my DMX, I’ve become an advocate for Aesthetic Flat Closure (aka no reconstruction). It’s not offered to all women as an option. Some professionals/society believe women would always want to have breasts regardless of additional surgeries and possibly be rejected in the end.
I’m a part of a “flattie” group of women, and I’ve never found a more loving and accepting group of individuals.
Began Chemo Infusions
Originally, my oncologist wanted me to start with chemo and end with surgery. I felt very strongly about doing surgery first, and my team of doctors accepted that. In doing so, they found no signs of cancer in my lymph nodes and shifted my chemo plan.
The original plan was 8 rounds of chemo: 4 rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan . 4 rounds of Taxol ( also called the red devil). The day after the chemo infusions, I’d go in for a Neulasta steroid injection.
The revised plan was 4 rounds of chemo: 4 rounds of Cytoxan & Taxotere (a cousin to Taxol) every 3 weeks. The day after the chemo infusions, I’d go in for a Neulasta injection.
The Neulasta injections were worse than chemo, in my opinion. As it went through your system, I’d get shooting electricity like zaps fire through my spinal cord.
Infection
The downside to doing surgery before chemo. I ended up with a horrible breast infection. Chemo was killing good and bad cells, leaving my body no way to heal.
There were a few times the infection neared sepsis, but adding antibiotics to my medication list kept it at bay.
With that said, I had several open holes along my incision until my last surgery.
Infection is fairly common. It makes perfect sense if chemo is busy killing off good/bad cells.
Our spare bathroom became my wound care station, where I took all my showers for a few months. Man, did showers feel SO good.
Final Surgery
This marked the final step in my treatment journey.
The surgery plan was to remove my chemo port, revise what they call a dog ear on my left side, and completely reopen and close me on the infected side.
Come to find out, the side I had the infection on would have never healed without surgery. Opening completely up required me to have a drain once again. If you know anyone who has had drains, they will tell you they are the pits.
At this point, all that was left to do was heal from surgery & chemo.
This is the point when it all sets in. You just kicked cancers A$$. Ironically, this can be the hardest time for women. Most people see it as you being “done.” Mentally, this is when we need the most support.
Warrior Women Portraits Created
As a photographer, I wanted to give back to this community somehow. I didn’t want to do something already being done, so I put on my thinking cap.
What was important:
Diagnosed with Lungs Metastatic Tumors
After a clean scan Feb 2025 I was taken aback when the new scan showed a plethora of tumors in my lungs. My breast cancer had become metastatic.
I was terrified. Triple Negative is no joke people. When I asked the question “How long do I have?” my doctor replied “On average, 2 years”. I was preparing for 5 years, but when she said 2 I knew this was a monster.
It took me months to stop crying every day. Our lives completely changed forever.
Retired From my Day Job
With a terminal diagnosis your days become much more valuable. Trying to decide when the right time is to stop working is nerve wracking. The last thing you want it to end up bankrupt, and medical insurance is a must have.
After 18 years at Noyes Development I hung up my Controller hat and left my day job.
Taxol Chemo Short Lived – Gamma Knife to the rescue
With Triple Negative your only treatment is chemo. I started on Taxol right after learning I was metastatic.
After a short three months Taxol stopped working. More tumors had grown in my lungs and new ones on my liver and brain.
What I didn’t’ know is that chemo does not penetrate the blood barrier in the brain so radiation is the treatment.
The Gamma Knife was easy, but my left arm became paralyzed for several weeks.
Trodelvy to the Rescue
With Taxol not working any more it was time to switch to a new type of drug, Trodelvy.
Trodelvy has been a game changer. Not just in shrinking the tumors but also side effects.
It does not have neuropathy or change the way food tastes.
AND it’s WORKING!!!!
Tumors are Stable
Am I cancer free now? No! There is still cancer in my body at a cellular level. They are just too small to be measured by a scan.
While I’m super excited, I’m cautiously optimistic.
In shocking news, my updated scans showed that ALL, yes all, my tumors are unmeasurable.
UNMEASURABLE!!! For six months now!
FEATURES & AWARDS
DEGREES
Masters of Photography Degree- Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Fellow of Photography (FP-OR) Degree – Oregon Professional Photographers Association (OPPA)
AWARDS
Business Excellence Award 2023 (OPPA)
Jerry Auker Community Service Award 2022 & 2020 (OPPA)
Best Storytelling & Judges Choice Award (A Warrior’s Prayer) – OPPA Open Print Competition 2023
Best Storytelling & Best Black and White Award (The Cat Walk) – OPPA Open Print Competition 2020
Hillsboro’s Best Photography Studio – First Place 2023/Second Place 2022
GIVING BACK
Dogs of Hillsboro Calendar – Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter $12,770
Puggin Portland Coffee Table Book – Pacific Pug Rescue $2.250
Tails of Portland Vol 1 – Oregon Humane Society $1,800
Tails of Portland Vol 2 – Oregon Humane Society $TBD
My Favorite Things
Let’s Chat
I love talking with people about their stories. If nothing else, we can have a delightful conversation and see where it goes. No pressure ever!
I’D LOVE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR JOURNEY.
