My name is Sandi and I’m delighted to meet you.
I’m a Fire wife, mom of three, and Humboldt County native.
When I had my first child in 1999, I took her to the Sears Portrait Studio for her first real “professional” newborn photos. I took her in every month thereafter, hoping we would get to work with the one young photographer who was semi decent with kids. She had a magically repurposed Band-Aid can full of pennies which she used as a noise making tool to grab my daughter’s attention and sometimes solicit a smile—or just blotchy red cheeks and tears. Despite all this effort, family members still quietly commented on how some of these photoshoots looked more like Victorian post mortem photography and less like cute picture album contributions. Definitely not the look I was going for!
Fast forward to the birth of my third child and I knew things had to change. Like most parents, I wanted creativity, backdrops, props, and authentic moments – most importantly, I wanted the memories to last our family a lifetime. I wanted timeless. I began researching like a mad woman and purchased my first real “fancy” camera – a Canon Rebel XTi. And now, 16 years later, I’m helping other families capture these precious, fleeting memories the way I’d always wished someone would do for me.
You deserve an easy process with excellent quality photos, and as my client, that’s what you’ll get. I understand that having pictures taken can be intimidating for every member of the family, so I’ve curated everything about my business with this in mind to make you all feel comfortable—from the way I photograph, to the way I communicate, and to the way my studio space is set up. My cozy and spacious Fortuna studio is packed with all the tools we need to help create classic, fun, and loving memories. I also have a wide variety of locations in the Eel River Valley if you would rather have an outdoor location for your session.
One of the most important things I can do for you is to work with your vision—or help you create it. Whether it be a family session or just an update to your professional headshot, I’ll be right there to answer any questions and be your guide throughout the process. You bring me what you love, and I’ll take care of the rest.
