Just A Bear.

  As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I was thrilled to be selected to attend and photograph the Beard by the Books event, an exclusive culinary celebration hosted by the James Beard Foundation. Held in James Beard’s own historic New York City home, this event was a true feast for food lovers, bringing together renowned chefs and dedicated food enthusiasts for a two-night dining experience like no other. The Foundation organized the gathering as part of their ongoing mission to honor and promote the culinary arts, with each dish showcasing innovative flavors and techniques that made this event unforgettable. The setting in James Beard’s personal residence created an intimate atmosphere, adding a unique layer of history and charm. Guests entered the main event space through a cozy kitchen, where the chefs worked seamlessly, plating each of the 12 courses in an impressive assembly line that I was lucky to capture. Watching them execute every course with such precision was one of ...

I’m excited to officially share some big news: I’ve signed on with Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives as a Social Media Specialist! After completing my degree in graphic design, I’ll be joining their communications department, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue my journey with a team I’m already familiar with. This opportunity feels like the perfect next step in my career because I’ve had such a positive experience with Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. During my internship, I had the chance to dive deep into content creation, social media strategy and graphic design. From managing campaigns to crafting messages that connect with people, I learned how vital communication is in shaping the way an organization interacts with its audience. Every project taught me something new, and I’m excited to bring those skills into my full-time role. One highlight of my internship was working under an incredible mentor who not only guided me through complex projects but also challenged me to think cre...

This weekend was fall break! I left ONU on Friday afternoon to head back to my hometown of Delaware, Ohio. That evening, I spent time with my parents, enjoying a lovely dinner together. I was up bright and early Saturday morning to take senior pictures for a family friend, Drew Nimon. Our families have been close since his older brother, Zach, and my younger sister, Sophia, were in kindergarten. Taking his photos felt like a full-circle moment, allowing me to truly see how much he has grown up. For the session, we went to the golf course where Drew works to capture some fall shots since he plays golf in high school and will continue in college. The course's fall colors were stunning, and we had a great time. Afterward, we headed to a local park for more photos by the water. The early morning light was perfect, with the sun peeking through the trees to highlight the fall leaves. It was a relaxed shoot, and I enjoyed hearing about Drew’s high school life. After the shoot, I returned ...

I recently received the exciting opportunity to travel to New York at the end of October to photograph and film a culinary event for the James Beard Foundation alongside Maddie Todorovich. The event, titled Beard by the Books: Celebrating the Dean of American Cuisine , is a two-night celebration of culinary arts, honoring the legacy of James Beard, a key figure in American cuisine. The event is organized by the Research Chefs Association, a trade organization that blends culinary arts with food science, a discipline known as Culinology. The RCA represents chefs and food scientists involved in food product development, and its members play a vital role in improving the quality and accessibility of food for mass consumption. The event will take place on October 24 and 25. The first night will be a private dinner for guests of the James Beard Foundation, and the second night will be a fundraising dinner to support the RCA’s mission. I feel incredibly honored to be part of this experience,...

This past weekend was Homecoming at Ohio Northern University and the energy on campus was absolutely infectious. The atmosphere was filled with joy, excitement and a whole lot of ONU pride. It was a blast seeing so many alumni friends return to campus to join in on the festivities. The Homecoming parade was a highlight, as always. It was awesome seeing familiar faces, friends getting involved by riding floats, playing in the band and all the creative banners displayed throughout the parade. Afterward, I got to hang out with my alumni friends before heading to the women's soccer game. I was puppy-sitting for a friend this weekend and Henley, a golden retriever puppy, was definitely the star of the show. She got so much attention and it was fun watching her soak it all up. Eventually, I made my way over to the soccer field to catch the first half of the women’s game. While they didn’t get the result they were hoping for, they still played really well and it was great to be there to s...