About Us

~ Donna Photographer ~ My interest in art, in general, started when I was about 2-years-old. My most treasured birthday and Christmas presents were huge boxes of crayons, packs of markers, tons of colored pencils, droves of watercolors & brushes and glitter & glue – paper, of any sort, was always claimed by me. Specifically, my fine-art photography has been a passion since grade school; I’ve been showing and selling work, here & there, since high school; and, I’ve been covering assignment photography and licensing stock images for 12+years. I decided to offer portraiture after many of my friends and family members commissioned me to cover high school senior portraits, children portraits, fashion model portraits and weddings.

~ My Style ~ Honestly, I don’t know if I have a specific known style – there may not be a title for it yet. My style has been described as artsy, classic, sentimental, powerful, genuine, fun and relaxed.

I love fine-art photography and fashion themed portraits (fine-art portraiture meets fashion photography); and, I like lifestyle portraiture (portraits shot in ones own environment). But, at the same time, I need to blend a bit of "old Masters" into my work – basically, I take a candid art element and combine it with a classic art element.

I’m laid-back, but yet full of energy! I like to capture the moment as well as set up certain poses. I prefer to work with natural light; although, many of my sessions are shot with studio lighting. I enjoy working outdoors whenever possible; even with studio backdrops. I like smiles, frowns, pouts, giggles, pensive moments, howls, snarls and more. I won’t rush a portrait session. I will get down & dirty with kids and animals. I can be goofy, and I might tell a lame joke. I may sing to your baby or howl with your dog. I give yummy, organic treats. I’ve shared tears with clients and hysterical giggles. I believe that music and bare feet are essential at sessions. I’m very passionate so you’ll probably hear a lot of, "Oh, wait till you see this shot" and "Awww, just beautiful" out of me.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m determined, stubborn and a wee bit eccentric when it comes to creating art. I believe that I'm very lucky, and gifted by God, to have the ability to do what I do. I’ll try my best to make the session fun & enjoyable for everyone involved. And I’m very honored that you, my clients, completely trust me & my artistic vision with your memories….thank you.

~ Me Personally ~ I’m an artist – a photographer, painter, drawer, designer, writer & crafter. I live in PA with my hubby, where I’m Mom (and Mom-in-law) to one [human] daughter (and one [human] son-in-law), two [very large & spoiled] canines and eleven [pampered & mischievous] felines; and a Gramama to my little 'jelly bean' – my grandson, Cody Wes. I’m – an organic vegan, passionate, Spiritual, adopted, a nature girl, a tad bit stubborn, open-minded, a hippie, a goof-ball, a night-owl, a horror movie/book fanatic, a vampyre freak, a paranormal buff, a bit eccentric, a college drop-out, artsy, into herbs/natural remedies and somewhat adventurous. I – practice Yoga, don’t kill bugs intentionally, stand-up for animals & Mother Earth, try my best to be 'green', believe in respecting ALL life, love animals & nature, love cooking & baking, enjoy natural living & gardening, enjoy walking & hiking, go camping & rafting, love arts & crafts, enjoy reading & movies, enjoy amusement parks, live on a wildlife habitat, love dancing & singing, enjoy learning/discovering, like red wine, love loud music & road trips, take advantage of lounging with my felines & playing with my canines and more.

~ Casandra Photographer's Assistant ~ I grew up in a home with artistic parents – there was always some creative project that they were working on; photography, painting, drawing, graphic design, creative writing, woodworking, fretwork, floral arranging, home decorating, etc. I’ve been creating art chiefly through a camera since I was handed my first manual Nikon SLR when I was 9-years-old. By the time I was 11-years-old, I had become an assistant to my parents while on their photography assignments and portrait shoots.

I've been studying photography and art since I was a child. Throughout the years, I've won various awards for my paintings, drawings, photography and poetry; and I hold a fine-arts diploma. I've had several gallery showings and have been published internationally.

*Donna's Note* ~~ Casandra (Cassie) has a unique style and a constant flow of creativity that makes every portrait session she works on just a bit more artistic. She’s a multi-talented artist and a joy to work with.

Not only is Cassie trusted with my camera bag & equipment, holding reflectors just right, digital images, navigating our travel, returning phone calls, confirming appointments, etc…..but she is also trusted with the ability to make teens smile, children giggle, babies coo and parents relax. She is a big part of the creation process, from suggesting an outfit to thinking up a new pose, from easing a nervous child to playing with an overly excited kitten. She understands lighting, has a natural knack for color, is extremely creative with designs and is, herself, a very talented photographer. She is my right hand (wo)man, my advisor, my artistic third eye and one of my best friends. And, she makes a terrific model – surprisingly, after all these years with a photographer mom, she still doesn’t mind being in front of the camera.

~ Casandra Personally ~ I’m an eclectic, eccentric woman. A proud, first time Mommy (Mama) to my adorable little peanut – my son, Cody Wes – and I’m mom to three cats. I’m an artist – writer, photographer, painter, dreamer, dancer (in the privacy of my own home), chief, baker & musician (so I think). I dabble in everything from graphic design to carpentry to wanna-be mechanic (thanks to my husband). I’m an organic vegan. I probably watch too much cartoons. I over analyze everything. I’m irrationally paranoid, but manage to justify it by (you guessed it) analyzing it. I’m obsessed with the color green. I like green anything (except green flavored things). I’m predictably mysterious. I love animals, I’ll fight for them whenever & however possible. I often save bugs and other assorted creatures trying to cross the road at a slow pace. I’m a pessimistic optimist. I love life, but know of the disappointments it can hold. And I always try to have a good time. You can keep up with me and my world at my personal blog.

**Be sure to stop by our "Visit" page for links to sites where Casandra and I collaborate our artistic, crafting and writing skills.**