I studied Foundation Art in Galway, Ireland, as I’ve always loved Art and I wanted to see which discipline I would like to pursue. The minute I picked up a camera, and saw my first image appear in the developing tray in the darkroom, I was hooked. I studied for 3 years and received a H. Dip in the Art & Design of Photography in England.
My first job was working for a commercial Photographer in Temple bar, Dublin, as an assistant in the darkroom and out on the Wicklow hills at 5 am photographing cars. It was a great experience, learning how to see and understand lighting situations. After this, I worked for 3 years as a medical photographer in The Mater hospital in Dublin. I learnt how to work under pressure and in very stressful situations, using slide film, all before digital photography. I then moved to New York, and was lucky to get a job with a great company called Fairchild Publications (now Conde Nast). I worked initially in the darkroom as a printer, and eventually moved to the imaging department, where I worked with the art directors, finalising and correcting images for publication.
After many years in New York, home was calling! Our first child was born in NYC and we decided to move to South Kerry, to rear our children with family nearby and to own our own home in the countryside.
I then worked for 15 years as a commercial photographer, and many of my images have been published in magazines, books and newspapers. My images are hanging all over the world and in many government buildings in Ireland.
My lifelong dream was to have my own gallery so in 2019 I opened the doors to a photo gallery and retail space in my hometown of Cahersiveen, on The Ring of Kerry. It incorporates my other passion, Skellig Soaps, a natural skincare brand, handmade products made by me and my husband Adriano, who is originally from Brasil.
I’m happiest outside, in the hills and fields of County Kerry, photographing the light, the sea and the people of County Kerry, the pure heart of the place!
Photography. It’s magic and I love it.