SHOP SMALL AND SUPPORT LOCAL
Solo New York - a Long Island based luggage company. Solo is a brand I both photograph regularly and use constantly. I personally use one of their bags for travel similar to the Grand Travel TSA Backpack. My dad uses the same bag as well as a rolling bag for work and my mom uses one of their Hybrid Bags. Check out their Black Friday Deal!
What a year!! It’s been a hard one for everyone, but especially those who run small businesses. I’m really thankful to be a single (no kids), one woman team (other than contractors/second photographers/assists for weddings and shoots) without a brick and mortar location. Some businesses are not as fortunate as I am and have a full team to support, rent to pay, and their own family to provide for. Unfortunately a lot of small businesses weren’t able to survive the first round of lockdowns and with more lockdowns in the foreseeable future, others may not survive. Instead of shopping at big box retailers, support a small business and make sure they survive the pandemic. Here’s a round-up of brands I’ve photographed, personally used, and am excited to try/support this season. If you have any favorites, please send them my way as well!!
O’Soy Candles - A female owned business based in Orange County, CA! My friend Justine is the woman behind O’Soy Candles and let me tell you, these are amazing! I received my first candle for my birthday 2 months ago and I loved it so much, I put in a massive Christmas order a few weeks ago!
All O’soy Candles are crafted with 100% american-sourced soy wax, the highest standard of oils and clean burning cotton wicks. All ingredients used are cruelty free, phthalate-free, paraben-free and free from the following harmful chemicals used by many candle companies today:
Not Your Basic Brows - another female owned business based in Dana Point, CA! My sweet friend Shelby is the queen of microblading and brow lamination! Seriously, if you’re in SoCal, look no further! She also co-owns The 202 Collective.
Erin Fader Jewelry - a female owned small business based in Cardiff, CA. Her commitment to the environment has inspired her to use her creativity in such a way that many of her designs begin with reclaimed objects and antique pieces. I discovered Erin after my friend and quarantine fitness instructor, Lindsey Harrod (check her out for amazing at home workouts!!) did a collab with Erin. I instantly fell in love with the pieces and they’ve become my go to everyday essentials. Erin also sent a personalized email to me thanking me for my order (such a nice touch!) and she even responded to a couple of emails about potentially working together.
Beauty Care Naturals - a female owned business started by one of my clients, Jessica. I photographed her wedding YEARS ago, but have followed her journey as she started this beauty brand and so many women rave about her products!
“Creating a product that would only add to your already feminine beauty and not damage your body in anyway or harm anything else in the process has always been my goal. Beauty Care Naturals was formulated with your health in mind."-Jessica Miller CEO
Dubsado - A husband/wife founded business, which is for all of my small business owners who need a CRM to help keep track of clients, invoices, and have standard forms/proposals. I’ve used Dubsado for the last 2 years (since an awesome Black Friday deal) and let’s be real, my business wouldn’t survive without it! Google Docs and Spreadsheets are great, but only for so long. Dubsado will help alleviate a lot of the extra work and make your workflow seamless.
Leveret Clothing - a New Jersey based company who I recently had the pleasure of working with. Their pajamas are so soft and comfy plus they come in an array of colors and patterns.
With families on our mind, our breathable, lightweight cotton ensures you and your little ones with the utmost comfort and a sense of unity by matching your loved ones... without the splurge.
BLVCK BREW - a Southern California based coffee brand, which I discovered while going to Grit. Grit had a bunch of foodies during their reopening and BLVCK BREW was one of them. I chatted more with the founder, Donny and learned about the process.
BLVCK® Organic Cold Brew Coffee is made specifically for black coffee lovers. We are NOT here to sell you a "brand". We are NOT here to sell you a "LiFE sTYle". We are NOT here to sell you merchandise. We do one thing, and one thing only. We're making coffee BLVCK again. We ONLY brew fresh to order. We ONLY grind fresh to order. We will sell you the finest organic coffee, nothing more and nothing less.
If you are local to the Southern California area - Your bottles will be brewed and bottled fresh.
If you are outside of the Southern California area - Your kits will be ground and packed fresh.
Tog - a female owned, London based brand perfect for any photographers. I met Alishia a few years ago while in London and we became great friends. She’s one of those people I make sure to see every time I’m in London even if it’s just for a quick coffee or to swap photos. She gifted me both the big and mini tog bag when she first created them in exchange for photos/a social media shoutout (a beneficial trade for both of us). I wound up really loving the bags and I still use both to this day! My initial question when she approached me was “will my 15in laptop fit?” and of course her answer was yes, which sold me! The fact that people don’t know it’s a camera bag makes it that much better. The mini tog bag definitely gets more use, but the big tog bag is perfect for travel when I don’t want to bring my roller bag. Alishia also released a roller bag, which I would 100% invest in if I didn’t already own one. These make the perfect gift for any photographer friends1
Bondi Skin Co - Bondi born brand Bondi Skin Co. was founded in 2020 by three best mates from high school: Chris, Dougie and Nick. Observing the need to simplify the market they took it upon themselves to create easy-to-use, effective products that maximized efficiency. Their commitment to simplicity did not stop them from using high-quality ingredients and ethical practices - that's why all their products are made from 100% natural ingredients, are vegan, cruelty-free and sustainably produced.
Dougie and I shot together last year after following each other on Instagram for years and trying to make a shoot happen. I was stoked when he announced his brand along with his two friends and knew I’d definitely support them!
Baxter of California - a California based brand specializing in men’s grooming and personal care. I’ve loved shooting for them over the years and always promote their products to any of my guy friends. I use quite a few of their hair products on shoots still.
Le Labo - an essential when it comes to personal care. I had no idea what I was missing out on until I invested in travel fragrances from Le Labo. They last for 12-18 months from the first spray, which is absolutely amazing and you’re able to get a variety of fragrances if you do the 3-pack like I did.. I can’t wait to invest in one of the bottles above, which had a longer lifespan now that I know which scent I love.
Independent Trading Co - A San Clemente based sweatshirt brand. Building on their roots in the action sports industry since 1987, Independent Trading Company is established as a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality Custom & Blank apparel for Screen Printers and Brands all over the world. I initially was introduced to them last fall by my friend Chelse who thought I would be a great fit as their photographer. It’s been such a pleasure working with them as we’ve created their catalogs all around SoCal. You know your favorite sweatshirt from Tilly’s? It’s probably an ITC sweatshirt.
Mimi’s Mixes - Cookie mixes made with tons of love by the Jedi Cookie Master herself Frances in the heart of Brea, CA. If you’re in SoCal and not a baker or don’t have the time, alleviate the stress by getting some of the best cookies delivered right to your house.
Alabaster - A visually beautiful reading experience for the Bible.
Beauty matters in our understanding of who God is. We live in a visual culture. Everyone makes images and we are shaped by what we see. We value bringing this visual reality to a faith-based context. We believe in the divine inspiration, trustworthiness and authority of the Bible—and we bring this into everything we make and do.
The Brand Sunday - You no longer have to feel overwhelmed with the Bible. They create resources to make it easier for you to understand the Bible and to grow in your relationship with God. This is a brand I’m excited to dive into. I had heard about them from my friend Lauren, but I truly was introduced to them when my friend Paul started photographing them. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’ve definitely grown in my relationship with God during the pandemic. It’s been a beautiful season and I’m always on the search for tools and resources to help me dive deeper into that relationship.
Sins by the Saints - An Orange County based brand founded by my friend David Brisco. He and I started photography around the same time over a decade ago.
As a brand, our mission is to highlight the fact that no individual has to remain prisoner to the sins of yesterday and to start a conversation with hopes to turn groundless, default perspectives into more informed, open and receptive attitudes.
OMA the Label - A female owned brand focused on challenging homogenous industry standards, while creating quality and affordable pieces for the everYday woman.
Book Soup - If you’re planning to buy books this season, look no further! I first learned of Book Soup from my friend Eric Rutherford when he wanted to do some photos outside of the bookstore. If you know me well, you know bookstores are by far some of my favorite places. Whenever I’m in a new city, I always find a bookstore to wander around in for an afternoon.
Skydog Jewelry - If you are searching for heirloom quality jewelry, you have come to the right place. If you are interested in the finest gemstones and metals, it is here that you will find them. If you are looking to support a designer who is driven by more than just profit, you have arrived. It is here that you will find such things and so much more. If you’ve followed my work long enough, you know I photographed Skydog Jewelry while I was in college and was one of the first brands I collaborated with. I still wear Skydog pieces regularly.
Elevated Faith - A brand on a mission to share purpose, hope, and love to a lost world. The name Elevated Faith represents how we, as Christians, are never done growing. We will never be perfect; every single day we must work hard to grow in our relationship with our Creator.