The Beginning of Sweetheart Willow Photography

What a year it has been so far! I proudly made the jump from academia (a career I had been training towards and fully engaging with for the last 20 years) to combine my love of mental health and creativity as a full-time photographer, writer, and licensed psychologist. My company is named Sweetheart Willow Photography for my late soul dog, Willow, who gently nudged me in the direction of creativity with her wet doggy nose and inspired me to chase down my dreams.

In August, we adopted a new Golden Retriever puppy that we named Maple. As her fur morphs from off-white to a toasty rich syrupy color, I’m convinced we chose the right name (she is from Maine, afterall!). She is equal parts sweet and goofy as she explores the world as my puppy muse. As she grows, she is starting to wedge her way into our hearts (who am I kidding, I fell in love the moment I saw her). I can’t help but think that Angel Willow sent her our way!

Owning a business presents opportunities to learn something new every day, and I am quite enjoying the challenge. I also really love talking to people about my art and getting the chance to exhibit my photographs.

This year, I got into two juried exhibitions so far (my first ever juried exhibitions!). The first was Photo Art Pavilion’s: Life on the Streets for my picture of an older gentleman in Bruges, Belgium, biking down the cobblestone streets. I called it “90 Years Young in Bruges.” Check it out here: https://photoartpavilion.com/life-on-the-streets-exhibit/

The second was Photo Art Pavilion’s: Red category for my picture “Old-Timey Baseball,” of a baseball pitcher in a vintage baseball league that plays by old rules (including not using mits- looked pretty painful, yikes!). This exhibit is online too, but hasn’t been posted yet. Don’t worry- I’ll be sure to update you when it launches!

The rest of my exhibitions have been in person this year:

March-April 2025: Boston Public Library: Allston-Honan Branch: Lake Winnipesaukee 

June 2025 Newton Free Library: Say Cheese!

October 2025 Wedeman Gallery at Lasell University: Say Cheese Please!  

December 2025 The Griffin Museum of Photography Winter Solstice: Hummingbird and Beetle

December 2025 The Cooper Center: Hummingbird and Beetle

Coming up soon, I’ll also be presenting my work at Winchester Open Studios on Saturday November 22nd from 10am-4pm at the Griffin Museum of Photography (67 Shore Rd in Winchester, MA).

I’d love it if you stopped by and I promise I’ll have pictures of Maple in a Santa costume (super cute- but she does steal and eat all the presents!).

From Sunday November 30th to December 24th, my work will be featured alongside other artists in the LexArt Holiday Marketplace (130 Waltham St in Lexington, MA). Come by and support small local businesses and artisans! Hope to see you there!