Overview:

​I believe good stories told simply connect people, create empathy, and lead to action. With a background in photography and journalism, I have always woven striking photography and visual storytelling into the design projects I lead or oversee. My goal is always to inspire and inform. For nearly two decades, I have played hands-on and leadership roles pitching, shooting, designing, editing, sourcing, and assigning creative projects that powerfully illustrate compelling stories. As an experienced leader of design, editorial, and communications teams, I am a lifelong photographer, writer, and designer looking to continue growing as a leader with an organization focused on telling good stories with powerful imagery.

Areas of Expertise: ​

Photography
Photo Editing
Graphic Design
Video Production
Copy Writing
SEO Writing
Social Engagement
Communication Strategies
Team Management
Project Management
Print Production
Client Relations

Professional Experience:

Creative Director
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
​March 2020 — Current
  • Create print and digital materials and templates for marketing and advertising collateral, including brochures, books, leave-behinds, postcards, banners and signage, display boards, presentations, billboards, radio, and television
  • Maintain and evolve the organization’s brand by bringing stories to life with photography and video that celebrates the people we serve
  • Maintain an advanced knowledge of the organization’s brand and aesthetic and use that knowledge to develop visual stories and marketing campaigns
  • Oversee production of all design, photography, and video, including acting as chief photographer, videographer, and editor
  • Maintain cutting-edge photo editing techniques and stay abreast of current design trends
  • Train marketing staff to use photography and video equipment, as well as in-house printing facilities
  • Manage inventory of equipment, evergreen signage, and studio space
  • Oversee licensing and usage rights for sourced graphics, artwork, photography and video
Creative Services Manager
Hawkes Learning
​July 2019 — March 2020
  • Designed and illustrated complex concepts and ideas to facilitate understanding in a series of college-level textbooks
  • Sourced, selected, and edited all photography, artwork, and graphic elements appearing in print and digital products
  • Managed image usage rights and digital asset archiving
  • Oversaw, hired, and trained of a team of on-site and remote graphic designers
  • Led a merger of the creative services and web development teams that helped optimize production processes, enhancing proofing accuracy, and reduce redundancy of labor hours
Art Director
The Scout Guide
​March 2018 — July 2019
  • Led a team of on-site and remote photographers and graphic designers to produce a series of upscale city guides published in more than 70 markets across the United States
  • Trained photographers and graphic designers to ensure consistent voice in all imagery across a growing collection of publications
  • Oversaw the daily operations of the design team and signed off on all editorial and marketing imagery
  • Coordinated photo shoots, selected and edited photography, and acted as chief photographer in the field and in-studio
  • Contributed to building communications strategies, marketing campaigns, and live event experiences
  • Served as senior designer to assist in creation of editorial and advertising layouts
Art Director
The Chronicle of the Horse
​July 2015 — January 2018
  • Led and established all brand strategies and oversaw design team as a hands-on senior designer and creative team lead
  • Acted as chief photographer and photo editor for the brand’s weekly news publication and bi-monthly lifestyle magazine
  • Directed all photo shoots for editorial, advertising, and branding purposes including cover shoots and international sporting competitions
  • Managed a pool of freelance talent and creative production budget
  • Worked closely with editorial, marketing, and customer service teams, as well as creative consultants, to help redesign the brand with a more photo-centric aesthetic
  • Served as Staff Photographer and Writer from 2006 to 2008
Communications Manager
CRDF Global
​April 2014 — July 2015
  • Worked closely with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications to help the organization redefine its brand and voice using rich photography and success stories
  • Oversaw execution of internal and external communications strategies including design, photography, and copy writing
  • Wrote press releases, web and blog content, op-ed pieces, speeches and internal memos for executive leads
  • Designed internal and external collateral including flyers, booklets, one-pagers, business cards, enewsletters, digital graphics for web, presentations, and signage for events
  • Acted as chief photographer and photo editor for all marketing and editorial content
Multimedia Producer
United States Eventing Association
​December 2008 — April 2013
  • Conceived, launched, and led production of a fully integrated video community that averaged more than 500,000 views annually
  • Served as the organization’s Art Director, lead photographer, photo editor, and graphic designer for its award-winning monthly member magazine
  • Maintained a pool of freelance photographers and writers and managed creative production budget
  • Managed all photo licensing and digital asset management
  • Worked closely with the Director of Communications to help develop communications strategies, marketing campaigns, and sponsorship opportunities

Education:

Bachelor of Arts:
Visual and Performing Arts
California State University San Marcos

Minor:
Literature and Writing
California State University San Marcos

Concentration:
Photojournalism
Griffith University — Queensland College of Art