My Journey and the Creation of On River Time Photography

My Passion And Inspiration

For as long as I can remember, I have had a love of all living things. I feel that it is not only our responsibility, but our duty, to bring forward our personal best and touch the lives of as many beings as possible. One never really knows the difference they make in the life of another by just being here. We don’t have the gift of seeing what a difference our actions have made. One of my favorite movies is “It’s A Wonderful Life”. I get choked up every time I watch it.

So, my passion…my inspiration…is simply kindness and compassion. I want to make a difference while I can and, God willing, the legacy I create will be one of beauty.

I Followed The Path I Was Meant To.

Like so many, I attended college. Unlike many, I didn’t start right out of high school. In fact, it wasn’t until shortly after my 29th birthday that I attended my first college photography course and I fell in love! My love of all living things and photography have never been far from each other.

My husband (my greatest love) and I purchased a large plot of land on the Mississippi River in Cohasset, MN in 2013 with the intention, of one day, making it our full-time home. Two short years later, in 2015, that became a reality.  After completing the build of our home, my husband and I agreed that there could be no better time, place or circumstance for me to combine my two loves.

But what would I name it? I wanted the name to reflect the feeling of my art and my life. After all, it had taken many years of a city hustle and bustle lifestyle to get here. So, one afternoon, while relaxing in my hammock, overlooking the Mississippi River, I thought to myself…”I love being On River Time” and On River Time Photography was born in 2018.

My Greatest Achievements

What is an “Achievement”? I’m willing to bet that the answer has as many derivatives as the number of people being asked. I have so many daily achievements…I’m thrilled if I get the house dusted, all of my pets are healthy, or even better yet, beyond excited when I didn’t forget anything at the grocery store! Lifetime achievements, however, are in a class of their own. But again, so many…my wonderful marriage of to my best friend, my beautiful daughter, building our Dream Home, running my own successful business and so on.

But there is one that stands out for me. I had the opportunity to work closely with the amazing Great Tails Animal Rescue, a local animal rescue organization based in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, from 2018 to 2025. They have blossomed and they have reached their goal of building a physical shelter to help even more animals in need. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to bring more exposure to their cause through my photography business. And I couldn’t be more proud of them!

Keep reading to see about my Newest Adventure!

My own personal goal has always been to be a champion for animals. With that being said, I felt that it was time for me to move my focus to another animal rescue organization, within the community, where I could be an asset in spotlighting their organization by utilizing my business. With that being said, I am proud to announce that I will now be working with an up-and-coming Animal Rescue Organization, “Hero’s Heart Animal Rescue”. I enjoyed my time with Great Tails Animal Rescue during the seven years that I worked with them. And, as much as I knew I would miss everyone, I felt it was time for me to move on and help bring awareness to another new rescue in our community.

As all rescue organizations do, they struggled a bit getting their footing, but they are growing and making a wonderful impact in our community. If you would like to support, or know more about, this wonderful organization, please visit Hero’s Heart Animal Rescue. I am a current foster and volunteer. I plan on doing at least one fundraiser per year, the “Furry and Fun Fall Fund Raiser” to help support this wonderful organization. Follow me on Instagram if you would like to be involved in the next “Furry and Fun Fall Fundraiser” event. I hope to see you there! In the meantime, enjoy these furry faces…