Why I Became a Photographer

It sounds cliché, but photography has been a part of my story for as long as I can remember.

The very first time I held a camera, I was just two years old. I emptied a roll of film on my mom's camera taking pictures of my baby sister. From that moment on, something just clicked (literally and figuratively!), and I longed to take pictures with any camera I could get my hands on. Over time, I naturally fell into the role unofficial photographer at family events, always begging for someone to lend me a camera to capture the memories happening around me.

My passion continued to deepen. My uncle had given me an old video camera which I used to take photos (the quality was horrendous, but that didn't stop me!). When I was 15, I bought a horse after being told that she was saddle broken. Lo and behold, she was not broke to ride. My dad begged me to get rid of her, since she was a huge horse and he was worried about me hurting myself if I tried to train her. "What can I give you to get rid of the horse?" he asked me, "I'll buy you anything you want!"

So I traded a horse for my very first DSLR. It was honestly one of the best trades of my life! From that day forward, I poured myself into learning and perfecting my craft, one photo at a time. Youtube wasn't really a thing yet, so I poured over books and blog posts learning about the "exposure triangle", light, composition, and so much more.

After getting married and having my first child, my husband started encouraging me to turn my hobby into a business. He saw how much joy photography brought me, and was the first person to believe I could turn that passion into a profitable endeavor. It took a while for me to believe him, since I am my own worst critic and I thought my work wasn't good enough. But eventually Ohlman Photography was born, and I have loved serving my clients ever since.

Why I Keep Going: My Purpose Behind the Camera

Today, photography is so much more than a creative outlet— it’s a way to serve people in meaningful, lasting ways.

For families

I create heirloom images that your children and grandchildren will one day cherish. For me, it’s about preserving real, raw moments that tell a family’s story for generations. Not just "sit up and smile at the camera", but images that truly capture the essence of your family. Your laughter, your bond, your personalities, your love for one another. This is why documentary family photos hold a special place in my heart.

For small businesses

I create gorgeous, professional imagery that helps your products look their best. In the world of e-commerce, a good first impression is everything, so it's a joy to create photos that genuinely capture the beauty and craftsmanship of your product, and makes people stop to take a look. There's something so fulfilling about seeing how my photos can help a business grow, attract more customers, and increase sales.

What Inspires My Work

I find inspiration in lots of the traditional places: blogs, books, social media. But I also find it in nature and my own family life. When I watch my children play together, learn something new, or tackle a project, it inspires me to capture their lives because they are growing up so fast. And it also encourages me to see life from their perspective. Their wonder, enthusiasm, and joy in the little things inspire me.

Another thing that inspires me is....

Light.

Whether it's warm, golden hour light or bold, directional shadows, or human-made light through lamps or flashes, I find magic in the way light transforms a scene. When I learned how to craft artificial light into the soft light I love, it opened up a whole world of possibilities!

Creativity sparks creativity, and I’m always pushing myself to see the world through fresh eyes.

My Style in a Few Words

I find this difficult, but if I had to describe my photography style, it would be: light, soft, colorful, bright, and romantic.

Every image I create is made with the intention of capturing true emotion and natural beauty, all wrapped in beautiful, flattering light.

Ready to work with me?

I would be honored to be part of your story! Whether that means photographing your wedding or family, or creating images of your products for your online shop, I'm genuinely grateful for each and every opportunity to work with my amazing clients. Fill out my inquiry form below, and I'll be in contact as soon as possible! 🫶🏼