Photo credit Oksana Slavinsky photography

My name is Ophelia-Marie and I’m a Christian, wife, mother, writer, and photographer.

I have always loved taking pictures because I want to remember things more clearly. I love looking back on seasons of my life and seeing the people, laughter, and stories those pictures still hold. Most of those older pictures are random ones taken with little point & shoot cameras or my iPod touch; unedited or barely so. A lot has changed since then, but that love of capturing moments hasn’t changed, though happily my skills and equipment have.

Whether it’s family photos, senior portraits, couple sessions, or the special moments in between, I’d love to help you preserve your memories through photography.

I have often been told that I am great with kids. Always nice to hear; I've had a good bit of practice since I have four children of my own. Two girls, two boys- it’s a wild, beautiful life. They are the reason I really got into photography, and for years were some of my only photography subjects. Little kids are busy, ridiculous, and unpredictable and even when things don’t go quite how I’d hoped while taking photos, I’ve learned to smile and go with it. (Sometimes with a bit of anxiety, but we do our best with what the day brings.)

Taking photos of older children and adults is often quieter paced than taking photos of smaller children. I like the artistry side and the collaboration of ideas. I enjoy hearing what poses people want to try and seeing what we can create together.

Taking photos of young children is often silly and unpredictable. I like to have a vision, but also encourage children to laugh and be themselves. I think as a mother who is used to getting on kids' level and connecting, I bring that skill set into photography. I have no control over anyone's temperament in a photo session, but I've got a few tricks, and I am always prepared to be a little silly to maybe get some smiles.

I wrote this in 2021, when I had two children, instead of four, about the above photo:

I like this smile because it’s my genuine, amused smile. I’m smiling at my husband as he’s taking pictures, amused as I am - and both our kids are crying in my arms. I just wanted a sweet smiling picture of me with both my babies, but alas, the best I got was another one where they at least both look pleasant… But I like this one better. It accurately sums up how a lot of days look lately. All is going fairly well until one starts crying, then they’re both crying, and I’m just trying to do my best over here.

Sometimes motherhood is quiet snuggles, fun making dinner together, playing pretend and laughing over silly stories. Sometimes motherhood is both kids crying after I rushed to get everyone dressed in matching clothes and ready for pictures and church- and eating my own breakfast in the car on the way to church because I somehow never found a moment to eat.

Sometimes you can take a moment to step back and breathe when your best laid plans go awry. And sometimes you just hold on and smile.