A Vocation of Presence
About Magdalene Photo Co. | Eastern Orthodox Sacramental Photographer in Buffalo, New York
For a decade, my work was defined by the noise and production of the modern wedding industry. But over time, I found myself drifting away from the spectacle, searching for a deeper way to engage with the world. I realized that the moments carrying the most profound weight were not the staged performances—they were the quiet, sacred realities unfolding beneath the surface.
Everything aligned with absolute clarity when I entered the Orthodox Church. Witnessing the Holy Mysteries, I did not see a backdrop; I saw a living, breathing sacred order. My work fundamentally shifted. I moved away from being a director and into the role of a quiet witness.
The Namesake: Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles
Magdalene Photo Co. is named in honor of my patron saint, Mary Magdalene. She is the anchor of my vocational identity, and her life offers a blueprint for the kind of witness I strive to provide.
She was the first to arrive at the tomb while it was still dark, carrying sweet spices to quietly care for the body of Christ. In her profound devotion—a love that transcended fear and surpassed the hesitation of others—she became the very first witness to the light of the Resurrection. She saw the Truth exactly as it was, and she was the first to carry that life-giving news to the world.
To be a "Myrrh-bearer" is to approach the sacred with reverence, tenderness, and an awareness that something holy is unfolding. When I am present for your milestones, I strive to embody that same spirit. I am not there to be the center of the story or to curate a spectacle; I am there to carry the "sweet spices"—to watch, to document, and to honor the sacred movements of your life in the Church.
Saint Mary Magdalene teaches me that the most important work is often the quietest: arriving early, staying present in the darkness, and bearing faithful witness to the Light. This company is an extension of that devotion. My hope is that through these images, you and your family will be able to look back and see not just a record of a day, but a glimpse of the grace that was present in the room.
A Commitment to Reverence
My approach is rooted in a life of faith, both inside and outside the sanctuary. When I am not behind the camera, I am likely out in nature—where I find constant reminders of the Creator’s handiwork—or spending time with my husband, with whom I find great joy in studying the Holy Scriptures and the lives of the saints.
My devotion to the Church is the foundation of my life, and I am blessed to serve as a volunteer at my local parish. That same spirit of service, stewardship, and quiet wonder is what I bring into the sanctuary when I work.
It would be my honor to step into the background of your parish's next great feast day, Holy Baptism, Chrismation, or wedding crowning, and bear witness to the holy work being done in your life.
"For the eyes are the windows of the soul, and in them, the light of God is reflected." – St. John Chrysostom