The Portrait Witch

04/16/2026

My next newsletter "Choices Shape Us" is coming tomorrow. Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating.

I'm a weirdo portrait photographer currently navigating the loss of my husband and rediscovering who I am as a creative. Every New Moon I send out a missive with deep thoughts, updates, maybe some dark humour and a tarot reading.

01/16/2026

If you didn't know, I've been sending out a newsletter every New Moon for the last few years. The next one is delivered to inboxes this Sunday.

It has evolved into a personal letter where I share what's happening in my life, what I'm thinking about, what I'm working on, and share some things I think are interesting.

I also try to share a tarot reading.

If that all sounds interesting, sign up! I only send them on the new moon, which is about once a month.

Just make sure you check your junkmail for the confirmation email.

01/03/2026

Hello Weirdos,

I know things have been extremely quiet around here, and I wanted to pop in and share a little about why.

You may have already figured it out when I posted my Widow image back in May, and some of you do know, but in case you haven't heard. . . My husband, my best friend, passed away back in April. I've been largely private about my grief and I kind of want to keep it that way, but it absolutely impacts what I'm doing here at The Portrait Witch.

I, as a person, am evolving, and I think The Portrait Witch will be too. I don't know what the will look like yet, but it will definitely be shifting from client-focused to art(s)-focused. I want to make more meaningful and impactful work. I want to keep learning new things. And, I want to keep growing as an artist.

Probably the best decision I made in 2025 after my loss, was to attend University in person. This is a big deal for someone in their mid-40s. I'm studying Studio Art and planning to Double Major that with English. I spent the last few months learning film photography and dark room processing in my Photography class and learning to draw. I also took Creative Writing, Art History and French. I passed all my classes with pretty darn good marks, too.

I have also reaffirmed a passion for helping others grow and develop as creatives and students. Nothing perks me up more than helping people meet challenges, problem solve creative issues, and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones. My friend coined this tendency as being "Tara-fied" and I love it. So these are probably the first hints as to where I'm going. I also believe that in order to help others I have to keep learning and doing myself.

And I care about this community I've been building. I'd like to see it grow. I want you to talk to me about art, what inspires you, how you are facing the creative challenges that come your way.

I have been consistent in sharing my New Moon Missives and talking about a lot of this stuff there, so if you want to make sure you see how things are going, sign up for them (Link in the comments).

These images are just a glimpse of the creative work I've been doing these last few months. Still some photography, but other stuff too.

So my question to you is:

Are you here for it?
Are you interested in evolving with me?
In seeing what I'm creating if it isn't just photography?

Please, share your thoughts with me. I appreciate them more than you know.

01/01/2026

Mother Warrior

I wanted to close out this year with an image I've been sitting on for a while. Maybe I'm nervous about it. Maybe it's because I care a lot.

I want to tell more stories like this!

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

P.S. Happy New Year, send me your expecting mamas!

10/08/2025

Ever wonder what happens when 90s grunge meets the undead?
“Smells Like Zombie Spirit” was born from giggles, fake blood, and a rebellious spark. Dive into the behind-the-scenes chaos, severed-head pompoms, and all.

Read the whole Portrait Story here: http://www.theportraitwitch.com/the-grimoire/portrait-stories-smells-like-zombie-spirit?utm_medium=social-media&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=portrait-stories

10/01/2025

This month’s Creative Quest has arrived: Dramatic Light. Shadows deepen, contrasts sharpen, and atmosphere takes center stage. Will you take up the call? Create in your own medium—photography, painting, writing, film—and share your journey in The Portrait Witch's Workshop.

http://www.theportraitwitch.com/the-inspiration-bank/creative-quest-dramatic-light

09/25/2025

What started with my daughter’s love of mushrooms turned into a fantasy portrait built in Blender and Photoshop. In this Portrait Story, I share how I built the world from scratch — and what I learned along the way.

Read the full Portrait Story here:
http://www.theportraitwitch.com/the-grimoire/portrait-story-mushroom-world

09/18/2025

It's almost a new moon! That means the New Moon Missives will be hitting inboxes soon. Have you signed up for them?

In them, I share personal thoughts, show you what it's like behind the scenes and what I've been up to, and give you links to the latest on the blogs (or links to other articles you will find interesting). The Missive may or may not contain some inappropriate humour; you just never know. I gift you some cards to choose a reading from, and most of all, I keep it real. If that all sounds interesting to you, sign up here:

https://the-portrait-witch.kit.com/54b02a53b7

(A small excerpt from last month's New Moon Missive pictured below).

09/17/2025

Symbolism. Fearlessness. Blood, ants, and everything in between. Brooke Shaden’s work has shaped my own journey in conceptual photography—here’s what I’ve learned from her, and what you might too.

Discover how visionary artist Brooke Shaden’s symbolic self-portraits inspire creativity, symbolism, and fearless storytelling—and what artists can learn to grow their own work.

09/10/2025

PORTRAIT STORY - BUTTERFLY

Hello Witches!

I am starting a series in The Grimoire (aka the blog) called Portrait Stories. Every other week, I will share one of my portraits with the stories, inspirations, and lessons behind its creation.

The first in this series is Butterfly.

Read it here:

A music-inspired portrait of Crazy Town’s “Butterfly.” Behind-the-scenes mishaps, lost edits, and lessons in fragility shaped this favourite image.