About Creative Pathways

Creative Pathways was conceived in 2019, on the cusp of the pandemic. When I first began working in photography, I explored many different types of shoots. While working with families and couples, several women shared painful experiences about modeling. They spoke about being harassed, misled, and told they would never succeed because of the shape of their eyes, ears, or noses. Many of them had lost a great deal of confidence as a result.

As these stories became increasingly common, I began asking questions to find the common denominator. In every case, the photographers involved were men, and at that time there were no female photographers locally offering modeling shoots. These women had paid their money only to be treated disrespectfully and, in some cases, ridiculed. This deeply concerned me, and I began searching for a way to address the issue—not only locally, but nationally and even internationally.

I have always wanted to be someone who creates change. I want the world to be a better place. I want my son to grow up to be a man who treats everyone as equals and with respect, and I want a world in which my daughters feel safe. At first, this seemed impossible, but I eventually found an idea: photographers who would be willing to donate their time and talent to help not only women, but men as well, see the beauty in themselves, regardless of their appearance.

The truth is, models are presented with professional makeup, styling, and guidance. Size does not determine beauty, and appearance is not defined by a single feature. Anyone who has makeup applied to suit their undertones and facial structure, combined with proper posing and direction, can succeed in front of the camera. What is rarely discussed is the hard work behind the images—the practice, effort, and dedication required to create them.

It was a long shot, but I began putting the idea into action. During the pandemic, it was impossible to fully launch, but I continued to share the concept and refine the vision. During that time, I moved back to the Catskills, and once photo shoots were possible again, I was determined to bring the idea to life. I was not focused on money or other projects. While I had always dreamed of magazine photography, creativity was—and still is—where my heart truly is.

I reached out to the woman who would become my first model and co-founder, Theresa, who had been referred to me by a mutual friend. Together, we began what would become the greatest adventure of our lives.

Now, in 2026, after six years of growth, mistakes, friendships, and learning, we have built something meaningful. We learned how to run a successful program, how to model and pose, how to navigate state and federal laws, how to write contracts, and how to work with local business owners and state park departments to secure locations and permissions. Most importantly, we learned how to grow from our mistakes.

What began as a two-person effort has grown into a group of ten or more members at a time, many of whom have been active for at least five years. I am incredibly proud of what we have built and accomplished together. I am proud to stand up for these models with everything I have. I have watched individuals who joined simply to build confidence go on to become established models and pursue new opportunities beyond the group. This has happened many times, and each time, it fills me with pride—for both the journey and for them.