Transition into Photography
I grew up in Hampton, Virginia, and was a member of the first graduating class of Kecoughtan High School. After marrying, my husband and I moved to Powder Springs, Georgia, where we spent nine years raising our two young daughters before returning to Virginia following my husband's death.
Photography has been my profession since 1998, but my life has always been defined by a combination of service, technology, and community involvement. Prior to my career as a professional photographer, I served as Program Librarian for Time-Life Books and Music. After graduating from high school, I attended Pan American Business School in Richmond, Virginia. Upon completing business school, I worked briefly as a Clerk Typist at Langley Air Force Base. Like many women of my generation, however, family responsibilities soon became my primary focus.
As a stay-at-home mother, I dedicated my time to raising my daughters while volunteering extensively through church, school, and community organizations. During our years in Georgia, our family owned a small farm, and I became the primary farm manager while my husband worked at the Air Route Traffic Control Center in Hampton, Georgia. Even while managing family and farm responsibilities, I maintained my administrative and business skills through part-time employment with various organizations.
When my youngest daughter entered college, I returned to school and pursued studies in Information Technology. My lifelong fascination with technology led me through decades of remarkable change. I progressed from manual typewriters and mimeograph machines to IBM Selectric typewriters, photocopiers, personal computers, digital imaging, and today's interconnected technologies. My first computer was a TRS-80 Model I, manufactured by Tandy and purchased from RadioShack. Over the past twenty-five years, I have built an extensive collection of technology and photographic equipment while continually adapting to new innovations.
Volunteer service has remained a constant throughout my life. As a professional photographer, I have been actively involved at the local, state, and national levels since 1998. Since joining NARFE in 2017, I have devoted significant time to supporting federal retirees through leadership, communications, advocacy, and technology initiatives.
Today, my life remains centered on the things that matter most to me: family, technology, photography, and volunteer service. Each has shaped my journey and continues to inspire my commitment to helping organizations and individuals communicate, connect, and succeed.ype your paragraph here
Transition into Photography
Family has always been my highest priority. As my daughters became more independent and I began exploring a second career, I accepted a part-time position with a local photography studio. Initially, my responsibilities focused on file organization, record management, and archival projects.
In 1998, the studio was presented with an opportunity that would dramatically change the direction of the business. A bid was awarded for the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan, requiring an entirely new workflow. At the time, the studio was completely film-based, but this project demanded digital cameras, on-site printers, specialized software, and the ability to work outdoors during the winter months.
The equipment arrived on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day was spent unboxing equipment, installing software, and learning an entirely new process. The very next day—Black Friday—three of us were standing outside at the Virginia Governor’s Mansion photographing Santa, local children, and the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan. That first season took us to several cities and marked the beginning of my transition into event photography.
In 2007, a strategic marketing decision was made to separate the studio’s high-end portrait business from the growing event photography division that had emerged from the Coca-Cola project. A second company was formed as an all-women entrepreneurial venture: Fisk, Fisk-Taylor, and Fisk-Moore.
The portrait studio continued serving its traditional clientele, while the event photography operation was rebranded as Real Life Photography and Events. The company specialized in local events, private schools, youth sports, and high school senior photography. Over time, the business expanded significantly and developed a reputation for delivering professional photographic services throughout the community.
Like many businesses, COVID-19 brought new challenges and required another organizational restructuring. Rather than maintaining a traditional brick-and-mortar office, the decision was made to invest in mobility and efficiency. The office space was replaced with a 2015 Nissan NV Cargo Van, transforming the business into a fully mobile operation.
Today, Real Life Events continues to serve clients throughout the region. Our cameras, printers, computers, and event equipment travel with us from job to job, allowing us to bring professional photographic services directly to the communities and organizations we serve.
Service to NARFE
My husband is a retired federal civil servant with more than 32 years of government service and an equally impressive history as a NARFE member. As an annuitant spouse, I became involved with NARFE approximately eight years ago and quickly discovered an organization whose mission closely aligned with my commitment to service and advocacy.
I am a member of NARFE Chapter 2265, Midlothian, where I have served as Membership Chair, Secretary, and currently President, and Network Coordinator. During my tenure, I have digitized all chapter Secretary and Treasurer records to preserve institutional knowledge and improve accessibility. As Chapter President, I continue to focus on membership recruitment and retention, recognizing that a strong membership base is essential to the future of our organization.
At the federation level, I currently serve as President of the Virginia Federation of NARFE and as a member of the Electronic Communications Committee. In these roles, I work with fellow volunteers to develop communication strategies and technology solutions that are user-friendly, cost-effective, and capable of helping members stay informed and connected. My passion for technology has allowed me to contribute to modernization efforts while supporting members as they adapt to evolving communication platforms.
My service has also included time as the Virginia Federation's First Vice President, Secretary, State Legislation Chair, and currently as Congressional District Leader (CDL) for Virginia's 4th Congressional District. These advocacy-focused positions have reinforced my belief that protecting the earned pay and benefits of federal employees, retirees, and their survivors remains central to NARFE's mission. Advocacy presents challenges, but it also provides meaningful opportunities to educate, engage, and empower our members.
At the national level, I currently serve on several NARFE technology and communications initiatives, including the Microsite Working Group (MWG), User Acceptance Testing Team (UAT), and the FEDHub Planning Group (FHPG). These assignments have provided me with the opportunity to help shape and improve the digital tools and communication platforms that support NARFE members across the country.
As part of this work, I have designed and developed numerous NARFE microsites, including those for Chapter 2265 Midlothian, the Virginia Federation of NARFE, and NARFE Region X. In addition to building sites, I have mentored and trained fellow volunteers through the Microsite Working Group, helping chapters, federations, and regions establish an effective online presence and improve communication with their members.
I also serve as an administrator for the Virginia Federation FEDHub Community, supporting member engagement, information sharing, and collaboration among federation leaders and chapter volunteers. Through these roles, I have gained firsthand experience with the opportunities and challenges of technology adoption in volunteer organizations and have worked to ensure that NARFE's digital tools remain accessible, practical, and member-focused.
My involvement at the chapter, federation, regional, and national levels has given me a broad perspective on NARFE's operations and the diverse needs of our members. It has also reinforced my belief that effective communication, thoughtful leadership, and strategic use of technology are essential to strengthening our organization and preparing it for the future.