My name is Mary and I currently live in Blacksburg, Virginia. I am a proud Virginia Tech Hokie! When I am not busy with my full time job as a Photographer/Videographer at Virginia Tech Student Affairs, I travel around the state to capture various shindigs such as weddings, graduation sessions, engagements - you name it!

It really is the best "side hustle!"  

I shot and edited my first freelance project in September 2017. It was a wedding and I did it kind of on a whim for a friend of mine who was looking for a videographer. I had the best time! I have come such a long way since then, but I still bring that same level of spontaneity, creativity, and charisma to every shoot. Each new project is a new opportunity to make some new friends and to capture timeless, precious moments that people can cherish forever. What could be more magical?

As for my style goes, I like to let my creativity and my warm personality shine through in my work. I have an artistic eye when it comes to multimedia and you'll notice, as you look through my galleries, that my editing style is simple, yet compelling. I let my effective shot composition, synchronized cuts, and audio details tell the story. 

​

I learned all this great stuff from my favorite place on earth - Virginia Tech! I have two esteemed degrees from Virginia Tech. In May 2018, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia Journalism. Then, in May 2020, I earned my Master of Arts in Education degree in Instructional Design and Technology. I've been here for what feels like forever, but it never gets old. 

When I am not working on shooting/editing photos and videos, I love to listen to music (particularly oldies). I love to hike, play with my dog, roller blade, hit up Blacksburg Fit Body Bootcamp, and cook/eat good food. I have the coolest Baby Boomer parents - John and Helen Desmond. I am the youngest of eight siblings - six brothers and one sister! We grew up on a cute little goat and sheep farm in Middlebrook, Virginia. I am very tied to the land I grew up on and I am eternally grateful for my humble upbringing in the foothills of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. 

Hello there!