I'm so glad you're here. Somewhere between the coffee runs, the chaos, and the never-ending to-do list, I photograph families — yours, hopefully soon. I believe in real laughter over posed smiles, quiet in-between moments over perfect ones, and photographs that feel like you, not a performance of you. If that sounds like your kind of thing, stick around — I'd love for you to get to know me a little first.

Lifestyle family photographer, hopeless romantic, dog mom of three (and cat mom of two), based in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

PAHCHIE

meet

How I found my way to this

Photography found me long before it became a business — landscapes, then casual family photos, then street photography, which is where everything changed. Out there, every frame holds someone's story: a feeling, a moment that meant something to somebody, even if just for a second. I genuinely love kids, which is exactly why I take a child-led approach — no forcing your kids to sit still and perform. They get to just be themselves, and that's how I get to know your family instead of just photographing it.

The heart behind the lens

As a mom myself, I know how easy it is to forget to capture the small, daily things — the ones that quietly become someone's whole childhood in hindsight. I learned that the hard way. Now that I no longer have my parents, photographs are some of the only things I have left to remember them by, and to remember the moments we shared. If you've ever thought "I should document this more" and then let the season slip by anyway — I understand that completely, and it's exactly why I do this work the way I do. Nothing I make is meant to look perfect. It's meant to look like you, because someday, this photograph might be the thing someone holds onto.

I come from a rich Hmong background, and it's a culture I don't think is represented or appreciated nearly enough. That's part of why representation matters so much to me in this work. Whatever traditions shape your family — the language at your table, the clothing passed down, the customs that don't need explaining to the people who share them — I want that woven into your gallery, not softened or left out to fit a mold. You shouldn't have to leave part of yourselves at the door for a family photo.

Rooted in culture

Life off the clock

Off the clock, I'm probably getting dragged out of bed for brunch with the family, hauled out on a hike by my sister, or starting the day off on a vacation I didn't plan far enough in advance. Whatever it is, I embrace the spontaneous — which might explain why I'm not big on forcing a session to go exactly as planned either. At home it's me, my partner, our kid, three dogs, and two cats, so if your own house is a little loud and unpredictable on session day, trust me, I get it completely. I'm goofy, I don't take myself too seriously, and I'd rather your kids feel like they're playing with a friend than posing for a stranger.

In their words

The experience

I was so nervous going into our session — my toddler doesn't sit still for anything. She met us exactly where we were, gave us just enough direction to feel confident, and somehow captured moments I didn't even realize were happening. These are photos we'll have forever.

The Johnsons | Family

It felt like we were just spending time together.

The first photos of myself I've actually loved.

I was so unsure about this session. I didn't feel like myself, and I definitely didn't feel photo-ready. She made it so easy — a little direction, a lot of patience, and somehow every photo feels like exactly how this season actually felt. I'll treasure these forever.

Seirra | Maternity Family

She captured our first week home exactly as it felt.

Everything about those first days was a blur — exhausted, overwhelmed, completely in love. She didn't ask us to clean up or pretend to have it together. She just captured it, and now it's my favorite gallery I own.

The Her family | Newborn

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