A "little bit'"
about me
(My childhood nickname)
Let me tell you a story
My Journey With Photography Began...
Outside of Photography:
- I listen to all kinds of music, and I have a playlist for every occasion.
- I'm an avid baseball fan (Go Cubs!... but I sometimes root for the Padres).
- I love my grandma-hobbies (crocheting, sudoku, canasta, etc.)
- Line dancing is one of my favorite things to do!
- I'm a godmother to my sweet Lucy
I'm a sophomore at San Diego State University where I'm majoring in Criminal Justice, and I'm from Dubuque, Iowa where my family still lives- so I'm home often.
In Dubuque, I spent two years at Hempstead High School before switching to Wahlert Catholic High School (Go Eagles!).
Some quick facts:
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
One day, in August of 2021, I was a fifteen-year-old high school sophomore sitting at a volleyball game with my dad. He’d bought a professional camera a few years prior, but when he handed it to me that day, I had no idea what to do with it.
"Here, go take a few photos," he said. I’m not an artist, but I’ve always had a creative side. As a small child my parents had to take the recycling bin out after I went to bed. When they tried while I was awake, I’d stop them dead in their tracks and exclaim “I can make something with this stuff!” as I picked through the family refuse as if I had just discovered a treasure chest.
I took some pictures at that volleyball game; it was very much like the recycling bin. I knew if I worked at it I could make something with that camera.
In the following weeks, my dad taught me the basics and I was hooked! A few weeks later, I posted some photos I had taken, and to my surprise, classmates began asking me what game I'd be at next.
For the next two years, I was a sponge. I took photos at every high school game I could get to.
​
"What does SoJo mean?"
Some highlights include:
-
4+ years as a freelance sports photographer for my local newspaper, The Telegraph Herald.
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Shooting a Jelly Roll Concert.
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Being on the mat at a University of Iowa Hawkeyes vs Northwestern Wildcats collegiate wrestling meet.
2026
The camera wasn’t the only thing I got from my dad, I got my middle name from him, too. His name is Joe, and when I was born my parents gave me the name Sophie Jo. One day, my mom’s sister called me "SoJo," and it stuck. Over time, I became "SoJo" to more and more people.
At first, I thought sports photography was going to be the focus of my whole career. In time, people began asking if I had any interest in portraits. It took a while, but I finally decided to give it a try.
I didn’t know a thing about lighting, and I had no clue how to pose people. (It's really hard!) The learning curve for portrait photography is a whole lot steeper than sports action shots. In time, I learned. My dad and I bought some lights, watched videos online, and experimented every chance we got. It was tough, but very rewarding. Today, I split my time between sports shots and portraits, and I love both equally.
By the age of 20 most people have had a couple part-time jobs. Not me. Taking action shots allows me to capture images of people doing what they love. Portraits allow me to get to know the people. I have met so many terrific people and been given so many incredible opportunities.
The camera wasn’t the only thing I got from my dad, I got my middle name from him, too. His name is Joe, and when I was born my parents gave me the name Sophie Jo. One day, my mom’s sister called me "SoJo," and it stuck. Over time, I became "SoJo" to more and more people.
At first, I thought sports photography was going to be the focus of my whole career. In time, people began asking if I had any interest in portraits. It took a while, but I finally decided to give it a try.
I didn’t know a thing about lighting, and I had no clue how to pose people. (It's really hard!) The learning curve for portrait photography is a whole lot steeper than sports action shots. In time, I learned. My dad and I bought some lights, watched videos online, and experimented every chance we got. It was tough, but very rewarding. Today, I split my time between sports shots and portraits, and I love both equally.
By the age of 20 most people have had a couple part-time jobs. Not me. Taking action shots allows me to capture images of people doing what they love. Portraits allow me to get to know the people. I have met so many terrific people and been given so many incredible opportunities.