PHOTOS: Artist's Work Invokes Spirit of St. Valentine

"I feel like I have been taking pictures most of my life," writes photographer Cheryl Adams-Johnson.

The East Providence resident graduated from UMass Dartmouth in 1992 with a degree in photography and a minor in painting. While the photography world was transitioning from film to digital, she painted for 10 years in a studio in Boston where she also coordinated art shows in alternative spaces.

After leaving Boston in 1997, Adams-Johnson lived in the East Bay, the East Side, and finally East Providence where she has resided for 10 years.

"I love my neighborhood and the little glimpses of natural space around Willet Pond and the bike path."

The artist enjoys capturing the special moments in people's lives.

"Photographing children and families is the main part of my business, but I have also photographed weddings, birthday and anniversary parties, dance recital," she writes. "It’s not just a paycheck - these are important moments in people’s lives.  It is an honor to be invited to document families and the special events in their lives. It is also nice to just be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time catching special moments in my community and capturing the people in my life."

Currently her work is on display at .