I document weddings for a living and have seen countless iterations of what love is. Regardless of what it looks like, love is most commonly presented as honest and true and impeccable and resilient. Every couple who has stood in front of my lens and shared their wedding day with me has loved differently, yet they are all so remarkably the same. My couples know that love isn’t just a fairy tale, though it will – and should – feel like that (and often!). They know that it takes effort and that it will likely resemble a fist fight at least once in their marriage, and often times, through the conversations we have together, they realize that they’ve chosen their partners for their boxing ability. I’ve been married 11 years, and collectively it’s been wonderful. I hesitate to call it work as I haven’t ever needed a vacation day from my...
love is close friends, a family table, and laughter that comes easily. love is jennifer + shiraz
I met Jennifer a few years ago through my friend (and talented wedding planner extraordinaire) Nadia. Jennifer is a florist, a floral designer, rather, and we’ve worked together on a few projects in the past. Most notably, Jennifer did the florals for my surprise vow renewal. Her impeccable eye for design, top-notch styling, and all-around-amazing attitude never cease to amaze me. When she emailed me to let me know that she was getting married (Eeeek!!!) and asked if I was available to document it for her (double eeeek!) I nearly fell out of my chair. I couldn’t imagine not being with her on her wedding day. Jennifer + Shiraz were married in a tiny little ceremony in front of their closest friends + surrounded by Jen’s amazing florals. Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding day:...
love is palm springs on earth day + and marrying your best friend + and dancing like you’re made of stardust. love is Chingi + Lynn.
When I was a little girl I loved fairy tales. Spare me the princesses and knights in shining armor, though, I was in it for the far-away-places. For stories about triumph-through-adversity and true love. The kind of love that can break an evil spell or transform a kingdom or change a beast into a man. I believed wholeheartedly in the idea of a love so strong, so pure and unbridled, that it had the power to make magic, and I buried myself in those stories as often and as long as I could while the innocence of childhood quietly slid out of my grip and the stark reality of growing up settled in. I dreamt fiercely in those early years until life planted my feet firmly on the ground and tethered me there. Rooted. Eventually I outgrew the confines of the garden adulthood wanted to plant me in and learned, instead, that certain childhood notions are worth...
Letters To A Stranger | The Woman You Know
It’s been over a year since my first installment of Letters To A Stranger, a project that deep down I think I’ve wanted to do my entire life. In the last twelve months I’ve answered two letters, the only two that ever appeared in my inbox. Until a few days ago when this letter arrived: ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Dear Athena, This letter is years in the making. Its first version was born when I was 18. It was amended when I was 22 or 23. Now I wish to add perspective only age and experience can bring. I woke up vomiting down the front of my shirt. Tequila. To-kill-ya. Dammit. The people I was drinking with in a dorm room yelled at me to get out. I had just moved into my freshman dorm and wasn’t adjusting well. I was looking for something to do, and as usual, drinking was the most appealing option. I...
