As we find ourselves suddenly engulfed in a sea of love, falling into it feels as though it is the easiest thing we’ll likely do. Yet staying in love – keeping the deep, warm amber of its glow lit – is one of the most difficult endeavors of our lifetimes. Largely, we fail at it. Until one day, we don’t. The ease of the fall into love, coupled with the fight to hold on to it, is what makes the journey worthwhile. Few people understand this better than Bri + Vern. Amidst heartaches and hardships, through joy and adventure, after all that came before they came together as one, Bri and Vern have grown into two of the most giving and kind, loving and gracious people I have the pleasure of knowing and the privilege of calling my friends. I didn’t think Bri and Vern would get married, or at least...
on giving back, paying it forward, and a kickass help-some-humans-out giveaway | announcing give-a-day 2018
Two years ago, my good friend and wealth of inspiration of a human and creative Chris Martin launched Give-A-Day. He wanted to take a more active approach to living life with intention, purpose, and in making a difference in and for the lives of others. Last year I asked if I could join him (every wedding needs a photographer, too, right?!), I was feeling adrift and knew that putting my heart and talent behind a cause that positively impacted my fellow humans would fill my heart. Which I desperately needed. It’s no surprise I was elated and ecstatic when he agreed to my partnering up on his beauty of a project. I’m honored and humbled by the honest, heartfelt, courageous and inspiring stories that were sent to us last year, and as such am So. Damn. EXCITED that Give-A-Day is back! (Click here to see the images from last year’s...
love is autumn wildflowers, overcoming writer’s block, and giving back to pay it forward | love is kate + adam’s wedding story
It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged a wedding story. For a long time (too long, really) I would find myself very well intentioned and motivated AF to share whatever beautiful, humbling, perfect story I had most recently captured. But my own marriage was falling apart, which made it seem as though everything in and around and about my life was on fire, and to top it off I was in the throes of the deepest depression of my life. There was no way I could even begin to endeavor to speak humbly or honestly or optimistically about two people and the promise of lifelong love and commitment. But, being the stubborn perfectionist-fire-sign-always-have-t0-get-shit-done-come-hell-or-high-water woman I am, I was bound and determined to dredge up some inner fucking strength and try. Fast forward to several days/nights/entire weekends of me spent inextricably staring at my keyboard, the cursor flashing impatiently, annoyingly, emphatically on the...
love is beaches and wind and sunsets and dance parties that last all night. love is andrea + kyle’s mexico wedding
It is rare for me to struggle to articulate a wedding story in words; to sum up the day with a flurry of poignant prose. It is also rare to experience a wedding day like Andrea and Kyle’s. Not because it was on a beach in Mexico (which it was), or because the love and joy Kyle and Andrea share is breathtaking and incredible to behold (it is), but largely because it is so very rare for me to become so emotionally connected to my clients in that way I did with these two beautiful souls. I don’t know how to do their story justice in words. How to tell you what it meant that Kyle’s stepdad sang an acoustic version of the Proclaimers song as a surprise for Andrea during the reception. Or that they were surrounded by a handful of their very best friends and closest family...