Last year I wrote down goals; things I vowed to accomplish in 2012. The list is quite extensive – I’m nothing if not an overachiever – and one of the first bullet points is to get out and shoot. Often. MORE often. To shoot for myself. I contacted some friends and asked if they’d be gracious enough to live their lives in front of me. Out loud. Uninhibited. Real. My darling friend Amie was one of the first people I sought out. I’ve known her for seven years and in that span of time we’ve become dance-in-the-middle-of-a-Katy-Perry-party-while-singing-at-the-top-of-our-lungs-even-if-it’s-remarkably-off-key besties. I am so thankful for her presence in my life – however sporadic our moments together may be. Amie has an energy that is contagious. It’s the kind of bug you hope to catch. She fell in love recently, with a man named Dan. A funny nerd who completely compliments her. Dan brings out her subtle and soft side. The quiet calm that lies behind her mischievous and infectious smile. The flush of her cheeks when he glances at her, or the quickening of her heart as he pulls her close. The warmth that envelops them both when they are in close proximity to one another. Their emotions were palpable as I watched them dance around a field last Thursday night. It was such a gift for me to bare witness to my dear friend coming into her own, coming alive, with a man who absolutely makes her shine.

Here are a few (ahem, a lot) of my favorites from our shoot:

look at the ivy on the old clinging wall
look at the flowers and the green grass so tall
it’s not a matter of when push comes to shove
it’s just an hour on the wings of a dove

it’s just warm love
– van morrison