When I think about this past year, it seems as though five have passed. So much has happened, and yet I still have so much further I’d like to go. I’ve pushed myself remarkably hard this year – to find my voice, to shoot for myself, to be true to my vision and my brand. I’ve branded myself (or at least started to) and I’ve really begun to discover who I am as a photographer, or at least I think I have. This business is tough, I’m not going to pretend otherwise. And it’s extremely trying and at times remarkably arduous. But it’s three thousand percent worth it. The heartaches, the triumphs, the little victories and the setbacks. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Okay, fine, maybe I’d trade the setbacks, but in those moments, when I’m mad and frustrated and just want to throw my hands up, and...
pay it forward friday | the winner
Hello lovelies, and greetings from New York (Brooklyn, technically). This week I was inspired by a good friend of mine who has a habit she calls “Pay it forward Friday” in which she finds some way, however big or small, to pay it forward to someone. It started in her waitressing days, and she’d anonymously pick up the tab for one table. As she is no longer a server, her generosity manifests itself in other ways now; paying for the car behind her at a drive thru, donating money to a charity on payday, helping someone in need. When she was telling me about her philanthropy, I couldn’t help but become inspired to start my own Pay It Forward Friday. I don’t know that I can commit to every Friday, but I’m going to try. Really hard. I am going to make the promise that it will be *at least*...
my favorite things | a giveaway
Happy Monday friends! First and foremost I want to announce the winner of last week’s giveaway………..Kristen F! Yay!! You have 48 hours to shoot me an email Kristen, and we’ll chat specifics! And now, on to the some more exciting news… Today finds Minnesconsin buried in snow, and I have to admit, it is completely wonderful. I am a huge fan of winter – though I do believe it overstays its welcome every year. There is just something so cozy about a good, hearty, blanketing snow storm. Unfortunately, especially for my southern and west coast friends, I can’t give away snow. Even though it really is one of my favorite things. But I can give away a bunch of other stuff that makes my world go round. And hopefully gets you a little excited, too! (Sorry, guys – if I have any guy readers – but this giveaway is horribly...
my favorite things | photography
When I think back to January first, it seems like forever ago. As if a decade has somehow passed in the course of a single year. To be honest, I have to convince myself it really has been 11 months and not 11 years since I was editing weddings using iPhoto (Gasp!) and photoshop actions I found on the internet for free. That I haven’t aged ten years since I discovered Lightroom, culling, and the advent of VSCO film. My life has changed this past year -and so has my work. It’s grown, evolved, and is finally becoming an extension of who I am instead of something I’m simply trying to be. I’m nowhere near where I want to be – who of us is? – but I’m headed in the right direction. For that, I’m incredibly grateful. I’m grateful to a handful of people – who through their encouragement,...
