• The other night I was walking back to my car after spending some time outside with God. I happened to notice a lone dandelion growing up right on the side of the road. I’m honestly surprised I even noticed it. I love wildflowers so it made me smile. I kept walking not thinking a thing of it until it hit me so quickly. A voice in the wind – a teacher speaking. The puff stage of the dandelion can be so seemingly tragic. It waits to be hit by animals – or for wind to destroy it with its force, leaving it bare and empty. I think it’s easy for us to feel the same about heavy valley seasons – seasons that contain elements that can knock us on off feet, break us, or leave us feeling purposeless. But like the dandelion I think it’s all in a matter of perspective and mindset. What God showed me through the little puff flower is that new growth comes from the breakdown of what once been. It takes force for the dandelion to release its dearly coveted life, but from that same force these seeds are carried off to begin new life. And the beautiful thing? It’s not just one seed. It’s many. Instead of tightly clinging onto what we think we must, through surrender, we can find life and purpose multiplied. But it first takes brokenness for these new lives to take flight. Without it the stem fades, never carrying out the potential of what it was made to do. From the weight of what heavy seasons bring it can be hard to consider anything good to come from them. In fact, if you are in a valley season now it may seem hard to even hope. But I want to encourage something - God is working, tending to the fields of your heart and planting seeds that are being carried by the wind to be dispersed in your life. It takes time, but new life comes from brokenness – it’s a part of our purpose and how God brings us to the potential of who He made us to be. Instead of clinging, release. Breath out in trust knowing the greatest Gardener has beautiful plans for you. Brokenness is not a dead end. Instead It is a chance for a purposeful beginning.
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    The other night I was walking back to my car after spending some time outside with God. I happened to notice a lone dandelion growing up right on the side of the road. I’m honestly surprised I even noticed it. I love wildflowers so it made me smile. I kept walking not thinking a thing of it until it hit me so quickly. A voice in the wind – a teacher speaking. The puff stage of the dandelion can be so seemingly tragic. It waits to be hit by animals – or for wind to destroy it with its force, leaving it bare and empty. I think it’s easy for us to feel the same about heavy valley seasons – seasons that contain elements that can knock us on off feet, break us, or leave us feeling purposeless. But like the dandelion I think it’s all in a matter of perspective and mindset. What God showed me through the little puff flower is that new growth comes from the breakdown of what once been. It takes force for the dandelion to release its dearly coveted life, but from that same force these seeds are carried off to begin new life. And the beautiful thing? It’s not just one seed. It’s many. Instead of tightly clinging onto what we think we must, through surrender, we can find life and purpose multiplied. But it first takes brokenness for these new lives to take flight. Without it the stem fades, never carrying out the potential of what it was made to do. From the weight of what heavy seasons bring it can be hard to consider anything good to come from them. In fact, if you are in a valley season now it may seem hard to even hope. But I want to encourage something - God is working, tending to the fields of your heart and planting seeds that are being carried by the wind to be dispersed in your life. It takes time, but new life comes from brokenness – it’s a part of our purpose and how God brings us to the potential of who He made us to be. Instead of clinging, release. Breath out in trust knowing the greatest Gardener has beautiful plans for you. Brokenness is not a dead end. Instead It is a chance for a purposeful beginning.
  • I had an epiphany about my photography a few days ago. Lately I have been so in love with the style of film – the candid, blurry, authentic nature that makes us nostalgic for what once was. In fact, I have loved the look of disposable cameras images versus my DSLR ones lately. Is that not CRAZY?! Then it hit me. The WHY that is… Overtime, cameras have gotten clear and clearer. Honestly the clarity is incredible within the content we can capture today. Is it not funny that as we move forward in time, our own memories fade and blur? And yet as time has moved, cameras have evolved to do the opposite with what they capture. It makes sense. Our memories fade and even disappear. So why NOT have a camera that can capture the moment exactly how it was? And that is where I find myself changing. In the pursuit of authenticity, I’ve found myself INTENTIONALLY blurring my images. I’m taking my big DSLR camera and making the images LESS clear. Because I now want to take pictures that represent our memories and the way they change, instead of only preserving what happened. It’s a glimpse of a moment with blurred edges – the beginning of a memory in our minds. Fuzzy but treasured. And gosh I love that. More and more I keep evolving to be more authentic in the way I capture life – within authenticity you can find the greatest freedom – the most joy. And I love cultivating my photography to be an extension of that. I’ll still be capturing those clear images, but also throwing in those “memory images” that represents the way our minds capture life. 🤍
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    I had an epiphany about my photography a few days ago. Lately I have been so in love with the style of film – the candid, blurry, authentic nature that makes us nostalgic for what once was. In fact, I have loved the look of disposable cameras images versus my DSLR ones lately. Is that not CRAZY?! Then it hit me. The WHY that is… Overtime, cameras have gotten clear and clearer. Honestly the clarity is incredible within the content we can capture today. Is it not funny that as we move forward in time, our own memories fade and blur? And yet as time has moved, cameras have evolved to do the opposite with what they capture. It makes sense. Our memories fade and even disappear. So why NOT have a camera that can capture the moment exactly how it was? And that is where I find myself changing. In the pursuit of authenticity, I’ve found myself INTENTIONALLY blurring my images. I’m taking my big DSLR camera and making the images LESS clear. Because I now want to take pictures that represent our memories and the way they change, instead of only preserving what happened. It’s a glimpse of a moment with blurred edges – the beginning of a memory in our minds. Fuzzy but treasured. And gosh I love that. More and more I keep evolving to be more authentic in the way I capture life – within authenticity you can find the greatest freedom – the most joy. And I love cultivating my photography to be an extension of that. I’ll still be capturing those clear images, but also throwing in those “memory images” that represents the way our minds capture life. 🤍
  • I love when I get to be a part of weddings filled with intentional people. This day felt rich with authenticity and joy and it fills my heart every time. This spring has been hard - even with taking on less work and having work boundaries. It’s reschedules from last year combined with a normally busy spring. I won’t lie there is a part of me that’s so deeply tired. However so often I remind myself how thankful I am to do what I do and to connect with people who cultivate a day around authenticity - those who show up present minded with the priority of being together. I feel like there is something so deeply special about the couples that I get to work with. To celebrate, to learn from, and to watch their love story unfold further. It’s truly a joy even through the busy and exhaustion - I am still so thankful to work with couples who inspire my heart so much 🧡
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    I love when I get to be a part of weddings filled with intentional people. This day felt rich with authenticity and joy and it fills my heart every time. This spring has been hard - even with taking on less work and having work boundaries. It’s reschedules from last year combined with a normally busy spring. I won’t lie there is a part of me that’s so deeply tired. However so often I remind myself how thankful I am to do what I do and to connect with people who cultivate a day around authenticity - those who show up present minded with the priority of being together. I feel like there is something so deeply special about the couples that I get to work with. To celebrate, to learn from, and to watch their love story unfold further. It’s truly a joy even through the busy and exhaustion - I am still so thankful to work with couples who inspire my heart so much 🧡
  • Okay so...setting a new trend here. Can we normalize day BEFORE sessions?! Emily and Danny wanted to get married on a mountain, but also wanted to include family in their day + didn’t want to make them hike. So to get the best of both world, a few days before their wedding they got dressed up in wedding clothes (Emily got her dress at @lulus for a STEAL so she could still save her actual wedding dress on the day of) grabbed some flowers, PIZZA, and hike the mountain just then two. (And me of course 💁🏻‍♀️) How cool is this?! This intentionality is BEAUTIFUL! And I adore how they made the entire week a celebration of their marriage instead of just a day. This is what inspires me most. Looking to experience instead of just check off. Creating spaces to be together instead of letting tradition keep you apart. Letting moments become memories. So day before sessions...who’s with me!? 💄: @makeupbyashtonn
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    Okay so...setting a new trend here. Can we normalize day BEFORE sessions?! Emily and Danny wanted to get married on a mountain, but also wanted to include family in their day + didn’t want to make them hike. So to get the best of both world, a few days before their wedding they got dressed up in wedding clothes (Emily got her dress at @lulus for a STEAL so she could still save her actual wedding dress on the day of) grabbed some flowers, PIZZA, and hike the mountain just then two. (And me of course 💁🏻‍♀️) How cool is this?! This intentionality is BEAUTIFUL! And I adore how they made the entire week a celebration of their marriage instead of just a day. This is what inspires me most. Looking to experience instead of just check off. Creating spaces to be together instead of letting tradition keep you apart. Letting moments become memories. So day before sessions...who’s with me!? 💄: @makeupbyashtonn
  • This spring has been BUSY. BUT for the first time ever I created and have been following my work boundaries to rest and recharge properly. Last year was a HOT MESS because I had no boundaries with myself and my job and it shows so deeply everywhere. I was burned out, tired, and didn’t have much desire to do anything. I honestly didn’t even know how to stop and rest. SO let’s chat about some work boundaries that I’ve found to be so powerful for speciation and mental health. I was a workaholic because I LOVE what I do. But you will begin to resent what you do if you do not take time to care for yourself. 🌼 TAKE DAYS OFF: every time I shoot a wedding I will take the day off after if I’m able to. (As in if I don’t have another wedding. If I have a doubleheader then I will take two days off after) it’s such a great way to give myself space from the wedding to come back fully charged and refreshed. I used to never take days off because I felt guilty - that I was not serving my couples. And that’s the biggest lie you can ever tell yourself. Giving yourself rest is one of the best ways you can serve your couples because you are presently working on a fuller tank. Serving on empty is not good. 🌼 WORK HOURS: I used to work long into the evening because I couldn’t stop since I loved it. Now I work 9-5pm and shut down after that. Having space away from your business is vital. If you are connected to it all the time you’ll find disconnect in other areas of your life like relationships. 🌼 GIVE GRACE: for so long I pushed myself to do so much in a single day. I’d find it would be harder for me because of focusing on too many things. I’ve learned that I actually work much more efficiently when I do less but...do it well. so now instead of feeling guilty for doing less I understand it’s my pace...now I spend much less time being guilty and more time being comfortable working at the speed I maintain best. 🌼 ROUTINE: create a work routine. Mine goes like this: mornings are for emails + social media. Afternoons, admin work + editing. Don’t mix and match but stay firm in the flow! Helps you focus better 🙌🏻 Are any of these helpful for you?! Let me know below!
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    This spring has been BUSY. BUT for the first time ever I created and have been following my work boundaries to rest and recharge properly. Last year was a HOT MESS because I had no boundaries with myself and my job and it shows so deeply everywhere. I was burned out, tired, and didn’t have much desire to do anything. I honestly didn’t even know how to stop and rest. SO let’s chat about some work boundaries that I’ve found to be so powerful for speciation and mental health. I was a workaholic because I LOVE what I do. But you will begin to resent what you do if you do not take time to care for yourself. 🌼 TAKE DAYS OFF: every time I shoot a wedding I will take the day off after if I’m able to. (As in if I don’t have another wedding. If I have a doubleheader then I will take two days off after) it’s such a great way to give myself space from the wedding to come back fully charged and refreshed. I used to never take days off because I felt guilty - that I was not serving my couples. And that’s the biggest lie you can ever tell yourself. Giving yourself rest is one of the best ways you can serve your couples because you are presently working on a fuller tank. Serving on empty is not good. 🌼 WORK HOURS: I used to work long into the evening because I couldn’t stop since I loved it. Now I work 9-5pm and shut down after that. Having space away from your business is vital. If you are connected to it all the time you’ll find disconnect in other areas of your life like relationships. 🌼 GIVE GRACE: for so long I pushed myself to do so much in a single day. I’d find it would be harder for me because of focusing on too many things. I’ve learned that I actually work much more efficiently when I do less but...do it well. so now instead of feeling guilty for doing less I understand it’s my pace...now I spend much less time being guilty and more time being comfortable working at the speed I maintain best. 🌼 ROUTINE: create a work routine. Mine goes like this: mornings are for emails + social media. Afternoons, admin work + editing. Don’t mix and match but stay firm in the flow! Helps you focus better 🙌🏻 Are any of these helpful for you?! Let me know below!
  • REFJECTION. Ohhh can you just feel the flinch of feeling that comes from the word alone?? Last night I studied further just how potent rejection truly is for us. Humans are creatures that crave relationship – connection. Even more, to loves means we will ultimately face rejection – whether big or small. But what stood out to me? We have a relationship with US. Which means we can reject OURSELVES. And I bet we don’t even realize how often we do it. One of these may seem familiar: Comparing to others, “I am not good enough,” “I am not beautiful,” “I am weak,” “I hate the way I am.” Etc. If you’re wondering why you are always feeling low, depressed, or anxious – while the way you speak or view yourself is inline with the words above, it’s because you are living in a state of rejection caused by YOU. Rejection from others can be crippling. But I believe self-rejection breaks us. And yet, because we are so used to it, we don’t realize the constant state of brokenness we chose to live in. Together God and I have been carving out the depths of my heart pointing to understanding the roots of my own rejection. The caverns that were saturated in darkness for so long are finally seeing light. And I want you to feel the same warmth too. But it begins with a choice within you. To be brave. To go deep. To understand your giants. To step forward into the strength you were born with. And the amazing thing? You don’t have to do it alone: 1 John 3:20 says “God is greater than our hearts.” Your doubts, insecurities, self-hatred, toxic self-talk, God is above ALL that. It all stems from our hearts – self-rejection is disguised as the comfortable “safe havens” we like to hide in – but the scary reality is it’s actually dark caverns that wish to hold us captive. Praise God He is above that! Ask Him to nourish your heart – to dive into the depths of your darkness together. To learn the language of love – how God communicates and sees us – to speak over yourself. Acceptance is a river that flows through us – rejection is a dam. And it’s your choice on which you live through or stop at. 🧡
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    REFJECTION. Ohhh can you just feel the flinch of feeling that comes from the word alone?? Last night I studied further just how potent rejection truly is for us. Humans are creatures that crave relationship – connection. Even more, to loves means we will ultimately face rejection – whether big or small. But what stood out to me? We have a relationship with US. Which means we can reject OURSELVES. And I bet we don’t even realize how often we do it. One of these may seem familiar: Comparing to others, “I am not good enough,” “I am not beautiful,” “I am weak,” “I hate the way I am.” Etc. If you’re wondering why you are always feeling low, depressed, or anxious – while the way you speak or view yourself is inline with the words above, it’s because you are living in a state of rejection caused by YOU. Rejection from others can be crippling. But I believe self-rejection breaks us. And yet, because we are so used to it, we don’t realize the constant state of brokenness we chose to live in. Together God and I have been carving out the depths of my heart pointing to understanding the roots of my own rejection. The caverns that were saturated in darkness for so long are finally seeing light. And I want you to feel the same warmth too. But it begins with a choice within you. To be brave. To go deep. To understand your giants. To step forward into the strength you were born with. And the amazing thing? You don’t have to do it alone: 1 John 3:20 says “God is greater than our hearts.” Your doubts, insecurities, self-hatred, toxic self-talk, God is above ALL that. It all stems from our hearts – self-rejection is disguised as the comfortable “safe havens” we like to hide in – but the scary reality is it’s actually dark caverns that wish to hold us captive. Praise God He is above that! Ask Him to nourish your heart – to dive into the depths of your darkness together. To learn the language of love – how God communicates and sees us – to speak over yourself. Acceptance is a river that flows through us – rejection is a dam. And it’s your choice on which you live through or stop at. 🧡
  • This past week I got the tremendous opportunity to speak at a workshop, so I chose to talk about comparison. Because I can confidentially say we ALL relate to it. Comparison is one of those things that sneaks up on us – one minute we’re feeling GOOD - knowing we are doing what we’re meant to. Then we perceive someone “doing it better” than us and now we’re questioning everything. And THAT’s why I’ve become so passionate about this topic. It’s the stagnancy we find ourselves in. It’s the assumption, judgement, and selfishness that anchor us far away from our potential. It’s the comfort of giving up versus the challenge of ambitiously pursuing who we are and can become. Because when we compare ourselves to others we try to be everything but who we actually are. “Her work is better then mine. Why do I even try? I’ll never be as good.” BAM. Pull back. Shut down. Spiral. We voluntarily chose to speak words of hate over ourselves, and in doing so, hinder our journey. We chose to step off the path and stumble into the bushes. We stop becoming. Where we fall and lay there – in dramatic fashion – like a pouting child - waiting for someone to redeem us. Let me let you in on a little secret. That redeemer? IT’S YOU. It’s you choosing to step back up and change that mindset. It’s giving yourself grace and acknowledging where you are at. That girl from earlier? She’s over here on chapter 10 of her journey. How DARE you compare your story – an entirely different book – to hers. Better yet comparing your chapter 2 to her 10?! The strength of standing up comes from the mindsets of gratitude and looking to learn. You like how this girl takes pictures? Instead of belittling her or yourself, seek to learn from her! Ask about being mentored. We learn the most when we humbly seek out masters of craft. Be thankful for the inspiration she creates for you. Be thankful for what you are learning and continue to learn. Comparison keeps us from growth - it’s a poison apple we like to snack on because it’s easier. But you have the choice, and I encourage you to fight back. Be you – that’s the most beautiful thing you can be.
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    This past week I got the tremendous opportunity to speak at a workshop, so I chose to talk about comparison. Because I can confidentially say we ALL relate to it. Comparison is one of those things that sneaks up on us – one minute we’re feeling GOOD - knowing we are doing what we’re meant to. Then we perceive someone “doing it better” than us and now we’re questioning everything. And THAT’s why I’ve become so passionate about this topic. It’s the stagnancy we find ourselves in. It’s the assumption, judgement, and selfishness that anchor us far away from our potential. It’s the comfort of giving up versus the challenge of ambitiously pursuing who we are and can become. Because when we compare ourselves to others we try to be everything but who we actually are. “Her work is better then mine. Why do I even try? I’ll never be as good.” BAM. Pull back. Shut down. Spiral. We voluntarily chose to speak words of hate over ourselves, and in doing so, hinder our journey. We chose to step off the path and stumble into the bushes. We stop becoming. Where we fall and lay there – in dramatic fashion – like a pouting child - waiting for someone to redeem us. Let me let you in on a little secret. That redeemer? IT’S YOU. It’s you choosing to step back up and change that mindset. It’s giving yourself grace and acknowledging where you are at. That girl from earlier? She’s over here on chapter 10 of her journey. How DARE you compare your story – an entirely different book – to hers. Better yet comparing your chapter 2 to her 10?! The strength of standing up comes from the mindsets of gratitude and looking to learn. You like how this girl takes pictures? Instead of belittling her or yourself, seek to learn from her! Ask about being mentored. We learn the most when we humbly seek out masters of craft. Be thankful for the inspiration she creates for you. Be thankful for what you are learning and continue to learn. Comparison keeps us from growth - it’s a poison apple we like to snack on because it’s easier. But you have the choice, and I encourage you to fight back. Be you – that’s the most beautiful thing you can be.
  • I usually don’t cry often at weddings just because I’m normally focused on watching looking for moments... But I was a hot emotional mess all day at Adison + Cole’s wedding. 🙈💁🏻‍♀️ The way this couple and their family created a day so intentionally filled with God and connection - i could feel the closeness radiate from everywhere and goodness was it beautiful to see and capture. Adison sent me a follow up email after I delivered her sneak peak and I literally broke down into sobs with how deeply it touched my heart. (Second slide on this post) One of my hopes about what I do is not to just be your photographer, but to help you see and understand your heart and story so you can cultivate a day that reflects it. It doesn’t have to be all stress and details. You can instead slow down and breath in the gift of a season you’re in and experiencing. A wedding is a day - a marriage a lifetime. So let a wedding be the reflection of the journey you will start together 🧡
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    I usually don’t cry often at weddings just because I’m normally focused on watching looking for moments... But I was a hot emotional mess all day at Adison + Cole’s wedding. 🙈💁🏻‍♀️ The way this couple and their family created a day so intentionally filled with God and connection - i could feel the closeness radiate from everywhere and goodness was it beautiful to see and capture. Adison sent me a follow up email after I delivered her sneak peak and I literally broke down into sobs with how deeply it touched my heart. (Second slide on this post) One of my hopes about what I do is not to just be your photographer, but to help you see and understand your heart and story so you can cultivate a day that reflects it. It doesn’t have to be all stress and details. You can instead slow down and breath in the gift of a season you’re in and experiencing. A wedding is a day - a marriage a lifetime. So let a wedding be the reflection of the journey you will start together 🧡