Little Lives {Personal}

"And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is  a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time...
(pic from a wedding two years ago.)That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. "nicholas sparks
Unless those breezes come from air in Ireland.Three.more.days.
;)

Disney + Deschanel {Personal Inspiration}

Woke up todayIt was another lovely dayTo watch the sunRise and fall againzooey deschanel | cotton songThis past week I went back down to Florida to visit mi familia.As always, we had to spend some time at Disney.Disney, for my family, isn't just a theme park or a vacation pit-stop."It's a whole neeeew WORLD!"My grandparents took my mom as a baby and it's pretty much in our blood to love this place.The creativity, the details, the joy, the enthusiasm.Walt was a dreamer, a family man, devoted to excellence and creative as heck.His parks show it.
It's been a long time since I've gone to the Hollywood Studios park,but this trip just had my jaw-dropping right and left.I freaking love EVERYthing about it.I was so inspired I could have just sang.But there was a Disney Cast Member singing and whistling next to me,so I had to take a picture.Another major source of inspiration for me is the lovely Zooey Deschanel.(who I first learned about in this movie. An all-time fave.)Her fashion is to die for.I love how she is so feminine, colorful, creative and original with her clothes.And brave.And classy.And I love her hair.I put all my new Disney-inspiration cell-phone pictures in a folderand found that a lot of them "matched" my Zooey pictures.Funny ;)Love every single pattern and texture in this set:Love the "GIFTS" font, the white lines in the grey building and the black lines on top of the white building.And everything about Zooey.I'm SO stealing this in my house someday.Maybe a backsplash?Or bathroom floor?I love the three different blues all mismatched.With a pop of yellow?Maybe some daffodils on the counter?Or a lemon-colored bathroom mat?Yum.The skirt.The salmon color.The font.The slight touch of Tiffany blue(her shoes + the cross on the lamp.)Mhhhmmm.Such a fan of salmon pink and teal blue! GAH.I'm a sucker for some good, bright colors.
Another font I heart.

Perfection.Can I get an "amen" for the metallic gold?And the red lips?

I just want to go decorate something! Or design something!My juices are flowing like a creek post April showers.
Anything particularly and consistently inspire you?

Re-cap {FunShop}

This is surely not 
What you thought it would be 
And I lose myself in a daydream
taylor swift | speak now

This is potentially too-long a post.

Maybe it should be broken up into a few?

But I'm just still pumped (and I don't say that word) about the past FunShop.

I based our time off of six "D's."

Why "D"?

I Don't know. Duh! I just wanteD too.

;)

But we started with 

Define, 

Dream,

Design,

Do it!

Donate,

and Details!

After some hard-core defining + dreaming,

we got to go to town in design.

My sweet, mature, blithe Rachel Clarke + I collaborated to come up with this for her business

(will link to her live blog soon!):

Anna is a bonafide country girl with a heart as big as the Oklahoma farms she comes from.Love what we came up for her, as well!


And darling, long-time friend Ellie slightly modified her current brand to capture herself PERFECTLY. Love love love it!


Each day we spent a portion of time shooting. I already posted about Audrey + Janet.The photos of each of the girls headers was from a shoot in Harpers Ferry.
We, on a stormy, rainy, lonely Saturday went downtown for some "senior" photo shoots.

The sky really parted and cleared up RIGHT when we arrived(after our fantastic Metro ride.)It was so lovely in the Union Station area.
Cuuuuuties :D
Wain, wain, go away....
Little country girl in the big city! You may have seen on facebook or on my website that I coached basketball this past winter.Our wonderful models were two girls from the team.Love you Natalie + Megan!




The final day, we each got our own couple to shoot.I don't like at workshops/etc when I have to share shooting with a whole bunch of photogs.I feel like a little runt piglet.
So I got four couples, and each of us go to go to our own location,shoot our own style,and REALLY focus on our own brand.
I had the complete JOY of shooting Todd + Leanne.

They have been together 20ish years.And they are from South Carolina.So they have amazing accents.

And I want to be as stinkin' adorable as Leanne when I grow up.

Though Leanne didn't play sports,she graciously offered her time to greet at Fellowship of Christian Athlete (FCA) events.I mean, hey, college-age Christian single athletes... I mean...Just sayin'...
After that first meeting/greeting,these two became friends.Actual friends.Not "I have a crush on you but we're 'friends'" friends.Just real friends.
And God slowly drew their hearts together.ps.  I love Leanne's lips.Is that weird to say?I love tulip lips.
And I love laughing.That's not weird to say.

Both kids were done with "dating around."They wanted to be intentional, serious and patient.God truly blessed that.

And brought them together for life.And what a life it has been!

Five children, a number of moves, a hundreds of memories later,they are still mischievous, happy little lovers.



This is one of my favorite moments of the shoot.An intern was out shooting in this field too, and needed some help.I left Todd + Leanne for a few minutes to give her a hand.When I turned around they were standing just like this.Precious? Preeeecoius!

 I want to give the girls a chance to post their shoots,and update their blogs, but then I'll let you see their marvelous work.And get to know them on their own sites.And they're amazing. Seriously.And I love them (because my Love Language is Singing in the Car,and they all sang with me.)

If you want to see a little iPhone-video-recap-love,check out this video!I especially love the very end... these girls CRACK me up.And confuse my neighbors.You gotta see it ;)More FunShop dates coming soon!Holler if you want to come?Hollllllller.I want to coooome!

The Rain {FunShop}

Feel the rain on your skin,
No one else can feel it for you.
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open.
natasha bedingfield | rain

It poured and poured and poured and poured on Saturday.We decided to head downtown anyways.And the rain took a break just as we arrived.

I told the girls that I love to act graceful, elegant, demure and regal when I'm downtown.Like Princess Diana.Like Jackie-O.Like Grace Kelly.

Not.

Adventure {Personal}

"if you want something you've never had,
then you've got to
do something you've never done."
anonymous

"she looks for adventure around every corner."anonymous

"adventure is out there!"
charles muntz | Up

It All Begins {FunShop}

Time it was and what a time it was it was,
A time of innocence a time of confidences.
Long ago it must be, I have a photograph.
simon and garfunkel | bookends

Today is the first day of my little FunShop!We got to take some pictures of Audrey and her lovely mommy, Janet.

Audrey is learning how to walk.
It's adorable. 
So wobbly yet brave...yet terrified?

I heart baby arm rolls and baby hair pigtails.


Really really really love those pigtails.

Aw :D
Audrey is such a happy little cookie.

I was very proud of my girls!
They really did so well on this first shoot I threw them into.
We've spent the day shooting, talking about being real,
dreaming and defining ourselves, business + brands.
Stay tuned to get their blog addy's, see their pictures and learn about THEM!

(Sometimes baby's need water breaks too.)


We are so colorful! And fun.  I'd want to hang out with us.

I hope you all have fun the rest of the few days!
And that I don't annoy you too much!

Sarah Barlow {Personal}

"We expected something, 

Something better than before."

the national | start a war

Sarah introduced me to Regina Spektor and Timbaland.

Sarah introduced me to eyebrow waxing.Sarah intoduced me to sushi and Chipotle.Sarah introduced me to David Jay.Sarah introduced me to batch-editing, external lighting and sun flare.Sarah introduced me to brand concept.Sarah introduced me to completely loving on a stranger,who was of no benefit to oneself.
Years ago (back when I was SEVENTEEN... weren't we cute?)Sarah took me under her wing for a 6-week internship.She poured herself into my time with her:challenging my walk with the Lord, welcoming me into her world, teaching me about photographyand creating memories I'll never forget.
And she did it for free.
Actually, that's a lie.
She lost money on this little internship idea I had.
She not only let me stay in her room, tag along to all her events,
build my portfolio at her shoots,
but she also paid for every meal, all the gas, all the parking,
not to mention the Anthropologie apron she bought me,and programs she gave me, and website she designed with me.

At one point as we waited in line at Panda Express for our orange chicken, I BEGGED her to let me pay.
"Nope! Nope nope nope.
Someone did this for me when I was starting out,
so the only thing I ask is that you do this for someone else when you can."

Wow.I never forgot that.
Her generosity, self-less-ness and complete joy in giving herself to me,really changed something in my life.
I want to impact people the way Sarah impacted me.
Because Sarah gives of herself,which represents our God,who fully, generously, selflessly, joyfully gave Himself for me. Sarah is in town for a few days, and we're gonna hit the sights + sounds of MD tonight,but I couldn't pass the chance to brag about her, highlight her and thank her.
Love you, you funny, ridiculous, booty-licious, gangsta, Dance Queen, you ;)

Princess Movies {Personal}

Frog: Whenever I haf to do somezing qwuik... I always breeng a turtle.

Turtle: I think I pulled a muscle.

Frog: I'm gonna DIE! I knew it! I'm on a dangerous mission with a LAME TURTLE!

the swan princess | frog + turtle

My love of romance and my love of humor started young in life.  For the humor... check out this above clip from one of my childhood favorites, The Swan Princess.  Dry, sarcastic, frantic.  I love it.

But these cartoons are also drippingly romantic! 
I spent the wee hours of the night several nights ago watching clips of my favorite princess movies.  Dang are there some good moments. Beauty and The Beast's Tale Old As Time scene?
Weep. 
Cinderella, my favorite, getting spotted by Prince Charming for the first time?
Ooze.

The Swan Princess, based on Swan Lake,
is the adventurous story of Prince Derek (the idiot) and Princess Odette (the lovely),

and how he grows up, mans up and learns to truly love her with an"everlasting love."
(Er, as well as a children's fairytale cartoon can portray that...)

After being set-up by their royal parents,

and falling "in love" Derek proposes to Odette.

She first wants to know why he loves her.
He says because she's beautiful.

She wants to know "what else?"

And in a moment of tact, wisdom and...idiot-ness he replies:

"What else is there?"

Ba.

Good one, Prince Derek, good one.

His friend joked:
"You should write a book: How To Offend Women In Five Syllables or Less"

But Odette fled the scene (good girl.)

Then got turned into a swan (stupid beast villains and their magical spells).

Everyone, however, thought she had been killed.

Derek didn't believe it.

He set his mind, energy and heart to finding her,

saving her and proving that he was a changed man.

As Odette insightfully said "I need to know that he loves me, for just being me!"

Off the prince went to find his girl.

Rogers: Oh, Derek. You've looked everywhere. 

She's not coming back. 

The whole kingdom knows that.
Prince Derek: The whole kingdom's wrong! 

Odette's alive, and I'm gonna find her.

The prince was right. 

And he did indeed find her.

And the Great Beast Animal who put her under the spell, Rothbart,

was Derek's final obstacle.

Prince Derek: Don't let her die.
Rothbart: Is that a threat?
Prince Derek: Don't you dare let her die!
Rothbart: Oh, it is a threat. Only if you defeat me! 

Alright, alright... game on.

Derek fought and defeated Rothbart,

(though Rothbart was decidely bigger, stronger and more powerful...

awwwww, True Love won :D awwww).

He had proven that he really loved Odette.

Princess Odette: Will you love me, Derek? Until the day I die?
Prince Derek: No, Odette, much longer. Much longer. 

BEST.

Ever.

This world needs more of that.

Do YOU have any favorite princess movies or lines or songs?

Cause the good Lord knows I need to spend more time thinking about princesses

...and funny turtles.

Max + Abby {Glen Echo Engagement Photography}

the first time that i met her,
i couldn't say a word.
she knew what i was thinking
and I'm not sure how it worked.
josh kelley | baby blue eyes

Once upon a time there was Abby.

 Abby was adorable, smart and Texan

Abby was a gymnast.

Abby's hard-work got her a scholarship to University of Maryland.

Abby took Spanish at University of Maryland.

Once upon a very similar time there was Max.
Max was funny, strong and an Ohio-an.
Max was a lacrosse player.
Max's skills got him a scholarship to University of Maryland.Max took Spanish at University of Maryland.

All the way across the room,
on the first day of Spanish Class,Max was...well... quite taken with Abby,all the way on the other side of the room.

Max geared himself up.

He put on his big boy shoes.

And the following Spanish class...

he sat right behind Abby.

Not all the way on the other side of the room.

And they met for the first time.

That chance meeting, in a random class, in a random state,was the hand of God at work.
He brought Max + Abby together just over a year ago.

After their sweet and gushy Disney Channel-esque meeting,
they dated, fell in love and now they are engaged.

"She's just the girl for me.
I don't know how else to say it it.She's it.
She's the girl for me."

Max knew the right when he met her that this girl was different.
He even called his mom and told her
"I found the girl I'm gonna marry."

And let's be honest...
Abby is a catch!
Gorgeous, athletic, smart - she has a lot going for her!
I'd be willing to bet those things intimidate a lot of guys.

And maybe it was that jocky-confidence,
that led Max to be sure he would marry this girl.
Or maybe he was a normal guy,
who was a 6'4 bundle of nerves,
but was not willing to let his fears ruin this. 


He wanted that mini-Texan.
He became friends with her,
and they haven't parted since.
Badda-bing, badda-boom.

One area they both really bonded over was their athletic careers.

Max and Abby are passionate about doing what they are passionate about.
They did not want to miss the chance to play the sport they loved.

And they played HARD.
I love everything about that :D

But I also love how peaceful Abby was with her gymnastics season ending.

"I have Max now.
And a wedding to plan,
and life is moving forward!
It had to come to an end sometime...

... but I have so much to look forward to!"

"When I met Max, I wasn't looking for anyone."

(sidenote: people say that aaaaaalll the time. Noted.)

(other side note: they have the cutest arms!)

"I really loved where I was at,
and I wasn't looking to add anything to my life!
I was so happy!"




"But I didn't realize how much I was missing.
He brings out in me what I didn't know I needed.
It's so complete to have him."

"And I truly didn't know I needed it."

(Another side-note: Abby told me that he was the "cute one",
while she was the "smart one".)

(Don't get me wrong - she is smaaaaaart.
But also pretty ridiculously cute.)

See? Yeah. Hello.



"Hey Ab,
are you Vogue-ing it up or what?""Hahah yeah, I'm Vogue-ing it up, Max."

I love these next shots, mostly because of how they "came to be."
That stone wall is the base of a giant old bridge in Glen Echo.
I wanted Max + Abby to go stand on the rocks while I shot from up high.
"It won't be that hard getting down there!"

Um.  It was that hard getting down there.
The hill was quite steep, but also really soft with new spring ground.
It was a thorny, humid, rocky, bumble-bee-y hot mess.
Abby wore her stiletto's and used them as spikes to secure herself.
Max was sweating through his nice button-up shirt.
I was the brilliant, sneezing, make-up-less, allergy attacked wonder following behind.
Max wanted to carry Abby.
Abby didn't want to be carried because she didn't want them both to fall.
I sneezed.

A crowd gathered on the bridge, watching us participate in such a feat.
Once we made it safely to the bottom a friendly soul called out
"There is an easier way on the other side of the bridge!"
We looked over, and sure enough there was a
smooth, slightly inclined, clear, dirt path.
"We coulda used you five minutes ago!"
and everyone laughed.

But it all worked out.  So well.

And it was a sweet little view into their world.
Max, the kind, brave leader... who wants to protect Abby from all harm.
Abby, the helpful, loving support... who wants to make them both a success, even if risk is involved.
And they happen to be madly in love.



I merrily skipped up the easy path to get the shot I was envisioning on top the bridge.
Love how it came out!


Afterwards Max + Abby came up the easy path too.
They look way too good for how humid, sweaty, pond-wet, thorny and mountain-climby
the last few minutes had been.
Y'all should teach a class.
You'd make mad dough.

Or you could kiss each other.  That is a great idea too.

I had so much fun with you both - lets hang out again?
And I'm so excited that God allowed your lives to intersect,
and that He's taking you on a new road together.

:D

Month Update

Sweet Betty, 

Won't you show us who you are?

brooke fraser | betty

Ahem. A few thoughts:

- Sarah Barlow really is the bees knees. AND the bees ankles.

- Might have made up the part about Africa.  But I can't remember...

- Trying to decide if I should do another FunShop?

Guess we'll see how this one goes... ;)
- Today I look like I have been sobbing for hours.
But I haven't been! I'm happy! But allergies are here.  And I love them. 
Because it means summer is almost here.
- I'm going to Ireland? Wait, what?
- What are you doing this moooonth?!

:D

If Guys Were Like Girls {Funny}

"Yeah! Like this is The Notebook?
You just ask somebody out?"
"You can't do that."
"We say we love it in the movies, we say we love it in real life,

but we don't really."

--

Last year this first video started making its way around Facebook. 
It was getting so popular that the guys in it decided to take it off Facebook
and put it on YouTube to see the stats grow better. 

Over 780,000 views later,

they decided to make a sequel.

You've probably already seen them,

but just watch them again. 
I think I've watched them both a dozen times?

SO.STINKING.FUNNY.

"Ice cream?"
"I'm soooo bad."

"I have to go to the bathroom.
Does anyone wanna come with me?"
"I could pee a little bit!"

What I love, especially in the second one,
is how their conversation goes "all" over the place.
They just nail it.

"How was Costa Rica?"

"I looooove Africa."

"Lion King is my favorite movie!"

"Cars can go backwards!"
"You're so right.  Yes they can."
hahahah

These are super quoteable ;)

Another reason I love them.

You have a favorite quote/line?

"Remember, I don't eat gluten."
"When did that happen?"
"When it was trendy."
"I think I'm gluten intolerant!"
"I think we all are."
"Gluten is so ew."

Hahah tell me tell me!

What's your fave line?

I Love + I Look {Personal}

I was a little girl alone in my little world 

Who dreamed of a little home for me.
I played pretend between the trees, 

And fed my houseguests bark and leaves

priscilla ahn | dream

--

One sunny California day about 12 years ago,
I sat in the back of the family station-wagon,
"finishing" my math homework.
My parents were taking us to Disneyland for the day.

I remember very clearly having this back and forth "conversation" in my head with myself.
"I like that I'm going to Disneyland and I'm just a kid,
buuuut I am gonna be really glad when I'm done with school."

I started thinking of things I really loved right now,
but also thought of things I looked forward to in the future.

That car ride came to mind the other day.
Lots of things I wondered about back then have happened!
It's so fun!
So I decided to play to the "I love now-I look forward to later" game again :D

I love that I have so much freedom to baby-sit and enjoy other families these days.  See all the babies in the frames?  It's so much fun, it's so entertaining and I can't imagine my world without little people.I look forward to being able to put the faces of my own little babes in those frames.  And spend time e-mailing looking for babysitters.  And then come home to find out from the babysitter that my kids broke the frames and ate the newspaper.  Or something?

I love being able to decorate a single girl's home.  I love that one morning when I wake up I can decide to rearrange the whole living room.  Just on a whim! New pillows? Whyyyy not!I look forward to decorating a home for a family - that probably won't include a glass coffee table. But it'll be a fun challenge to kid-proof a house that a man wants to come home to that I like to look at. Hmmm.

I el-oh-vee-ee LOVE having friends over for dinner.  Even if it's just heating up leftovers, I love that people can come eat dinner, talk about their day and kick back at my house.I look forward to being able to make my hard-workin' boy meals.  So that after a long day he can come home eat dinner, talk about his day and kick back at our house.

 I love that if I'm out, I get to come back to my home.  I can be out as late as I want, I have no one to report to, and I don't have to be quiet so I won't wake anyone up. I love walking in here at the end of the night. I look forward to the day when someone is here waiting for me. 
And he will lock up, and turn off the lights, and sleep on the side by the door in case someone breaks in.
I love learning more about fashion, being creative with my outfits and brainstorming options.I look forward to kicking myself in the butt for wearing mom-jeans that I swore I'd NEVER wear.  Come on, every mom goes through that stage at some point, right? ;)
I LOVE that my bathroom is MINE.  I have a bathroom "thing."  It's like my nest.  And it's pink.
I can light my mandarin orange candle, keep my matching yellow razors in the tub and take as long as I want to get ready. I'm looking forward to days when three quiet minutes in a bathroom with kiddie-toys in the tub, pee-stains from the newly potty-trained, and no toilet paper is a blissful haven.

  I love that whatever happens in my house, happens because of me.  In the good ways - what is cleaned up, what is organized and what is personal.  But also the bad ways ;)  When I make messes, when I lose things, when I break things... it's alllll my fault haha But I love it because it's helping me become much more responsible.I'm looking forward to other people living with me.  Growing up in a house of nine people, I loved the chaotic "Who moved my purse?!" as well as the blessing of someone else emptying the dishwasher for me every day.  I love that I've managed to put EVERYthing in my house together + hang EVERYthing on the wallswith just these "tools" (plus a borrowed drill haha).  Yup. That's my tool box.  And my Creative Memories hammer.
I look forward to having a garage or shed or even just a normal tool box with real man tools in them.
I bet you my frames will stay up better in the future.

I love that my schedule is about me.  That might sound selfish, but it's true.  There is only one persons schedule on my calendar! My shoots, my meetings, my travel days, my dinners.  Not gonna lie, it's fun!I look forward to filling my life with other people's schedules.  Color-coding the good ol' iCal for date night and soccer practice and doctor's appointments.  My "me" time will probably be scheduling when to grocery shop.  Or when to vacuum the car. Woop it up.
I love sitting on my porch, watching the families walk by.
I look forward to being in my own family walking by.

I love walking down across the street for pedicure when I feel like it,
just because I have a free afternoon.
I look forward to spending free afternoon's painting my little girls toes.

I love the stillness, the peace, the quiet, the time I have these days.  I have been able to read, pray and focus more then I ever have in my life.  It's been lovely.
I look forward to being able to bring to mind what I'm learning now, especially on days where I won't have a quiet moment to stop and slow down.  I'm learning to store + treasure up the current times so I can use them in future times!

I love my ridiculous and feminine zebra rug.I look forward to taking my kids to see zebras at the zoo.

I love going a whole day putting NO make-up on, not showering and possibly being a little smelly.I look forward to the day when I'll know I really should freshen up cause my man is coming home.

I love that my carpets don't have stains on them.I look forward to carpets being ruined by stains.  I hope there are some good stories to tell!

I love dreaming about the future, imagining what my life could be like 12 years from now.
I look forward to dreaming about what my life could be like 12 years from 12 years from now.

I love this life God has given me right now, and I wouldn't change a single thing for this time.But I look forward to the future. I really do. Come what may!

Angel + Lindsay {Maryland Proposal Photography}

I've seen the waters, that make your eyes shine

Now I'm shining too,

Because, oh because

I've fallen quite hard over you.

landon pigg | falling in love at a coffee shop

*Just a heads-up**I'm using asterisks because I want your attention*
******Look at all these asterisks*******This post will be a lot better and sweeter and precious if you read the words.But there are going to be a lot of words.*Awesome.
So you know about Emma?The classic match-maker of Jane Austen literature?I share some of her qualities.Mostly the match-making thing.It's bad. I need to stop.I'm trying to.
But I matched Lindsay and Angel up.I called it.They seemed like a little Ali + Roberto.I knew they'd be perfect together.
Who's Lindsay?Lindsay and I have been friends since highschool.Lindsay has been down at University of Maryland her whole college "career,"therefore I don't see her very much.It's just what happens after highschool.She's going to be a Spanish teacher.(An amazing one at that.)
But when we do have a chance to talk and catch up,(maybe twice a year)we always jump right back to where we left off.
I love friendships like that.This past Thanksgiving Break in 2010,I had some girls over one night.Lindsay was one of them.She updated us on her recent trip to Ecuador.
I grilled her on boys.
Pause while I introduce Angel.I met Angel this summer,but had heard about him a fair amount because of all the evangelism work he is involved with at church.He also fights.Like, he's a professional fighter.And he's funny, likes salsa dancing and absolutely loves God.Oh. And he's Guatemalan.Basically, perfect for Lindsay.
 Back to the Thanksgiving Break grilling."Linds, I think you and Angel would be great together."She gasped her cute little Lindsay gasp."Kriiiiiisten. Really? You think so? I don't even know him!"
The rest of the night I explained why I thought they'd be great,I follow-ed up with some texts reminding her that I thought they'd be great,and started spreading the word to the rest of my friends,so they could help hint at Angel + Lindsay.
Angel lives with the Smith family down near the University of Maryland.Long story short, I was visiting the Smith's.I told Jenni, the Smith Wife, that I was trying to set Angel and Lindsay up."Huh.  Do they know each other?She never comes over here to hang-out...But she's such a sweet girl!  I could definitely see that!"
Two minutes later, Lindsay came to the door.I kid you not.She hadn't been over to the Smith's in months.We all hung out with a few other friends who came over, too.Lindsay studied.She said she was going to leave when I left.So I stayed really really late.  Angel... well, he was impressed with Lindsay.After that night, he wanted to see her more.A lot more.
And within six weeks, they were dating!And about 10 weeks later, Angel got in touch with me,and wanted pictures of the proposal.
Yeah. It was fast.Because they are perfect for each other.Kneeeeew it ;)
Okay. lots of words, I told you.But time for some pictures.
Monday afternoon Angel and I met up to perfect this proposal plan.He showed me the three-page-letter he had for her,he showed me the ring,the spot he wanted to propose (at the same table in Starbucks where he first asked her out),we practiced the route from Lindsay's school to Starbucks,and I approved of Angel's outfit (He wore orange.  Lindsay's favorite.)Angel had been leaving notes, flowers and hints of the upcoming proposal all around for Lindsay all day long. This three-page-note was the final one.The plan was for her to come out of class and find this note.He poured out his heart on those pages,and at the end said something along the lines of "I have a question for you, please come find me where I first asked you out."

After everything was just how he wanted, Angel left to wait at Starbucks.
I hid in my car waiting for Lindsay.
My heart was racing.
It took her fooooorever to come.
But finally the tiny and sweet girl arrived at her car.
She gasped her Lindsay gasp and just stared in the window for a good long while.

And the first thing she did was grab her camera for a picture ;)
My kind of girl! Woot woot!

Then she sat down to read Angel's sincere, deep, honest letter about his affection for her anddesire to lay down his life for her.Lindsay smiled and cried.She read slowly and her hands trembled.

I had asked Angel why he wanted to marry Lindsay a few days prior.  
He had a good answer:
"She loves God, she loves people, 

and wants to have a home that is open so others can enjoy her hospitality

(something I love.)

She is compassionate and caring.

She cracks me up like crazy.

She is a critical thinker. 

She calls me out on things, but she does it graciously. 

She encourages my leadership.

God has gifted her in areas I am not.

She is amazingly beautiful -  I mean I can stare at her for quite a while." 

"I am happy when I am with her.I hate saying goodbye.

  It is difficult not to want to lay my life down for her,

  not because I have to but because I get to.

It is only right that I commit to finding my joy in hers, doing everything in my power to make her a success, and to brag about how I am what I am because of her help.
Even if I told you in more complex or even in other languages,I would not be able to pin what I want to say down."  

"My heart rate jumps up a few beats when I know she is five minutes away

 and it slows down five minutes before she is gone.

  I am like a giddy school boy when she calls."

If you didn't catch that from all he said,
Angel is in love.  He's in love with Lindsay.
He wants to marry Lindsay.
Being her husband can't come soon enough.
And she couldn't come soon enough for him to ask her ;)
Poor guy was an antsy, fidget-y, nervous mess!

But he finally spotted her car.

And he just LIT up.
"I'm going to propose to her! I see her! She's here!"

The following few seconds were surreal.
It was probably the most dream-like moment of MY life.
And I was only taking pictures.
It felt like slow motion.
I think there was a sound-track.
It was just breath-taking.

Lindsay ran into his arms,
with her sweet Lindsay gasps.

Angel locked eyes with her,
and just absolutely beamed.

They hugged and he practically held the dear emotional girl up.
She could have just collapsed right there.

"My decision is easy not because I know or think marriage will be easy, 
but because there is no one I would rather lay my life down for 
than you."

"I have had dreams, read books, and seen others lay their lives down for their wives, 
yet none of them told me 

how sweet this death is. 

And even if they did, 

language failed them."

"I want to lay what I am down for your greater good. 

I want to magnify your gifts. 

I want to live life with you. 

I want to build a family with you. 

I want to find my joy in things that bring joy to you. 

Will you let me do this for as long as I live?"

Lindsay just sang out a confident yet gasp-y
"YES! YES YES YES yeeees!"

The next few minutes were my favorite of the day.

The moments where reality settled.

Where such full, intense, joyful emotions reigned.

I couldn't help but tear up watching their utter joy.
"God has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes."

I left them to enjoy the moment,
to enjoy "their" coffee-shop,
to enjoy God's kindness,
to laugh and look at Lindsay's new bling.
THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED!

This post isn't the time or place to go into details,
but both Lindsay and Angel have hard stories from the past.

I've specifically gotten to watch Lindsay walk through trial.
And I've watched her raise her head in the swallows of pain and say
"He gives and takes away,
my heart will choose to say,
Lord, blessed be Your name."

It is so sweet to watch you in a season of "give", Lindsay.
It does my soul good to watch you so.happy.
To watch you fall in love and stand beside your future husband.
Angel, thank you for being so wonderful to this amazing girl.
She's amazing.

God has prepared you for each other,
and I get chills thinking about what He has for you both.
This marriage is going to impact eternity.
I'm so glad you've fallen for each other.

"Blessed be Your name."

And your match-maker ;)

Enjoy the slideshow!

John + Whitney {Washington DC Engagement Photography}

"I've got halo's made of summer,

Rhythms made of spring

I got crowns of words a woven 

Each one a song to sing."

brooke fraser | something in the water


--

I had only e-mailed Whitney a few times,

and she was a girl who knew what she wanted.

A sunrise engagement, 

with the pretty light, 

at the Tidal Basin,

with the cherry blossoms.

That was that.

So early Sunday morning (my alarm clock definitely went off at 4:30 am),we met at the break of dawn.The kind of dawn that is muted, and a tad chilly.The kind of dawn that is still grey,and rubbing it's eyelashes while it wakes up.And this bombshell,with her sweet, architecture-major fiancee' hit the day running, with smiles, light and joy.Whitney and John started dating last January,and got engaged a few weeks ago.And it was adorable
While we waited for our sparkly yellow light,Whitney + Jon told me their engagement story."I wanted to ask her before dinner,so that I would be able to enjoy dinner and not have that on my mind.But it ended up not working out.So it was on my mind all dinner."Whitney piped in "And I figured if he was going to ask,it would be at dinner!  So when it didn't happen,I convinced myself that it wasn't happening tonight."Typical ;)After a few mis-haps,John ended up taking her to a special place in the city,with all the stunning DC lights illuminating the night."He was kissing me - which is very typical -and he pulled away and...asked me a question! I said yes yes yes!"You're not getting the full effect of how sweet it was,because you aren't hearing Whitney describe it.Or watching John watch her describe it.She's a firework.A brilliant, excitable, contagious woman.He's a fire stone.Solid, warm, strong.They literally danced and sung and laughed their way through DC.There were actually a handful of other couples,getting their engagement pictures done at the same time.As we passed them,and I saw the awkward body-language,heard the awkward silence,felt the unease,I was so stinkin' grateful I was shooting these two ;)They are birds of a feather.They fell in love together."Give me long days in the sun, Preludes to the nights to come... ...Previews of the mornings laying in all laaaazy ......Give me something fun to do, like a life of loving you......Kiss me quick! Now baby I'm still crazy over you..."That's how I would describe them:crazy about each other.People say that a fair amount in my line of work,and I'm sure they mean it when they do!
But I just felt it with them especially.
She is ca-RAZY about him.He is caaaaaarazy over her.

And they love hugging and kissing.

And being together.

That was that.

:D

Congratulations you two!

Promise of Summer {Sneak Peak}

"She was the sweetest memory.
He never understood just what she saw in him.

Working days at the Marina, 
the nights were left to dream"
--

"The winter fields begin to uncover

 Finally it's a promise of summer."

"Lights are shining round,

 and their guards are coming down"

"Across the world they run to each other,

 Finally it's the promise of summer"

"Rain after the drought
And they won't have to go without"

"Spent that whole evening laughing,

as the morning shed the night"

"Not a day goes by 

when he doesn't think of her.

 Seems he like he spends his life 

Trying to make things they were."

"I guess a trip down south Might be the only cure,To go look around for her
The promise of Summer."

I love me some old-school JackoPierce.I love me some 6:30 am engagement shoots in our nation's Capital.I love me some spring, because after spring there is always summer.

Fake Family Vaca {Personal}

on the road again

goin' places that I've never been

seein' things that I may 

never see again

willie nelson | on the road again
--
If you are friends with me on facebook,or follow me on twitter,or read this blog,(that's always an endearing way to start a blog post)you MIGHT have seen that I've been traveling recently.
Since this blog is partly "for me"I like to record things like travels.Who doesn't?
My trip this time around began with a quick visit to Vancouver,to see my Canadian BFF Jamie,and be a cheerleader while she spoke at ImageQuest.
First I got an a little plan with propellers (those are my favorite kind of planes.)

Then I landed at an unknown airport in an unknown state (seriously.  I was confused there for a while. A lady on her phone said she was at a layover in Delaware, the souvenirs said NYC and lot's of other things said "Garden State" which is New Jersey.  I felt stupid.  And pranked. I also ate at SmashBurger and it was delicious. I finally (after 10 hours of flying) got to the Jamster, we rocked out in the hotel,and rose nice and early for her presentation at 9:00,and I put my belt on the wrong place of my dress.I take really amazing pictures of people speaking. Hire me for all your speaking gigs.Afteeeeer her outstanding talk, we went to her outstanding studio. I'm waving! Then within hours it was time to go to more airports. And eat more airport food, like Rick Bayless brilliance from his new digs Tortas Frontera.When I got home I showered and slept.And woke up just in time for my weekly South Mountain Veggie delivery.
But within hours I was headed back to the airport. With these two crazy cats. We were literally ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT, but we stopped for 20 minutes to eat at a new bbq joint.I'm going back soon.Where was I headed with a belly full of bbq + with those two cool cats?To Florida!To see my family!And the beach!And baseball!And Mickey Mouse!Do you remember last year when Dre, Becca + I got stuck in Florida? We shot a wedding together, but got snowed out of Maryland.  So we had a spontaneous "fake family vacation."This year, since my real family lives in Florida, we decided to keep the tradition alive.(Hi Tan Mom!)The tradition was kept alive! And the air was hot! And the sky was blue! After the beach, the first day, we went to see our Beloved National's Baseball team, play for spring training.  It was a perfect night.Cool cats with cool eyewear! The next morning, was back to the beach. Why did I ever leave? I'm stupid. That night was my daddy-o's birthday. He loves getting his picture taken.I love you Dad!After the banqueting-feast-of-birthday-dinner, we went to little Dude's football game. My heart pitter-pattered.And my sisters + I hooted and hollered for the Chiefs! And I don't wear my bottom retainer so my teeth are crooked.NEXT DAY! Disney day!In my real family, Disney IS the best place on earth.My fake family almost agrees.They so in lub. I want an umbrella like this when I have a house and porch that needs an umbrella. Lady Cat's favorite ride is "It's a Small World After All." She likes all the animals. And the slow-pace of the ride.Dre Cat and I like the fast rides. The magical space rides!But my favorite part of the whole park is the castle. Because Cinderella is my favorite favorite favorite.I can quote that whole movies and watch it for hours.After we had a perfect dinner (with gravy that ruined me for all other gravy) we watched fireworks!  And went back to the hotel.This day was rest day. We went to another Nat's baseball game, but it was hot and some of us were tired and cranky.

Let's skip to the rain day!

You know what happens when it rains?

Everyone seeks shelter!

We did too.  Inside the best outlets in the world.

We bought things on great deals.

And before we knew it,  it was time to go back home.  Mom + Shanny drove us to the airport.Hi Cute Shanny + Tan Mom!I miss you!

Now I'm back in real life, 

eating Cilantro Chicken Soup,

peeling my shoulders,

and being a grown-up again.

But I mostly just want to get back on the road again?

Sorry if that was the worst blog-post ever.

I just love my real family and fake family and beach and food and traveling so much.

And when I love something, I have to share.

:D

Justin + Brittany {Hagerstown, MD Wedding}

i remember, 

trying not to stare the night 

that i first met you...
 i thought i loved you then

brad paisley | then

Award-winning food blogger,daughter of a fireman,engaged to a policeman,brand new homeowner,and funny as sticks,Brittany has been one of my most enjoyable brides ever.(special thanks to my second-shooters for these guys shots! you rock rebecca watkins + ellie b!)
Brittany is the kind of bride that I treat like my sister.By that I mean,when I walked in I teased her,I picked some of her food off her plate and ate it with my hands,and Facebook stalked with her all morning.And my heart swelled for her, because I was so excited this was her wedding day.If she wasn't laughing,I was laughing.And if I wasn't laughing, her mom was laughing.And we were ALL giving the make-up artist a run for her money.The tear-jerker moment of the morning was talking to Brittany's manly, rugged, tough fireman father.We stood and watched his daughter get all glammed up."You ready for this?" I asked him.He didn't answer.I looked over and tears puddled in his eyes. "Well, I guess I have to be."(ps. yes, she is eating french fries + chicken fingers.)Though the schedule was sliiiightly behind,Brittany was thrilled to have a few more "daddy/daughter" moments.They practiced their dance one more time.It was precious.And dad also announced that he was going to drive Brittany to the churchin his big red diesel pick-up truck.He was so excited.
After the final dance practice, the bride hustled upstairs to put on her looooovely gown.Then she hustled downstairs to her magical carriage ride :DAnd we flew down country roads,under sunny skies,to a little church where a girl in a red truck,driven by her dad,would get married.She loved her little "hiding room" where she could watch all the guests arrive.heart, heart, heart.Did you think all the Dad + Daughter sweetness was over?You were WRONG.:DBefore they walked down the aisle,he presented her with a diamond necklace.What a proud papa face!
And what a sweet papa face!
I do love ceremonies,but I also love kisses.And so I skipped right to that?She was the happiest wife in all the land.Truly truly the happiest.I don't usually see this in my area,but I love a big happy "church exit,"where all the guests wait outside,clap,and "woop"and blow bubbles.
I just think it's great.So happy!


After leaving the church, we had to move quick.With about a 15 minute deadline, we started taking pictures of the new husband + wife.I have to take a minute to just brag to the world about them.They're wonderful.They're wonderful together, he does things that make him wonder,she does things that make him full(wow. pushing it there, Kristen)and they love each other so much.Justin is such a strong man for his funny, crazy wife. For example, they bought their house a few weeks before the wedding.And the house attacked.Started leaking and breaking and just being ridiculous. Justin didn't want to stress Brittany out. He took care of things himself,and let her know what had happened after it was fixed.He sent her gifts each day leading up to the wedding on wedding week.He knew what she needed, he knew how to care for his girland he didn't hesitate to do that.And she just can't say enough about her man. She sparkles when she talks about him,and loves being his.God knew what this girl needed. And He knew what this boy needed.
It never "gets old" to me, that people really do fall in love,and make a promise,and become one. (Uuuuuuh, hello, countryside. You look fine tonight!Can I have yo numba?)
Brittany + Justin  have so much fun on this new adventure together,and eat lots of good food,and try to get your house to stop breaking,and mostly just have SO much fun :D
I'm thrilled for you!

Home {Personal}

"Home is the nicest word there is."

laura ingalls wilder

(pc. lydiajane.com)

Back from vacation.

Back to regularly scheduled blogging.

Back is peeling from sunburn.

:D

(And I miss you already, too, mom.)

Airplane Thinking {Personal}

As I get on the 707 
Ridin' high I got tears in my eyes 
You know you got to go through hell 
Before you get to heaven 

steve miller | jet airliner

I'm still trying to figure out what it is that happens when us humans get on planes.We start getting all deep and thoughtful;looking out a plane window ignites some of our most inspiring thinking!We're so cute.
The last few days I've had some serious airplane time:Sunday was 10+ hours of flying (Baltimore, to Newark, to Seattle, to Vancouver.)Tuesday was wonderfully only about 6 hours (Vancouver to Chicago to Washington DC)and then yesterday was Baltimore to Tampa (felt like a walk to the bathroom! so quick!).
You know what that means?LOTS OF DEEP THINKING!And lots of water from a tiny plastic cup.And lots of hiding my phone from the flight attendants so I can take pictures during take-off.
I did have a mini airplane revelation about myself, though.It might be a little cheesy,or cliche',but at the moment I was sitting there it seemed ridiculously profound.
Here it goes (don't laugh):During life I like to see what's going on.I like my familiar world."Hey look! There's my highway. I know this place."I'm comfortable,I feel safe,I feel somewhat in control.Then the impending grey clouds creep.This, well, is when I start to react."What they hey! Get out of here! I can't see!"Fear creeps in,thoughts swirl."Maybe it'll just stay like this.This isn't TOO bad.I can still kind of see."I find my comfort and safety in my ability to "see."And before long,I'm in the throes of "zero visibility."I literally wouldn't know if I was going up or down or sideways.It's confusing in complete grey.I freak out.I want to go back.I want to see my highway again.This is ugly.I don't like it here.It's dark.And I don't like turbulence. It makes my stomach turn in sick knots.This is the worst. By the time a "new" scene comes,I don't even notice the beauty,because I'm just SO RELIEVED to be out of the grey.It's easy for me to miss the process that just happened.The leaving behind the old, the comfortable, the familiar,being tossed into storms cloudswith the purpose of taking me somewhere new. Despite my doubting + freak-out-ing,the new place is always so stunning.The horizon of two skies meet,brilliant marbled blue on top,golden kissed air spun to make miles of puff underneath,greet each other with colorful strokes of light.It's beyond breath-taking.The sun has been shining all this time.  And this new place has been here all this time, I just couldn't see.
In a very literal sense,I had to go through the storm clouds to see this new glorious stage.I had to go far away from my highway,my world,my safety net.
This particular beauty isn't there!It's somewhere else!When the time comes to go,I must embrace the going.
When clouds are thick and awful,I must choose to believe this is only part of the ride.
New is coming,this won't last!I'm going to fly above the clouds and see the sun.And it's going to be better then what was left behind.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God." 2 cor 5 | verses 7, 17 + 18

Four Day FunShop

"For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.
I hope you had the time of your life."

green day | time of your life

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started photography.

Not a stinking clue.
Now I have two stinking clues,
and one lavender-fields smelling clue.
MUCH BETTER then nothing.

For real, though,
 I ran over to Chicago for six weeks for help.

Sarah Barlow took me under her wing,

taught me, befriended me and seriously changed the course of my business.

She poured herself out to help me.

I was changed, and moved.

Such a sweet, sweet memory.

I decided to do my own "internships" two summers ago.

The girls who came were brilliant.

I was, again, changed and moved.

They taught me more then I could have ever taught them.

So, the time has come again foooor:

One of the girls, who now happens to be one of my favorite-est friends, 

wrote this sweet paragraph about her time:

 "It was a week full of laughter, crazy photobooth fun, late nights, yummy food, 

Oh, and photography talk ;) 

It was the best best BEST thing that I've ever done for my business,

 and I'm so grateful for it. 

I'm grateful for Kristen being honest about her failures, 

and things she didn't do right. 

I'm grateful for the way she shared openly about the things she had done right 

and that had helped grow her business. 

And I'm super grateful for my Ica + Julia darlings 

who didn't laugh at my pc laptop 

and my complete inability to throw down even one cool dance move ;) 

I flew out to DC for a week with my rebel xti and 20lb laptop, 

to stay with someone I'd never met,

 in the hopes that this little step 

would somehow get me closer to my dream of being a wedding photographer 

and got so much more than I bargained for."

ps. digital SLR's, 

access to use or at least borrow a laptop, 

a desire to REALLY try this photography thing out

and a new pair of leopard print heels for me are required.

;)