kelly + dan

Sometimes, you get those days that seem to unravel like magic. You feel like you're literally walking in the footsteps of your dream. Every moment unfurls effortlessly into the next, and there is an all around sense of belonging. This is was one them. Kelly and Dan are a tribute to abiding love. When Kelly fell ill at the beginning of the summer it definitely put weight on their planning. I don't think I've ever met two people that handled a stressful situation with such grace and ease. Kel told me how Dan was constantly at her side, day in and day out, and how they had put their faith completely in God to provide them with the answers. ''Everything will work out the way it's supposed to''

I really believe that taking that deep-seeded faith into their wedding day made it turn out the way it did. Everyone seemed to play a fundamental part in the making of that day. From the incredible dried flower bouquets that Kelly's mom put together to the pumpkin patch favors. Not to mention their ah-mazingly decadent cake, that was just as delicious as it looked. And barefoot dancing? Oh yeah, a lot of that! These two are truly an inspiration, and I know that their love will continue to be one of the same.  

awakening

I feel like I'm at a loss of words lately. Nothing seems to stick. I guess I'm a thinker. Constantly pondering. Trying to catch something concrete to put in my little bag of tricks. But it's like my entire belief system has been up for review. Like I've been tipped over, wrung out and bankrupt. It hasn't come from a place of sadness, but more of humility. I am not as big as I thought. There are larger things at play.

I was walking around some home trinket store the other day, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what I liked. Well I kind of like that..but it's nothing like what I have at home. Do I even like what I have at home? The struggle. All I knew, was that today, I needed to get my camera out and just fumble around, whether I got something I ''liked'' or not.

the art of perfection

This topic has been on my mind quite a bit lately. As the year has been slowly coming to an end it has seemed to bring up a lot of matters close to my heart. Where do I  see myself in the next few years? What has been holding me back? As I look back and take inventory of my work I can't help but feel as though I've suppressed so much. Like a veil, I've limited the amount I've shown of myself, professionally and personally. I guess there are good and bad aspects to perfectionism. On one hand, your work is precise, consistent, foolproof. One the other, it sits upon a incredibly fragile foundation. I remember neurotically setting up a shot for a wedding this year and overheard one of the bridesmaids comment on how meticulous I was, another chimed in with ''well, that's why she is so good''. I can't tell you how suffocating and terrifying this is. To have your expectations set so ridiculously high that one mishap could be earth shattering. It has reaped havoc in my creative process, and, in my personal life. ''Well that little thing is off in that photo, I can't show that one because every one will hate it and think I'm a horrible photographer, career over''. Down the rabbit hole.

 

I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older, or just plain t.i.r.e.d. But this way of living doesn't serve me much anymore. I am imperfect, deeply flawed, and broken. But in that, I am human. Full of beautiful inconsistencies. Why should we box ourselves in to one tight, limited space? What if right now, we are good enough?

 

“Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.”
-Salvador Dalí

loren + sam

I'm really excited to get these two love birds up on the blog. Loren and Sam contacted me this summer about getting some engagement shots done before their spring wedding in Missouri. I always like to profile my subjects a bit before I actually photograph them. Something about going into a job blindly has never sat well with me. Who are you? What makes you tick? What mood or feeling do you want to convey through the images we shoot? Loren and Sam are both studying medicine at Penn State and wanted to incorporate their love of the outdoors in their engagement session. It didn't take long for all of us to agree on a shooting at Middle Creek and I'm so glad we did..

thru the woods

I can't say enough about these two. Emily and I have know each other for years but it really wasn't until this spring that we were able to reconnect. When she wrote me and asked if I would photograph her wedding at Landis Woods my jaw literally dropped. A thousand images running through my head. The venue. The guests. The details. If you don't know Emily and Jay, the talent that these two possess is mind-blowing. From her gold, sequin adorned dress, to their handmade turquoise wedding bands. Every detail of their wedding had so much thought, love and purpose put into it.

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less traveled

I never thought I'd find myself saying it, but I'm kind of thankful that the season is winding down. I feel like I've been expending a tremendous amount of creative energy and frankly just need time to tend to, and replenish that well. I've really been wanting to get back to writing and fine art photography and am hoping that the winter months will provide the time to do so. I think by slowly opening our hearts to the universe it creates an almost vacuum effect for opportunity and our, if you will, divine purpose. This year has been filled with many new milestones that are still blowing my mind. I've met the most awe inspiring dreamers, artists and free thinkers of all kinds on this road and I couldn't be happier. Thank you to all who continue to show your love and support, I could not do this without you ❤︎

south of the county

When Liz first told me that she and her fiance, Lance were getting married at Sickman's Mill, all I could envision were ghosts, haunted hayrides and screaming kids. Nothing of the sort. Nestled deep in the woods sat a lush and beautiful property that was filled with endless opportunity. Lance and Liz met while skiing in upstate New York and are seriously one of the most darling couples I've met. I see a lot of weddings were it seems the real meaning is overshadowed by stressing out about details, deadlines and dates. From their ceremony, to an abundance of the sweetest family pictures, these two had it down pact. I love the stories and lives I'm invited into while I work, if work is what you want to call it. I've met so many incredible people while on this crazy camera journey of mine and can't wait for more adventures to come.

summer & sophie

I seriously can't get enough of this sweet, sweet family. I've known Ash and Johnny for years and it always seems like we pick up right where we left off. This fall, they are expecting a second little one and wanted to make sure they got some family photos in beforehand. We decided to shoot on the property that they will be building their new home on.

I don't think there is ever a dull moment when I am out on a job. We started off trekking through dense brush and forest, Johnny up ahead with machete in hand, and Ash almost full term with a tot on her hip.  I always like to make sure I pause while I'm out on a shoot. Just to take everything in. I think we often get so caught up in the details of life that we forget that in this very moment we are making such beautiful memories ❤︎

love squared

Last month, I was lucky enough to have the privilege of meeting and working with two amazing people. Chris and Cerman have been together for years and recently decided to tie the knot. I can't say enough about these two. Their love for one another is so apparent, it seems as if they were meeting for the very first time. Not to mention they live on the most jaw-dropping estate. From a free range peacock to exquisite gardens, I literally felt like I was a kid in a candy store the whole time I was there. I feel so blessed to be able to capture events like this. To be invited into these intimate worlds. I can't help but think that these people, and places are meant to be apart of my life. Xo

creativity

I wish I could say I had it figured out by now. The origins of the creative mind...still boggle mine. Last summer, I went through a horrific spell of depression. I feel okay to speak of it here. It's real life and at some point or another the majority of us go through it. At that point, so lost in my mind, I was producing a great deal of work. Very advanced, intricate, personal work. As that heaviness lifted and my spirits rose I found myself not so compelled to get behind the lens..and honestly alright with it. It's like my introverted self shifted and found solace in the exterior world.

This year has been filled with firsts, and I'm so grateful I've gotten to experience them. As far as harnessing that creative genius? I don't think we have much control over it. I feel like I have fried my mind trying to compute this. Do I need to be in an ill state to produce work? Who am I if I am not? Enough to make you go absolutely mad. So instead, I've somewhat surrendered to it. I can't force something that is not there. It's like a finicky rose bush. Some seasons it blooms steadily producing average flowers, others it seems like it has been stunted only to give birth to one miraculous blossom. I can't predict or forecast what may come my way. What I do know is, that I love to create, I love the relationships that have stemmed from it and I'm thankful I have been given this.. peculiar gift :)

white chimneys

Last weekend I had the privilege of assisting a wedding at a beautiful venue in Gap. This was my first job of the season and I definitely felt a little rusty going into it. But after a few shots I remembered why I love doing this so much. A few of my favorites from a gorgeous day

peonies & light

We've had these incredible peonies blooming in our backyard the past few weeks and all I could think about was how they kept taking me back to the Victorian Era. Farah is one of my best friends and has such a classic look, so I couldn't let the opportunity pass. We've shot together before and thru all of the gabbing and catching up, it seems like we're always rushed for time.

Staged shoots bring on such a battery of emotions for me, I feel like a mad scientist, mixing elements of light, theory, and feeling. With it, always comes a dash of self doubt. ''This is crazy, I'm not gonna get it right, total flop''. I feel so lucky to be able to work with souls like Farah, who through all of the hair spraying insanity, still have faith in the end result. Xo

a world alone

 

There are a few types of photography that put a bad taste in my mouth; boudoir being one of them. So when I was asked to shoot my first one all I could envision were pin-ups, cheap lingerie and that forced ''come hither'' look. I like playing on the essence of the person I'm photographing. Form aside, what really makes them attractive? I think sexy comes from sheer confidence, poise, and a touch of vulnerability

spring magic

It's funny when you meet someone and have this instant, almost chemical connection. I met Jess a few months ago and knew right off the bat that we were kindred spirits. Finally, after weeks of talking about it, we took our cameras out. Occasionally, I find myself sticking to these safe limits within my work and can't explain how cleansing it is to just go out and shoot with no expectations in mind. A few of my favorites from a beautiful evening spent amongst apple tree orchards, winding roads and sun-kissed fields.

week beginnings

I've been finding it difficult to keep a continuous stream of my work going. It seems our culture is so geared towards production and less sensitive to the time, energy, and thought process it takes being a creative spirit. For me, it's not this untapped, infinite spring. I struggle with my work. It's like a relationship, a piece of me that I start off disliking, then slowly begin to work with, listen to, and eventually love.