gypsy soul.
longwood gardens
“To be alone was something unpleasant. But I was at the same time conscious of a slight insanity of my mood, and seemed to foresee my recovery”
rachel
the trunks || lifestyle session
katie + jimmy || enagaged
transitions
It's been awhile since I've been back here to write. The words seem to be just lingering lately, so I'm probably just going to ramble. This year has been one of many great shifts and transitions. It seems like every corner I turn there is a new person or situation stirring up some kind of deeply embedded seed of an emotion that I've chosen not to look at. I believe we see ourselves through the eyes of others. That people are placed strategically in our lives to unearth, expose and to shine a light on things we might not want to take a look at. This year has tested my faith. Period. I watched almost every plan and pursuit I had literally crumble before my eyes, redirecting me onto a different path. And I went into it swinging. This isn't where I'm supposed to be. I've tried so hard, it's not fair, I deserve better. I refuted it to the point that it had made my life a living hell, rather than just falling back and accepting that maybe there are larger things at play. Maybe, it's not all up to me. I feel like there is a time to insert our free will and ego into our lives and a time to completely step out of the game and rely solely on a higher guidance. It's made take a long hard look at myself and my intentions. Where do I see myself? Who is it that I really want to be. What do I want to give back to the world?
POUR on Prince
Happy to finally get these babies up on the blog. Back in May, my good friend Lee and I got to collaborate on some images for Lancaster County Magazine. Lee is Bar Manager at POUR on Prince and makes some mighty tasty beverages if I must say so myself. Our focus was a summer-inspired cocktail, in which you could easily make at home. Recipe below. Check it ✌️
SHORE LEAVE
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum ‘’Navy Strength’’ 57% abv.
John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum Liqueur 11% abv.
Cilantro-Infused Pineapple Shrub Bar Keep Chinese Bitters
Bruleed Pineapple
&
Grated Nutmeg Garnish
ashlee
''And the starts blinked
As they watched her carefully,
Jealous of her shine''.
of golden light
So glad to finally get these guys up on the blog tonight. Jake and Jess have been long time friends of mine and recently asked if I'd grab some pre baby pics before their little one is due in September. It's been a little while since I've shot at golden hour so I wanted the timing to be just right. I've been trying to push my work with light more so we decided on the Rockford Plantation in southern Lancaster where the sun seems to just sit magically on the horizon 🍂
wildfires
I heard a quote once
|| Sometimes a forest must be completely burnt down in order to promote new growth.
I am here.
I've never been in such a place where old structures have been completely crumbling right before my eyes, but not without new, miraculous ones rising furiously. He called me into his study today. My grandfather. '' I just wanted to see where you were at with all of this''. I had to hold back tears. He had been such an ass lately, ripping me apart and taking the most low lying blows. But I understood. None of us want to go thru this. We were all scared, and we've just been taking it out on each other. ''I'll be okay, I've got some options''. The reality is that I've been flying terrified, by the seat of my pants. I have no idea and I'm not sure what's going to happen. But that's not the space that I want to be in. We can't do anything there. It's here, in the calmness of the storm that we can make that headway. That deep-seeded faith that it will all work out. I've fought for years to honor that feeling. That internal compass, that gut faith that all will unfold exactly when it needs to.
This is where you fall back.
kirk + courtney || engaged
Maybe I'm a little biased, because it is my cousin and all, but I'm totally diggin' on this engagement shoot. Kirk and Court are getting hitched in August and asked if I'd drive up north to grab a few shots in celebration. Wellduhofcourse. It was nice to get out of dodge for the day. Not that I don't like good old Lancaster County, but having some new scenery in the backdrop is always a treat 🌾
bestie
Jess and I shoot together so stinkin' much that I occasionally forget to put photos up. A few from a midsummer's night along Speedwell Forge Lake ❤︎
human.
It still blows my mind that we still live in a world that puts so much emphasis on what we ''do''. Our careers, our day jobs, our titles define us. It's the first round of questions that gets spit out at a party, when meeting new people or connecting with a potential suitor. It's like a default question riddled with ego, yet deeply embedded with insecurities. Because, it is not, who we are. I came across this twice today and was taken back by surprise. I wanted to fire back, but bit my tongue. It's yours not mine. I've met the most profound people that have tucked their lives away behind ''sub par'' jobs. They could have ''done more'' with their lives. They just never ''got it together''. I have such a problem with the 9-5 mentality. It still rules the majority and it still reeks more than ever with prudent discord. There is no room for the creative mind. It's abruptly disregarded, shrugged off and set to the side until, it's ''needed''. I'm sure this whole post sounds pretty biased. It kinda is. Don't get me wrong, I get that there needs to be a balance, a yin and yang. But lately, it just feels very one sided. It's like just as I feel were getting to a more even playing field there's this backlash, a smack to the face. I've watched some of my deepest loved ones go thru it. My dad, seriously one of the most brilliant-minded men I've ever met (I know, I know, he's my dad..) led this Goodwill Hunting type of life so to speak, ''under performing'' and ''throwing away his talents'' at menial jobs. I don't believe so. And I don't think that for one second, his was a life wasted. He touched sooo many lives being the kind, compassionate individual that he was. Lives that he would of never gotten to know had he been ''on the correct path''. I think we need to re-examine what it means to be human. What makes us ''successful''. I truly believe we are placed exactly where we are intended to be. To reach those that need us and whom we need in return. To bring a higher sense of purpose to the table. I saw it in the line at his funeral.
garden love
Been a little obsessed with free-lensing and multiple exposures in our garden this week ✌︎
I wondered what he wished for as he blew those candles out. My mind was so numb I could barely focus on anything other than that 6pm light that danced beautifully off of my grandmothers dining room walls. We all were just here. Bodies. Appeasing her because it wasn't worth fighting anymore. I downed my second glass of cheap red wine and began to fade. It felt good to fade. To just put the last pieces of your overactive mind out of it's misery. Even if it was just temporary. I couldn't help but smile watching him light up. I was so incredibly grateful for him, and she knew it. He was the first one there at the accident and the one that had been silently fighting for me for all these years. There was this unspoken camradery. Something that I yearned for my entire life. Something that I'd give back in an instant. I didn't know where the rest of this year would go. We wouldn't be sitting here for the next that was for certain. All I could do was keep putting one foot in front of the other in hopes that it would all make sense, eventually.
mya
I can't say enough about this girl. Well, right off the bat she's absolutely stunning. But get to know Mya a little bit more and you'll find that she's one of the most gracious, talented and down-to-earth babes you'll meet. Mya is a high school senior this year and a ridiculously talented artist. Her mom, a good friend of mine contacted me about getting her portraits done back in the fall. We shot a bunch of ideas back and forth about cool snow-inspired pics but eventually settled on the idea of renting some warm studio space. It was my first time working in this type of setting and I wont lie, I was completely terrified. Indoor spaces are always tricky because you have fixed lighting sources and are racing a setting sun that is constantly changing the pattern of light. But this girl rocked the hell out of her shoot and we ended up getting some pretty baller images, if I must say so myself ;)
anastassia
“And in the depth of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer”
jaclyn
I think it's funny how life seems to have a way of precisely placing people in our lives the moment we need them. Whether its to challenge us up to a higher level or gently guide us through the uncertainties of our lives. I've known of Jaclyn for years thru family ties but didn't get to connect until recently. We had been following each other online and finally decided to set up a date to collaborate together. I can't say enough about this beautiful soul. She truly shines inside and out. She's got a cutting personality and unparalleled drive for success, yet is graciously down to earth. Sometimes, I feel like I go into these shoots and come out completely changed. For it's more then just the pictures I take.
who we are
I got a tattoo the other week. One that I'm still incredibly unsure about it. I love the meaning behind it, the placement, it was something I had in mind for a while. I thought about how it would run along my skin, extenuating the lines of my body, delicately. But it was after when I started to think otherwise. The others I had gotten always seemed to just ''flow'' like it was something that was just born out of me, in a sense. It was like a relief when I got them. But this one hurt. The heaviness of the lines sank deep, too deep. Not how I wanted it too. The black ink seemed to just scream in contrast against my winter skin. It still seems so foreign to me and hurts like nothing else. It rocked my world the first few days. Like a bad dream that I just hoped to wake up from. I guess if any good has come out of it, it's made me look further into myself and my intentions. What does this represent to me? Why do we go so far as to put something on our body, permanently. Who are we defining ourselves as? Are we trying to fit into a certain ideal? What are we trying to convey? If we were all stripped of our tattoos, piercings, makeup, hair color, down to our most natural state. Would we still draw the same people into our lives? Feel the same confidence about ourselves? I feel like self liberation comes even before the act of going through with that new hair cut, like if you absolutely couldn't have it, how would you continue to carry yourself? I think we're driven by the subtleties of body language, and how we hold ourselves. Do we walk with sheer confidence? Do we speak with a soft understated tone? Do we blush at the passerby who has the same little spark of uncertainty in their eye? I think all of these things beautifully join us on a subconscious level, with or without blatantly stating it.
engaged || amanda + chris
I adore engagement sessions. Especially this one. I get to take an intimate peek inside a world created by two people head over heels in love. Amanda and Chris live in the heart of Philadelphia and wanted to get out of the city for a few shots in the comfort of the home they grew up in. We decided to head down to Kelly's Run, a park located in southern Lancaster County, sporting some major west coast vibes. It was the first time I met Chris and my heart just melted over how doting he was over Amanda, carrying her over muddy trails, and meticulously fixing her hair and jewelry, just right. So stinkin' cute. I love watching the dynamics between two people. How in unison, they seem to create a synergy that embodies one person. These two compliment each so effortlessly I have no doubt their love will be one that stands the test of time. Love ya babes!
