Sion is one of the most picturesque places I have ever been. This sweet little mountain town is nestled in a valley in the heart of the Swiss Alps. On all sides it is surrounded by majestic, snow-capped mountains, but within its boundaries are two smaller mountains atop which sit an 800-year-old abbey and castle. In Switzerland, the village is known for its raclette cheese, which is warmed over a portable oven and eaten like fondue, and its world-class soccer team. It is also where our friend Matt was born and raised. 

Being able to experience a European mountain village through the eyes of a friend who grew up here was an incredible experience. The entire time we were in Sion, Matt was beaming as he showed us his favorite hangouts, took us to his favorite restaurants, and watched as we explored the nooks and crannies of his village. I was struck not only by Sion's charm, but by the mystery and history this town holds. Around every corner there seemed to be a new passage way, wooden door, or alley that left me with curiosity and wonder.

​One of the most enjoyable experiences here was climbing to the top of the mountain near the center of town and exploring the Valere Basilica. I chose to do this on my own, and I couldn't have asked for a more prefect mini mountain retreat. 

Later we ventured to one of my most favorite places on Earth: The Matterhorn. Say what you will about Zurmatt. I know it's touristy and can feel kitschy at times, but I love it to pieces. I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time we were here! It's really not that surprising that my most favorite image from the trip came from here :)

After visiting Paris, Cliff and I rented a car and drove to Tours, France, to see our friend Matt. Matt lived in this town for a year while he was studying for the French Bar. Before coming, he kept telling us how excited he was for us to see Tours because its authentically French. We got the experience some of that "Frenchiness" (Matt's word) our first night here when we sat outside at a cafe chatting, dining, sipping on wine, and enjoying the beautiful weather. It was pure magic, and it didn't take me long at all to fall in love with the town of Tours.

At 130,000 people, Tours is the largest village in the Loire Valley, and is one of the most quaint, charming places I've ever visited. The people of Tours have so eloquently mixed old (the buildings in the first photo below this text are from the Middle Ages) with the new, and the community's history is fascinating. It predates the Middle Ages, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Joan of Arc came here, and more recently, the town pioneered methods for preserving community history. I could see myself living here, and have pitched the idea to Cliff that we retire here!

The rest of the Loire Valley is known for its lush greenery and scenic river lands. For centuries Kings, Queens, and other noblepeople chose this area of France to build castles and chateaus, dozens of which still exist. This is truly the land of fairy tales!

It was also in the Loire Valley where my favorite part of our entire vacation happened. Scroll down to learn more about the surprise and see photos of something truly magnificent! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram, where I'll take a behind-the-scenes look at some of our favorite vacation photos!

The next set of photos are so special to me. On a whim, our friend Matt told us to get in the car. He wanted to show us something -- but he wouldn't say what. We had previously discussed visiting a French winery, so I assumed that's where we were going. We drove for about an hour before Matt had us pull over by a tree in the middle of a farm field. He told us to turn around and I was struck dumb with astonishment and awe. Behind us, in what felt like the middle of nowhere, were the ruins of a Roman Aqueduct. Being able to walk up to this, see it, touch it, feel it, and just be with it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and something I will not forget anytime soon. We stayed here for about an hour basking in the beauty of the moment.

Last summer Cliff and I traveled to France and Switzerland to visit our friend Matt who was studying for the French Bar. (Spoiler: He passed!) I just got done editing images from our trip and wanted to share a few favorites with you here. Follow me on Instagram where I'll be taking a behind-the-scenes look at some of my favorite photos from our vacation.

This was one of those vacations where each day was a little better than the last.  We started out in Paris before spending a few days in the Loire Valley in the town of Tours. We ended our vacation in Switzerland in the tiny village of Sion where our friend Matt was born and raised. 

Before we left for this trip, I was most excited about Switzerland. I'd been there before and just couldn't wait to go back. France was less familiar to me, but I quickly fell in love with French culture, cuisine, and its people. Life there just feels easy, and I think a lot of Americans (myself included) could benefit from that relaxed way of living. In France, it seems less emphasis is focused on doing and more emphasis is focused on just being. I love it!

I have to give a huge shout out to the podcast Join Us In France, which helped get me excited for both Paris and other places in France. If you have plans to travel to Paris soon or just enjoy learning about new places, I highly recommend it. Hosts Annie and Elyse break down culture, tourists spots, language and so much more in a down-to-earth way that is both enlightening and fun!

Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post to see photos of Notre Dame. We visited less than six months before the fire. Au revoir!

Be on the lookout for more soon! Up next are photos from the Loire Valley!

This holiday season, give a gift that gives back! There’s nothing better than giving quality gifts to those you love AND supporting your local community! #ShopLocal this holiday season and shop #SilverSpring!

For the ones you love most: Family Photos. 

For the seeker of tranquility and peace: Candles from Handmade Habitat

For that one person who is always on the go: Quality bags from Stitch and Rivet

​For the person in your life looking for balance and relaxation: Yoga, massage, or acupuncture from Third Space Wellness

​For the little ones: Hand-crochet creatures from Hooked and Loopy
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For those who enjoy the finer things: Handmade beauty products from Mare Naturals

For the craft beer connoisseur: Craft beer from Fenwick Beer and Wine

For those who love gardening: Subscription to Washington Gardener Magazine

For the girl, teen, or woman on a mission: The 2019 Girl Powered Planner from Missheard Media

​For the lover of super heroes in your life: Comics and graphic novels from Alliance Comics. 

For the creative and crafty kids in your life: Art supplies, kits, coloring books and more from Plaza Art
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​For the noir and independent film lover in your life: AFI movie tickets

For the coffee lover: Gift cards to community-centric, local coffee shops like Kefa Café, Bump n Grind, or Kaldi’s Social House.

In fact, don't stop there! Give a gift card to any of Silver Spring's fine restaurants! Find a complete list here and here!

For the lover of sweets: Treats from Velatis Caramels

For the writer in your life: Lovely stationery from Meekly Yours

For the music lover in your life: Concert tickets to the Fillmore

​For the reader and lover of cozy things in your life: Books, home goods, and other unique gifts from Loyalty Bookstore

​​For the person in your life always in search of new, unique experiences: An outdoor adventure experience from Go-Adventures!

Headshots for the #BossLady in your life from Shala Graham Photography

Get help making your own gift at the holiday social of the Silver Spring Time Bank!

Make a one-time contribution in your loved one's name to WAMU where you can hear Silver Spring's very own Dan Reed on the Kojo Nnamdi show!

Go one step even more local with a t-shirt from WOWD - Takoma Park Radio!

​Share movie knowledge and laughter with a subscription to Movie Nightcap's The Reserve Collection

Give the gift of reading with a membership to Friends of the Library - Silver Spring Chapter 

Make your own handlettered gift at one of the meetings of the Unofficial Handlettering Society of Silver Spring!

Author's note: I started this back in 2016 when I was on the search for unique gift ideas and felt frustrated by what the internet had to offer. To see even more Silver Spring-based gift giving ideas, click here.

Whether it's a newly engaged couple, a whole family, or even a person and their pet, I love being around people who are in love. That's certainly the case with Matt and Dan. These two will be tying the knot sometime next year, and it's easy to see just how much they love and care for each other.

The three of us spent an hour together in one of my favorite spots in Sligo Creek Park, and the session can only be described as joyful. Matt and Dan are quick to smile and share a peaceful contentedness with each other that made my job easy and fun.

When I asked Matt and Dan their favorite things about each other, the answer they gave stole my heart. "I don't think either of us could narrow that down to even a small list, let alone one thing." Yeah... that's how genuinely sweet they are. <3

I'm more than a little behind on blogging, but that's okay -- better late than never, right? I can't believe this session happened almost a full year ago!!

​I love using my camera to bring people together and one way I do that is through Silver Spring's food festival, Taste the World in Fenton Village. Not only do I try to photograph this festival every year, but I also donate a door prize -- a family photo session!

The lucky winners of the 2017 prize are the Guinnessy Family. The three of us met in the fall of last year for a family photo shoot and I love how these images turned out! The timing couldn't have been better. Just look at those GORGEOUS leaves!

Want to win a FREE family photo session? Mark your calendars for 2019's Taste the World in Fenton Village happening May 19. I hope to see you there!

I've been thinking a lot lately about kindness, what it means, what it looks like, and how place can shape our definition of kind.

Those who read this blog regularly know that I'm originally from Nebraska, a place where it sometimes feels like being nice is a requirement for living there. Back home it's common to greet people as you're walking down the street, share details about your life with the cashier at the grocery store, and even strike up conversations with strangers.

Out on the East Coast, it isn't always that way. We all know the stereotypes of brash New Yorkers. But even here in the DMV, I've found that the hustle and bustle of city life can sometimes make people more reserved. And until recently, I assumed that’s just the way it is. I assumed that the Midwest has an bona fide kindness that can’t be found anywhere else.

Then I met the Carr family.

This family is authentically, genuinely kind. They approach the world with love, and their enthusiasm for life is contagious. I felt this positive energy in the way they connected with, supported, and encouraged each other. Perhaps most importantly, I see that loving spirit shine through in each of these images.

Even though we only spent a short time together, I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about the Carrs long into the future. Their energy and enthusiasm left an impression on me and defined kindness in a way that I once thought could only be found in the Midwest. They taught me that kindness lies within people, not places, and that showing kindness is a decision we all make each and every day.

When families hire me to take their photos, I always hope I leave a lasting, positive impression on them. But so often, the families I come to know and love leave a lasting impression on me. That's definitely the case with the Lin Family.

It's been awhile since I've posted anything here -- for no reason in particular, other than life. This year has been trying to say the least. Between the every day drama that has become our political landscape, and the death of a dear friend, I've had to practice a lot of self care in 2018. That means the blog has taken a bit of a backseat... until this last weekend. 

I've known the Lins for years now, and something about being in my favorite place -- Sligo Creek Park -- with people I adore energized me in a way I haven't felt in months. Honestly, I give the credit to the little one you see, who I'll call C. She was so full of good vibes and positive energy and wasn't afraid to throw out ideas for our session, which I loved! So many of the kids I photograph are shy and need help coming out of their shells (which is totally understandable). But not C. She had no problem hamming it up for the camera, which made my job so easy!

Not only did C remind me how much I love photography, but she made me realize I've got something special literally in my own front yard. That something special is Sligo Creek. It's a place I adore, a place I spend a lot of my time, and a place I like to call my studio. That's why from here on out, I'll simply ask you to call me the Sligo Creek Photographer. 

I love the energy this place holds. I love how its peace and beauty bring people together. And I love what a hidden gem it is for family photos. I plan to spend a lot of time here in the coming months and years. My goal is to create beautiful images that will last for years to come, and build life-long connections with the families I photograph. If more kids like C come into my life, something tells me that's not going to be hard to do :)

Cliff and I have been overwhelmed by the response to our hallway project. Thanks to everyone who left comments on Facebook and Twitter about it! And to all those who asked about buying my work, thank you a million times over. You really know how to make a photographer feel good about herself :)

I never considered opening my work up for sale until now, mostly because I didn't think people would be super interested -- but the internet has proven me wrong. So, for TEN DAYS ONLY, I'm making prints and canvases of my work, including some never-before-published images, available for purchase.

WHAT:
Prints, canvases, and select stationery from my Nebraska and Nature & Landscape collections available for purchase!

WHEN:
10 days only! Now through July 18!

HOW:
Hop on over to the online store to place your order!

WHY:
Because YOU asked!

FINE PRINT: 
Shipping is included in all pricing!
​All art pieces are printed at a local lab here in Maryland
20% of all proceeds will be donated to Lawyers for Good Government

Below are samples of what is available. Click on the photo or go straight to the online store to shop!

Given all the craziness that's happening in our country right now (you know: families being separated at the border, kids being held in cages, affirmative action and unions being attacked, and a Supreme Court vacancy) a number of friends have asked a very important question: What can I, as an individual, do?

The answer? A lot.

We live in a Democracy, which means every individual has a right to voice their opinion and to make their positions known. Going on the record for or against policies you agree or disagree with is fairly simple.

Take last weekend as an example. Tens of thousands of Americans gathered in hundreds of rallies and marches held all over the country to protest the unlawful detention of migrants and migrant children, and the cruel, inhumane separation of families at our borders. Here in D.C., hundreds, maybe even thousands, braved intense heat to make their voices heard.

Public protests are becoming more and more common in the era of Trump, which isn't surprising given the inhumane policies he promotes and endorses. As exciting as protests can be, not everyone who feels strongly about what the government is doing can march. That doesn't mean you can't participate in Democracy. There are so many ways to go on the record against government decisions you don't agree with. Here's one of them:
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Write letters and make phone calls to your elected leaders. Better yet, do it with a group of friends.

That's exactly what I did last weekend when a neighbor and friend organized a letter-writing party for those in Silver Spring who couldn't make it to the rally. This party was both an action of solidarity with marchers and an act of resistance. Together, we wrote dozens of letters and post cards to elected leaders, including our governor, Members of Congress, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and others, calling for an end to family separation and the reunification of families that have been separation, among other things. It was easy, doing it with friends was fun, and we felt good knowing we were exercising our rights as citizens. Special thanks to Kefa Cafe for hosting our party and the Unofficial Handlettering Society of Silver Spring for donating pens, pencils, and post cards!

Doing this on your own, or hosting a party to amplify the number of voices heard, isn't hard and only requires minimal prep work. Keep scrolling for a how-to guide on making your voice heard!

Step 1: Stay Educated
Democracy doesn't just happen because some old guys a long time ago said it should happen. Keeping a democracy alive and well is an active process, and it involves staying informed. Our first amendment guarantees freedom of the press, and now, more than ever, it is important for Americans to value this right -- and use it. I get my news from a variety of sources, including but not limite to The Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Vox, and The Root. If you haven't already, consider subscribing to a newspaper... then READ it. On a budget? Check out public radio. It's free and every community has a local station.

Step 2: Identify the issue (or issues) you want to speak out on
Given how bananas things have become today, this shouldn't be difficult to do. In case you need help, here are some of the most pressing issues of the day:

• The government wrongly detaining and caging asylum seekers
• The government separating immigrant children from their parents
• Trump appointing a Supreme Court nominee
• The government using the First Amendment as a weapon against unions
• The government engaging in a trade war
• The government taking shots at affirmative action
• The government not taking Climate Change seriously and dismantling environmental protections
• The government allowing people with violent histories to have access to guns

You can also use the tool You Lobby to find specific issues that matter to you.

Step 3: Identify your elected leaders
Every citizen in the country is represented by a host of people, including (and not limited to) a state governor, two Senators, and a Congressman. Not sure who your elected leaders are? There are resources that can help, like this tool from the League of Women Voters or this one from Common Cause.

Step 4: Know what to ask for
This is the only step that can sometimes get tricky -- but fear not. The internet is here to help!

Once you've identified the issue or issues you want to speak out on, it is important to know what to ask for. Asks can be as specific as supporting or not supporting specific legislation, or, if the issue isn't legislative in nature, they can be as broad as requesting your elected leader make a commitment to a certain set of ideals. It is also important to remember that Members of Congress deal with policy at the federal level, while governors, mayors, city counselors, etc. focus on local issues -- so make sure your ask appropriately aligns with the office you're contacting.

There are a lot of tools that can help with this, such as Resistbot or You Lobby.

When it came to knowing what to ask for in terms of ending family separation and reuniting families, I simply did a google search and learned that all of my members of Congress had co-sponsored the Keeping Families Together Act, and that the best thing to ask for going forward (because it involves action my members of Congress can take) is defunding ICE and CBP, the agencies responsible detaining immigrants and separating families, respectively.

To help keep myself and friends on message, I wrote this script. You can use it, too:

Dear (insert elected leader's name here),

My name is Jonna (use your name) and I live in Silver Spring, Maryland. Family separation and the Trump Administration's zero-tolerance immigration policies are inhumane and must stop. Thank you for cosponsoring the Keeping Families Together Act, and for speaking out against this cruelty. Please vote no on any future spending bills unless they reduce funding for ICE. 

Sincerely,

Jonna (use your first and last names)

Step 5: 
Now that you know who you're contacting and what you're asking for, it's time to write your letters or make your phone calls. This is the fun part, and it doesn't take a whole lot of time. As the example above shows, I was able to state my case and make my ask in a total of 5 sentences. 

Step 6:
Send your letters to the offices of your elected leaders. (You'll need a stamp for this. Don't have a stamp? You might want to place a call instead).

That's it! With six simple steps, you, too, can participate in our Democracy.

Need more encouragement? Read what those who participated in Silver Spring's letter writing party have to say:

I was excited that multiple people wanted to show up and write letters together. I wanted to take a stand, but knew that I couldn't handle the rally downtown. When I told a friend that I felt like I needed to do something, she reminded me that I could write a letter or leave voicemails and it was still doing something. I wrote my first letter to an elected official years ago, but it's easy to overlook this important tool in an advocate's arsenal.

I decided to see on Facebook if anyone felt the same way and wanted to get together to express ourselves and advocate for change. Thankfully not only did some local friends feel the same way, but several out-of-town friends said they would also write. 

I looked up some sample scripts for calls and letters on resistbot and 5calls.org to make writing the letters even easier. One friend brought postcards and fun pens, a another wrote the important information on large sheets of paper, and by the end of barely two and a half hours, we had 67 pieces of mail. It was so simple, two little girls even joined in to make sure Congress knew they wanted families reunited! The trickiest part was figuring out a good, age-appropriate explanation when they asked what we were doing.

Writing to our officials is important because we are ultimately their bosses. If we don't tell how we feel and what we want, how can we expect them to know? Like the saying goes, if you don't ask you don't get. All the mail gets counted and tallied so this makes sure they know. Plus, it shows that we cared enough to write.

To be honest, I'd like to do it again soon because there are always causes that need champions. I can't do everything, but I can see if friends are available. Stamps aren't that expensive. Plus, writing as a group was fun and reminded me that I'm not alone in wanting better for my country. I still hope to go to protests in the future, but I'm definitely going to keep writing.

-- Bethany

Our members of congress represent us and need to know how we (their constituents) feel on issues like immigration. That's why I decided to attend Bethany and Jarrod's letter writing get together at Kefa Cafe. Coming together to write letters with templates (and lattes!) at hand made the task much less daunting and lots more fun. 

-- Boosaba