As a photographer of engaged couples and families, I get to see all the ways people share and show love for one another. Some families are especially affectionate and snugly. Some keep their love private and share a peaceful, easy silence while in public. Some laugh and smile their way through life. That perfectly describes this sweet couple, Meghan and Ryan. Laughter is at the heart of everything they do together!

The three of us spent Saturday morning laughing our way through Glen Echo Park. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a weekend morning. Even though it was so early (we were up with the sun!) these two brightened the day with their easy going smiles and soft, rolling laughs. 

Hearing these two talk about meeting each other for the first time is so sweet. Meghan said she knew immediately Ryan would be a special person in her life... she just didn't know how special. The more time they spent together, the more it became clear to them that they were made for each other :)

Meghan and Ryan got engaged a few months ago and will be tying the knot this fall in Richmond, Virginia. They chose Glen Echo Park as the location of their engagement photos because it is where they had their first date. I loved walking around the park, hearing them reminisce about old times, and dream about the life ahead that they will share. 

I want to thank everyone who helped make this session possible, including the entire Silver Spring community, and those who donated to the Community Wellness Fund Inspired by Bethany Meissner.

For those who don't know, my good friend Bethany was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. Part of her care plan involves acupuncture and massage, but insurance doesn't always cover those treatments. To help ease some of the burden, Third Space Wellness and I partnered to establish a fund that helps Bethany and her husband Jarrod, and gives back to the community.

When TSW and I partnered on this project, we had no idea what we'd get. The generosity of Silver Spring blew whatever expectations out of the water! The fund raised well over $5,000, and triggered tons of community give backs, including this photo shoot! You see, for every $3,000 raised, I promised to donate a photo session to a family of Bethany and Jarrod's choice. I couldn't have picked a lovelier couple! Meghan and Ryan were so easy to work with and so clearly in love! Most special, they are part of the community of friends and neighbors who share life, joy, trials, tribulations, laughter, and love with Bethany and Jarrod.

I wish these two the best as they begin a new chapter in life, and can't wait to see what weeks, months, and years of love and laughter bring! Congrats, you two!

Since moving to DC, Cliff and I have heard wonderful things about the Outer Banks in North Carolina... so, we decided to go! Our trip was short -- two days and three nights, but this place did not disappoint. 

For those unfamiliar with the area, the Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. They stretch for 200 miles and are home to unique history and some incredible landscapes. Black Beard, the feared and famous pirate, traveled here; the Wright Brothers first flew here; and the lost colony of Roanoke was, well, lost here. I'm especially fascinated by the thousands of ship wrecks that dot the coast. There are so many that the Outer Banks are nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic, and there's even a museum dedicated to these lost ships. (Unfortunately, it was closed when we got there--but that just means we'll have to go back!)

For two hick kids from Nebraska, the coolest thing was knowing we were on land that's essentially in the middle of the ocean. Smelling salty sea air, seeing dolphins, and coming across a baby seal while walking along the beach were all so special! 

We purposely traveled during the off season to avoid the crowds, and even though it was a little cool and a lot windy, we cannot wait to come back!

The older I get the more I learn to love and appreciate winter. I know it is easy to complain about the short days and cold temperatures, but I adore everything winter stands for. For me, it's a time to rest, relax, wind down, and focus on living in the moment.

​Nothing says winter like snow, and this weekend we got plenty of it. There's always something special about the first snowfall of the season. It's magical and beautiful and it always makes me giddy! The fact that the first snow fell on a Saturday meant I was able to spend my morning with my hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee just staring out the window. It was so peaceful and tranquil and I loved it!

Another thing that made this year's first snow fall memorable was that I got to share it with friends Courtney-Rose and Adam Dantus! I met Courtney-Rose years ago, and always admired her gentle spirit and easy smile. So when she reached out asking for family photos, I was delighted to oblige!

We actually had this Sligo Creek family photo session planned days in advance, and I had assumed the snow would stop before the shoot even started. But to my delight, it snowed throughout the entire session! I've got to give a huge shout out to Courtney-Rose and Adam for being such troopers. Wintertime snowy sessions make so GORGEOUS photos, but they aren't always easy. Cold fingers and stinging cheeks can get really annoying really fast, but Courtney-Rose, Adam, and their two pups powered through. 

I'm so glad we were able to get together and embrace winter in this way. I adore these photos and hope the Dantus Family loves them as much as I do!

Four months.

That's how long it's been since I've last blogged, and since I last posted anything of significance on Instagram or Twitter. The reason? I needed a break. Between crazy current events and the time suck that  social media has become, there was just too much unwanted noise in my life. 

The stress of it all didn't seem worth it. So I stopped. And I listened. And I used my time differently. 

For me, taking a break didn't mean disengaging from the political reality/hellhole in which we now live. It meant taking a break from my own creativity. For four months, I didn't publish or amplify a single blog post. I didn't post anything on or look at Instagram. I didn't check Twitter. And for one month, I didn't touch Facebook.

Here's what disengaging from social media taught me:

Burnout is not always recognizable.
So much of my photography business is about getting eyes on my website, which means keeping a blog. Even when I don't have photos to share, I feel the need to find something to write about.  That means brainstorming ideas, writing posts, keeping an editorial calendar, amplifying my blogs on social media, and engaging on those platforms as much as possible. It is enough to be a full-time job, except that I already have a full-time job working in the labor movement. Between photos, blogging, general business running, and labor activism, I can easily put in ten to twelve hours a day every day. And that's what I did for months on end. I was so wrapped up in all of this work that I failed to realize how much I was working. I know, that sounds weird, right? But GO became my standard mode. Resting, relaxing, and doing things deemed "unproductive" started to become foreign concepts to me. I didn't realize how extreme my situation had become until I forced myself to stop creating and start living.

There is value and joy in just being.
Not only had I forgotten what it was like to read a book, watch a movie, or just have down time, but I failed to recognize how important tranquil, unproductive moments in life really are. Yes, much of that can be attributed to working too much... but taking a break from social media also made me realize just how much time I spend at the computer. Time that could be spent doing other, healthier things: like engaging in conversation, walking outside, listening to music, or just thinking. That's the problem with social media--even when we're alone with it, it takes up space in our mind. There is something truly beautiful and peaceful about having the freedom to turn inward and tune out the rest of the world. Too much time on social media took this away from me.  

Comparison is a dangerous game.
As a photographer, I look at images. Lots of them. All the time. This includes images of other photographers, no matter their genre. Any good photographer will tell you not to compare your work to the work of others. I've told myself and readers of this blog that many times. But it's always easier said than done. Before I gave up social media for four months, comparing myself to other photographers became a daily routine, and a depressing one at that. Where I saw perfection in others' images, business models, and success, I found only flaws and failure in mine. Taking a break from social media gave me much-needed relief from this self-depreciating behavior and, as a result, I feel more confident in my own self and my work.

Change is okay.
Checking social media multiple times each day became part of a regular routine. Breaking that felt strange at first, but it taught me that change, even in this one, small way, is good. It's healthy.

Creating can be therapeutic. It can also be a shield.
During times of high stress and uncertainty (say, like... now) there is no denying that art, be it writing, painting, photography, dance, or theater, can be incredibly therapeutic. But it can also act as a near-impenetrable shield from life. In the months before I hit my  breaking point, I was so focused on work and churning out content for this blog and my social media channels that I didn't have the time or energy to fully digest the news or engage in discussions or debates about current events. Why does this matter? Because conversations matter. Shielding myself from the raw reality of our world prevented me from growing, learning, engaging, and acting. Since taking a break from social media, I've been able to do deep self reflection, learn from the world around me, and make changes in my personal life that align with changes I want to see in the rest of society.

I am happier.
Less stress. Less drama. Less fucks to give about things that don't actually matter. 

I've missed you, @Yogitastic.
There is one down side to my break from social media: I've missed out on happenings in my community and the musings of my neighbors... including the hysterical rants of brain buyer and yoga instructor Sam, aka @Yogitastic. Seriously, people. If you're looking for a little humor to go with your anger, this is the account to follow.

The blog is a little off kilter these days because... so am I. This year has been trying to say the least. It took me about six months after the election to get my bearings on life, and by then I was so drained and emotionally exhausted that I just needed a break. I'm slowly finding my groove again, and can't think of a better post to share to get back on track than this one.

The Unofficial Handletting Society of Silver Spring is a group that meets the second Tuesday of every month to doodle, handletter, color, and just unwind. I've found the meetings to be incredibly relaxing and therapeutic. I've also learned a lot from this group. Namely, if you come to this club and handletter because you want to find perfection, you're doing it wrong. Handlettering is about finding the joy and beauty in what is not perfect, and accepting that there is perfection in imperfection. ​It's also a great way to meet new people and make new friends :)

I spent time with the Unofficial Handlettering Society of Silver Spring a few months ago to take photos for their upcoming website, and it was blissful. All artistic abilities are welcome, and everyone who meets up is so encouraging and supportive of everyone else. What I loved most was seeing how each person's unique character was represented in the letters they doodled.

Want more? Check out the group's tumblr, follow them on social with the tag #SSLetters, and be sure to join them the second Tuesday of every month at Catylator Maker Space in downtown Silver Spring. The Unofficial Handlettering Society of Silver Spring is free and open to the public.

Special thanks to Amina Ahmed, Christy Batta, and Third Space Wellness for making this shoot possible.

I've got to give a huge shout out and thank you to the talented woman behind the DeHiwi brand, Hiwot Bezibih, for her kindness and incredible patience. Hiwot and I met more than two months ago. Under normal circumstances I would have had these images done weeks ago. But there have been a lot of ups and downs in life lately, so photography work has gotten delayed.

I'm getting back in the groove, though, and I've got Hiwot to thank for that. I'm swooning over these images of her pure root ginger. Spending a few hours this weekend in my creative zone was exactly what I needed, and I can't wait to share more of this gorgeous product! Check back next week for even more photos from this session!

It's insane how FAST this year is going -- and even crazier how fast the summer has flown by. Just yesterday it felt like I was texting my good friend Kathy, praying, hoping, she'd say yes to my idea: a girls' vacation!

August 15 -- just over 10 days from now -- our vacation starts. I'M SO EXCITED!!! For me, this wont be just ANY vacation. I'm actually going to have many first-time experiences... some of which are long overdue. 

Kathy and I agreed to meet in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where we'll go hiking, zip lining, and ride a glass-top train. Not only will this be my FIRST time in Colorado (I know, I know... I lived in Nebraska for 23 years and have never before visited Colorado... the SHAME!). It will also by my FIRST time vacationing with a girlfriend. 

I've mentioned this story before: I grew up in a strict household. Road trips, weekend getaways, and spring breaks without adult supervision were forbidden. By the time I became an adult, I was focused on education and my career (plus I didn't have much money to spare). Now that I've got my feet under me and a little savings, I'm taking advantage of the fun side of adulting. 

The best part? I get to share this experience with a woman I adore! Kathy and I were roomates in college and share a love of all things Nebraska, writing, and food. This is going to be awesome. :D

WHAT:
Portrait workshop with Jonna Huseman and Gerry Suchy

WHEN:
Sunday, September 24
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHERE:
8001 Kennett Street (Third Space Wellness) 
Silver Spring, MD

FAQS:
​Space is limited, so don't delay! Click this link to learn more or to sign up!

When I first started photography as a hobby in the early 2000s, I didn't have any help. I learned how to use a camera and edit my photos all on my own--and what a process it was! I wish there had been someone there to help guide me. Now, with the help of my good friend Gerry Suchy, I'm taking what I know and passing it on to others!

I'm thrilled to announce the Portrait Workshop with Jonna Huseman and Gerry Suchy!

This one-day workshop is designed for people who love their families, want beautiful photos of them, but need some additional guidance learning how to navigate their DSLR or mirrorless camera, and everything that's involved with post processing.

During the workshop, we'll teach guests about camera settings for portrait photography, how to work with shadows and light, and what goes into editing photos, from picking out keepers to the ins and outs of professional-grade editing software. The best part? The workshop will be very hands on--guests will have a chance to photograph models in both indoor and outdoor settings (weather permitting).

If you've ever wanted to learn photography from a professional, this is a great opportunity! Space is limited, so we encourage guests to reserve their spot early. Click this link to learn more or to sign up!

This is my most favorite post from an engagement session... like, EVER. The reason? The woman you see in these photos is one of my childhood best friends. In fact, she's the oldest friend I have. We've known each other since first grade! I'm immensely proud of her, and of everything our 25-year friendship has endured. We've been through love, loss, bad hair styles, camping trips, and too many sleepovers to count, but through it all, she remains one of my most favorite people. 

The other reason I'm proud of these photos? They almost didn't happen. They were taken on the fly right outside Kim's home near Nebraska City, Nebraska. (City friends reading this -- yes, her property is as quaint, quiet, and beautiful as it looks in these photos. Welcome to the good life :) )

I couldn't be happier for Kim and her fiance Jake. It's taken a lot for them to get where they are today, but I have no doubt their future together is both solid and bright. They'll be tying the knot in Deadwood South Dakota later this year with a big, classic-car themed bash to follow. I can't wait!

​Much love to you both <3

I've been thinking a lot about my childhood for reasons that I can't quite place. Maybe it's the stark contrast between no responsibilities and a lot of responsibilities. Or the idolization of a simpler time. Regardless of the reason, as adults, I think we often forget what it's like to be a kid. Stress from our jobs, responsibilities, and obligations takes center stage and forces us to focus on what we have to do rather than what we want to do. 

As a kid, aside from feeding my gerbils and cleaning my room, the one responsibility I had was to my art. I spent hours drawing, painting and writing. I did these activities not because I had to, but because my heart told me to. There were no standards to uphold or investors to please. I was making art for the sake of making art, and it was magical.

That's why I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work with Sarah of Hooked and Loopy. Sure, she's a paying client and this session needed to be professional like any other. But unlike any other session I've done, creating product images for these wildly whimsical creatures allowed me to channel my inner 12 year old... and it was AWESOME.

I literally spent more time creating the environments for these guys than I did photographing them. And you know what? That's okay. For the first time in years I found myself living in the moment, relying solely on creative juices and loving every minute of it. Throughout the entire process, I was reminded of the age-old saying do what you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life.

I'm learning to really love product photography because of all the ways it challenges me... and because of the ways it brings me joy. When I was a kid, all I needed to be happy was a pair of scissors, construction paper and some glue. Turns out, some things never change.