Kayla and Micah

Jacob and Katy

This sweet couple met, fell in love, and were married in 16 months! They've only just begun their life adventures together camping, horseback riding, and more recently, building a tiny house! 

Their Woodland Wedding day started with a bright, bare sun, and we all cooled off with a beautiful storm in the evening. The festivities at Jacob's childhood home were made merrier as friends and family danced the night away in the rain and enjoyed some colorful sky scenes just before the happy two were glowingly sent off!

Cabin Weekends

Sam and Alyssa - Engaged

Well yesterday was a dream. The perfect Sunday date ended in the most beautiful Rooftop Proposal and dinner for two atop the historic and intricate Marion National Bank.

After a day of mysterious text messages sending these two on a trek to meaningful locations around town, Alyssa hiked SEVEN FLIGHTS of stairs to be met by the most incredible view AND the most incredible question — so so excited for Sam and Alyssa!

Mark and Carly

It was my most wonderful privilege to join in the festivities of Mark and Carly's classy Milwaukee Wedding this past August!

A slow, overcast morning in cozy homes with friends, perfect light house explorations, and wedding party walks in the park were the perfect start to this day. The sun came out to triumphantly declare Mark and Carly's wedding ceremony in a beautiful park downtown, and the best of celebrations took place in the grand Pabst Brewery afterwards.

Loved shooting with Sophie Steward Photography and Courtney Cimo Videography!

Clint and Audrey

Quinton and Angela

This peaceful wedding in the woods was the most wonderful celebration to be a part of. What a crazy sweet gift it has been to glimpse little pieces of this story of love in just my few years of friendship with Angela and Quinton. So thankful to have spent this day with them.

Taylor and Jordan

Charleston

Fifth and final blog post on my trip to the Carolinas! Ending on the classy streets of Charleston.

Folly Island

Chimney Rock, NC

Left the fabulous Biltmore Inn and hiked to Acorn Falls and Chimney Rock.

Biltmore Gardens

Toured the Biltmore Greenhouse and Gardens with just about every plant you could ever want. I've decided that if I ever acquire a substantial sum of wealth, a greenhouse will be my first purchase.

Adventures, Art and Anniversaries

Well this summer's been just a little crazy with a fun variety of different photo adventures! And while I've loved just about every minute of each one, it means I haven't had much time at all to update my blog on all the new happenings.

Wanted to take a quick moment to share some favorite glimpses and new thoughts developing from a recent shoot.

A lot of nostalgia with this one— these two were the first friends brave enough to ask me to shoot their wedding! And after spending the day peaking through a lens onto so many sweet and important wedding day memories last year, I had the wonderful honor of joining Kyle and Rachel again for a day of Anniversary Celebrations!

Back in my college days, (a whole four months ago) I was presented with a puzzling white book branded with a fascinating multicolored cow and a demanding title— "What is Art?". I think that I will continue to ask that question, and consequentially, continue to come to new conclusions.

The conclusion I've adopted for the moment, however, is actually instead another question, which arose from an interview tim artist Edie Bresler:

What kind of opportunities does my "art practice" present me with? What does my artist's tools and title allow me to do that I love? Because whatever the answer is, I think for now I have discovered that my art is in that.

There's something about art that is more than just "making something" (or designing something or composing something or painting something for that matter). I continue to find that a whole lot of it is about the experience— the people you learn about, the time you spend, the places you're welcomed into.

And while composing and placing and moving and adjusting are probably always going to cloud my existence (all for the right lighting of course), I'm trying this thing out where I just OBSERVE.

Find the little things that just are. 

Happy (one month late) One Year Anniversary to these two dear friends!

Family

Last week I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of a really beautiful day in the lives of a wonderful family. 

Wednesday was the day that five sweet children were adopted into the Brown family. The room was just so filled with joy and the love of family and friends who came to support.

This family of ten has been growing and laughing together for about two years, and so everything about this official adoption day was a celebration.

Adventure Shoes

I'm finally getting around to posting some pics from a little wilderness expedition with my dear friend Holly a little while back.

Since Senior Show, I've been really interested in this idea of 'Documenting' and wanted to highlight all the little parts that make an experience. I think there are a whole lot of things that go into creating an event that we discard pretty quick, and as a photographer, I leave out of the visual portrayal of it. So here's to finding what those little things are. 

Probably I'm setting myself up for an unending battle, because how do you share the experience of feeling little minnows zip past your feet while they're sloshing through chilly stream water? Or even the light— the color of it when it starts to head over the the westside around 4 o'clock and the temperature of it when it finally peeks through the trees?

Little things like conversation. 

Or gravity.

And the things that happen to be blooming that particular week.

Walking

Well, some of you have noticed that about two weeks ago after graduating college, I decided to stick around town. As I've been presented with the unending stream of new thoughts and questions which are probably typical of every recent college grad, I think I've been especially impacted by one idea, and I'd like to share it.

Walking.

Having lived here in Marion for four years already, there are houses, sidewalks, trees which I have driven past many many times. Never did I walk past them. Never did I see them up close, until now.

I think maybe it's the weather. Or the fact that I'm starting to pay for all those things in life that you take for granted, and so using more money on gas is less appealing. But I think I'm onto something.

There's just something about walking. Something that's relaxing, slowing, freeing. There's something about walking that is humbling. Because you're not just looking on, breezing by. You're a part of the the environment, experiencing it fully.

Anyway, all this to say that in my walking endeavors, I came across this beautiful place full of character and story and I wonder about it now. This is my friend Rachel and she graciously accompanied me in exploration. 

Looking forward to continuing to be impacted by this place! 


Illinois vs. Alaska

Well, sometimes you get the opportunity to introduce college friends to your hometown. But then, sometimes your friend happens to hail from the majestic mountains, glaciers and oceans of Alaska. So what does a Lower-48 citizen (learned that term this week) do with an Upper-2 dweller (coined that term this week)?  Naturally, you must take them around town, including the largest (and possibly only) body of water in the area in order to compare and contrast.

Things we discovered:

A strange lack of Orcas in the beautiful Crystal Lake. Not so for Alaska.

Thankfully, the spiffy-looking galoshes above were brought to you by the incomparable selection of thrift stores  in the Midwest.

It seems as if mountains are easier to climb than trees though.

But then, Illinois has better donuts.

Conclusion:

Equally cool. Feel free to reference us for your future vacation planning. Oh and check her out for the Alaskan side of things http://authenticalaskan.com

For Goodness Cakes

Can I introduce you to some wonderful people and a dear story?

 

Perhaps you’ve not walked through this particular white door before. In that case you’ve not been embraced immediately by the warm smells of sweet flavors baking together, or had the chance to share your latest updates with the familiar faces appearing around the corner upon your arrival. It’s likely too, that you’ve not gotten to quiz these charming friends on your favorite treat from the selection of cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls and cakes created at ‘For Goodness Cakes’. So can I introduce you?

Fantastic!

 

Susie Myers started a beautiful series of experiences three years ago when she decided to invest a part of her life into building a small bakery. And that decision was not made lightly. For many years, she worked in a doctor’s office, and slowly friends were introduced to her talent of baking as she offered her delicious cakes as gifts or celebrations. 

Susie’s boss, Eric began to encourage her to start her own shop. Her response? “I’m 60 years old, I don’t need this kind of hassle in my life.” She recalled praying about it frequently and letting The Lord know that she was not going to pursue it, but she promised to keep her eyes open for opportunities, and if He provided one, she would be faithful to take it because then she would know that He was in it.

One day, Eric came to Suzie and let her know that if she wanted to open her own shop, he would put money behind it. As I had the chance to chat with Suzie, she remembered that, “it wasn’t even as much about the money, but that someone believed in me enough to say it”. Just a few days after that encouraging conversation, she noticed a location up for lease at quite an ideal location. “One thing lead to another”, Suzie informed me, “and now here we are”.

As the details were coming together, she lamented over the confusion of the “business side” and contracts and communication with all kinds of offices. “I’m a baker, not a business person”, she stated, “If I could have gotten out at any time, that’s when I would have done it, but I’m glad I didn’t. When it get’s hard, that’s where you build character and learn”.

 

The relationships that Suzie has been able to build and bring into this experience, though, are what make it all worth it to her. And the many people she has impacted I think, would not like to consider the alternative if she had not committed to building this space. 

This shop fosters the most delightful relationships built, family time spent together, and welcoming of occasional interns. Suzie and her business partners Heather and Abby have worked together to build the most authentic and peaceful environment. 

For many years, children’s memories of visiting grandma at the bakery and picking one special treat from the shelves will remain a sweet experience. A bride will continue to be impacted by the women who intentionally took the time to know her, and help her choose the perfect wedding cake. Students will recall patience and grace in joining in a work team that was possibly more like a family. 

So yes, Susie Myers and her team build beautiful things— beautiful things of several varieties in their little shop in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Find them at http://forgoodnesscakesfortwayne.blogspot.com