Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the past to see how I got where I am, and how I can use this for the future. I can honestly say I never thought life would be as it is. No complaints, whatsoever – opposite actually. Andy and I are approaching our six year wedding anniversary, and it literally has gotten better every year since meeting him (so technically 8 years). I can only imagine what it’s like when we are celebrating our 15th…our 30th…our 100th! lol, I can hope right!
I’ve never met someone I can work and play with in such harmony. We have successfully opened a record store, and Andy is now my second shooter at White Rabbit Studios. It’s incredible being able to have such a companion in life. Because we are so sappy and in love we have made sure our lifestyle remains positive, happy, and respectful of each other.
Which brings me to the discussion of our jobs. When I was working on-site selling new construction a couple of years ago, I was completely miserable. With the outlook of a nice paycheck, I was lured into the promise of success. I love real estate, but that was a quick way for me to stat loathing work. One of the best decisions I ever made was telling my Broker I no longer wanted to do that. I now enjoy real estate again because I’m working with just my friends.
Over the past couple of years it seemed like photography was starting to go in that direction. In between shooting some of my friends’ amazing weddings, it was as if there was a “bottom line” that needed to be met. There was almost an invisible force of pressure to book everything and anything. Slowly, I felt the art and craft becoming lost among the full schedule and intense processing, managing, and running of a business. Things are now shifting as White Rabbit Studios is now solely my operation. I look forward to re-inviting my goals and aspirations for the future. I am excited to get back to the root of why I wanted to start this venture in the first place. The OCD side of me is giddy to have full control over all of the nit-picking aspects of running a business and how to visually represent myself.
In the shower this morning I realized I’m still on track for my “WRS 5 year plan”, which will hopefully completely come to fruition in 2014. I want to keep this part under wraps still in fear of jinxing myself. I’m slowly but surely investing my heart into it, and hope to perfect the idea over the next year. Even though I’m the type that wants to see immediate progression, I know that things take time. Love, success, and happiness were not always prevalent in my life…but with time, they all presented themselves and I hope are here to stay.
Here’s to new beginnings for the future and reflections of the past! May you always have luck and love on your side! Cheers!
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It’s pretty exciting when friends contact me to capture their wedding, birth, family, or what have you. With someone I know there’s always magic with the camera. When a stranger invites me into their lives it’s surreal. A couple of weekends ago Andy and I met some of the most incredibly warm people. First, I need to exclaim how incredibly wonderful it was having my husband as a second shooter. Before, I wasn’t really into the idea of traveling for weddings often, but Andy and I had a blast together at Case and Lindsay’s wedding weekend.
The wedding took place at Terrapin Creek Lodge, near Piedmont, Alabama. It was a little over 2 hours away, but the route went through lots of old, historic Alabama towns. It was a very pleasant drive! We left Huntsville around noon and rolled into the campsite just in time to get a tour with the videographers (also a husband and wife team – Kinora Films). There were cute little sleeping cabins (which we got to ourselves – yay!), a gorgeously decorated Lodge and outdoor area, and lots of trees nestled creekside among the Appalachian Mountains.
After unpacking the car, we pulled out our cameras and headed to the party. Apparently, Case, Lindsay, and their friends had been camping for a few days already. So swinging off a ledge into the creek was all part of a day’s fun! We spent the afternoon laughing and meeting new friends. As the evening approached, a lot of the family made it to the campsite in time for rehearsal, dinner, and sweet toasts. The night ended with a giant group hug – it was beautiful!
The wedding day (Cinco de Mayo) was rejuvenating. I’m not sure exactly how to describe it except for everything felt so completely right. Even though the day was long, I still managed to wake up at 5am on Sunday morning. We ended up leaving early to ensure I’d be back in town with enough time to prepare for a wedding that afternoon.
I’m still working on the blog post of the “real” wedding photos, but you can bet I instagrammed the hell out of the weekend! Here’s proof:
soundtracks for the drive and scenes from the car
the last shot is of our cabin! we pushed the beds together hehe
that’s the GROOM mid-air!
some of the flowers and fun favors!
Lindsay’s dad MADE this light display!
Sunday morning sunrise
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Last Sunday started out wonderfully with a walk downtown to visit some friends for an afternoon drink. Innocent enough right? Well, that’s just the beginning. I ended the night (around 11pm) seeing double and feeling like I was on a moving sidewalk. But lemme tell you – the entire day was a BLAST! I loved the spontaneousness of it all and I’ve never been so proud to be in Alabama with some of my favorite folks.
a lovely walk and smiling (sober) faces…and the start of Sunday!
Disney sing-a-longs, silly ‘staches (couldn’t get enough of that thing!), and FRANDS at golden hour!
oh you know…just hanging out in a ditch tunnel!…
BOWLING!
the most delicious grilled cheese my drunk ass has ever had…and the most disturbing photo of me ever* (but it sums it all up).
As you can imagine after seeing that last image, the next day was not so hot. Not as bad as I thought (I had never seen double before and was so afraid that would be bad news in the morning). However, after a nap or two I was Sober Sally and enjoyed all of the shenanigans at a show on Monday night. All in all, I can tell Summer is here. The fun never stops!
*Those crazy bruises are from when I play tambourine on my leg so I can also play keys. I got the beat(?)
PS: Here are some shots from Monday night porch time beforehand at Nico’s and a couple of Circuit Pop performing!
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Rabbit rabbit! I can’t believe it’s arealdy May! Let’s rewind to last month: I took a photo every day in April, according to her challenge. April brought RECORD STORE DAY 2012 and it was absolutely incredible! The following Monday Vertical House Records also had our first show in our new space (love love love it!). And how could I forget the Hunx and Natural Child show?! Fucking fun! Those few events were definitely the highlights of the month! But here’s the day to day:
my reflection, color, mail, someone who makes me happy (Alex Chilton)
Tiny, lunch, shadow, inside my wallet (well, Andy’s)
younger me, cold (beer), where I ate breakfast, stairs
something I found, how I felt (as bright as my skirt!), sunset, flower
something I don’t like (when the cheese dip runs dry), hair (needs a trim), orange, something I drew
bottle, last thing I bought (food plants!), vegetable (okra!), something I’m grateful for (life and love)
looking down, black & white, somewhere I went (work at the store!), 1pm (buying a stack of 45s)
circle, something that makes me sad (our “show lights” went out…gotta find the blown fuse)
And here are the months of January, February, March!
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We’ve been adding plants slowly but surely to our backyard. We kiiiiiinda have a vison for it, but nothing it too strict. We want a nice lush shade garden, a delicious veggie patch, herbs, and fun flowers. Andy is also obsessed with moss, so that’s been a fun addition!
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We left early Thursday morning and made it to Mobile by 2pm. I got to hug Dana, Kelly, and Joel before making my way to the rehearsal for Kim’s wedding! After that we headed to the original Wintzell’s Oyster House and had a wonderful dinner. Kim joined us all for drinks afterwards and we spent most of the night out with friends. It was loads of fun!
The next day was Kim and Kyle’s wedding! I met Kim at the gorgeous venue in the afternoon. The wedding was a 4pm and dinner and reception followed. The party went on until about 9pm when we re-located it to our hotel room. Grapes were thrown, memories were rehashed, and silliness ensued!
After a good night’s sleep, Saturday was nice. It was an obligation-free day so after dining at the oldest restaurant in Mobile (and saying goodbye to Alicia and Brandon), Andy and I broke away from the group a bit to scout a record store, Bay Sounds. After finding some vinyl gems, we met up with Dana, Kelly and Joel at the hotel pool. They were playing a drinking game to Harry Potter cards in the mindset of Waterfall. It was hilarious and fun!
Sunday morning we woke up early and made it home in great time. I tend to put the pedal to the metal when I want to get home. It was nice having the afternoon to unpack and relax. Of course we missed our pets, but I gotta admit…it was nice having a vacation away from them.
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