A Love Note To The Jungle - Ormond Beach, Florida

Dream photoshoot in the morning, evacuate from a hurricane that night. That's not really my usual day but I'm sooo thankful I got to photograph Reilly crushing it before things got all Irma crazy. And this shoot has been a long time coming for me.

I love all things tropical and jungle. Like really really. The air that feels like a greenhouse, the amazing plants everywhere, the way it makes you slow down, go barefoot, and wear breezy clothes. I spent a summer in Papua New Guinea and it has just stuck with me ever since. So this shoot was kind of a love note to that jungle from me.

Reilly (who looks a crazy amount like a real life Moana) was incredible, even when a big not-scared-of-people snake was following us around. (I wimped out a little. lol)  But we had so much fun, went barefoot, played, and sweat. All the things you're supposed to do in a jungle. ;) 

Model: Reilly G.
Dresses: Free People
Venue: Ormond Beach Memorial Gardens

Naza Surf Camp - Ormond Beach, Florida

"I love surfing even more than video games!" Coming from my 7 year old, that was music to my ears. We keep a tight leash on technology in our house but Finn was always most excited at the prospect of playing video games. We've done swim team, hiking, all kinds of things, but he was never that stoked on any of it. Once he had caught his first wave with our amazing friends at Naza Surf Camp, he was HOOKED!

I've been learning to surf over the last couple years too and having at least one of my boys be as excited about it as me is seriously a dream come true. All the groms (surfer speak for kid surfers) and teachers at this camp were beyond rad, always encouraging each other and so excited when someone had a really great ride. These super cool kids even cheered me (a mom kook!) on when I paddled out with them. It was really just a crazy amazing week and we're going to do it every year from here on out!! 

Messy Is Beautiful - Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Crisp. Sharp. Styled. Instagram ready. We think that perfect is always better. But is it?  It's so easy to get stuck in that loop. Trying to measure up to everyone else, to not fall behind. But when I look through my days, things feel soft, blurry, messy.  There's a swirling never ending motion that I try to soak it in before I blink it all away. 

Somehow the measuring stick for 'professional' photography has become sharp, crisp and styled. But I've learned that what I really want to create with my photos is feeling. If it's true that images have to be 'perfect' to be worthy, I'd rather be an amateur that grabs the moment before it's gone.  I'd rather feel the light soaking through an image, see the dancing blurry and swirling, or catch a couple's kiss in the shadows all grainy and fuzzy. That's life to me.  Messy, beautiful, and a little out of control. Perfect is for robots.