Friday, December 30, 2011

Allison // Portraits





We met a year and a half ago at our ballet studio, with buns in our hair and pointe shoes on our toes. Fast forward to now, and Allison's one of my closest friends. She's one of those people that you feel like you've known your whole life, and really, can't remember not knowing. We met at Chipotle yesterday and went to a thrift store before heading back to her home. The light was nice and her house is surrounded by woods, so we seized the opportunity and slipped outside for some portraits.





It was freezing. We may not have snow, but that doesn't mean our weather's nice and warm. The wind was blowing and her pond was coated with a thick layer of ice. We shivered and shot photos till we couldn't feel our fingers, and then headed inside to make some spiced apple cider. After looking at the photos (and laughing at the many many many outtakes), we played piano and sang before eating a turkey dinner and watching a movie.





This girl makes me laugh and her friendship blesses me. Her heart is beautiful and I've never known someone who can make the piano sing like she does. Not to mention that she makes a mean homemade salsa and her jumping skills can't be beat. So glad I was able to hang out with her and laugh till my face hurt and my stomach ached.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

favorites from 2011

I'm writing this and can't believe that soon, I'll be reminding myself to write 2012 in my journal. This year has passed so swiftly, yet as I look back, I can't believe how much has been crammed into these last three hundred and sixty five days of twenty eleven.

I'm excited and ready for twenty twelve. A new year, full of new challenges, opportunities, and hopes. I've been praying a lot about many things, and there are so many promises in this next year that sometimes I can't wipe the smile off my face. Seriously. The Lord has opened so many doors and blessed so many opportunities, that I'm amazed and incredibly excited about 2012. I'm full of joy at all that He has done -- He is faithful and so so good.

I love seeing how I've grown in the past year. As a photographer, writer, and as a young-woman. My faith has been stretched and tested, and I'm learning how to love like Jesus does. To love Him more than ever, and to love His people. (I wrote a little post on my tumblr about it, if you'd like to read it). I feel like I'm finally beginning to figure out who I am and who I was created to be. What my calling is. Who I am in Him and what He has called me to do. And it's so exciting.

I was going to write, in honor of the close of 2011, and the rapidly approaching 2012, I'm going to share some of my favorites. But it sounds silly to say in honor of the year. The real reason I want to share this is because this year was full of so many defining moments that shaped who I am, so many memories that I cherish, and so much love and laughter that filled each and everyday.

More so than anything, I want to celebrate this past year and all of the beauty and grittiness that came with it. All the days and opportunities and joy from this past year. And by celebrating, I want to give thanks for 2011 and all that came with it. The good days and the hard ones and all the ones in between. The beauty in the midst of the messiness, the joy in the little things, and the many blessings.

Out-of-order, and here are some of my favorites from 2011.







































Blessed. And so thankful.