What I know

This letter is going to be short because it's a packed day with not a lot of desk time.
I'm headed to a newborn shoot in half an hour, followed by a kindergarten egg-hunt + picnic situation in which my presence is highly requested. I honestly can't think of a better way to spend the first day of April.

I'm still coming back down from the absolute delight of the first Photo Fuel Retreat and my thoughts feel a little jumbled about it all. How do you put into words when something you've thought about for 15 years comes to life?

Here's what I know.

I love my town and showing people around it. I sharing tables and the way we drink our coffee and the desserts I make with my daughter. I love introducing them to amazing families I know. I love being completely immersed in creativity and surrounded by people who are equally passionate. The fact that we stayed in an old Virginia home and drove country roads in my van may not be a selling point for “luxury,” but it sure was approachable.

On our first evening, it rained and I made a big, nourishing pot of Sarah Adler's tuscan white bean soup and crusty bread with Irish butter. One of the women said she used to eat something like it growing up and it felt like home. I know I'm a photographer and this was a photography retreat, but I think I can feel myself building a soapbox about the beauty in getting together.

We need nurtured and mothered and talked with instead of at.
We need space to be able to turn the mental gynmastics off for a time and allowed to sink into one thing that's all ours.

We're not escaping,. Exploring simply leads us home.

Otherwise, it's come to my attention that we're really proud of our Founding Fathers around here. Bring a west-coaster to central Virginia and it will become painfully obvious just how many things are named after them that you've tuned out as normal.

Every photographer who captures joy and delight within a family is pulling from some sort of grief that fuels the appreciation of those very things.

These lemon bars were the true star of the show.

They sight of family who deeply cares about one another is medicine that needs injected everywhere.

If you want to be a part of the next Photo Fuel Retreat and Mastermind happening right back here in VA on July 30-Aug 2, grab your spot with a payment plan here. The mastermind will go from July-October, giving you feedback, support, and creative juice through through busy season.

You can always reach out to me via email or instagram and if you have questions and we can hop on a call or voice memo to chat through it.

// new + noteworthy //

GOOD THINGS ON THE INTERNET I SAVED THIS WEEK //

Take this and apply it to literally every scenario. I talk about finding clarity through my programs and mentoring, but the biggest piece of that puzzle is just starting to put one food in front of the other.

May or may not have gone down a binge trail on this account and laughed myself silly.
Photography that makes people feel seen, heard, and valued. Yes, more please.

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CREATIVITY | FAMILY | SIMPLE JOYS

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