So what’s the difference between going somewhere and leaving somewhere?

There is never enough time with my favorite people and I didn’t take my camera out enough either. But what is ever really enough anyway?

Tomorrow I’m headed to the very bottom of the Okay State of Texas to spend time with some of my other favorites. Life is good. Yeah, I just said that, ha.

Let me tell you a little story about a perfect little morning engagement session in New York City. The sun is rising and I’m walking with coffee & a camera in my cold hands … the West Village still quiet, a stark contrast with just hours before. At the High Line I meet two stylish lawyers who give lawyers a good name. We talk, laugh, shoot, joke … they are interesting and interested. I feel like I’ve known them longer than just a few hours; everything with them is so natural. After a clothing change we’re back out in the city and the noise and activity has all returned to the sidewalks. I love it. Shoot, talk, laugh some more. There is dancing in the glowing light and reminiscing about law school in between. After all that, Melissa and Jordan take me to their old stomping grounds where we have coffee, breakfast and more conversation. I could talk to them all day.

Thanks, Jordan and Melissa, for being perfectly awesome. I absolutely cannot wait for your wedding!

<3, AM

The End.

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The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude. — Nietzche

Friday morning, 11.11.11, feels like a good day to write something and wear fuchsia on my lips. Heading to Milwaukee for the weekend and feeling grateful for all the moments that build upon each other and weave together into this experience called life. Learning to live inside each of those moments … where it’s more beautiful than future or past. Is this the story or is this the end … doesn’t matter right now. Soaking up life … not focused on the proverbial finish line … but rather on where I am now.

Have a beautiful weekend, at wherever and however you are right now.

PS — I’ve been streaming the new Los Campesinos album since last Monday morning. I hope NPR Music doesn’t eventually kick you off because I’ve listened over 100 times.

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It was cooler outside with bright sun and whipping wind. But with fall weather also comes the fall colors and glowing sunsets. Molly and Ryan’s wedding was beautiful with thoughtfully selected personal details. Molly loves all sorts of vintage items and Ryan is a professional trumpet player, making all the old music memorabilia very fitting. A boatride, a photobooth, John Sherman as DJ, Ryan’s musical group (Northside Brass — you should have heard the never-ending praise for these guys) playing the ceremony, a sunset blazing through the Riviera’s windows coinciding perfectly with cocktail hour … the whole day came together seamlessly. I think the biggest hit of the day might have been the bouquet Molly’s dad made from dozens of vintage broaches — so awesome.

Congrats, Molly and Ryan! Your day was beyond beautiful and so were you both.

A special thanks to my good friend, Nikki N, for helping me out. Always love having her shoot with me … so fun.

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Anyone who has talked with me in-depth about the beginnings of my photography career knows the name Jasmine Star. Flashback to April 2009 — I’m at a huge library work conference and in my hotel room late at night. A co-worker friend had recently seen my personal photography (still absolutely just a hobby at this time, with zero intentions of taking it further) and asked me to shoot her wedding. I disliked like weddings in general at this point … I mean my own wedding was 4 hours total and only about us and what we wanted (small morning garden ceremony officiated by a friend, then brunch at our favorite music venue). I never thought of shooting weddings, at all. But I said yes, knowing Emily would let me shoot it my way in my style.

I ran to a bookstore and bought every book on wedding photography possible, including one that mentioned Jasmine Star’s name. That night, in my hotel room, I opened her blog and I read every single post … venturing all the way back and through her old blog as well … until 4am. I knew then, that this … shooting weddings professionally, traveling the world to do so, meeting the most amazing and passionate people, was the life I wanted. More importantly, because of Jasmine and her words, I knew that it was a reality and I could do it … that I didn’t have to come from a background of privilege to have my dream career. Before this very night I’d always brushed aside my desire for a photography/art career due to my need for security.

From that night through today, Jasmine has been a force in my life. I’m indebted to her eternally for all the knowledge she has shared with me through her blog, emails, her workshop etc. Oh yeah … in November 2009, I attended her workshop. It was there I met her and we talked at dinner. It was one of those right-place-at-the-right-time things … I’m grateful she sat down next to me toward the very end. And we connected. I never would have approached her myself to initiate a conversation … I am (or was) too scared to do those things. And I hate feeling like a fan girl … like really a lot I hate that. Jasmine was and is one of the sincerest and nicest people I’ve met. There is more to say about this encounter and what it meant to cynical little me … but I will say that I felt like our encounter set something in motion … a real friendship based on more than just photography. My oftentimes dubious self had no doubts that we’d stay in touch … and I’m really lucky to have her — with all her realness, talent, ambition, care, and heart — in my life. At the risk of using an over-used sentiment, I’m truly honored to call Jasmine a friend and I am so dang full of pride and love for her today because she WROTE A MAGAZINE.

This isn’t just any magazine. It’s legit. Promise Tangeman did the design and wow, yeah. Although it’s full of beautiful images, it’s not your light and fluffy fashion mag … there is a lot of text. Really, this is a book, bound in a magazine’s format. Jasmine shares untold stories from her life and goes in-depth about the first years of her business … from how she booked her first weddings to how she dealt with industry gossip and competition. Every story had me captivated, especially The Copycat. That story sticks with me … and when I’m getting a little upset that a local photographer is designing a new logo/site that looks alarmingly similar to mine, I remember that story and I have an attitude check.

I could write so much more … but really, you should be over at her site checking this thing out. I’m beyond proud of Jasmine … such an achievement … it was a labor of love. Anyone who is a professional wedding photographer or has aspirations of becoming one (or, if you just like to read about that stuff), do yourself a favor and read this magazine. Jasmine wrote all about it HERE. Go go go. xo.

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