Seeing as I haven't posted post-internship, I figure I should touch on that, since it definitely changed my life! I had am amazing time with Sarah Barlow... up to the very end. The day before I left for home, we shot a wedding, an engagement shoot, and then, since I hadn't actually been to the city, we drove around Chicago for a few hours, grabbed dinner and headed back. What a long, tiring, completely fulfilling day!
I enjoyed everything Sarah and I did together and I learned. So. Much. I can't begin to tell you all that she taught me, from her own experiences and growth.
Sarah, thank you. I wish there was a better way to say all that I mean, but it's that simple. I am so blessed to have been able to some live with you for two weeks, immersed not only in your business, but your family life as well. Thank you for making this opportunity possible and for welcoming me in. And to the Barlows... love you all! It was so fun spending time with you! Shout out to Andrew Barlow, who just graduated from high school... you go dude! Have a great summer before school gets REALLY rough! (lol)
The moment I got back, I've had to hit the ground running... I shot a beach wedding the day before I flew out to Chicago, and, since I was out of state away from my compy, I had to finish the images once I got home. Here's a sneak peak... I'll post more later. :)
On top of the wedding editing, my family is moving and we had to finish the house to put it on the market. (Praise God, it went on the market yesterday! Pray for quick selling!) Then, the Wednesday after I got home, my older sis Ash and I drove out to Southern Shores, on the outer banks, to spend some time with my best friend and her family. It was a blast. I have added some pics for your enjoyment as well.
While I was at the beach, I took some fun, spontaneous portraits of my best friend's boyfriend's sister. She is gorgeous and so fun to photograph! Plus, I love her. Here are a few favorites... It was hard to pick!
On the way home from the beach we stopped by my grandmother's house, and it was closer than I thought to the beach! Pretty cool, if you ask me. My Grandma Doris, my father's mother, has been suffering from some kind of abdominal cancer for a while and seeing her so frail socked me. It hurt to see my wonderful Grandma so small and so uncomfortable. I've never told her this, but my whole life I have dreamed of my wedding - as all girls do - but I've never been able to picture it without her. It is one of my deepest desires to have her share one of the most important days of my life. However, seeing as how I am a rising senior, and thus have no wedding is on the horizon, plus Grandma's current condition, I think God will call her home before I wed. The only good thing about death is this: if we are saved by the precious blood of Christ, it is not death to die. We have Heaven and eternity with our Savior. Watching Grandma decline hurts, but her hope and excitement for Heaven fill me with joy. Wanting her to stay longer than God has planned is not only fruitless, but it is selfish. In Heaven she'll have a body that will no longer be ravaged by disease. She will be made perfect. Please understand; I may be saying strong words, but inside, my heart is torn. I love her , so much, it cannot be conveyed through words. She has been a pillar of strength and joy in her faith for me to model through the years. When her time comes, I pray I will be strong, but I know my heart. The Lord knows I'll need His strength.
Well, that's it. An update. Please pray for my family; for our impending move, but more importantly, for strength as our loved one grows closer to Heaven.
OH WAIT! One more thing... my older sister, Ashleigh, is graduating from high school TOMORROW! I am so proud of her and SO excited to watch her follow all God has called her to. Love you babe!
Here are a few images from an engageement shoot while in Chicago... I will post more images from Chicago shoots later, as well as the wedding images, so stay tuned! God bless and have a lovely weekend.
