May it be

May it be the best and last semester (*and season spent in Chapel Hill)!

This morning, during coffee in bed with Rachel, I felt comforted and supported by the life I have lived here these past (*almost) four years. I’ve moved into a new place, I have paired down my life to the essentials, and I feel a new wave of energy.

I am ready to put in to practice being fully present. I am also ready to gone and away from here, but for now, I want to enjoy this. And all its simplicity.

“Limitation is the condition of our lives. What matters — what allows us to reach beyond ourselves, as we are, and push at the boundaries of our ability — is that we continue. But then everything depends on how we practice, what we practice.” – Glenn Kurtz

Kelly + Trey | Chapel Hill, NC

Kelly and Trey are getting married in April and I am so excited for it!

These two are incredibly fun to take pictures of and their wedding sounds like it is going to be unlike any other I’ve ever photographed before. Thanks Kelly and Trey for being so fun and for braving the cold with me.

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“I want to see you.

Know your voice.

Recognize you when you
first come ’round the corner.

Sense your scent when I come
into a room you’ve just left.

Know the lift of your heel,
the glide of your foot.

Become familiar with the way
you purse your lips
then let them part,
just the slightest bit,
when I lean in to your space
and kiss you.

I want to know the joy
of how you whisper
“more”
– Rumi

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Routine

This photo was taken on one of the many long walks through Yangon. I found it between two other unrelated images and remember the exact moment in time when I took it. My life these days, although it occasionally involves a long walk, is far different than my life this summer.

I feel that I have already settled in to a routine here.

During the first week back, I was convinced this was going to be the longest few months of my life. Now I’m convinced of the opposite. Days move too fast and I’m already overly committed, involved, and invested.

Weekends are long, fun, and filled with new adventures. These tiny trips have kept me feeling like myself.

This weekend –> a wedding, some car time, and time spent driving motorcycles at the beach!

Paula + friends | Chapel HIll, NC

I have had the honor of getting to know Paula over the course of this past semester and I’m such a fan of this lady. Paula is so full of life and love! She pours herself into everything she does.

I love her creativity and am constantly inspired by her drive and willingness to go above and beyond any task at hand.

Best of luck with everything dear Paula and enjoy all the D.C. has to offer! Lots of love.

 

Kyle Ann | Chapel Hill, NC

I honestly think I could take photos of Kyle Ann all day long and never get tired. She is one incredibly fun, intelligent, and photogenic woman!

I love these photos and how Kyle Ann’s elegance, grace, and beauty shine through each and every one.

I’m so excited for her and all the big things happening in her life right now, but most of all, happy graduation!

Alexis + Sergio | Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC

Last weekend, I got to wander around Chapel Hill and Carrboro with the lovely Alexis and Sergio. After walking through UNC’s Coker arboretum (*where Sergio carved their initials in a tree years ago), we went for a beer at Steel String Brewery and Glasshalfull in Carrboro.

This couple should seriously considering modeling. Alexis had warned me that they “don’t take good photos together,” but I don’t believe that for a minute! They’re entirely beautiful and full of life and adventure.

 

What life looks like these days

Life lately has been a hilarious mix of funny events, wild emotions, and dramatic weather. I’ve lived my weekends out of bags and my week in the a variety of places too. I’ve thought a good deal about the big, scary future and feel that I really have no idea what is in store. I know with confidence, it’ll be something I never dreamed of doing and in a place I haven’t ever considered.And I’m excited. I’m ready for a challenge and ready to take on just about anything right now.

Maybe its all inspired by the new warm weather and the snow and ice slowly melting away, or maybe its just the constant reminder Spring is near. . . and with it comes a whole new set of possibilities.

“Everybody is identical in their secret unspoken belief that way deep down they are different from everyone else.” – David Foster Wallace

More photos -> here.