Bear Creek 2

Usually my blog is rivers, rivers and more rivers. Because, well, that’s where my soul lives and where I make the art that speaks most closely to my personal story. But then sometimes I gather with some incredible women in an adorable little house in the woods in Texas for a weekend and a giant cold front hits right after a giant flood so the rivers are totally off limits so you dance and play in a field in the rain. And it becomes its own kind of magic.

This is Heidi.

This is Megan.

Bear Creek 1

I am going to share more images from the retreat I just held in November, and I know I should write beautiful things to go with these photos, but I have this thing where I like to let things speak for themselves. It’s no secret that I love to write (my next Kickstarter is coming SO SOON AH!) but when it comes to certain memories, experiences and artwork, I just like to leave it alone and let it emit its own glow, if that makes sense. I hope it does.

Anyhow, here are Sharah and Joah in a warm milk bath. It’s actually coconut milk coffee creamer, and the whole room smelled like toasted almonds.

Lily, 9

This weekend I held a super small retreat in Driftwood, Texas. Leading up to it I was in a car accident, and then my son got sick and then my Dad and daughter and then the morning of - I woke up with a fever. I told Thomas I wanted to cancel. I begged him to let me cancel. But he, in his gentle and beautiful way, simply said, “Once you are there, it will all be magic.”

Day 1 I had the greasiest top knot you’ve ever seen and tears streaming down my cheeks. I was up the night before with my sick girl and I made a promise to myself a million years ago that if I was going to put myself out there, then I’d do my best to always tell, and be, the truth. So that was me. Welcoming my guests with a virus, mid panic attack, gift bags in hand.

It was messy and beautiful. We laughed until we cried and also just plain ol’ cried. We ate BBQ and pizza and store-brand sour cream and onion chips. We played in the rain and met a few goats and were visited by a curious coyote. We made weavings and pottery and bonds that I am certain will last forever.

I shared my shooting secrets and presets and business advice but more importantly, I shared my struggles, unfiltered, and allowed myself to be seen completely.

I could have canceled but I didn’t. I could have beat myself up for not being polished and poised, but I won’t.

It was incredible in every way. In all the ways that matter.

I want to share all of the images from this weekend, and I will (maybe), but for now, here are 4 frames of Lily in the backyard of where we stayed. In the rain and in her power. My girl.

Liz & Mark // A Castle Hill Rhode Island Wedding

A little bit of black and white. A few in-between moments, peppered in the silence between the notes. Because those will always be my favorites. 

These days we accept only 5 weddings per year, and my goodness we love our couples with our whole hearts. Just look at this love and JOY! 

Alex & Kira

It's not that I don't love writing or sharing. It's that I don't love being online. That's why it's been awhile since I've shared in this little corner of my world. But how I could I not share some images from last night's magic? 

I always love capturing River Stories, but there's something extra special about capturing one for two people who you love and admire so much. 

I still have river sand in my hair and I'm not planning on washing it out anytime soon. Nights like last night are everything, and I am grateful.