lake grain + summer memories

I've said it so many times, and you all are most likely tired of reading posts like this, but the lake cottage is my favorite. The simplicity of it - no internet, dishwasher, or t.v. - means a special kind of rest...one without pressure or haste. And I think that's what I love the most. This place means so much to me that I wish I could take you all there and share it with you, because I'm not able to capture it in words. This is the lake cottage:

late night campfires//sunburned arms//wet suits hanging off the bathtub//grilled hotdogs and watermelon slices//evening ice cream runs//walking to the aunt and uncle's cottage//tubing, kneeboarding, wakeboarding, skiing//digging for clams//swimming in the basin//laughing late at night with cousins and friends//star gazing & campfire stories//kayaking//dinner on the picnic table

p.s. If you notice several different edits, it's because I'm trying to find my editing style. It's taking a while. Anddd...I might be waiting until I can afford vcso. ;)

McKenzie // senior photographer

This is the beautiful McKenzie.  I was able to take her "senior" portraits in Grapevine, Texas with the other girls in the internship.  Isn't she stunning?  I loved how open and outgoing she was from the start.  I mean, a group of ten people with cameras pointing at you can be a little nerve-wracking.  Especially when they stand around gushing over beautiful light and locations. ;)  But she wasn't phased.  She asked us all where we were from and how we were enjoying Texas.  And she did all the poses we asked her to do for almost two hours!

She's a beautiful model don'tcha think?

summer adventure with jessica shae

I haven't been able to write this post for almost a week.  Like Madeline said, "I think I put off writing this post because I didn’t want to even think about how one of the best weeks of my life is over."  Being a part of Jessica Shae's Summer Adventure Internship was like a dream come true.  It was four days of business building, photography conversations, good food, laughing (tears-in-your-eyes laughing), session editing, and friendship building.  

Two above photos taken by the lovely Rachel Leigh

On Saturday, I wrote a little something down: These two-day old memories are still so fresh that when I pull them out, I can still smell the frozen yogurt and cholrine on hair, hear the laughter down hotel hallways and songs sung in backseats, and see the faces of the girls I grew to love in just four days.  I can’t believe it’s all over, that I’m home and those girls are home too.  I love that when you come back from a trip, all the memories of the days past replay in your mind over and over.  And you can’t stop thinking about the time you had.  That’s how I feel right now.  It was amazing, and that’s all I can say.

I learned so much from the talented, beautiful, hilarious Jessica.  Sang in parking garages, backseats, elevators and restaurants with Hannah and Madeline.  Laughed about big families with Hannah.  And met these other girls and photographers whose names I had only read on an email.  Each and every one of them was beautiful, talented, and so sweet.  Reunion?  I think yes.

From left to right: Anna, me, Hannah, Madeline, Jessica, Hannah, Chelsea, Julianna, Lauren, and Madi
p.s. New design done by Hannah Nicole.  It's not complete, but I tell you more about that later.  ;)p.s.s. Every evening, we had a session with some beautiful people who I will share with you soon!

summer adventure

I've only been here two days and it feels like I've been here forever.  Four days, nine girls, and photography.