little girl + summer memories

Just some last summer memories with my little sister. I love these photos so so much. 

 In other news, school has started, if you hadn't noticed from the lack of posts around here. I wrote in my journal today that I honestly cannot believe I am a junior in highschool. Time has gone by so fast. At the same time, though, it feels like it has gone slowly because I have been able to savor the moments with photos and memories. It's just another reason I love what I do.

What about you? Have you started school?

camera face

Sometimes, I think that photography takes up half of my heart and half of my thoughts.  A single photo can have a connection, that, when I look at it, tugs at something inside of me...bringing back memories of days past.  And so I treasure (almost) every photograph I take.  I love the nostalgia that is in a photo.  And so there are a lot of things I want to do that revolves around photography.

I want to have shoeboxes of photos.  I want to pull a worn box out, open the lid, and be greeted with stacks of developed pictures.  I want there to be dates and notes written on the back so that I will never forget where that memory was made.  I'll put that box on my lap, and beckon those around me to come and explore with me, come and remember with me.  And when I'm alone, those photos will cheer me up, make me laugh, or shed a few tears.  I'll call them my memory boxes.

I want to take photos of my siblings.  Every day, if I could.  Because I don't ever want to forget this time right now.  I love being a big sister and watching these ten other people grow up around me and with me.  When I go to college or leave home, I can look at those photos and remember what it was like back then.  And I want my mom to have those photos, so that she will never forget either.  So that she can look back and tell us funny stories, or about how she grew two inches that year and how he lost three teeth in three days.  Yes, I want to take pictures of my siblings.

I want to hang my photos on the wall.  I want to be greeted by a colorful array of the people and places I love when I walk into my home.  I want to smile at those photos and know that I took those.  I did that, and I am proud to be a photographer.

I want to be a photographer.  I want to take photos for people.  I want to take photos of people.  I want them to love those photos.  I want to carry my camera places so I can capture memories of trips, adventures, and moments.  But I want to learn when to put the camera away and enjoy.  It's a balance.  I want to find it.

some words for you

Today I wanted to share something with you that I have read over and over this past week.  It's a beautiful few lines that I thought might give you some inspiration today:

"For in our isolation and in our community, there is a beauty born of intimacy, experienced through presence, and bound by trust.  Inherently, this very experience would be betrayed by the manipulation of these moments to our artistic demands.

Let us all remember, not in the presence of one another, that our memories are enough.  May we live to remind each other to partake of dinner without pause for a clicking shutter or a scribbling pen.  Stay here, drink more wine, and let the memories of a time exist by themselves within you, and between you and the others.  And may your art be a sincere reflection of what already exists, not a post of projection for what we desire."

(Words by Rebecca Parker Payne, for Kinfolk vol. 4)

Matt & Lydia | Maternity

This is Lydia and Matt.  She's my beautiful cousin, and he's her hilarious husband.  I think they're pretty cool.  Lydia and her sister Abby (who's family photos will be on the blog soon) are both people that I love being around, so when Lydia asked me to do this shoot, I knew it was going to be so much fun.  We raced against a coming storm and finished just as the first rain drops came down.  Matt entertained us by cracking jokes and we pretty much laughed our way through the shoot!  They're welcoming baby Delaney soon, and I can't wait to meet her!  Enjoy!

I couldn't choose between the two! :)

My favorite!

My second favorite

i call myself an artist

by Hannah

I'm learning more and more that I am an artist at heart, that beautiful art touches something deep inside me.  You could say that I've grown up with art, having a mom who emphasized time set apart to create.  I'm so glad she did.  I've fallen head over heels in love with photography...and, really, all types of art.  That love has become a part of me now, an identity almost, or a hobby.  My friends know me as the photographer, and if you don't know that about me, you would soon find out.  Because, most days, I can't help but talk about photography.  And I'm fine with that.
 
Just this winter, I was struggling with my future, not quite sure what direction I was going in and what direction I wanted to go in.  I've never been one to think ahead too much.  (As Hannah informed me, I'm "in time".)  And even though I know my direction now, I'm sure it will change in the next few years. 

Starting a photography business is just the beginning of it all.  This summer, I knew I was ready.  I wanted to take my hobby to a new level.  I wanted to do what I loved for other people to enjoy.  To be able to do that is something I have wanted to do for a long time.

So, I'm excited to tell you that The Photography of Olivia G. is officially launched, complete with a rebrand, lots of new information, and more fun stuff.  Feel free to look around!  (And spread the word...when I get a Facebook, eventually.)

It's a labor of love and late nights, and I couldn't be more excited to start this new adventure!

Matt & Lydia | preview

These two and their baby-to-be are coming to the blog soon!