welcome

I was in Colorado for most of August. I had 10 photo shoots, a trip to Utah, several meetings, and so many friends to catch up with. Every single person I saw mattered to me. And there were a lot of friends who also matter to me and I didn’t even get to see them.

I’m exhausted.

Young enough to think
sticks are wands and dresses are
for twirling only.

Girls won’t be just girls
They will be giggles and tears,
Strength, fierce justice, grace.

I’m writing this to you from a little room tucked back in the woods. I’ve been on a writing retreat for a few days, trying to finish a project that I’ve had rolling around in my brain for almost two years. More on that to come.

I deleted Instagram off my phone and only used it on my desktop when I was looking for resources necessary to finish this project.

I spent a lot of time this month thinking about my values, priorities, and goals. I decided that I couldn’t create daily disciplines without having the end in mind. Contentment is going to look different for everyone and part of this project is defining what it looks like for me.

I know Joni two ways. One way because she is an outstanding photographer, so I got to know her and her work through online groups over the past few years. The second way is through our dear mutual friend, Kera.

I texted Kera one day and said, “Would it be weird if I asked Joni if I could photograph her birth?”
She promptly responded: “Absolutely not. Do it.”

This is going to be the beginning of a series. But I don’t know what to call it. Because I don’t know what I want.

And that’s kinda the whole point of this. I don’t know what I want. And I’m using this year, starting today, to figure it out.