Kendall & Eli | Oxford, Mississippi Wedding

Tonight I had the pleasure of photographing the dreamiest wedding venue. It was an absolutely flawless and perfect celebration full of the loveliest details. I feel so honored to have been a part of their special day. Wishing Kendall and Eli so much happiness today and always. You are your beautiful families are unforgettable. Thank you for sharing these moments with me! 

I Left My Heart in NYC

Happy Friday! Wishing I was still in New York City despite the freezing cold weather! I have never felt so inspired and so much contagious energy. Can't wait to start sharing new ideas and design updates for Eliza Kennard. I had the absolute best time visiting with old friends and reconnecting with an amazing group of people. Felt like home to me. Two weddings to go and I'll be California bound for the holidays. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Thank you following along and stay tuned for updates. Cheers!

Friendsgiving | Batesville, Mississippi Holiday

A few snaps from my oh-so-martha Thanksgiving in Mississippi, courtesy of my dear from Robin and her generous family. It was nothing bit delightful. Thankful for the amazing food and even better company!

Oxford Commons | Oxford, Mississippi Commercial

I am so excited to break into the real estate market with Oxford Commons - an exciting new home community and soon to be lifestyle center in Oxford, MS where you can enjoy traditional French Country style and access to first-class amenities. Check out their official website here: http://theoxfordcommons.com

GIVE THANKS

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. Give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love and grace. Happy turkey week!

Image via #SSPrintShop

Strickland Family | Madison, Mississippi Holiday

Butter & Bread Co. | Invitation Oxford Magazine

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Butter and Bread! Taylor is such a joy to work with. She brings so much life to every shoot and enables me to let my creative juices flow with ease. Here is a sneak peek from our holiday shoot this morning. Can't wait to see these images come to life in the December issue of Invitation Oxford Magazine!

Bessie & Stewart | Oxford, Mississippi Proposal

Bessie and Stewart are such a fun couple. When Stewart first asked me to shoot his proposal, I was thrilled. It's moments like these that make what I do so enjoyable. Excited to see what the future holds for these two! Love you both!

Elisabeth & Nathan | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Peace, Love, Adventure | Madewell

Fall Foliage | Panera Feature

Happy Thursday! Today I am so excited to be featured on Panera Bread's social media platforms with my photograph below of their oh-so-dreamy pumpkin spice latte. Such an honor! 

I was inspired this morning to write a little bit about what the changing seasons mean to me. Fall is such a wondrous season of harvest, rejuvenation and technicolor. It offers something no other season can. As the leaves change and the crisp air starts to chill the tip of your nose, you just feel it. Fall means one thing and one thing only, really - pumpkin spice everything. It's finally acceptable to watch Hocus Pocus 15 times in a row and dip your hot dog in grandma's chili at the tailgate. No season compares to fall in the number of distinctive pastimes perfect for friends and family. Between the return of college football, sweater weather, falling leaves, scented candles, carving pumpkins, and hot apple cider, how could you not feel like a kid again? No other season has such a diverse selection of activities for everyone exclusive to that season. Lovers of fall revel in its unique ability to turn the world into one big canvas with nature’s paintbrush - canopies of red, gold, and orange leaves have never been so enchanting. 

Katy Bruce & Maren | Oxford, Mississippi Lifestyle

Katherine Beck Inc. | Oxford, Mississippi Commercial

The McClellan Family | Oxford, Mississippi

The sweetest fall vibes!

Butter & Bread Co. | Invitation Oxford Magazine

The Caves Family | Oxford, Mississippi Lifestyle

Only the cutest photograph EVER! Thankful for these sweet friends! 

Humane Society, Warhol Inspired | Invitation Oxford Magazine

Murphy Holloway Grindtime | Invitation Oxford Magazine

I had the pleasure of photographing Murphy Holloway and his elite coaching staff who have partnered with the boys and girls club to host Grindtime Camp this weekend. Murphy's mission is to host a safe environment for children to develop leadership, sportsmanship, team skills, and a healthy lifestyle through the game of basketball. Stay tuned for the published spread of his campers in Invitation Oxford Magazine!

Eating Oxford | Invitation Oxford Magazine

Summer Style | Katherine Beck Inc.

Cathead Vodka Sponsored "Blues Talk" | Invitation Oxford Magazine

Home Sweet Home | San Francisco, California

Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver once said, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - an excerpt from her beautiful poem, The Summer Day. I love everything about these words and this question. Life is 100% what you make of it and you are 100% responsible for the experience of your existence. Live an intentional life making conscious decisions about who you want to be and how you want to live; behaving accordingly. The words from her poem should inspire you to not only live outside of your comfort zone, but to allow curiosity and passion to lead your life. 

Rebs Return | Invitation Oxford Magazine

Michael Henry Book Signing | Invitation Oxford Magazine

Social Media & Web Design | Katherine Beck Inc.

Who is an ideal client? Knowing who you want to work with is the first step to any successful collaboration. I feel so lucky to work with such remarkable business owners and entrepreneurs. Hard work becomes easy when your work becomes your play. Never underestimate the value of loving what you do. Katherine Beck has given me so much creative freedom and I wouldn't have it any other way.

HUSTLE

While constant progress towards a goal will help you achieve great results, short bursts of focused action will speed up the process. It's called hustle. Hustle helps you achieve massive results in a minimal amount of time. In 2005, Stanford graduates had the esteemed privilege of receiving a commencement speech by Steve Jobs. He spoke words of encouragement and words of inspiration. But most importantly, he spoke words of honesty and put life in perspective.

"Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect the dots looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately. Never limit your challenges - challenge your limits. Trust that everything you are doing and everything you are working so hard for is getting you closer and closer to your goals. Good things don't come to those who wait - good things come to those who hustle.

 "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."

Hustle is a powerful tool. As long as you have momentum driving your passions, anything is possible!

Tamra Designs Trunk Show | Nella Oxford

JOY

In my opinion and experience, being a joyful person is a decision. You have to make a conscious effort to remember what you have, be appreciative and grateful for everything in your life, and try to  always look on the bright side of every situation you encounter. Joyful people are a pleasure to be around and their smile is usually contagious. Rather than waiting for exciting things to happen, we should wake up each morning with a joyful heart and an optimistic mind. Negative energy is extremely powerful and spreads quickly - it  sometimes only takes a seed of doubt to crush hopes or dreams.  Like it says in Proverbs 15:13, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” So we must try our best to stay positive, smile as often as possible, and do beautiful things with our beautiful lives.

Olive Juice Gifts | Oxford, Mississippi Commercial

New and noteworthy!

Do What You Love

Most of us take it as a given that doing what you love isn’t just fun, it’s important. But why? Is it a universal truth, or is it a uniquely human impulse? Does doing what you love make the world a better place, or are we just grasping at happiness for ourselves? Doing what you love and loving what you do fills your bowl of soul - bottom line. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They secretly already know what your calling is. 

 "There is NO passion in playing small in settling for a life less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela 

DREAM

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!" ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

Create a vision for yourself. The better your vision of health, happiness, and prosperity, the faster you move toward it and the faster it moves towards you. When you create a clear image of where you are going in life and set goals for yourself, you become more positive, more motivated, and more determined to make it a reality. There is something really special about dreams and visions that is so exciting and that stimulates you to do better and be better than you ever were before.

LOVE

February is upon us, the month of love. I've always believed that the best way to know life is to love many things. Amazing things happen when you are honest with yourself and start doing what you love and what makes you happy. Your life slows down, you stop wishing for the weekend, and you start living each day to the fullest potential. You begin to live in the moment and start to feel like the person God created you to be. Ride the wave that is life, with contentment and joy. Move fluidly, steadily, calmly, and gracefully. The best way to know life is to love many things and by choosing this, a veil is lifted and a whole new perspective is born. Find your perspective, and start living it.

Good Things Take Time | Monday Motivational

In this fast paced, can't-wait-want-it-now world, impatience has become very normal and honestly something we don't realize is happening until it's too late. It has to be a conscious effort to be better and do better each and every day. Slow down. Stop. Take a deep breath. You're fine. Don't confuse your path with your destination. There is no need to rush, you'll get there! Life is a beautiful struggle and there is so much to smile about. Be grateful for all that you have been blessed with and have faith that you are exactly where you are meant to be. Good things take time and your hard work WILL pay off. I guarantee it. Simply have faith, trust the process, and enjoy the ride!

2014: The Year of Adventure

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."

She would be right. The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams. Don't be afraid to dream a little bigger darling, and who knows, your dreams might even be life changing. I guess you'll have to see where the roads take you. I'd love to know what you find, or better yet, what finds you!