In the past two weeks I think I must have been asked at least five or six times about what inspires me. When I look over this blog, it seems so terribly obvious that I am amazed that I forget so easily. For me, it is undoubtably nature. I come alive when I am outside. I perk up, think I can take on the world and walk around in awe, and physically stop to take in all that surrounds me. It frees up my heart and I reconnect to what I value. I actually get overwhelmed by the beauty of it. I come away refreshed and more alive than when I came. It rights me with the world. I become flooded with creativity and ambition for my life to make a difference for others. It changes me and rejuvenates the dreams and aspirations I have from just being me.
On Saturday Eric and I went to Starved Rock State Park for a day together in the newly warm air and sunshine. I can not remember the last time I was outside for four hours consecutively. We hiked and wandered around the woods through canyons and trails. I don’t know if I’ve ever spent significant time in the woods during the early Spring. We were surrounded with tiny new leaves popping out , and little cheerful flowers popping up on the forest floor yet the large canopy trees were still bare. Everything was brand new and waking. It was breath taking. We came around the bend in the trail to this breathtaking spot of sunlight through the trees with dreamy light and took time out of our hike to enjoy it and capture one another. All the other hikers passed on by but we lingered here.
Take some time with the ones you love and to really commit to living inspired whatever that may be for you. Believe in the power of its transformation both in your personal and professional life.
I’m a better wife, entrepreneur and photographer for my four hours in the woods.
My motto. “Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us, and see the beauty in ordinary things” [ Thomas Merton]
P.S. Any fab couple want to drive 2 hours out of Chicago, hike 2 miles into the woods for a unique unbelievable love shoot?!! Seriously it was some of the most incredible light e.v.e.r.
Our Muted Love Woodland shoot was featured on Ruffled! Thank you thank you to all the wonderful vendors! If you’d like to see more of this inspiration shoot, click here to go back to the post on the blog!
Elizabeth Anne Designs is one of our favorite blogs and we were thrilled to have Lauren and Matt’s beautiful day featured!! If you’d like to see more of this wedding, click here to go back in the blog and have a looksie.
In keeping with the natural melancholy aesthetic of shoot, the film by Put Down the Bourbon was shot in an dramatic raw perspective with an original music composition by Paper Door. We didn’t want a smooth over-produced video but the edges a bit unkempt and an intimate perspective into this bride’s waiting. Muted Love. from … Continue reading
I am so very excited to bring you this Woodland Inspiration Shoot. A group of talented vendors got together wanting an inspirational shoot void of pastels and pretty pinks to bring imagery to the bride with a love of nature and the beauty in the barren winter months. Katie from Jayne Weddings first hatched this … Continue reading
One shot as a fun Sneak Peek to what I will be posting on Thursday!! Katie from Jayne Weddings , Kelly from Fleur and I got together to brainstorm a wedding inspiration shoot that was void of pastels and appealed to a love of nature and the barren months of winter. This gorgeous dress was … Continue reading
This week started my yearly class at Chicago Botanic Garden teaching Macro Photography in the greenhouse. It is always a welcome change of pace for me to communicate the technicalities of the camera, meet new students and spend some time away from the computer. I wander with my class in the green humidity and it relaxes … Continue reading
Absolutely beautiful. The pictures and words together make me feel like I visited the woods with you. I know what you mean. It happens to me….often on my own back deck!
Love you!
we do!!!
maybe we could do one after the wedding, and i could hike in my dress
I love the fern photo! It looks like they’re all stretching out their arms in a big yawn…
I see that Jill has preceded me in these comments, but yes, we would definitely like to go to Starved Rock! I have never been there, but I have been wanting to go for some time, and the pictures are beautiful. Are you going to teach a photgraphy course at the Chicago Botanic Garden again this summer?
Les, my spring class started on April 26th! So I’m gearing up in the next couple of weeks!