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HANNAH + CHANCELLOR | OUTDOOR WEDDING AT FORTH ABRAHAM LINCOLN, ND | BISMARCK WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Y’all this day was magical! Hannah looked stunning and radiant on her beautiful summery wedding dress. Chancellor was rocking killers withe shoes and looking sharp in his baby blue blazer. The weather was just the right amount of sun and wind (a win win for North Dakota standards!). Everyone was there for them, but like, for real! You could feel the happiness and joy of friends and family while they cried during the ceremony, murdered the dance floor and recharged their energy with delicious treats and iced drinks. Did I mention they also had MO’s Snow Shack catering their wedding and serving unlimited amounts of authentic Hawaiian Shave Ice? Fun fact: That’s where they went for their first date and it has become their thing. I mean, summer catering goals, amirite!? On top of all that, II’m not afraid to be wrong saying this but, pretty sure this was the most lit reception I’ve witness this year. I like to tell myself I’m a pretty decent dancer, but after seen these two dances moves and all of his crew absolutely dominating the dance floor, I’m pretty sure I need dance classes asap! Check the highlights of their day bellow! I guarantee you it put a big smile at your face. Enjoy!

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VENDORS: Wedding co-ordinator: Mary DuBord | Venue: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park | Officiant: Pastor Kaleb Graham | Wedding Dress Designer: Venus Bridals | Bridesmaids Dresses Designer: Sorella Vita | Bridal Dresses and Accessories: White Lace Bridal | Groom’s and Grromsmen Attire: ASOS | Groom’s and Grromsmen Accessories: White Lace Bridal | Catering: MO's Snow Shack | Flowers: Dutch Mill Florist | Decorator: Bridal Buttler | DJ: Aaron Jordan | Photography: THAIS Photography | Second Shooter: Darron Fry

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BOHEMIAN WEDDING INSPIRATION | MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

I can’t believe that it took me this long to blog this amazing style shoot. Back in May of this year, the Minot Rising Tide Tuesdays Together group brought together a pretty awesome group of creatives and the result was pure magic! From perfect florals to a one-of-the-kind maternity wedding dress specially design for the styled shoot, this group brought their A game to the table and we all wan from it! A BIG shout out to all the incredible vendors involved. If you are planning a wedding, make sure to check each and everyone of them. You’ll get not only exactly what you ask for but mostly you’ll be helping nurture a creative dream and small business, it’s a win win!

VENDORS

Planner: Rachel Graham 

Decor: I Do Balloons!

Wedding dress + Stylist: Tori Dany Designs

HMUA: Kelsey Joy

Florals: Erika with a K Designs

Cake: Beaton The Batter 

Stationaries: KB Designs

Calligraphy: HM Lettering

Models: Victoria and Devyn Pedrano

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BEST WEDDING PARTY INVITATION IDEA (EVER!)

Okay so for this post I’m going a little (maybe way too much?!) overboard with my “How I met your mother” a.k.a HIMYM obsession.

I have no shame in admitting my love for Barney Stinson (shhhh… my inner feminist!) or using Lily’s punch line every time I can tell my dogs did something mischievous that I’ve not yet find it (let me tell ya, more often than not, it’s not poop that I ended up finding it!).

You see, my husband was the one responsible for my HIMYM addiction as he was the one the insisted over and over again that I should watch the show… so I did!… and now I’m that person that will make a wedding inspiration post on all things catch from the show. Sorry, but not sorry?!

One would never argue that HIMYM is friendship + relationship goals start to the end (well, maybe not the end!… very disappointed on that one… but moving on)…So here it is a the best way to put a HIMYM inspired wedding party invitation gift box to amuse your bridesmaids + groomsmen and have them say nothing but “Challenge accepted”

#1 GOTTA HAVE THAT FORMAL CARD

Tell the bro’s to suit up and the gals to be ready because there is no need to wait for it. Don’t forget to reserve a VIP table at the The Lusty Leopard strip club for your bachelor/bachelorette party… do it Barney style!

links: FOR HER | FOR HIM

#2 THEY SAID YES!

Once they are in it, win it! Your MVP team deserves their own jersey!

links: FOR HER | FOR HIM

#3 SEAL THE DEAL

Bring MacLaren's Pub to them! Because friends love to get together over beer and scotch.

link: SLAP BET COMMISSIONER ADHESIVE | WOOD BEER CADDY

link: GLEN MCKENNA SCOTCH LABEL | HIMYM WINE GLASS

#4 ADD SOME GOODIES

Because HIMYM souvenirs are always a good call! Now that you found your yellow umbrella person and the one you would steal a entire orchestra for, you probably won’t need that “playbook” anymore, amirite?!

link: THE PLAYBOOK | THE BRO CODE

link: LEGENDARY MUG | YELLOW UMBRELLA LAPEL PIN

Now, if your wedding party is HIMYM fan as much as I am, this invitation will blow their minds! You’ll be taping your own back on a job well done and using Barney’s own words of congratulation “You are AWESOME!”. Because you know you are!

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CHELSEA + KYLE | COUMEENOOLE BEACH | IRELAND ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Once upon a time, Ceara Westaby and I were being total tourists in Ireland and photographing the heck out of the beautiful landscape of Coumeenoole Beach on a cold spring day at the Slea Head Drive. Little did we knew that something magical was just about to go down!

We arrived at the beach pretty much at the same time that another group of tourists. After figuring out parking in a limited area, we all got off our cars with our cameras to explore the area. I went to take some photos of the cliffs and awesome rock formations that Coumeenoole Beach is known for. Couple minutes into it, I notice the other group were climbing the rocks and having an absolutely great time exploring their surrounds. They made their way to the other end of the beach and I took the opportunity to take this shot of the center part of the rock formations at the beach. 

As soon as I was done, I turned around just to spot this couple facing each other while the rest of the group was surrounding them in a semi circle. At first, I was like, “Something is happening over there...”, and then my wedding photographer brain kicked off  and “something” escalated to “Holly cow! He’s about to propose!!!”... It was so freaking exciting! Just when I turned around to call Ceara (she was all the way on the other side) to quickly let her know what was about to happen... Down he went, on one knee!! 

Their friends were cheering, I was in awe (and totally wishing I didn’t have my 20mm on my camera... I was too far away for a good shot!) and BOOM... It happened! She said yes! Everyone was cheerful, hugging and happy AF! I wanted to come closer to congratulate them and that was exactly what I did. I introduced myself, told them I was an wedding photographer and I offered to do a mini engagement session on spot if they were up to. (FYI Chelsea + Kyle are their names) Kyle joked around saying that he had this all planed out and we were there to take pictures of the proposal. I went along with it and Chelsea did buy it for a minute. We all got a good laugh out of it!

We found out that we were all from the U.S. (small world, right?), they told us they were heading to Iceland after Ireland (dream trip, amirite?!) and that Kyle put a lot thought into Chelsea’s ring. He used the diamonds on Chelsea’s grandmother original ring to design the perfect ring for her (Guys out there, take note! This is how it’s done!). The whole thing was just straight out of a fairytale, ya’ll!

Thank you Chelsea + Kyle for being so awesome and down for my crazy directions hahaha... gotta make those 5 minutes count!

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ANNE + DARYL | BELLE ISLE CASTLE | IRELAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

VENDORS: Wedding co-ordinator: Andrea McIlveen | Venue: Belle Isle Castle | Officiant: Reverend Rodney Beacom | Wedding Dress Designer: Morilee by Madeline Gardner | Wedding Dress and Accessories: Bridal N’More | Groom’s attire: Men’s Warehouse | MakeUp: Claire Gibson | Flowers: McGarry Wedding Flowers and Venue Stylist | Cake: Truly Scrumptious Cakes by Emma Stewart | Harpist: Sharon Carroll | Photography: THAIS Photography | Second Shooter: Ceara Westaby

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EMILY + JACOB | CRAGGY GARDENS | NORTH CAROLINA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

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JESSICA + DALLAS | VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK | LAS VEGAS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

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THE PRACTICAL BRIDE | HOW TO PICK YOUR WEDDING DATE

Now that you have found each other and decided on forever, it’s time to get down to business and start making decisions for your big day.

The first and most relevant one will be picking a date. What seems to be a simple task can easily become a hard thing to accomplish.

Here are a few points to consider:

#1 SPECIAL DATES

Maybe you want to get married on the same date of your proposal ( I know I did that!). Or maybe on  the date you two first met or started dating. Or maybe you want to celebrate your anniversary on the same date that your grandparents. Whatever you heart desires, specials dates are always so personal and you know, special!

#2 HOLIDAYS

Either you are planing a big wedding for all your family to attend or a destination wedding getaway, picking a national holiday weekend can give you and your guests the extra amount of days y’all need to enjoy quality time together. It’s like a mini group vacation where all your gang get together to celebrate you and just have a good time.

#3 SPORTS SEASON

Y’all, this one is for all the die hard football, baseball, hockey, basketball, you name it, fans. Once the season quicks off, there are no distractions allowed. A word of advise, if your family and friends are included in this category, I would recommend avoid dates that clash with their (possible) world championship journey. Chances are they will either be on their phones checking scores during your ceremony or they will bail and not even show up.

#4 WEDDING SEASON

Okay, this one is for all couples out there hoping get a sweet deal. We all know that nothing beats a perfect weather wedding day. Because of that, most people want to get married during the spring, summer and fall. The sunshine, the warm weather and amazing colors make these seasons the perfect fit for any wedding dreams. Problem is, like any industry, the higher the demand, the higher the  costs. During prime dates, vendors book full price and offer little to no discounts on their service. Not willing to compromise on that? There is a secret sauce (well, not that secret actually!) that will flavor your budget to your taste: weekdays weddings! That’s right! Most venues and vendors will offer an awesome price for weekdays weddings even if is right is the middle of the busiest time of wedding season. #weddingwednesday to the win!

#5 MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Pick a random date and make it special for years to come! Chances are your birthday was just another day at your parents lives until you came into the picture and so it was many other important dates you have collect throughout the years. So why not follow the trend and pick a date, any date, and make it your own?!

Photos: THAIS Photography

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The Practical Bride | 7 Tips for Weddings in a Budget

First and formals, I’ve been a bride before and I know how much wedding’s costs can get out of hand before you even start fully planing. Truth is, the most important decision you’ll have to make is wether or not your wedding day will be about you two or will also be about other people’s expectations.

Family and friends mean the world to me so I would be lying if I say they didn’t play a huge part on my husband and I’s decision on how and when to get married. I definitely do not regret adjusting our needs to meet theirs but we would definitely have had a different wedding day if it was absolutely just about us.

As a wedding photographer, I’ve been to a lot of weddings this past 3 years and let me tell ya… I’ve seen a handful of great ideas that will help couples on a budget to have a perfect wedding for just the right amount of dollars on their bank account.

#1 INTIMATE WEDDING

Small weddings are just so precious. Narrowing down your guest list to closest family members and friends might be the perfect fit for you two. Intimate weddings have this “easy-like-sunday-morning” vibe that makes everyone feel involved and connected.

#2 GET PEOPLE INVOLVED

Because we can all get a little help from our friends right? So instead of having a registry and asking for gifts, get your family and friends involved. Have them help with whatever they can bring to the table. You’ll be surprise with how much your people are willing to step in to make your day extra special.

#3 OUTDOOR WEDDING

Does youR family owns a beautiful property with an awesome backyard? Why not host your ceremony and reception all in one place, and better, a place close to your heart? Another option is to rent a nice shelter in a public park with shades and plenty of space  for your guest to hang out and enjoy the nature. Whatever you choose, outdoor weddings are significantly cheaper than renting a venue, mostly because you can find great locations within your own family or parks owned by the city or state that will cost you just a small fee to rent it for a full day. Plus, did I mention it’s absolutely gorgeous for pictures? Oh yes!

#4 CATER AWAY

Have family members who are “master-chefs”?… ask them if they can help you putting a menu together and cook for your wedding. A home cooked meal is always the best type of meal one can ask for! Guests will rave about your wedding food for dayzzz. Hiring a family-owned restaurant is also a great way to cut cost as they cater in a smaller scale and are more reasonable priced them the go-to cater service in town.

#5 HIRE VENDORS THAT ARE FAIRLY NEW IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY

This is one that is dear to my heart. We all started at some point in our journey as wedding services providers. Truth is, I know a handful of great new business that will do just as a great job as well established vendors. Because they are just starting out and still building a clientele/portfolio, these “new-to-the-club” vendors tend to charge less than business that have been in the market for a while. Their hard cost are still small because they are not expanding to fulfill a demand like bigger businesses. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying, compromise quality over price. Research locally, read reviews of past clients and if it fits your budget and expectations, hiring someone that has fewer years of experience might be a good option for you.

#6 COMPROMISE

When planing a wedding on a budget you’ll need to compromise. There is just no way around it. Make a list of what is the must have things for your day, the things you want to be perfect and/or the things you feel you need to hire vendors in order to have it done as you like. By doing that, you’ll have a clear idea on where most of your budget is going to go, where you’ll need to compromise and start looking for alternatives.

#7 YOU CAN ALWAYS QUIT!

It’s like that job that you hate and you’re not passionate about it. You can always quit! If planing a wedding becomes overwhelming to the point that it brings you no excitement to your big day, you can change your mind and just ELOPE. Either if it’s at the courthouse or at the most epic mountain on planet Earth. You can use all that money to make a down payment on a new car, your first house or whatever it is that will make life easier for you both. You can also use it towards an awesome trip to a place both of you always want to go, have the honeymoon of your dreams and create new awesome memories together.

Whatever you decide to do, don't loose track of what it’s important for the two of you. You’ll only get married once (hopefully!), so make it count! For you!

Photos THAIS Photography

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THE PRACTICAL BRIDE | BEST 5 WEDDING PLANNERS ON ETSY.

First and formals! Congratulations on your engagement! It’s such an exciting time and I’m sure your head is still trying to make sense of everything that has happened and will need to happen before you exchange yours I do’s. As someone who loves to make lists, I know how life changing being on top of everything can be. Planning a wedding can be a full time job for some couples, but fear not, help is here! Check out these amazing wedding planners that will make the process of keeping all things wedding related handy and easy to access so effortless.

#1 Two Little Possums Planner | $37

For the organized bride! This beautiful wedding planner book will help you plan every aspect of your big day, from your proposal to "I do". It’s easy to use, stylish and practical.

In this book you'll find: checklist, budget worksheet, reception venue research forms, mood board, bridal party details, guest lists, supplier contact list, appointments log, important dates to remember, decorations, gift registry, invitation etiquette & wording worksheet, menu, wedding day timetable, table seater plans, vows worksheet, speeches worksheet, honeymoon plan, notes and beautiful quotes throughout to keep you inspired throughout your entire wedding planning journey.

#2 Pearl and Mason Planner, Guide & Journal | $34

Yes, you gorgeous bride-to-be, you CAN have your wedding cake and eat it! It goes without saying that saying your 'I do' on your wedding day will be a magical & a once in a lifetime experience but getting to aisle ready can be rather stressful!

Having personally experienced both the happiness & the hurdles of planning my wedding, Pearl and Manson’s owner felt inspired to create the wedding guide book that she found herself wishing for during that time. So here it is, your little wedding book, the perfect size guide & notebook that is packed with great advice, tips, questions to ask, checklists, worksheets, & note sections for you to treasure in later years.

It contains the following sections: getting started, budget planner, you ceremony, your reception, photographer + videographer, flowers + decor, wardrobe, stationary gifts, hair + makeup, cake + favors, groom to do’s, let’s get organized, the big day and key contact list

You bring the magic, the ideas and the dream (and of course the groom) to create the wedding you’ll love, your way!

#3 Blush and Gold Invites Planner | $34

This elegant wedding planner book contains 150+ pages of detailed worksheets and inspiration mood boards to accompany you through your exciting wedding planning journey. It features delicate gold foiled details on its luxury hardback cover. These planners are your perfect companions before, during and after your wedding day. It’s the #1 wedding planner book on Etsy. Watch this youtube review on the product. 

#4 Lucy Sui Sf Planner Book | $54

The Wedding Book™ by Lucy Sui is a complete all-in-one keepsake wedding planner to help you navigate your way from the proposal all the way through your honeymoon. Look back on the fun you had while planning for your big day, and flip through the pages to relive the months, weeks, and days leading up to your I Do's. Collect small moments, because getting there is half the fun.

9 Individual Planning Sections include: game plan, contacts, budget, guests, vendors, registry preparation + honeymoon planning, inspiration, photos and notes.

#5 Paper del Sol Planner | $8

A DIY bride dream! Use these printable wedding planner pages in your DIY wedding binder or wedding planning book! These planner printables include a wedding checklist, a comprehensive timeline, wedding budget tracker, vendor information, menu planning page and so much more! Enjoy creating your DIY wedding planner!

This 20 page Wedding Planner includes: Binder Cover, Wedding Planner Timeline, Wedding Budget, Expense Tracker, Vendor Contact Sheet, Guest List Tracker, Bridal Party Contact Sheet, Groomsmen Contact Sheet, Menu Planner, Music Planner, Table Layout Planner, Seating Assignment Sheet, Honeymoon Tracker, Gift and Thank You Card Tracker, Weekly Planner, Daily Planner and Notes Sheet.

Now get yourself one of these and let the planning begin!

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ANNE + DARYL | OAK PARK, MINOT, ND | T H A I S  PHOTOGRAPHY

We braved the snow and the cold to snap these heartwarming moments between these two. After all, who care if its cold outside? As long as you have that special one to keep your heart on fire, and hold your hand so it will always feel warm and cozy, ND winter will have no chance against you. I can’t wait for March to come and to celebrate these two in Ireland, aye!

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VICTORIA + DEVYN | FOUR BEARS OVERLOOK, ND | T H A I S  PHOTOGRAPHY

... we wrapped up our session on top of the four bears bridge with a emotional exchange of love notes and a gorgeous sunset. A perfect afternoon that couldn’t have ended on a more perfect way.

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VICTORIA + DEVYN | LAKE SAKAKAWEA, ND | T H A I S  PHOTOGRAPHY

Victoria (or Tori) and Devyn are the definition of relationship goals. These two, originally from the west coast, are one of the most heartwarming couples I met in an while. Tori is not only a beauty inside and out, but also a very talent graphic designer/PR/blogger and fashion designer. She runs an awesome Facebook group of creatives in Minot, ND and she is constantly searching for ways to make our community better and more connected. Oh! and she is also the master mind behind Tori Dany Designs and the responsible for my gorgeous business logo. Devyn is an very artistic soul, passionate about music and art. He is also in the military serving our country. With all that said, I was so pleased to spend a awesome afternoon with these two. They drove all the way from Minot to Newtown and we capture some breathtaking shots in the area. starting at Lake Sakakawea...

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STEPHANIE + ALEX | SLEEDING AT MINOT CAMPUS | T H A I S  PHOTOGRAPHY

... for the second part of Stephanie and Alex’s session we went sleeding and man! it was fun! Minus the cold, of course! But these two went up and down the hill a handful of times and had a blast.

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STEPHANIE + ALEX | COUPLES SESSION MINOT, ND | T H A I S  PHOTOGRAPHY

I met Stephanie and Alex on the day of our session. These two were absolutely amazing to work with. Besides braving freezing temperatures and tons of snow on our way, they were up to absolutely anything. We started our session at Alex’s parents property, just outside of Minot. What a beautiful and inspiring place. From frozen trees to snow banks, it looked liked a perfect winter wonderland. After that, we went sledding….but that will be for another blog post!

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BRITTANY + RYAN | BISON TRAIL MINOT, ND | T H A I S  PHOTOGRAPHY

I first met Brittany and Ryan back in June of 2015. Brittany was a bridesmaids on one of the weddings I photograph that summer. My sister-in-law put us in contact again after I reached out for her asking if she knew any couples in the area that would be up to go on an adventure with me. She immediately though of Brittany and Ryan. After exchanging a couple messages we set a date and off we went. We spent the sunset hour exploring a local trail and digging some snow out of the way.

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PACK YOUR GEAR AND GO! | T H A I S  PHOTOGRAPHY

I remember the first time I read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. I remember how it impacted my life. I got so obsessed about the story that I wanted all my friends to read so we could have endless philosophical conversations about its meaning and purpose. You see, I have read The Alchemist multiples times in my lifetime, and each and every time, this book had offered me life guidance in so many distinct ways. It’s a tale about everyday choices that separates a comfortable ordinary life from an adventurous extraordinary journey. Paulo wrote this book when nobody believe he could make it as an author. He had made a name co-writing songs with Brazilian rock legend Raul Seixas, but as an writer, his career was not going anywhere. Not surprisingly, “The Alchemist” not only has been a best-seller since first published, but mostly, it was a turning point to Paulo Coelho’s career as an writer.

You must be asking yourself, “what the heck this Coelho guy has to do with pack your gear and go?”... I’ll explain. I last read this book back in August, and as always happen when I do, the book provided me with a boost of energy that I certainly needed. Creatively, I was stuck! I didn’t like my work, I wasn’t passionate about it. I was lacking willingness and inspiration to create anything in my life. I was exhausted by 2 full time jobs; with no time for me, my marriage and/or my dogs. It was safe to say, I was in survival mode. When I finished the book I knew that I was the only one to blame, and I was the only one that could do something about it. And that was when, my friends, I decided I needed to PACK MY GEAR AND GO...!!!

And I sure did!.... Fast forward, some research here and there, 2 workshops registrations, and 3 months later, I landed in Asheville, NC for the Over Yonder Hideaway Workshop. And man! I’m so glad I did it! When I signed up for it I had no idea on how this would play out. I had no clue of how meaningful this would be for me as not only a photographer but mostly as an creative human being. No offense to all the logical thinkers out there but, truth be said, the only mind capable to 100% understand a creative’s mind is one alike.

Hosted by Michael Cardwell (instagram | facebook)  Cody Harris (instagram | facebook), Twyla Jones (instagram | facebook), and Kyle Wilson (instagram | facebook), Over Yonder was my safe heaven. I was surrounded by a group of awesome creatives that came together to build each other up, improve their craft and produce rad work! To every single one of you, thank you so much for your art!

Make sure to check out the amazing work of all the beautiful people who attended this amazing and intimate workshop.

Cassie Cook (instagram | facebook)

Kelley Deal (instagram | facebook)

Adam Edmundson (instagram | facebook)

Jessica Flinchum (instagram | facebook)

Amina Ford (instagram | facebook)

Juliana Schutte (instagram | facebook)

Melissa Toma (instagram | facebook)

Ceara Westaby (instagram | facebook)

ALSO... a big shout out to the amazing humans who were our models!

Jackson and Olivia Emmer (instagram | facebook)

Nick and Amelia Fletcher (instagram | facebook)

Jacob and Emily Hatch (instagram 1.0 | instagram 2.0 | facebook)

Paula Jackson (instagram | facebook)

One last note, if you feel some way similar to what I was feeling last summer, my advice for you is invest in yourself. Leave your baggage behind, pack what you are passionate about it and go find inspiration out there. And if you are a photographer like me, let’s hang out and become friends! I’ll be attending Forests +Falls Workshop next spring and I couldn’t be more stocked about it. Picture this: Awesome Speakers + Nature + Cabins + Camp Fires + New Friends = KILLER experience. Whatever you decide to do, remember: PACK AND GO! (even if it’s just to the Starbucks near you, just go find what moves you!)