Reach Out | Worst That Can Happen is No

Some of the biggest steps I have made as a creative started with reaching out to other creatives.  
My last months of college were spent running on empty just scrambling to the finish line called graduation. Like so many of my peers I was trying to plan on what was coming after that brief walk across a stage. I knew I wanted to give my photography a real shot as a business, but I didn't known where I wanted to start.  I reached out to a local wedding photographer. I remember reaching out not really sure what would become of it, but I was so nervous because I knew this was something I wanted and i was putting that desire out for others to see.
I ended up interning for that photographer. I still work with Justin as a second shooter, not only did I make a pretty cool new friend I also built my skill and photography portfolio with nothing more than determination and my time.

I have also reached out to other photographers who didn't respond with the same kindness as others but this year I decided it never hurts to simply ask.  I am working on a project with some creatives right now that I am super stoked about; I was taken aback by others eagerness to join in on helping my vision come to life.

Yes, it is nerve-wracking reaching out to strangers,  but the worst they can say is no.
If you want to work with another creative just ask. Who knows what doors you may be knocking on.  The one setting your limitations is yourself.

Twilight | Looking Back at Past Loves

I never knew what having a true best friend was until I meet Katrina. Seemingly the most confident girl I had ever met, she is the kind of person I know would have my back in any conflict. Some of my favorite memories are of us sending each other letters in the mail (in late middle school early high school, neither of us were cool enough or could afford a car), watching Ghibli movies in her perpetually cold basement,  and getting into the vampire craze that hit the nation in our early teens- Twilight. 
A huge thing that attracts me as a reader is the cover art. At the west st paul library one day, a black book with a red apple caught my eye and after reading about half way in, I just raved about it and Katrina was soon to follow. As new moon and eclipse came out , I remember just the two of us sitting on her bed, backs against the wall of her moderately small room the only sound that could be heard is the pages being turned until we were done with the the chapter to analyze what we just read. Then both of us sitting in the sun on top of the garage roof outside her window with the dreams and hopes of what our "dream man" would be. With someone like Edward Cullen to come paired to, it was easy to think about how it would turn out.  We even got all our books signed by Stephanie Meyer at a local Borders.

Now ten years later, Katrina and i have decided to reread those books that were prominent in our growing up. So much has changed since the last time we read these books- marriages, diplomas, states, jobs, babies, families. But one thing that stayed in tact was our friendship  and I am so grateful for that everyday.

Monday Moments: From MN to AZ | My Christmas

This year Marcus and I were able to enjoy a Christmas with his family in Arizona. I was fortunate enough to bring him back with me to Minnesota when we got married and I knew he had been really missing his family, so Christmas seemed to be a good enough excuse to me the journey out there.  (Photos are both my camera and my phone!) 

Besides waking up at the early hour to make our flight, the whole trip there was pleasant. I was able to enjoy a new book I finally purchased after weeks of contemplating;  "Why Not Me?" By Mindy Kaling is a book that had me laughing out loud from just her honest views of life and it had the feel of listening to a new friend's life story. Anywho, here are a couple of my christmas trips highlights. ( besides sleeping in and actually feeling like I had a Christmas vacation )

When we arrived on his doorstep, his two little siblings just had shock written all over each others faces as they hugged Marcus for a long period of time. Half of use were tearing up!

Besides the cool breezes of 68 degree weather, Christmas in Arizona started off with celebrating grandma and grandpa Shay's 50th year anniversary.  (#marriagegoals )
Aunt Judy read off a list of everything that happened the year they got married; Grandpa Shay talked about how hehad gotten his draft notice in the mail 2 days before his wedding.  (Talk about stessful!) I am thankful for my husband's family being so loving and caring;they made me feel like a part of the family.

With anyone with younger siblings might understand, Marcus and I needed a small break to ourselves. Venturing out to explore a little bit of Arizona, we checked out Montezuma Castle and the Tuzigoot.  With a fun car ride and beautiful sites it made the day one of my favorites from our trip. 

We saw lights on multiple occasions but holy moly some of them out did the others! Most impressive was done about 45 minutes out of Phoenix at a Mormon church that had nativity seasons all throughout their property.

One of my christmas presents to my MIL was photos of her and her children, we did this at Christmas dinner at the grandparents. It was a really laid back day and a little weird with no snow on the ground.... I am happy I live in Minnesota!  But I loved how these photos turned out!!

I had a wonderful Christmas with family and I hope yours was just as wonderfilled. <3
I am excited to find what this new year holds for my family!