I miss...


France...

While we were driving through the Dordogne Region, I snapped this shot with my iPhone and it has served to be a wonderful reminder of one of the loveliest places I have ever visited... My favorite shot from a beautiful trip is my entry for www.rocktheshotforum.com camera phone challenge! I edited this shot with the AfterLight app and only added a bit of sharpening, saturation, clarity, and exposure!





Italia...


Did you ever see Only You? Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. flit around Italy in this fabulous 1990s romantic comedy which, even though totally ridiculous, has a place in my heart. There is this short segment which takes place in Venice. I remember losing my nine year-old mind seeing this enchanting city crisscrossed by canals and an older, slower way of life that even as a child I longed for. I've wanted to visit this city for so long, and a few weeks ago... I did. With the love-of-my-life by my side, and our sassy Poodle (who literally attracted picture-taking crowds wherever we stopped), we wandered hand-in-hand through the narrow alleys, popped into shops selling 'Venetian glass' imported from China, and ate buckets of pasta. It was perfect. Like, better than I could've imagined.

When you go, I have a few suggestions on packing... You will be walking everywhere. Venice was made for foot-traffic. Bring your favorite pair of leather walking boots, or shiny oxfords. Be fancy. As much as I love the style of Parisians, Italians have them beat. Tailored suits, silk blouses, and patent leather shoes... Not to mention the eyeglasses! So many bold shades perch atop Roman noses. It's fabulous. Though I felt perfectly dressed in my black-and-white-with-camel-boots uniform, I couldn't leave Italy without a pair of Italian-made sunglasses in a pastel/minty/lime. They are delicious and have this retro vibe that I can't get enough of. Make sure you buy some honest-to-goodness, made-in-Italy frames when you go! 

Though the colors in this city are warm and vibrant, there is something really special about a place where a black-and-white photo actually works today as much as it did in 1900... 



The Anglophile...


Recently, we zipped up to England, by way of France, and we hopped a ferry that took us across a very choppy English Channel. I kind of can't believe I just wrote those words. You see, my Father is from England. I am the only one of his children not born in the 'motherland' and for some reason, I've always acutely felt like I was missing a part of me because of that. Dad always tried his best to anglicize me to the max. So, I grew up of Maltesers, rather than Whoppers... Noddy, instead of Dr. Seuss... I was even taught to spell certain words the British way!

As a small girl, I visited, but I hadn't been back as an adult. Driving off that ferry onto the 'wrong' side of the road, I realized I was home. The feeling is hard to describe. It was almost as if I were looking through my camera at the perfect shot, and I suddenly clicked my lens a tad to the right and everything came into focus. It felt cozy, familiar, and just... Right.

We met up with my sister (who still lives over there) and her two kids (who are my age--I have a crazy and fabulous family tree) and all shared a gorgeous cottage in the countryside... We visited stately homes... Frequented pubs... And then... Stonehenge...





Truth be told, I anticipated Stonehenge to be overrated and boring, but it was incredible! There is something so moving about being amongst ruins placed with such precision and purpose by those long gone. It was mystical and magical, just as it should be.





I always tease Navy about how one day we will live in England... Before we visited, he would simply laugh and smile at me... Now, he chuckles and says, '...I would be ok with that, Heatherly...' I can hardly wait.



The Sassy...

 

Without a doubt, one of the very best things about portrait photography is giving people the ability to see themselves in a new light... Especially women. I think we ladies tend to have a far-too-critical eye when it comes to our appearances. So many times I look in the mirror and feel deflated... I wish I were a little thinner, had longer legs, a smaller nose, etc... But, when my husband looks at me, he wishes none of those things. He tells me I'm gorgeous, that he likes my short fingers, and loves my turned-up nose...  Under his gaze I feel beautiful.


Lately, I have started shooting boudoir sessions... These types of shoots have steadily been on the rise in the past few years as wives have started embracing the idea of gifting their husbands with a special gift just for him. Never have I enjoyed photographing a session like I do these. I love giving women the ability to view themselves as their husband sees them... Beautiful treasures, who are even more stunning than the supermodel we often wish we looked like...

Ladies--If you are considering a session along these lines: Book it! You will walk away from the session feeling gorgeous and your man will revel over such a special present created solely for his enjoyment. The best part? Getting to watch his eyes light up as he pours over your images will be a gift in itself...

Even if you are sans partner, I encourage you to look into one of these sessions sometime. I believe every woman is photogenic and deserves an afternoon totally devoted to being pampered, encouraged, and made to feel as beautiful as she truly is.
Consider it an investment in yourself.
It is worth it.
You are worth it.

A Love Affair...

We leave next week to spend Christmas in England... I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! Being as my father is from London, many of my family's Christmas traditions are centered around very British customs. I've never spent Christmas in England, but have dreamed of doing so my whole life!

We plan to drive up to England by way of France and hop a ferry over the Channel and I think my excitement over spending a couple of days driving through France again is almost as high as going to England! 

The emphasis placed on aesthetics is unparalleled... I've never been somewhere so focused on creating moments of breatgtaking beauty and I can't wait to go back! 

A few iPhone shots from our trip in August...








               

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An American girl living in Spain...
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