{Reminiscing} The Best of 2012

 2012. The year of Blue Ivy, Call Me Maybe, and The Avengers. The year where I learned more about myself than any other year in my 25.  The year where I was knocked down and dragged through the mud, but got back up and waved goodbye as 2013 whizzed into view.  I can now look back at last year and see the beauty that came out of it.  I see it in first married-couple kisses, little baby fingers and toes, looks of adoration on the faces of men and women engaged to be married.  I see it in sunsets and flowers.  I see it in the photos that I have been beyond blessed to capture for people.  I see it in everything my camera lens touched.  And I am so thankful.

So, without further ado, I give you the best of 2012. <3

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to capture your most precious and intimate moments.  I will remember them always.

XOXO,
Ashley

The Importance of Being Still {Personal Post}

We live in a society where stillness is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  A thing we used to be able to do.  A thing that is no longer attainable, what with all the cell phones, iPods, laptops, and riveting television series about vampires, werewolves, and the undead.

I have a secret for you, though...stillness is possible.

It lies inside you.  In your heart.  In the place that Jesus lives.  He wants you to join Him there each and every day.  He wants you to be still and hear the love He breathes into you every day.  He wants you to soak it in.  Every day.

I will not sit here and say that this is easy.  Or that I do it every day.  Or that you're a failure if you don't practice this every day.  I will, however, tell you that you can do it.  And I will tell you that once you do, you'll wonder how you've lived without it all this time.

It is no secret that photography is my creative outlet.  Some people paint, some people draw, some people play/write music.  I choose to freeze moments in time with a few technical adjustments and the click of a button.  It's how I show people the way I view the world. It's my escape.  This morning, I decided I would go out and take photos of the sunrise.  Those of you who know me and know me well know that getting up with the birds is not a favorite pass time of mine. It's not that I don't like the morning...I just like it a lot more the closer it gets to noon.  I joke with my family (who stare at me, mouths open when they see me before 10:30 a.m.) that the looks on their face resemble that of someone who has just seen a rare bird.  The rare Ashley bird, as I like to call it. But this morning, I chose to go out and use my creative outlet as an opportunity to be still.  I have become rather comfortable with my camera, and settings adjustments require little to no thought for me anymore.  So I sat in the stillness of the early morning. I snapped some photos.  I reflected on the burdens I have been carrying lately. I gave them to God. And I became still. 

Anyone who knows me also knows of my inability to be still for too long.  After about five minutes, I began to sing.  The song on my heart this morning was "His Eye is on the Sparrow".  I sang as I photographed the sunrise (or, sunrise-ish, as it was overcast this morning) and the flowers in the field.  I could feel the burdens being lifted off my heart as I sang louder and louder.  I serve a faithful God...and I could feel Him in the stillness.

You serve a faithful God, too.  You just have to trust, be still, and let go. <3

  

"Be still, and know that I am God." {Psalm 46:10}

{Sarah and Cameron} Engaged

Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible-it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could. {Barbara de Angelis}

Sunday, I had the beautiful honor and privilege of spending a few hours with Sarah and Cameron, capturing moment after moment of their love for one another. 

Sarah and I met out at Bay Shore Camp in Sebewaing, Michigan.  The first thing I noticed about her was how people seemed to be drawn to her...she was the proverbial flame and we were the moths.  Warm and kind and caring and CRAZY fun-this girl was something special, and I knew that God had amazing things in store for her and her life.  I just didn't know how special. 

The day of the shoot was my first time meeting Cameron.  I had heard a lot about him and knew that he brought so much love to my dear friend's life.  My appreciation for him began before I even really knew him...and knowing him has made that appreciation grow leaps and bounds.  He is kind, thoughtful, and sincere.  I could see the pureness and deepness of his love for Sarah-and of her love for him- in the moments that I captured, and it makes my heart happy.  Be blessed, Sarah and Cameron.

Thank you both for the privilege of witnessing a God-filled love.  I am beyond excited to be sharing this special time in your life with you and so cannot wait for August 3rd!!! 

XOXO
Ashley

"Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." {Philippians 2:2}