I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for when I went on the road 3 weeks ago. Here is what I knew. I knew I needed a jump start into the wedding season. I knew I wanted to be shooting more on the west coast. I knew I wanted to spend time with my cousin . And most of ALL, I knew that I was SO SO very over the cold. Luckily, my amazing husband was on board with sending me off on my adventure and sent me off on my way to learn and absorb and maybe get a little rest away from my computer, emails and myself. (Seriously, there is no one better than him.)

I think I was hoping I would find some rest and relaxation once I took my trip across the Pacific. A quiet beach. A riveting book…..I found very little rest. Turns out, I’m not so good at resting. But I found other things. I found my curiosity. I found my fearlessness.  I woke up. All of a sudden I was in new territory with new sights and sounds and I felt alive. I was jumping on rocks, getting muddy, climbing up trees, running just to feel my blood pump and teetering a little too much on some very high cliffs. I say all the time that I’m the best version of myself when I travel… it’s been a long time since I could remind myself that it’s true.

An added perk of the Hawaii leg of my trip was getting to shoot along side my cousin who is an amazing landscape and adventure photographer. Seriously, check him out here. It’s so amazing how much your creativity can be fostered just by being around someone who sees things completely different than you. I love that. I learned so much from him just by how he approaches shooting and am crazy inspired by him. (Any picture of me on this post, he shot. Thanks Matt)

I think if I learned anything while I was away it’s that our bodies aren’t built for the monotonous.  We are meant to explore and learn constantly. Even though I’m home now, I hope to not lose sight of that anytime soon. In the meantime… I can’t wait to tell you all about the other two stops on my adventure and the 3 killer shoots I got to do while in Kauai. XO

This is Matt. He’s amazing. And also a little bit of a climber. We’re cut from the same cloth. 

It was super cool having someone snap shots of me while I worked. Sometimes I do funny things. No wonder peeps look at me like I’m crazy.

Like get in the ocean with my gear. Because that’s good for it. 😉

Thank you Matt. Kauai is a part of my soul now and I will be seeing you so so very soon. XO