Day 6, part 2: SA + Johannesburg

Today’s tidbit: “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” ― Nelson Mandela

Monday I posted on Soweto. Johannesburg includes Soweto, which was a separate city (late 1970s–1990s). Originally an acronym for “SOuth-WEstern TOwnships”, Soweto formed on the outskirts populated mostly by native African workers. Continuing with day 6, here is part 2 which focuses on Johannesburg, also known as Joburg.

Given the recent events with Nelson Mandela’s death on December 5th, this day is even more meaningful. During the city tour we were able to see his current home and Constitutional Hill, where he was detained. It is was an amazing experience, being there then as well as now as I see it on the news and recognize places and am able to say I was there. Truly a remarkable and inspirational man!

Sneak peek image:

SA Soweto and Joburg84

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Day 6: SA + Soweto

Today’s tidbit: “The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.
 G.K. Chesterton

The last few weeks I have been busy wrapping up things (trip to NY, design GMU project, trip down memory lane, Thanksgiving, Allie’s wedding and a family photo shoot). This past Saturday I did another family session that will be on the blog soon, but for now it’s back to South Africa posts!

Remember my last SA post, Day 5? As I mentioned, so far I have shared my first week of adventures and our private tour with Dornbrack Travel. Continuing with my time in SA, day 6 started the new 2 week tour, exactly 3 months from today (9.16.13)!! The tour began Johannesburg and Soweto, an urban area of the city of Johannesburg in Gauteng. I will be splitting this up in 2 parts, with today’s post focusing on Soweto and part 2 (later this week) on Johannesburg. There is so much important history in Soweto to share!

Sneak peek image:

SA Soweto and Joburg20

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Stephanie & Mark + family session | Alexandria, VA

Today’s tidbit: “The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”— George Santayana 

Do you remember my shoots with Crystal and Sam (maternity, family shoot part 1 & family shoot part 2)? I was honored to be able to spend the afternoon with them and capture such exciting times. After those posts a few people contacted me interested in scheduling their own family shoot, one of which was Stephanie. She wanted to do a fall shoot with her husband, Mark and their twin girls, Charlotte & Reagan.

Being a twin myself, I was very excited to work with them! I showed Stephanie and Mark a sneak peak image last week, but they haven’t seen anything else yet. I wanted it to be a surprise and I know they are waiting anxiously to see the pictures… so, here you go!!

Sneak peek image:

S&M family shoot20

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Allie & Brian | Newlywed party

Today’s tidbit: “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.”
― Audrey Hepburn

On Monday I shared Allie & Brian’s wedding celebration, which was just perfect! They then enjoyed a 10 day honeymoon in gorgeous St. Lucia and came back to a party my dad and I planned. It was a big party to celebrate the newlyweds (along with show friends the new house finally) complete with delicious catered Indian food and a never ending supply of drinks made by a bartender. And of course it wouldn’t be a party without a DJ and dancing! So much to celebrate and I couldn’t be happier for Allie & Brian.

Sneak peek image:

A&B Wedding party6

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Allie & Brian | Wedding celebration

Today’s tidbit: “True love is rare, and it’s the only thing that gives life real meaning.” ― Nicholas Sparks

{The Big Day} After a long time planning and all the events leading up to it the day was finally here! Recap on all the wedding related posts: Engagement pictures session 1session 2, and session 3 + Save the Date design + Bachelorette weekend (part 1 + part 2) + Invitation design + Bridal shower

There aren’t enough of the right words for me to describe the relationship Allie & Brian enjoy together and how happy I am for them. It truly was the perfect wedding celebration for the perfect pair. I was waiting to add some of the professional pictures before I did a post. I am so excited to finally share this beautiful day, 10.19.13!

Sneak peek image:

A&B Wedding34

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Today’s tidbit: “Whatever you may be missing right now – a person, a place, a feeling – whatever it is, have peace and take heart – remember that any goodbye makes room for a hello. — Kristin Armstrong

Stay humble. Be thankful. Love & live. Thanksgiving is the best time to remember, thank and appreciate the many blessings that life brings you.

Remember last year? This has certainly been the year for change and transition… a time for letting go, saying goodbye and learning to start a new chapter. I’ll reflect on 2013 in January, but for now I wanted to pause and reflect on everything I am thankful for!

Thanksgiving

So don’t be frightened, dear friend, if a sadness confronts you larger than any you have ever known, casting its shadow over all you do. You must think that something is happening within you, and remember that life has not forgotten you; it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall. Why would you want to exclude from your life any uneasiness, any pain, any depression, since you don’t know what work they are accomplishing within you?  Rainer Maria Rilke

Every struggle shapes who you are and even if you don’t understand it something within you is changing. I am trying to be thankful for the hard times because they can only make you stronger. Everyone has challenges to face and obstacles to overcome. No matter what you’re going through, you have to step back and put life in perspective – to remember what you have and not take anything for granted. I saw this first hand in South Africa. One day walking around and interacting with kids in a township (blog post to come) was a huge wake up call and such a humbling experience! Many of us complain about things that are so trivial in the big picture. So, although for me it has been a really rough year, I know I have grown tremendously and it could be much worse! There is so much to be thankful for. What are you thankful for this year?

Wishing you and your loved ones safe travels and a very Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!

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Fall at the barn

Today’s tidbit: “When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spine… you know you are loved.” — John Lyons

Last week I shared some of my fondest memories, living at the barn + showing, and saying goodbye to that chapter. Luckily I am still riding for fun and see Bailey! Remember my Winter at the barn post? I can’t believe it is almost that time again! As I mentioned then, after a long search to find Bailey the perfect home when I left for college it all came together and I still feel I made the right choice. It is a beautiful property where he is getting unbelievable care and attention. I just love pulling up to their gate, no matter what time of year, and seeing the horses out grazing in the pasture or popping their heads out of their stall doors. It has been quite the busy summer and fall, making it hard to get out to the barn to see Bailey. In August I stopped by on my birthday to see him. I then only made it out one day the very beginning of September, before South Africa, and then not again until last weekend. Although I missed the peak time for the vibrant fall color at the barn, it was still a relaxing and beautiful visit!

Sneak peek image:

fall riding14

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Rewind + August: Letting go + Impromptu session | Middleburg, VA

Today’s tidbit: “Life is not made up of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years, but of moments. You must experience each one before you can appreciate it.” ― Sarah Breathnach 

Earlier this week I was finally able to share a freelance project I worked on with GMU (read more). Today is another post from August that got pushed back. The last few months have just been so busy and eventful! As you’ve seen with all of my Old Town Alexandria sessions, I love wandering around and taking in the beauty + charm… and Middleburg, VA certainly has that. This truly was an impromptu shoot, however, as I reluctantly was heading to Middleburg to drop off most of my riding things and let go of that chapter.

A little background… in August, our childhood house was sold and were busy sorting through the last things to pack (read more). There it was in the basement–my horse corner. My big navy tack truck that had been in front of Baileys stall… a collection of things that had formed my riding life for so many years. It is always hard to walk away but I knew it was time to let go. It was time to sell everything I wasn’t using so someone else could get good use out of things I so loved and that had created so much happiness. It wasn’t the things though, but rather what each represented…

Sneak peek image: One of my favorite show pictures at Fox Chase Farm, in Middleburg, VA

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Rewind + August: GMU design project

Today’s tidbit: “If you wait for the timing to be right before you make a move, you may never make a move at all.  Blake Mycoskie

As I mentioned last week I am taking a little break from the SA posts to wrap up some other things that have been going on. After leaving TGD I started doing more photo shoots and freelance jobs (most of which I have already posted on). Back in June I started a 4-peice project for incoming freshman with Off-Campus Student Programs and Services at George Mason University (GMU). In July I completed a stand-up banner, brochure and bookmark and later in August I completed the forth piece, a mailer. I was waiting to do a post about it until I had the printed samples, which I received from Off-Campus Student Programs and Services in September while I was in South Africa. It got pushed back until now, but I am happy to finally share this exciting project and great experience working with GMU.

Sneak peek image:

GMU project8

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Friday fun: New York

Today’s tidbit: “You need to make time for your family no matter what happens in your life.”
— Matthew Quick

Tuesday I wrapped up my first week of adventures in South Africa and our private tour with Dornbrack Travel. I know, can you believe that was all only 5 days AND before the main 2 week tour even started!?! I will start the new tour adventures soon, but for now I am taking a little break from the SA posts to wrap up some other things that have been going on… starting with a short post on my trip to New York. I left for Albany, NY last Friday with my brother and Sammy. After a cold snowy 8 hour drive, we made it back yesterday evening. This is a little bit of a random shorter Friday fun post with little details from my trip.

Sneak peek image: This morning putting together this post… in my favorite nook with much needed coffee and a gluten free blueberry muffin!

Friday fun NY14

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy! 

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