2014: A Year of Connection and Gratitude

"Loving oneself is no easy matter...because it means loving all of oneself, including the shadow where one is inferior and socially so unacceptable. The care one gives this humiliating part is the cure...(but) the moral dimension can never be abandoned. Thus is the cure a paradox requiring two incommensurables: the moral recognition that these parts of me are burdensome and intolerable and must change, and the loving, laughing acceptance which takes them just as they are, joyfully, forever. One both tries hard and lets go, both judges harshly and joins gladly." ~ James Hillman (Psychologist)

I've fought in the battle of self-confidence and self-acceptance for pretty much my entire adult life (and even some parts of my childhood). Sometimes I feel great, and other times I wonder if I'm anywhere near where I'm "supposed" to be. But then again, where am I supposed to be? Really?

As I sit back and reflect on this very rhetorical question, and how I can change things during this universal time of contemplation and renewal, two thoughts come to mind. I'd like to share them both.

First, I've been using the wrong barometer, a very misguided source of measurement. Others. Yes, I'm a self-proclaimed compare-aholoic. I am going to be fully open right now and admit that this has been a life-long struggle for me. I look at others to determine who I should and should not be. While I think this is a natural human tendency, I don't want it to be a habit for me anymore. I realize that this draw toward comparison will never fully disappear, but it can become a rare struggle rather than a regular one. 

The only way I will gain more confidence is to take stock in who I am, where I am at, and where I am going. I have to stop comparing my outtakes to others' highlights. Instead of judging others, I want to get to know them. Because, as I've learned through the experience of mentors with more life experience than me, the only way to combat this evil addiction is to connect to others - to form bonds, share empathy, and live life right alongside them. I want to use these struggles to create connection with others. 

Second, I need to make gratitude a daily habit. Gratitude is the enemy of comparison (thank you for this realization Brene Brown). It took me a long time to really "get" this concept. When I am grateful, I focus on the fact that who I am and what I have is more than enough. I no longer need to wish; I can be filled with joy and gratitude exactly where I'm at. Because joy and gratitude are not results, they are dispositions. Gratitude and joy don't present themselves because something great happens; something great happens because I am full of joy and gratitude. 

Now, I'm not saying this in a "if I just focus on the good, nothing bad will ever happen" mindset. That is just silly. I've lived long enough to understand that life is not a cake-walk. But I have noticed that the more I make gratitude and connection the two things I strive for, the more fulfilling and joyful life becomes. 

So as we begin this new year full of hope, possibility, and mystery (in just a matter of hours!) I make this resolution: to connect rather than compare; to approach life with gratitude rather than expectations, and to use myself as the new barometer for growth. 

A Look Back at 2013

"We often overestimate how much we can accomplish in a single day, yet we generally underestimate how much we can accomplish in a year if we make just a little progress every day." ~ Jean Chatzky

Whether or not I realized it, this was the theme for 2013. The list of things we have to be thankful for this year is just enormous - and awe-inspiring if we really allow ourselves to stop and reflect on it. We have both grown leaps and bounds as individuals, as Christians, as photographers, as business-owners, as friends, as family members, and as a team. Too many lessons and memories to count! 

But the most funny part about it is this: if you asked me, on any given day, if I accomplished everything I had planned, my answer would probably be no. I guess that's the "achiever" in me. But when I allow myself to take stock of all that has happened in 2013, I realize the wisdom in this quote!

Of course, we still have lots of ways we want to keep on improving, but we'll worry about that come 2014. For now, let's stop, take a breath, and talk about the highlights from 2013. 

• 22 photography sessions. Yeah, 22. That's almost 2 per month! And that doesn't even count the thousands upon thousands of photos we took while living life, traveling, and enjoying good company. Whew!
• 7 weddings. Say, what?!? And each one was such an incredible experience. Beautiful couples, special moments, and so much love. 
• Our first styled shoot! And I have to say, we're planning on more of those next year with some themes that are near and dear to our hearts!
• Countless customers-turned-friends. Seriously. That's one of our favorite parts about this business. It allows us to meet so many incredible people!
• New support networks! This year brought with it several amazing photographer friends who constantly inspire, challenge, and encourage us. Such an immense blessing. 
• Improved branding and web presence. This year, we redesigned the blog and are in the process of getting a shiny new website. We'll be launching in early 2014 and can't wait to show the world the new face of our business. 
• Growth! I am constantly amazed when I think about how much we've learned about lighting, composition, technique, editing, and ourselves. 

So here's to a 2014 full of love, laughter, growth...and LOTS of pictures!

Our First Styled Shoot!

We've been waiting patiently to post photos from this amazing session because it was in the running to be featured on some local blogs. And guess what? It was featured on one of our favorites - Capitol Romance!

This was the first styled shoot Greg and I were able to participate in, but it will not be our last. It was such a fun time, partnering with and promoting other incredibly talented vendors in the industry.

First, there was the brains behind the whole operation, Senta of B. Mingled Weddings & Events. She had the vision and brought the urban, modern flair! And she is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet!

Next, was the gorgeous venue, Longview Gallery. It fit the urban, modern vibe perfectly and offered a large, but intimate space. The moody lighting really added to the overall feel. And they had an enclosed patio out back surrounded by rustic buildings. What an awesome place to hold an event!

We also had a lot of fun watching the make-up artist, JuliePage. What a talented, hilarious, and photogenic woman! She made our already gorgeous models look absolutely stunning.

The floral arrangements, made by EightTreeStreet, were amazing. Our personal favorite was the tree centerpiece - we could have photographed it all day!

And finally, none of this would have been possible without our two awesome models - Rialand & Esther. Both of these individuals are as gifted and authentic as they are photogenic! Rialand is the owner of RJ's Music Service, and Esther is an accomplished actress and dancer.

Thanks to everyone! We can't wait to work with you all again soon!

Thank-You Thursdays: An Ode to Coffee

Dear Delicious Goodness that is Coffee,

I am in awe of you.  Simply…in awe…

Regrettably, our relationship started later in life during the bleak, late-night study sessions at The Underground.  But I want you to know that I’ve always admired you from afar.  I distinctly recall being captivated by your intoxicating aroma as I transported you to my mother at the dining room table.  I once ventured to take a sip, but you knew that I was not yet ready for you in all your bold glory.

And now, after all this time, I sit here in awe with each sip.  How do you do what you do every day?

Every morning you are there to lift my haggard spirit as I drag my weary bones from slumber.  From the warm and comforting quilt, I stagger into an air of Siberian crispness, awaiting comfort once more. The cacophony of the grinder heeds to the soft pattering of the measure, your wonderful aroma fills the house as you bless the water with your goodness.

And then, ritual.

I deliberately tip the carafe towards the eagerly awaiting porcelain chalice.  How can one pour you out and not be swept away by your frothy swirl?

I hold you in my hands, your warmth radiating as from a crackling hearth.  I inhale deeply.  How can one smell you and not have their senses aroused?

And then…gently, ever-so gently, I sip.  How can one taste you, and not know that you are truly nectar of the gods?

I know not.

Blessed are we both by our mutual acquaintances - cream and sugar - for their ability to help me understand your strength and subtleties as treasures to be savored.

Each of your personalities commend life to every situation with simple perfection. On a cold winter’s night, you spritz on a bit of gingerbread and wear a whipped cream hat.  On a warm summer day, you grace my presence with a refreshing ride in a carriage of ice and coconut. And every weekday morning, you – along with cream and sugar, of course—you fill a vessel deemed worthy to care for you and accompany me to work.

As I have learned in my travels, your many names recall your intrigue and passion: café au lait, cappuccino, marrachino, and cafè correto.  But like a mother recalling her child’s youth, to me, you will always be…my wonderful cup of coffee.


~The Lowes

Then vs. Now: Travel Edition

It’s amazing how much things can change in 10 years isn't it? That’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot since returning from Europe a few weeks ago. In 2003, I went on a 3-week trip to Greece and Italy with 20 fellow students from George Fox University. In 2013, I went on a 3-week trip all over Europe with my incredible husband of three years. (Side note:  wow, there were a lot of 3’s in there!)

One thing I couldn't help but notice was how much the way I/we travel has changed since then. Here a few of the most stark differences.

1)      How I eat.

Then, it was all about quantity. There’s a reason they call us starving college kids. I didn't have much money, so it was all about finding cheap, delicious gyros, pizzas, and sandwiches. And I was all about the orange Fanta (because believe me, it’s immeasurably better in Europe!).

Now, food is all about quality, and it’s something I value. This time we worked hard to find food that would satisfy both our palettes and our overworked bodies. We drank a LOT of great coffee, splurged on a few fantastic meals, and found good, reasonable sources of protein in between.

2)      Where I rest my head.

Then, we stayed in a lot of mid-range hotels or camp-like accommodations. Granted, it’s not like I had much choice (since I did not have a hand in planning the details), but I feel like the places we stayed were fairly close to what I would have chosen back then. In fact, they may have even been more high end! The emphasis was on finding a cheap place to take a shower and store my stuff.

Now, we stayed in several apartments, condos, and houses throughout Europe. While there was still a fairly large emphasis on saving money (because so little time is spent in the lodging of choice), there was also an emphasis on experiencing authenticity. In most of the cities, we resided amongst locals, and ran into many of them on the stairwells in the morning. (Thank you airbnb!)

3)      What I buy.

Then, I bought a lot of postcards and trinkets because I truly believed that’s how I would remember the trip. Whenever I looked at that picture of Saint Mark’s Square, completely empty, it would take me back to the summer of 2003, right? Or when I wore the t-shirt with the flag from Greece, it would prompt people to ask about my experience. (Though to be fair, even back then I was pretty particular about what I bought.)

Now, we put our emphasis on experiences over stuff. We spent time exploring gardens, and museums, and coffee shops, instead of tourist sites and gift shops. And when we did buy something, there was a lot of thought behind it. Everything we bought is already displayed in our home because we had a place in mind before we purchased it.

That being said, I’m happy to say that some things have not changed. I still take a lot of photos, because that’s part of the fun! And this time, it’s been extra fun (albeit, extra time-intensive) going through the photos because it’s allowed my husband and I to see how the other views the world.

I still journal a lot, and even got my husband in on the fun. We spent our down time on the buses and trains downloading photos and writing about what we’d experienced. And I’m glad the journal includes excerpts from both of us because, well, my husband and I write differently. He’s concise. I’m a bit more…wordy. 

And finally, embarking on adventures always makes me want to appreciate where I am much more. Except this time, we’re trying to do something about it! We’re venturing into DC more, getting together with friends more, enjoying good food more, and getting out of the house more. Because life is to short not to make adventure a regular occurrence!

We also have another travel companion. He keeps us pretty entertained!

Let the Branding Continue!

The branding process is much tougher than I thought it would be. It's very introspective. Since I consider myself a fairly introspective person, I thought it would be so much easier. Just figure out what your essence looks like: colors, symbols, patterns, etc. and put it out there, right?

Haha! Anyone who has been through the process is probably laughing at that statement.

As a photographer, I spend a lot of time behind the camera, making others look good and showing them in their best light. But I'm not used to digging deep to figure out what I want to look like for the outside world. And I think it's been tougher on me because I'm trying to be so careful about what I put out there. Will others like it? Will it attract the right clients? Will it give off the right vibe?

But then I realized I wasn't alone in this process. First, I have an awesome designer - Katie - who is oh so patient, responsive, and just plain good at what she does! And more importantly, I finally understood that this business is a joint venture. (And honestly, anytime my incredible husband is involved, things just get so much better.) It's no longer me - it's we. We needed to show who we were, as individuals and as a couple. So we dug deep. Greg is very grounded, very sensible, very intelligent, and very deep. And I'm very passionate, bubbly, vibrant, and - so I've heard - a person with a pretty bold personality.

So what does this look like? Well, we like to think it looks like this:

All the elements work together to capture that grounded, neutral essence with added pops of personality. They're warm and inviting, yet bold and vibrant. They're cozy, yet professional.

The logo was probably the hardest part of all. There was so thought that went into it's meaning and symbolism. I'll be doing some blog posts about that very soon! Hopefully it's pretty easy to figure out what it is, but even more important is why we chose this symbol that represents our business. My husband and I both love coffee and photography...a lot! But we also think the two have a lot in common. Both are crafts that take a lot of patience, a lot of practice, and a lot of passion if you want your product to be the best it can be. Both are about people; they're about relationships, and sharing a love of one's craft with the world. Most importantly, for me, one makes the other possible! (Okay not really, but I really do believe that coffee makes me a better photographer - hence the common nickname "Photographer Fuel!")

So there you have it. The beginnings of something beautiful!

Reflection & Focus

{Greg} Lately I've felt really inspired.  Especially with the last few wedding shoots and workshops that Rachel and I have done, I could really feel a lot of creativity coming to the surface.  It's a refreshing feeling for somebody who tends to be more practical and down-to-earth.  

Something else that has really inspired me lately is an exhibit I took Rachel to at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, "War Photography."  Rachel and I pride ourselves on pictures that will stand the test of time for our couples and evoke lots of emotion...the pictures there, which I had grown up seeing over and over again in history books and on the news, did just that.  It was three hundred images of raw emotion in one collection, a swirl of passion and grief that wouldn't cease-fire.  It was such a powerful experience that I swear I felt like I could breathe more lightly just from turning the corner when I left that hall...

I want more of that.  I want more inspiration that shakes me like that, and I think I'm about to get it in spades.  Rachel and I are spending 23 days in Europe.  23 days of exploring the places that were the locations of some of the most important events in modern human history.  23 days of museums, of shops, of different languages, of cafès, and of strolling the strade and strassen with the love of my life.  

Walking in the footsteps of people that were on the same path as you can be so powerful, and give an understanding and a connection that you would never have gained without BEING THERE.  I want to use this time to refocus my energy and attention, to draw even more inspiration from these places, and to take in the great cities as the great artists of the past have done.  

I hope to return not only with these pieces, but also with a closer relationship with Rachel and a better understanding of her.  Putting ourselves in new environments together not only makes memories, but helps to form such a special bond.  And as a bonus, she is taking me to see some old friends that she lived with for three months.  That part of her past has always intrigued me, as it is a source of constant reference for her.  I feel so thankful that I will get to walk with Rachel in her former footsteps, too!  
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{Rachel} I'm so ready for this adventure. I'm ready to let creativity take precedence so that it can grow. I'm ready to let inspiration give way to new ideas. I'm ready to have my camera by my side every waking moment and take photos when the chills hit my skin. I'm ready to have lots of long talks with my muse (named Greg). And I'm ready to write and read voraciously during those train, plane, and automobile rides. 

I'm excited to re-visit some places that I've always dreamed of taking my husband. I distinctly remember walking along the quaint streets of Altensteig, Germany in October 2004 thinking to myself "I can't wait to bring my husband here someday." And in less than a month, that dream will come true. I'll get to show him some of the places that hold so much meaning, contain so much memory, and helped shape the woman I am today. And even more amazing, I'll get to introduce him to some of the people who influenced me more than I could ever have imagined. We even get to stay with one of them (thank you so much Sus Anne)! I think my mind may implode from the incredible amount of memories being remembered and remade...all at the same time. 

My old street, and just one of the incredible views. I'm so thankful for the chance to return to Altensteig!

Thinking about our upcoming visit to this special village, I keep hearing a special Nelson Mandela quote pass through my mind: "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." 

And finally, I'm so thankful that I get to spend so much quality time with my favorite person in the entire world! Experiences and adventures with him are always so much more rich, deep, and wonderful!

P.S. How awesome of a writer is Greg? You'll be hearing a lot more from him in the future, as he's a huge part of this business, so get excited!!

River Farm Wedding: Claire & Craig

Band class...that's where these two met. (Well, if you want to get technical, that's how Craig met Claire's little sister). So from the very beginning, music has been a big part of their life. This was heavily reflected in the wedding: from the 5 piece brass band playing during the ceremony, to the musician themed table names, to the fact that the dance floor was FULL from the first song to the last. The wedding was high class, yet laid back and an absolute blast for all who attended - photographers included.

In addition, it was one of those "small world" weddings. It turns out that my husband, who is always my incredibly talented second photographer, went to high school with two of the groomsmen and the DJ. It'll be a teeny tiny world when that happens to me, since I'm from the other side of the country, haha.

And last but not least....River Farm. Oh. My. GOODNESS! By far my favorite venue to date. The staff was wonderful, the mansion was beautiful, and the property was endless. Flowers, wilderness, waterfront, and even a little children's play area.

Claire & Craig, we felt so privileged to be part of this momentous occasion. Thank you for inviting us into your lives, and becoming close friends in the process! We look forward to many more awesome memories!