I have almost survived May! I don’t think you realize what an accomplishment that is… haha! I feel so fortunate to have such a full calendar with weddings and editorial shoots.  I love love love the opportunities for some fantastic creative projects, my couples and their families. But this month has been really hard and it is a struggle to keep up with everything right now. I spent a week and a half in Atlanta cramming meetings and shoots into every day…bouncing around from friend’s house to friend’s house. Driving from Marietta>Decatur>Alpharetta>Highlands>Marietta or something similar every day, having to eat fast food and spend hours a day in traffic when I wasn’t even driving long distances. Towards the end of that stretch I was just so tired and my family was all together in Waycross and I felt awful that when I booked my stay in Atlanta months earlier I didn’t realize that it was Mothers Day. I searched through my photos to post a photo of my Mom and realized that while I had tons of photos of so many random things I had virtually none of my mom… who is one of the greatest lights of my life. I was an exhausted, emotional mess. I called Darlene, the mom of the family that I used to Nanny when I lived in Atlanta who also happens to be one of my most cherished friends and totally broke down after hearing her voice. “I need some love! Can I come over?” I stayed with them and they showered me with some TLC!

I had a doctor’s appointment with a Parathyroid Specialist in Marietta who confirmed that I have two large tumors on my Parathyroid and recommended that I have them removed as soon as possible. As soon as possible for me is July 16 since I am booked with weddings and shoots until then. I am so ready to have the surgery behind me and get back to feeling like a normal person. I went to the doctor months ago for blood work because I felt that something wasn’t quite right. The blood work showed that my levels were off and that suggested that I may have these tumors on my Parathyroid. I wake up after sleeping 8-9 hours, eat breakfast and feel like I need a nap. My appetite is nonexistant and I have to pretty much force feed myself so that I have the energy to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished. My memory is useless and I feel like my brain is foggy all the time. I write down the important things so as not to let anything slide business-wise… but texts, facebook messages easily slip through the cracks. So if you’re reading this and wondering why you still haven’t heard from me it’s because I have been putting what  mental energy I have left into my clients. Nonetheless images have been delivered anywhere from same day to less than two weeks despite everything! Also because of this condition calcium is constantly “leaking” from my bones into my bloodstream so the 7-8 hours on my feet and carrying heavy equipment is also really hard on me.  I just feel so beat down and defeated. But the good news is that I will be a new woman with a simple surgery in July and then I will get a break July/August. I look forward to spending some time with my family! I am still reeling with wonder at the fact that Katie is miraculously pregnant and is growing a human inside her. Cooper is a doll and getting so big. I have bought a ticket to go have adventures with my sister in New Hampshire. I can’t wait to roam around the mountains with my film camera and make some great memories. Heck, I am excited to just do some living and refill my creativity and get back to posting personal blogs! I can’t wait to do some personal shoots and take photos just because it makes me happy!

I also know that I am in the perfect job because when I am shooting I am literally put into a different state of calm and joy. I don’t feel the effects of my condition until the moment I pack up my camera for the night. I have shared so many incredible moments with some really special people in recent weeks and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. So thank you again and again for inviting me into some of your most happy life moments. Here are a few photos from recent weeks… some film, some digital, and some iphone shots mixed in. Highlights: I got to assist one of my favorite photographers who is just so fun to be around: Perry Vaile. You can see images from the gorgeous Old Sheldon Church Ruins for her workshop here. Fun girls day with my cousins Katie & Hope. Time with the Warnecke kids. Great time seeing friends, goofing off and eating King of Pops with some of my favorite Atlanta people. Drive Conference at North Point with Life Bridge Savannah. Dolphins and spring time in Savannah. Beach with my best friend Sara, who is pregnant… I felt baby Bryce moving last week and it was sooooo crazy! Some people who have given me much needed breaks and lots of laughter: Emma Collins, Caitlin Stitt, Samantha Schoenfeld, the Stanford family, Kelly Moreton, Sara Henderson, Neil Gilbert, Tim Cone, my family in Waycross… Emily and Brandon…you don’t know how much it has meant! I have loved and so appreciated my photographer friends and second shooters this month- Katelyn Finnegan, Emily Livingston, Carrie Joy Osborne, Ari Merritt. Also want to throw a shout out to my group of ladies from church that I meet with every week- they are such a great support system and constant encouragement. Thank you for everything that you do for me!