julie / 10. 04. 11 / beloved session

so apparently we're trending in blog abandonment.  once again, i'm saying my sorries.  and as trav + i shift our focus a bit from learning our craft to working on our brand + learning how to build our business, the blog will probably be sparse for an even longer while.  however, we do have a little goody to share with you right now..

it's trav's + my belief that solo sessions are so IMPORTANT.  yup, i used caps so you know it must be true.  with the nature of time and growth, who you are in this moment is fleeting.  and this you is someone to remember.  for your parents, for your children or some day children, for all those that know and love you, but especially for you.. we hold firmly that you need to treasure who you are right now.

this sesh is of my dear friend, julie.  julie has been spending majority of her moments studying to become a nurse.  girl is ded-i-ca-ted.  and always shines as the brightest light in any room.  we met in chem class three years ago.  i knew i loved her when she showed up to class one day late with messy hair, wearing a beater, sweats and boots.  as she walked past our teacher and took a seat, mr. ashby said, "tough today, julie?"  she scrunched her cute little eyebrows at him and replied, "no.  if i was trying to be tough i would've brought a bat." i burst out laughing.  the girl is funny, charming, freaking gorg and can really rock a cowichan.

pressPLAY!

remember..

in times of joy, be with those you love.  be grateful for what you have and what you've had.

in times of hardship, be with those you love.  be grateful for what you have and what you've had.

all those souls to be effected by hurricane irene, my heart is with you. xo

jen + lily / 08. 06. 11

where do i start with this one?  maybe with a warning?  i posted waaay too many images.  note to self: be better at culling images.  but really, i had the hardest time picking which images to blog because jen + her dog, lily are just.. infectious.  ya.

i haven't seen jen for years, back from the good ol' days of youth group.  and lemme tell ya, nothing has changed about that girl.  she is kind, down to earth and did i mention stunningly beautiful?  jen has the total zest for life aura going on.  in the time we spent together, i found out that currently she is working at southgate church and excitedly, is entering the pdp program at ubc this fall to reach her dream of becoming a teacher.  jen, i'm SO pumped for you.. you're totally going to get a thousand shiny apples on your desk from being all the kids' favourite teach.

and then there's lily, jen's 4 year old furbaby.  and man, are they a match made in heaven cos lily totally has the same go get 'em attitude.  particularly for tennis balls.  and water.  

spending the evening with jen + lily on their main walking and swimming trails was so endearing.  to hear all the stories of the crazy things lily has done (and eaten!), how she's always stuck to jen's side and even put on the tough girl act to a police officer for her mama.  it was so uplifting to witness how much a dog can be a crucial part of a person's life, of their family.

even if you don't know me well, chances are you know that i loveLOOOVE dogs.  and i'm a total over-user of the saying, "until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."  lame-sounding?  probably.  accurate?  yes.  if you haven't yet chosen to really truly get to know and give your heart to a creature of a different species, i eagerly encourage you to do so because it will make you a better you.  and it is obvious to me, that jen is better because of lily.  and lily, because of jen.

if you're thinking about loving an animal, please consider saving a life.  please, check out petfinder as well as ocean dog rescue to find a homeless pet that needs a family.