Just came across these film scans from San Francisco last summer.
I miss shooting film.
I haven't used much of it over the past few months. Just a misc. snap here and there. I have quite a few film cameras that I've acquired over the past few years that I need to test out too. *Sigh*
I also have so many photos from my various travels to catch up on and share. It's getting kind of ridiculous. Hopefully I can get a good chunk of them up before my next big adventure.
Engagement | Matt + Savannah
“I would love to say
that you
make me
weak in the knees
but
to be quite upfront
and completely
truthful
you
make my body
forget
it has knees
at all.”
― Tyler Knott Gregson
Enjoyed spending a chilly winter morning shooting some engagement photos with these two being their adorable unfiltered selves.
Oh how I love capturing people in their natural states interacting in the just-so way they do with just each other.
Everyone's love, when expressed uninhibited, looks different. Which I think is one of the most beautiful things there is.
Can't wait for these two fun loving cuties to get married this spring.
What Comes Next
Just some words I came across the other day somewhere or other, I don't remember exactly where, that I ended up saving to my desktop.
Me and words.
I can never really get enough of them.
I'm forever saving and collecting quotes, passages, texts, sayings, explanations, and various other forums of them to my phone, scraps of paper, the backs of envelopes, notebooks, sticky notes, my hand...
It's nice coming across little pieces of wisdom like this to spur some last late night thoughts to end a long day with.
Follow me on Instagram @agirlnamedleney
Happy List || 01
Decided to bring back Happy Lists.
Because taking note of the good and small things that make life great is worth doing.
A HAPPY LIST//
rainy morning runs. asphalt that smells like spring. the colors of 7am. the smell of honey suckle. favorite sweatshirts. open windows that filter in the sounds of birds and rain soaked streets. scratchy blue vinyl playing before breakfast. bluejeans and white t-shirts. boxes of tea. a blue yoga mat. an empty inbox. oriental rugs. nikes.
For The Brides
The Oversized Chunky Knit Sweater Shrug was one of my most popular designs from my first knitwear collection. Additionally, over the past two years, I've been so pleased to find that there have been several brides who have wanted to wear it on their wedding day!
So I finally just decided to make a special listing for just that. For all you lovely gals who are newly engaged and soon to be married, this one's for you.
You can now purchase The Wedding Shrug here!
Photos courtesy of Dylan and Sara from Liz and Jonny's stunning wedding.
Lifestyle | Emily
When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. — Ernest Hemingway
Emily Patton is not only a dear friend and beautiful individual, but also a talented photographer here in Richmond.
Had so much fun doing this mini lifestyle session with her.
On Rebranding: The Logo
This is a little post about my logo.
One of the core pieces of my rebranding phase.
As is the case for most businesses, your logo is what sticks in people's minds when they think about your brand and what it is that you do. It needs to stand out. Be memorable.
Chelsea did such a good job collaborating with me on mine and designing something that fit just right. I'm so in love with it!
And so, because I am so excited about it, I wanted to share a little bit more about the meaning behind it with you guys.
The logo, in it's essence, is a profile of a girl. While the girl is, yes, technically a representation of me (my business is named after me after all) it also as a whole represents the A Girl Named Leney brand. In my mind, the profile is mysterious and intriguing in its presence. It personifies the free spirits, the adventurers, the nomads, the wanderers, the vagabonds, the travelers, the road trip takers, the wanderlust filled hearts, and the explorers.
The gypsy soul in all of us.
Those people who love discovering new things and places and are always looking forward to the next adventure and discovery.
Those people who have hearts so full of dreams and goals they lie awake at night thinking about them.
Those people who have the ambition and drive to chase after those dreams and goals and make them a reality.
The hat is, of course, my beloved Adventure Hat. Which speaks to just what it sounds like. Adventure. To living a life of it. To chasing after the things we're passionate about, that get us out of bed in the morning, that make us want to pack our bags and set out for new horizons to experience something bigger and greater than ourselves.
The shoulder also symbolizes a mountain, furthering the adventursome spirit I want to embody in my brand.
The wreath bits were inspired by rosemary. My favorite plant. Which has been known to symbolize love, remembrance, passion and goddesses of the sea (of course being the daughter of a sailor... Well I couldn't help but resonate with that).
As a whole, I want to help inspire and encourage others to seek out and recognize the passions and adventures they want to pursue in their own lives. I think that's what the A Girl Named Leney brand is about really. Looking outward. Onto bigger and better things. Dreaming infinitely. But ultimately, pursuing those God given passions, talents, and dreams that make us who we are.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
In fact, why don't you tell me what your dreams and passions are?
I love nothing more than listening to passionate people talk about the things they love.
Vienna Wedding | Luke & Chelsea
I'm so excited to get back to sharing some of the weddings I've shot over the past year with you guys!
This is one from last summer in Vienna.
(It was actually over Fourth of July weekend, which gave my gem of a second shooter Jenna and I a chance to enjoy some Independence Day festivities in DC the day before)
Luke and Chelsea's wedding was filled with so much joy and love.
I know, I know, it's a wedding, aren't they all? But this wedding day was just overflowing with it. It was a truly beautiful and tangible thing that was such an honor to witness and be a part of.
Not to mention I don't know if I've ever seen a wedding party that loved to dance as much as theirs. I mean, we all know how much I love dancing... In fact, it kills me when I'm at a wedding and there's all this great music to dance to but no one is dancing! (Not gonna lie, I sometimes sneak in a Hustle or Macarena here and there...) But these guys knew how to dance and have a good time. Which is definitely the best way to celebrate in my opinion. Makes for some pretty great kodak moments to be sure.
Anyway, here are a few of my favorite photos from their big day, enjoy!
My RVA: Na Nin Studio + Shop
Na Nin is one of my favorite shops here in Richmond. It's a lovely space filled with handmade, vintage, and curated goods not just from local makers but people all over the world.
Kate Jennings is the shop owner and let me tell you there just isn't a lovelier and sweeter being. Every time I run into her she's so genuinely transparent in that way that instantly makes you want to be one of her dearest friends. She always has such sweet, positive and encouraging words, regardless of whether you've just walked into the shop for the first time, or you're a frequent visitor.
She's truly such a wonderful person to be around.
A few months ago I stopped by the shop to meet the very talented Jess Lee of Willow Knows during a little event showcasing some of her stunning collection. I so love meeting fellow makers and getting to know the person behind the creations. I've been following Jess and her work for a few years now and it was so lovely getting to meet with and talk to her in person. Her pieces are truly inspiring and filled with a kind of light and dreamy quality that I think so many of us can resonate with. To say that I would wear every single piece is an understatement (though I've pretty much been wearing my scarf every day since I've gotten it, so there's that).
Jess is based in Charlottesville where she's currently working on her new spring line in her enviously gorgeous studio space. Which you will actually see a lot of on her Instagram, and which I only hope I can make a trip to see in person at some point.
If you live in Richmond be sure to stop by Na Nin's brick and mortar location at:
101 S. Addison St. Richmond, VA.
They're open Wed-Friday 11-7pm and Sat-Sun 10-6pm.
But for those of you not here in RVA, fear not! You can still enjoy all of the lovely goods Kate's curated by shopping online.
*The last two photos of the hands were taken by my friend Michelle
*I also took some video during this little event so that might be up on the blog sometime soon too once I can get to it!
The Gap
THE GAP by Ira Glass from Daniel Sax on Vimeo.
So this video, as well as a few other versions of it, have been popping up into my little circle of the internet quite often lately.
I think it's something every creative/artist/maker should watch. Heck, even if you don't consider yourself one of those things you should watch it. It's got some good really reminders and life lessons that can apply to more than just artistic endeavors I think.
I'm a little bit in love with it to be honest.
And as I'm sitting here belatedly getting my work day started on this Monday afternoon (hey, at least I worked out and showered this morning...), I think it's something I especially need to be reminded of. So I'm sharing it with you all today.
What are your thoughts on it?