A Very Small Rudder

Shot with 35mm film/ Minolta x-700

   Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
//James 3:4-5

This verse made an impression on me a few weeks ago and I just came across it again today.
How often I forget how important my words are. How they affect me, my circumstances and others around me. They steer me in whichever direction I let them, like the rudder of a ship. Seemingly small in insignificant but in reality far more vastly important and influential than I recognize most of the time.
I think analogies involving ships and water always stick out to me because of my love of the sea and having grown up sailing. 
God knows just how to get my attention when He most needs to it seems. 

Photography



I love taking pictures.

I have ever since I got my first digital camera for Christmas at age 14. I've always been a documenter, and I most often document with a camera, so I love getting the opportunity to help others document things in their lives as well. Big or small, I love capturing those little moments that only happen once. 

I have done a variety of things from senior portraits, family portraits, prom photos, engagements, bridal showers, fashion shows, concerts and studio recordings, weddings and various parties and events. I am open to anything new and I love a challenge! 
And if you want me to travel for your photo session (whether it's a wedding or other event) you might just be my new best friend.

You can find my work here on my blog, (all the photos here are taken by me unless credited otherwise) or on my Facebook page under photos. Feel free to email me for rates and to discuss possible projects and ideas: by.leney@gmail.com 

I would love to work with you!

The Windy City

Photo taken with vscocam

I had so much fun in Chicago this past weekend!
Shot one of the most beautiful weddings, at a venue that's basically a photographers dream.
I mean I want to live there, shop there and get married there all at once.
I also saw The Bean, had some super yummy food, saw some Christmas lights at the Lincoln Park zoo, visited several yarn shops, knit in some really weird places (videos forth coming), almost mastered the 'L', popped into a few book shops, took heaps of photos (obviously) and met a few new friends.
All in all a very successful weekend.
I look forward to going back in the future.

A more in depth post full of photos will be forthcoming after the holiday craziness.
Now back to knitting and photo editing!


Brittany & Peter

Meet Brittany and Peter.
These two started dating on November 11, 2011. 
11-11-11
Pretty adorable right?
Well on their two year anniversary this year they wanted to have some photos done so they booked a portrait session with me! We had so much fun and could not have asked for a more beautiful fall day.
Hanging out with cute couples like this and hearing their stories is definitely one of my favorite things about this job.
Enjoy the photos!

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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

A State of Being


I think my blogging friend Erin said it best when she said she was working on experiencing thankfulness as a state of being instead of a list.

And as much as I love lists, I think I love this mindset even more.
It's actually been a reoccurring theme for me over the past few months and I think it's only appropriate to mention it on this day that we celebrate thankfulness. I have so much to be thankful for all year round, not just on one day, and I want to be more mindful of that in my day to day living.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, I hope it's a very filled, happy and blessed one!

♥


Sartorially Inclined: A Ladies' Knit Lookbook

Another

shop

update! Hurray!

After posting the

mens knit lookbook

, I kept meaning to post the one for us girls too but the time got away with me and so I'm just now getting around to it.

(You did know though that I couldn't knit up a bunch of new knits for the guys and not make some more for all you ladies though right?)

A shout out is in order, once again, to the lovely and ever so talented 

Meagan Abell

 for taking these stupendous photos for me! Thanks love. You're the greatest.

Also, if you want to see a few behind the scenes shots you can go 

here

.

Enjoy!

Sartorially Inclined: A Ladies' Knit Lookbook

Wool and the Gang

So a few weeks ago a super cool company called Wool and the Gang reached out to me and asked if I'd like to try out one of their knit kits!
Obviously I said yes.

Wool and the Gang is a global fashion brand that not only designs and creates awesome knitwear, but also enables you to make their knits yourself with their knit kits!
And let me tell you, I had a pretty hard time choosing just one kit. I mean, go take a look. 
Don't you just want all of them? 
One of their slogans behind their purpose in creating the brand is to make knitting and knitwear cool again. Being a knitter for 14+ years, obviously that's a movement that I can get behind. ;)

So anyway, after much debate I decided to choose The Cross Country Coat! I can't wait to get started on it. Hopefully I can get the shop's orders done early for the holidays so I can get to knitting it up asap...

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Be sure to check out their...

I Don't Know About You...


Twenty Two.
It's a little weird, but I suppose I'll get used to it soon enough.
I had quite a lovely Birthday and was was spoiled just the right amount. So thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life who make me feel extra loved on these sorts of occasions.
Lots of happy list material that's for sure.

Also, for anyone who missed the pop culture reference see this.