Adventures | Raleigh (Again)

I was recently in Raleigh North Carolina again. 
Got to do a little bit more exploring and found even more cool places. 
I actually just happened to stumble upon most of these spots.
Which is honestly the best kind of exploring. 
When you're just wandering around, open to whatever you might come across.
  
The Morning Times is one of the neatest coffee shops I've been to in a while. Everywhere I go in my travels I look for a unique, local, coffee shop. Because good coffee shops, really good coffee shops, are a rare art form. Most either have good atmosphere (which is a category of judgement all on it's own. Good lighting, nice seating, good noise level to work in? So many necessary specifications...) but the drinks are only so-so or vice versa.  I always get super excited when I find an awesome one. This one is definitely on my return-to list whenever I'm back in town. I only wish we had it here in Richmond. It was the perfect spot to do some photo editing at for a few hours. And their chai tea was super delicious.
(Then again I think most chai tea's are super delicious. I'm not hard to please.) 

Father & Son Antiques was also one of the best antique shops I've visited in a while. Definitely could have spent several hours in there. 
And Art Space had a really awesome installation of art. One gallery in particular, featuring artists Courtney McCracken and Tracy Spencer-Stonestreet, was my favorite. I really loved their work and the ideas behind their pieces. Very thought provoking. You can actually read about it here if you like.
And of course I had to go back to Boylan Bridge Brewpub. 
Couldn't resist getting that avocado BLT a second time... 



Places Pictured

Chandler | Senior Portraits

Meet Chandler.

If you've been a long time reader, you might remember this pretty lady from this post.
Well, she's all grown up now and headed off to college! 
We had lots of fun shooting her senior portraits a few weeks back. 
Definitely wishing her the best of luck on her next adventure in life!

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If you're a senior it's not too late to book a spot for your own portraits!
Or too early... if you're thinking about next year. ;)
Shoot me an email for more info.
by.leney@gmail.com


Five Cities


 New York, Richmond, Chicago, Cleveland, Raleigh
Shot with 35mm film // Minolta x-700

I got some film developed recently.
I've said before that I don't shoot film often. Well, I do, but only one shot here and there. The allotted 24 exposures often extend across a timeline of a month or two. Containing only one moment from a certain day, or a certain week, that I deemed memorable. 
It's not always the case when shooting digital. 
The ability to capture and re-capture moments often tarnishes their beauty and sacredness. 
But film, film allows for me to be more thoughtful, more purposeful. And though often the photos themselves are not as beautiful or breathtaking as they would be if I'd shot them on less than a whim, with a better camera or with higher technology, that's often why I love them. 
Perfect in all their imperfections. 
As the cliche goes.

 These five photos are of five cities I've travelled to in the last five months. 
Five cities in five months. 
(I've technically been to more than those five... But these are the five I captured on film)
It's funny, you don't realize how often you're gone until you pause and look back from your constant going. 
Traveling is something that I will always love. And while I still have more I want to do, this year in particular, realizing I've already done a fair amount in the first half of this year calms down the travel bug in me a bit. Remembering I've already done a lot, somehow lessens my need to do.
It reminds me, yet again, to just be where I'm at. Practice contentment. New adventures will come in their proper time. 
A lesson I am ever always, always, re-learning. 


Maddie | Bridals

You all probably recognize this lady.
I've definitely blogged her a lot. 
But you'll have to bare with me one more time because I just have to share her bridals with you.
Talk about the most beautiful country bride ever. 

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Be sure to also check out Maddie and Taylor's...


And their gorgeous wedding video, by Josh Reid here
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done or having me shoot your wedding?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Glenn & Christine | Wedding

Glenn and Christine's wedding was one of my absolute favorites from last year. 
And not just because of all the Richmondey-ness (yep, new word) of their celebrations.
What with getting married at The Byrd Theatre, having drinks at New York Deli, taking a trolley to the Church Hill overlook, and having their reception at The 2300 Club.
Although I did, of course, love all of that.
(You all know how crazy I am about RVA)
But it was also because I instantly felt apart of their big day. They didn't treat me just as their photographer who was in charge of documenting all of their special moments, but as they would one of their friends or loved ones who they valued being there alongside them. And I just loved them all the more for it. These two have so much love for one another and all of the people who helped them celebrate their marriage.
The day was just overflowing with it. 
I mean, I usually tear up at weddings, I'm just sentimental like that (Daddy/daughter dances get me every time) but I think I was full on crying during the toasts. So much genuine love and joy.
It's weddings and people like this that remind me why I love doing what I do. 
Glenn and Christine even teared up themselves in thanking me for photographing their day as they were saying goodbye to me. 
How can you not just love authentic and heartfelt people like that?
There's a few extra photos in this post than normal, but I just had the hardest time choosing favorites.
Hopefully you don't mind. 

Thanks again Glenn and Christine for having me be apart of your very special and wonderful day.
It was truly an honor and I loved every second of it. 

(Also, thanks to my second shooter Meagan who is always a pro at those ring shots ♥)

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Check out more here.
Also be sure to see their Engagement!

Places Pictured


Interested in getting some portraits of your own done or having me shoot your wedding?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

My RVA: South of the James Farmers Market

Alright, so, confession: I went to the

South of the James Farmers Market

 primarily for those donuts...

Which were well worth the trip. 

I mean they were, I kid you not, the size of my face.

They know what they're doing over at

Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen

.

Besides eating my weight in sugar, I watched someone spin yarn (*insert nerding out here*), tried

Alchemy Coffee

and wandered around the park a bit, which I'd surprisingly never been to.

All in all a good Saturday that will definitely have to be replicated again soon.

Collaboration | Avonnie Studio

Avon of Avonnie Studio sent me some of her hand painted mugs recently, and I just have to say they are super adorable. I mean, look, that girl on that first mug is me, glasses and all!
So cute, right?
And of course I love the Virginia mug. I mean, hello, Virginia is for lovers after all.
Not only are the mugs super cute, they came beautifully packaged as well. Gotta love it when Etsy shop owners take the time to make opening their lovely handmade pieces feel like Christmas. 

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Be sure to check out Avon's...



This post is sponsored by Avon of Avonnie Studio. You can find her shop here. 
Thanks for collaborating Avon!