My lovely and dear friend Ashley of Rosewood Clothing Co. is being featured over on State x State today! As am I, as it so happens, with my photos of her as well as having The Traveling Scarf being featured in her gift guide!
She's the bees knees though and deserves the spotlight for sure.
So go head on over and read Ashley's Q&A, her top recommendations for RVA and her Gift Guide which also features a few other Richmond makers.
If you live in Richmond or are coming to visit anytime soon, go say hi to her at the shop located on 16 W Broad and open Monday-Friday 12-7 and Saturday-Sunday 11-6.
Tell her I sent you.
xo
The Urbexing Diaries | Eleanor
in Photography
I thought that this place, while it's not the most recent I've ventured to but definitely my favorite urbexed location thus far, would be the perfect post to kick off a new series I'm introducing on the blog.
The Urbexing Diaries.
What in the world is Urbexing? Essentially it stands for urban exploring. Primarily of places and buildings that are abandoned and have been left behind and long forgotten.
A while back, in an attempt to collectively document all of my instagram posts of my urbexing adventures, I came up with the hashtag: #theurbexingdiaries
But I haven't just been taking *iphone snaps of these escapades and so I decided to start a series here on the blog for all of my digital images as well.
I'll probably have a more in depth post at some point about urbexing and how it works/why I do it, but for now...
This breathtaking plantation home will always be my favorite place that I've urbexed I think.
Even though it's popularity is growing and the magic and mystery of it somewhat diminishes with each new photograph taken and published of it, it's still an incredibly beautiful and striking place that you just can't help but fall in love with and want to be able to capture.
Even despite it's foreboding and almost haunting existence.
When I first saw it in real life, after having seen so many photos of it, it gave my heart a little jump start to be in the presence of it.
The photos truly do not do it justice.
Meagan, my adventure soulmate, also has her post up on her blog from this day as well which you can see here.
Oh and Eleanor? That's what we named it.
Because we name all of our abandoned places.
So as to ensure and commemorate their place in our hearts and protection of their whereabouts.
And because, as is always the urbexing code, we take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.
*There are also iphone snaps of Eleanor here
Adventures | San Francisco
in Travel, Photography
Disclaimer: You are about to see more photos of the Golden Gate Bridge then you maybe ever wanted to see.
While this post summed up most of my sentiment in visiting this auspicious west coast city, I wanted to do a bit more of an in depth post on it to go along with the photos I'm finally getting around to sharing.
San Francisco was a trip that involved quite a bit of self discovery for me. It was the first overnight trip that I've taken where I was alone, truly alone. I wasn't going to meet up with anyone I knew, I wasn't staying with anyone I knew, I wasn't traveling with anyone I knew.
It was just me.
This left for a lot of time for self reflection and time to think about various things going on in my life, something I very much needed at the time.
In fact a piece from this post by Kylie over at The Flybird has stuck with me ever since reading it and reflected my feelings about this trip quite accurately. She asked her friend Kate what she liked about being alone and she responded by saying:
"I like that it makes me feel independent and strong. I become super alert and observant, and all my senses are heightened."
I love that.
That is exactly how I feel when I'm alone sometimes, but most definitely when I'm traveling.
A sense of heightened-ness.
I think that when you travel alone you're more open to adventures and people and experiences that you would otherwise miss and be distracted from if you were with another person.
That thought is essentially why I love traveling by myself more often than not.
Anyway, I'd been to California before this trip, but I didn't get to see San Francisco and vowed that the next time I went I wouldn't miss out on visiting the revered city. And so, despite the fact that my initial first stop in Laguna Beach was about half a day away, I was determined to make it happen.
So I threw some bare essentials (namely underwear and extra film and camera batteries) into my Madewell Transport Tote (which I got during my first trip to California and which I've used pretty much every day ever since), grabbed The Adventure Hat, got dropped off at the station by these lovely people and took a bus/train/bus combo that made the scenic journey up the coast to the city I'd been wanting to see for so long.
I was going to use Air BnB (If you don't know what it is, sign up and use it! It's a traveller's best friend. And if you go through my link you'll get $25 off your first stay somewhere!) but then a friend of a friend let me stay in her apartment while she was away (you rock Rebecca!)
People blow me away with their generosity sometimes I swear.
After dropping off some of my things (all of which I'd managed to pack in my Madewell tote I might add. I'm a chronic over packer so I was pretty proud of myself for accomplishing this) and taking some screen shots of some maps so as to conserve battery life on my phone, I headed out to walk to the Golden Gate Bridge.
I unknowingly ended up on the California Coastal Trail which made my 10 mile round trip trek so so enjoyable. I mean, I love walking anyway, but the overlooks and scenery on this trail were amazing. I highly recommend it if you ever plan to visit San Fran.
Side note: Birkenstocks are literally the most comfortable shoes my feet have ever met. And, broken toe aside, (which I didn't know was broken at the time... run in with a rock in the pacific ocean earlier in the week...) my feet didn't blister or even feel all that sore despite my walking over 20 miles that weekend.
That first sight of the Golden Gate Bridge (which is depicted in the very first photo of it below) caught me off guard as I rounded the corner as I wasn't expecting it. It was amazing. And because I was mostly alone on the trail for the better part of the day, it was a small little experience that seemed like it was made just for me. It was well worth the wait and build up of dreaming about seeing it for so long.
I listened to my favorite songs as I walked across the bridge (yes, I walked all the way across. Of course), stopped for a break to knit and rest my toe, and took photos in the meager attempt to capture the feelings and emotions of wonder I felt at being on such a beautiful piece of US history.
I reached the other side at sunset, so I didn't have time to venture much farther as I didn't want to walk all the way back home in the dark and get back to where I was staying too late.
I ended the night with Pizza (which wasn't the best pizza I'd ever had or anything, but definitely a fun and enjoyable experience) donuts at All Star Donuts and then a stop into this irish pub (of which I didn't get a photo of until the next day), which led me to meet quite a few entertaining irishmen (and women).
All in all it was a day I knew I would remember for a very very long time. And while seemingly simple and nothing too extraordinary, it was a day that encompassed a lot of importance for me.
I guess it all goes back to that sentiment of overall feeling heightened.
Part two coming soon...
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Places Pictured
California Coastal Trail
Lobos Creek Valley
Pacific Overlook
The Golden Gate Bridge
Lone Sailor Memorial
The Abbey Tavern
Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing Co
Friday Favorites || 02
Dreamers & Makers Are My Favorite People. Saw this on my friend Siobhan's blog the other day and I loved watching it. I love it's sentiment and message and on top of that, the sounds of Iron and Wine hold special memories for me. Of being in New Mexico a handful of years ago and the small beginnings of big dreams and plans.
It's a lovely video, give it a watch.
This chart and post about Creative Routines is fascinating. It also makes you think about how exactly you spend your day, something I've been doing quite a lot of lately (more on that in a future post).
This outfit
Things That Scare Me. I actually really loved the idea behind this post. To be open and vulnerable is a hard thing in this day and age with our constant obsession with looking like we have it all together.
This podcast episode of Woolful. Woolful is one of my favorite podcasts and a must listen for any fiber obsessed creative. I've been a little behind in keeping up with it, but I so loved listening to this episode earlier this week and it left me so motivated and inspired. Especially after the segment with Mary Ann Moodie because I've been dappling in weaving a bit here and there since the summer and I really want to get back into it again.
This room and this one too
But mostly these words
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See more Friday Favorites posts here
Photo Cred: Meagan Abell
Business | Keeping Up With Emails
in Business
I read this post last week on worthiness vs. busyness and it spurred some thoughts I had on the subject of separating your business and personal life and unplugging from time to time. Primarily in regards to your email inbox.
While I would love to be able to remove my email from my phone, as Nicole talks about, I really can't afford to. I'm away from the computer/traveling so much and I frequently have to be able to check it and communicate with clients or reference info on a shop order etc. while I'm on the go.
However, I don't have it notify me every time I get an email.
That would literally drive me insane... I don't understand how some people can live like that! I understand for certain important emails, but for every time you get an email...? The same applies for Instagram/Facebook/Twitter notifications. If I were notified every time something happened on any of my social media... my gosh I would never not be attached to my phone, it's bad enough as it is!
Although after reading the post, I did move my email app from the prominant bottom placement on the home screen of my phone, to the very last page. So now it is a little more out of site/out of mind and it's not so easy to just unlock my phone and tap it. Now it takes a little more invovlement and makes me think about it and check myself, so I'm not just mindlessly checking and refreshing email when I should be focusing on other tasks.
Emails and keeping up with them, as a whole, has been a lot more manageable and less stressful ever since rebranding though I have to say. This is largely due to the fact that I got a new business email as well as a nice and organized way for people to contact me.
I used to have my old business emails just forward to my personal/main gmail account, but now I have it as a seperate account completely so that I am better able to seperate business vs. personal life.
Turning off and relaxing and taking a break from work when I need to is something I struggle with. Mainly because I primarily work from home and so work is, literally, around me all the time. But now when I'm checking my personal email at 11pm at night for that correspondence I have with a far away friend (or, let's be honest, the thread with my brother that's all about Taylor Swift youtube videos) I won't see the custom order inquiries and photography questions and other business related emails.
Because I'm incapable of reading those without going on long rabbit trails of work that, don't get me wrong, I love, but I have to end the work day sometime... Otherwise I will be up until 3am trying to answer emails that can wait until the next morning.
For similar reasons I actually don't have the Facebook Messenger app on my phone.
In a world where we are constantly plugged in, connected, on, and going going going, you have to create as many boundaries as you can get!
You also have to remember that your email isn't your to do list, it's everyone else's.
So prioritize times for checking and attending to it, but don't waste your time by checking it all day every day. Because you can waste so much time doing that!
^This is still something I have a hard time doing myself, but I'm working on it.
I also recently discovered the wonders of actually utilizing the archive feature on Gmail.
My inbox has never looked better!
Now I can actually see the emails I need to attend to vs. the piles and piles of stagnant ones that aren't neccessarily active, but ones I can't delete.
Phew. That was a long tangent, but you get the idea!
What works for you in regards to keeping up with your emails?
Any tips/tricks?
I'd love to hear!
Want Your Work Photographed In Iceland?
Calling all creatives/makers/designers/business owners!
I'm going to be taking some different artist's pieces with me to Iceland to photograph and promote and do some styled shoots with while I'm on my travels!
I'll be giving some Instagram shout outs and you'll be included in some blog posts when I return. Plus, you'll be able to use the photos as you like afterwards (and, I mean... you'll be able to say your work has been to Iceland ;) )!
If you'd like to collaborate, shoot me an email: agirlnamedleney@gmail.com
I'll be taking submissions and inquires until the 27th because I'll be leaving the 29th!
xo
Smithfield Engagement | Daniel + Ally
in Photography
“Appreciative love gazes and holds its breath and is silent, rejoices that such a wonder should exist if not for him, will not be wholly dejected by losing her, would rather have it so than never to have seen her at all." ― C.S. Lewis
Spent a beautiful afternoon in Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield, Virginia with this love filled couple a few weeks back.
I'd never been to Smithfield before and thuroughly enjoyed the scenic drive on the way to and from it. A nice little afternoon roadtrip . Of course we had to cross the street to the little marina across the way for a few portraits there as well. Because, well, we all know how I get with being on the water.
Wishing you all the best and all of the love Daniel and Ally. xox
Shot with 35mm film // Minolta x-700
Travel Dates | Iceland
in Travel
So something that I'm going to be introducing here on the blog is Travel Dates posts!
These posts will be little announcements of when I have travel dates set for places other than Richmond, VA and depending on my availability you can contact me and hire me for a photoshoot during my travels!
Because while, yes, I totally can and will come to you for a session wherever you're located, if you see that I'm already going to be near you during a certain time it'd be more cost efficient to go ahead and book a shoot then while I'm already planning on being in your area!
Make sense?
Plus, I've decided to, at least for the remainder of this year, offer my photo sessions booked during travel dates at a discounted rate!
What's not to love right?
There will actually be a section of the site specifically for Travel Dates, but I'm still working on that so until then you can check them out under the tag!
So without further ado, here's the first and biggest Travel Dates announcement for 2015 so far!
I announced a while ago that I will be venturing to ICELAND at the end of this month and I can't even begin to express how excited I am about this trip!!
*Insert the whole being a little kid on the night before Christmas analogy here.*
This trip has been in the works, at least as far as dreaming and wishing go, for the past two years or so now. I can't wait to get a new stamp in my passport and new photos on my memory cards documenting the beauty and mystery that is Iceland.
SO I wanted to let you know if you live in Iceland, or are traveling there at the same time as I am, and would like to meet up and/or book a shoot please contact me because I would so love to meet you and/or work with you!
Currently I will be in Iceland from April 30th-May 8th
Or, if you have suggestions of things to do and places to go, I'm all ears for that too!
Feel free to comment below or shoot me an email to talk about it!
agirlnamedleney@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram @agirlnamedleney
Friday Favorites || 01
Resurrecting this bit of fun I used to do back in the day (as in, like, 2012..).
Because I come across way too many thing on the internet that I want to share, so what better way to do so then to just make a list of it all for a Friday roundup?
You know you love these sorts of things.
I know I do.
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This Coachella playlist from Free People
Writing Your Way To Happiness -I've found this true, especially of me. I've been an avid journal/diary/notebook keeper ever since I was a little girl. Some years waning in the way of content more than others, in regards to keeping up with it, but I've been pretty consistent over the past few years. It's always helped me to write things out to process and evaluate how I feel about them.
Loving this post on the unicorn free way to follow your dreams. A to the men.
This incredibly wonderful post by my friend Bridget. I don't think I could be more in love with this than I already am: Reasons To Be Less Hard On Yourself
These Hawaii bridal portraits by Dylan and Sara. Wow. Just... wow.
This bag, which I've been eyeing for months. I'm head over heels for it and this close to splurging....
Some life lessons
An interesting read on the high cost of cheap fashion
This room has me like #relationshipgoals
Catherine | Senior Portraits
in Photography
"I learned what every dreaming child needs to know- that no horizon is so far that you cannot get above it or beyond it." —Beryl Markham
Sharing a few senior portraits from a session last winter.
Isn't Catherine a beauty?
If you're interested in booking a senior portrait session feel free to shoot me an email.