It began last summer. A bunch of photographer girls getting together at the gorgeous Ace Hotel in Palm Springs – it was to be a simple chance to relax, to mingle, to interact, a quick break in the craziest moments of wedding season.

But how did it become so much more? Because this time, up in a cozy cabin in the snowy peaks of Big Bear, we met up not as colleagues or acquaintances, but as friends. On our last night there, we sat around the dinner table, sharing our stories, our thoughts, our dreams. Some tears were shed. Hands were held. Encouraging words were exchanged. Because as much as your closest family and friends can love and support what you do (which is so so amazing), there is still something different about having someone sitting right next to you who shares the exact same experiences, and knows exactly why you do what you do. To live and breathe your business, to pour your entire heart into something you love so much, to work so hard to build something up from the ground. And to have a group of amazing friends who understand every piece of that, and who are there to support each other unconditionally through our experiences, photography-related or otherwise, is nothing short of amazing.

Our four days together were spent shooting, cooking, eating, drinking, tobogganing, hot-tubbing, X-Box-Dance-Central-ing, and laughing til our bellies hurt. These are seriously some of THE most intelligent, kind, warm, ambitious, silly, funny, creative, and wonderful girls I have ever met in my life. I feel beyond blessed to know them, and so so honored to call them friends.

Where will our traveling heart take us next? :)

The Traveling Heart Society from Floataway Studios on Vimeo.

Stop motion created by the amazing Mary, featuring Ala, Amanda, Diandra, Gladys, Heather, Heidi, Jordana, Meg, Megan & yours truly {Ashley and Jackie, you were missed!}

Fact: I cry at 110% of the weddings I shoot, sometimes during vows, or father-daughter dances, or the slideshow (there are BABY PICTURES, set to BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, for goodness sakes), and this time it was was during the toasts. Erin’s maid-of-honor read off a simple but beautiful collection of advice, and the final one spoke so much to my heart. She said it was a piece of advice given to her husband by his friend, at their own wedding 7 years ago, and it read: make sure you never fall out of love at the same time. She continued to elaborate that yes, marriage can be difficult, and feelings can be tested, and times can be hard, but as long as one of you is there to fight for it and hold each other together, you.will.always.be.okay. It is a beautiful concept to me to think that sometimes you have to take turns being the one to hold things together, even if I feel that Erin & Ernie will probably never face such situations – the love they have for each other is palpable, so pure and honest and true. When I first met with Erin over coffee, I noticed a little sparkle would appear in her eye everytime Ernie came up in conversation… and when I finally met him on the big day, whatdoyaknow – he had that same sparkle in his eye as well ;)

Their day was filled to the brim with love, and was the perfect way to kick off this year.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – my dear brides, I will take EIGHT THOUSAND pictures of your shoes, and perhaps, NINE THOUSAND, if they’re as fabulous as this pair.

This new look has been a long time coming (years? years!!) I’ve been aching for a brand that says, this is me, this is my work. Soft, whimsical, clean, fresh, romantic, modern. With the help of my dear friend Jane at Olive Hue {seriously, this girl is amazing}, this logo was finally born, and I love it to pieces.

Thank you to everyone for being so patient during this slow blogging stint – I have lots to share and hope that since I now have someplace shiny & new to do so, the blogging will pick right up! 2011 has been a whirlwind so far with a visit to Big Bear, 2 trips to norcal, 2 more to Vegas (one for WPPI, a yearly photography convention), and lots of sweet weddings & engagement sessions sprinkled in. I’m so excited to share it all with you soon!