“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.”
–Max DePree
I’m pretty much a chicken. My family and friends will back me up on this. I don’t like stepping out of my comfort zone… ever. Which is one reason it took me so long to finally pursue photography. This “photography stuff” is pushing me though. Pushing me out of that comfort zone. And while it scares the hell out of me, I am so happy with where it is taking me. Especially when it takes me to a tranquil farm in the Virginia countryside.
Several months ago, beautiful Bergen contacted me about doing her family photos. I was shocked. I was flattered. I didn’t know this person! Someone was asking me to do their photos and they didn’t even know me! And then… I was terrified. Someone was asking me to do their photos and they didn’t even know me! What if I bombed? What if they thought I was a fake? Then to top it off she told me that she had been a photography major for three years before switching to graphic design. Well, if I wasn’t freaked before, now I really was. I couldn’t back out though; I knew eventually I would have my first stranger session and Bergen was reassuring and kind. So one Saturday morning I nervously left my house at the crack of dawn (my first morning shoot too!) and headed off to the Virginia countryside. Fast forward several hours later and I was downright giddy! I didn’t want to leave (seriously–ask them!). The location was to-die-for and the family could not have been more perfect: they were adorable, in love, and radiated happiness.
Friends since childhood, Bergen and Evan live in a quaint little cottage on 32 acres of property with their cute-as-a-button daughter and Evan’s grandmother. Evan grew up in one of the other three homes on the same peaceful estate. They are in the beginning stages of building their first home on the property and their eyes lit-up as they talked about their future home. I love that they have roots to the land. It was beautiful. Fields of tall grass and flowers, an old red barn, the most delicious blackberries I have ever tasted, and tree-lined dirt country roads. My favorite photo may be the black and white of them kissing in his tree house; I imagine them playing there as children. Or the first photo of the three of them hugging; Evan looks so proud and Bergen so blissful with her closed eyes.
Thank you so much Bergen, Evan, and Cora. I hope you love the photos as much as I do. They will always have a special place in my heart. And thank you Bergen for having faith in me and pushing me to be what I want to be.
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