Hello SG land!
I have been having an awesome summer so far - how about you? I wanted to write a blog about my upcoming travel plans plus my recent shootfest adventure! Bear with me, this is going to be a long one!
Later this summer my hubby and I are going to Lockn' Festival in Virginia and I'm really excited!! I haven't been to a festival in a long time and I can't wait to see some live music outdoors. We are going to be camping out for a few nights and my father in law is joining us lol. I think it'll be interesting to have that experience with both of them. My hubs and his father have gone to festivals together before, but I've never gone with them so I hope we will have some fun bonding time.
Along with that I am really looking forward to doing all the Florida summertime things: laying out at the beach, tubing down a river with a beer in my hand, walks with my dog through the greenway when it's lush and neon green after it rains. I'm a true Florida baby I guess because the heat doesn't phase me too much. Sometimes the hot sun feels so good! lol
In July I was delighted to be asked to @chef 's place for a magical mini shootfest! I was so happy to get to go - chef is one of the first girls I befriended when I joined the site! I took a 7 hour drive across Alabama from Florida to get to her in Mississippi and when I finally arrived she greeted me with a big hug and a packed bowl :) I knew then we'd get along just fine.
The next morning I got to meet @merryboudoir who I would be shooting with and @libris - another long time internet friend of mine from SG! Let me tell you guys... @libris is even more fairy like and glowing in person, this babe is too beautiful for words! I got to assist @merryboudoir while they shot a set and it was amazing to see both these women work together in person! Magic was made for sure.
@manic and @knox_ were able to join us later that night despite some car troubles thankfully! These too are just the cutest!! It was so much fun hanging out with them girl talking. That's one thing I didn't even know I was missing until it happened - being around all these likeminded women, talking about set ideas, relationships, things going on in our lives, I can't explain how refreshing it was. We had so much fun!
@manic shooting with @merryboudoir with assistance from @knox_
And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the food. The FOOD! Guys, @chef is so fantastic in the kitchen! We got to visit her restaurant and it was really cool to see her in her element like that! She made all kinds of sweets for us, homemade tamales, fried eggplant with tomatoes from her garden, all the pancakes and then @merryboudoir joined her to make empanadas and arepas from scratch. I could have made myself sick off of those empanadas - so flippin' good! *drools in remembrance*
Butts on the bar at chef's restaurant <3
The first full day I was in Mississippi I got ready to shoot with @merryboudoir , @chef drove us out to a pretty spot on her property and just as we were about to begin it started raining cats and dogs! We hopped back in the truck hoping to wait it out but it just kept coming so we decided to try again early the next morning. We had better luck with the weather the next day and got to shoot! It was a blast! @merryboudoir had me laughing my butt off and is so encouraging. You can really tell she cares about the story of a set and I'm so appreciative of all the effort and time she put into it with me - what we made is truly a collaboration and I can't wait to share it with you guys! She is such a sweet, fun personality and has amazing work ethic. I've always admired photographers as artists, but especially at shootfests. We models usually outnumber you and we get to take breaks, even if we are shooting multiple sets. You guys work work work for days then get to edit and keep up with it all - it's a lot of work!
Instax from my shoot - why does it feel so good to be naked outside?!
Discussing how to get that perfect shot
After shooting with @merryboudoir I felt really great and like I could relax a little more. I got to assist with one of @chef 's shoots that was so so neat! It's Star Trek themed and I think it's going to come out really cool! I was lucky enough to get a good few bts shots of this one! Later that day @chef was nice enough to take some photos for me with her new camera and they came out really cute! I had been waiting to use my emoji nipple pasties and I think I chose the proper time lol.
Chef was an amazing hostess and I'm so glad she (and her sweet hubby!) let us girls descend upon her house to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor scenery. They really do have a lovely property and were so welcoming!
When I finally had to leave, it was weird driving away, knowing I wouldn't be able to see these babes for a while. It's so rare to meet people and instantly feel like you know them, and yet SG has led me to quite a few of these people (lookin at you @aerie and @eirenne <3) I have met so many beautiful, intelligent, unique women with interesting stories and kind hearts. Women who are just as lovely and magical in person as they are on the internet. SG has given me a peer group I just plain wouldn't have otherwise and I love it. We encourage each other, lift each other up and accept all types of beauty as beautiful <3
Fangirling over the wall of fame at chef's place featuring @lo_ , @miss_minnie and many more!
I'm so grateful this place has led me on adventures and introduced me to amazing people! And a yuuuuuge thank you so so much to everyone who has left love on my latest set shot by @gemmaedwardsuk !! I am forever thankful for all the sweet words and encouragement - y'all make this lil southern girl's heart swell with your kindness <3
Enjoy your 4th of July! Have fun - get naked ;)
@rambo @missy
