Online friendships can be real.

My friends. Where are they? Spread throughout the globe. Minnesota, Iowa, South Carolina, California, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Washington, Belgium, France, and Italy. Many people around me wonder and ask me, "How it is possible for you to call those who live so far away from you your friends?" and I always answer with "It just is." 
It all started in 2008, when I signed up for classes through a great Christian online school. It was since that year when I started creating relationships with people whom I had never met face to face. It was all behind our computer screens. It was all such a weird feeling, to know that my closest friends were living in a different country, and I had never met them in the "real" world. That is, until summer came around, and the school, Veritas Press, organized an End of the Year Gathering.... A special event, lasting one week, in which everyone from the school was invited to meet in one place, in which we would be finally able to meet those who became our friends through the online world. Definitely one of the most exciting experiences. It has always been my favorite week of the year, it is the one I have always looked forward to the most. Meeting and seeing those who you talk to behind a bright screen for an entire year is something very special. It is during that 5 day event when we are all as happy as ever.... Exchanging hugs and laughs, sharing smiles filled with joy, and tears when we say goodbye. We all look forward to that gathering... always. We all look forward to communion in the real world... all together. 
Today, I find myself here in my home in Mexico... starting summer, and coming back from my 4th End of the Year Gathering. I find myself sitting in front of my computer, typing this words, while I think of all my friends, whom I dearly miss. I think about how wonderfully blessed I am to know them, and that while some get to see their friends almost every day, and for me it is only once or twice a year, my relationships with them are real. And that is what matters. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that they really are. But that has never stopped me. The way we communicate is through blogs, messages, emails, phone calls, facebook, or letters sent through the mail. Of course, there have been many times in which I wished we all lived close, so we would never have to miss each other and wait 365 days till the next gathering. But it's not that way.... And I'm okay with it, really. I am amazed at how even though distance keeps us from seeing each other many times, our love towards each other is strong enough to keep us waiting until the day we see each other again.

♥

(These some favorite photos from this year's gathering.) 

God has blessed me so much... Friends are hard to find. Christian friends. 

But He has given them to me, no matter what. 

Have a great Friday. ♥ 

-Annie

Someone beautiful.

Last week I had the opportunity to photograph a sweet friend of mine, whom I dearly love. Her beautiful complexion, her cheerful character, and joyful heart made up for my perfect kind of model- and perfect session. Every time my finger pressed the shutter, it is as if my heart smiled, not only hoping, but knowing it would be a beautifully captured image the one being created. 

♥

 

Is she not beautiful?

After taking these, we realized the sun had almost gone down. The lighting was not as good anymore. So, we decided to continue the day after.... in a different place: a field next to a lake... what a perfect setting. The green grass contrasting with the sky matched perfectly well with her light blue dress and beautiful brown hair. 

She's a lover or twirling... a lover of dancing.... a lover of happiness. A lover of fun. 

Dear Elizabeth, I hope you liked your photos. I can't wait for the next time we get together for more.  ♥

Happy Monday. 

-Annie

stripes and jeans.

She shakes her hair, and I click the shutter. 

"Hey, this turned out great. Will you do it again for me?"

♥

One more time. 

And so a photoshoot started. Without planning, all happening in the spur-of the moment. Caroline and I took a walk down the street, laughing and talking- being friends. I didn't even realize it was magic hour, that time when the sun gleams its golden light all around, right before sunset. 

Then I noticed her hair was gleaming red.... beautiful. 

"Stay right there! Stay under that golden light. You'll like it." 

Once again I click. 

....... Perfection. 

Her smile...... her eyes..... her personality....

everything. 

Sudden photoshoots are my favorite, specially during magic hour. 

What about you? ♥

Ps. I'm back! :)

-Annie

Just so lovely.

Two days ago I met one of my good friends for the very first time. We had known each other for two years, but only through some online classes through the internet. Finally, we got to meet face to face. We spent a day together, walking and laughing, talking and smiling. And obviously, we had to make some time for pictures. I did not get many, but the ones I did turned out lovely. 
That is, cause she is lovely.

♥

Just. so. lovely.

Hope you liked them, Lil. 

Happy Weekend. ♥

-Annie

A perfect senior session.

Beautiful girl, beautiful beach, beautiful weather, beautiful day, and perfect lighting.
Could it get any better?
I was so happy to get some head-shots of my dear friend at the beach for her senior pictures, and let me just say it was one of the best photo-shoots I have ever done. Being my first time shooting at the beach was definitely an experience, and I cannot say that I'm an "expert" at it, but I love it. Such place made a beautiful scenery for the photos!

                                                                               ♥

I'm going to be honest and say that my camera and lens were covered in sand after this shot. 

But, wasn't it worth it? 

This photo is my favorite. It captures her personality so perfectly well.

   She is so much fun. Always so happy, and always so sweet. She made me laugh a lot during the session, I had to concentrate a lot on getting some of the photos! I really love her. 

Lauren, you made everything so special! And I'm glad you liked the photos. ♥

Happy Monday!

-Annie