​REVIVAL
Ephesians 5:29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.

Self-care is righteousness. It is not selfish but a requirement. Rest isn't earned, it's a requirement. Peace isn't an option; it's a requirement. I have spent many years in servitude, and that won't change, but the balance of replenishment is a challenging journey I am learning. Creating a space for your mind, body, and soul to rest isn't selfish, it isn't laziness, it isn't neglecting other aspects of your life, but simply recharging yourself for bigger and better things. Caring for yourself is doing something for God. God even rested on the 7th day.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

I have spent so much of my life running to what feels like the end of the Earth, searching far and wide for how I can do. I am just built that way, Full of excitement, full of awe in what there is in this world. I have learned that my creativity and service are amplified after I have rested. It is almost like a burning urge after I have allowed myself to just be. I feel deeper, I see more, and I am in tune with more of a purpose after I have done something for myself. This is all still very much a learning game for me as I am learning to stop stressing myself out so much. This past year I have caused my own demise in illness, stress, and burdens that mostly weren't supposed to be mine. My eagerness is a product of my demise sometimes as I want the world at my fingertips, but realize it is not mine to physically carry.
Getting burnt out as a photographer is a real thing. A scary thing. All you want in your life is to capture, create and show the world this beautiful thing you got to witness. In the famous words of Posty, " Work so hard, forgot how to vacation." And OH is it true. Any photographer that feels photography in their soul will tell you their favorite thing is to perfect their craft because of the people in front of their lens but their hardest thing they do to themselves is to perfect their craft so much that it becomes overwhelming. That is exactly why I am creating The Revival Workshop. I am shedding my truths, passions, purpose, care, and life into this. I have spent 17 years learning, growing, exploring, loving, AND HATING so much that I want to help provide a path for others away from burnout, a place of being exalted, not exhausted. I have a path to follow that is Christian based that aligns with the purpose to create and capture. I absolutely am so ready to share so much with you! If you have read this far you felt it. Jump in with me here https://www.dynamiteimageky.com/revival-workshop.html

Macey and Stephen said I do in the beautiful mountains of Virginia at Cedar Oaks Farm. Their backdrop couldn't more breathtaking and their love for each other is one to behold. These two share a passion that is unmactched. Their whole day was filled with family members who surrounded them with love and so many precious moments. I am honored to have witnessed their vows, their smiles and the best sweet tears as Macey walked down the aisle. It was truly amazing hearing the wisdom form Macey's Grandfather as he stood to officiate the wedding. And let's not forget about the highland cow down fromt he venue named Rowdy! ( yes, I am obsessed)

The Hornsby House Inn sits down in the historical Yorktown Virginia area. This beautiful home has served as the backdrop of many gorgeous weddings including  Bonnie and Larry's special day! Their love for each other and their family is so intense. I loved their humor and warm spirits with everyone. I am truly thankful for couples who spend their big day like these two! 

Megan and Aaron shared their special day in Prince William Virginia  at the Bel Air 1740 Venue. They celebrated the 4th of May with the force of course. The light drizzling rain didn't dampen their spirits. The whole day was filled with fun and more activities than what I have ever seen at a wedding. So much fun and their dancing was just as epic. I adored the historcal part of this venue nestled right into a residential community. The May wedding was everything two lovers could want! I am obessed with the garden area of this venue! 

SHOUT OUT TO Tree of life wedding officiant for making this special day so epic! 

Oh the beauty found out at First Landing State Park. I was so honored to photograph Kate and Brian's intimate wedding in Virginia Beach, VA. They included just family members and two friends to help them celebrate their big but small wedding day. With so much love it was hard to hold back tears for them as I seen the happiness engulf them. Their beach wedding was absolutley perfect. First landing state park is full of magical trees, campground areas, yurts and a beautiful coast. These two picked the perfect place to exchange vows. April 20th 2024 served the perfect weather for their eternal bond to begin. I was able to also create a highlight video of their wedding. I am so honored to capture the perfect days like these for amazing and adventurous people! 

|BURNING TREE|
I have been putting this off for a while. I didn't want to ask for permisssion to photograph here, even after almost 16 years I still get nervous about things like that. I put off me being in front of the camera eventhough I try to be at least twice a year.
When I arrived on location and asked permission, I then knew I would have to photograph directly in front of a family in the water and be completely vulnerable ( you can't see them because I edited them out , however I am grateful for their understanding)
I knew this set I wanted to shoot directly in the suns harshest light in front of this tree that has withstood the winds, the hurricanes and tides of time. I wanted to be in the most delicate dress laced with butterfly applique's and to convey both the delicate and strong sides of the location, and a representation of me. Although I gave myself about 100 reasons to not end up doing this set it burned deep within me that I must act on my vision. It is a form of how I heal, reset, and connect with myself to create more. Some of those ugly "reasons" held me back for so long. The dress really doesn't fit me properly, the location is private, What if someone see's me photographing myself? What will people think of me taking self portraits? Many times I doubted why I should photograph myself.
And after all the doubt, that time that passed pushing this project off I ended up having to face all the "reasons" and fears all in one. I did it anyway. I knew just like this tree who has stood against all odds that I can too. I must face all that burns within me to create, to explore and to love like fire. I am not to stop, question, or doubt what is given to me but to take it, multiply it and restore it back to the Earth. My passion to see the beauty and hold it in my memories and on my cameras, computers, and within my heart is what makes me who I am and without doubt I stand firm like the burning tree.
This next chapter is one I have doubted for a while, let's see how she writes herself


Somewhere in Virginia! 

The best way to start a New Year is with a new chapter and these two done just that. The rainy overcast, January, winter day did not stop nothing from being magical on Tyler and Megan's big day. I literally could feel their butterflies being around them during their portraits. I watched the way they looked at each other and moved at the same time as if they were made with one another in mind. 
I am so grateful to have known Megan for a couple decades now and she never stops amazing me. I knew she had her head on right from the get go but watching her wait patiently for the man of her dreams was hard but I knew she would never settle. Tyler swooned her dainty heart and took her love for all its worth and married her on the sixth day of 2024. I am so excited for their new adventure and all that will come from this day on. I am honored to have captured their big day ( Finally). Big place in my heart for Megan and Tyler


SPECIAL THANKS TO 
​CEREMONY VENUE: DUNCAN MEMORIAL CHAPEL https://duncanmemorialchapel.com/
RECEPTION VENUE: HUTING CREEK COUNTRY CLUBhttps://www.huntingcreekcc.com/
FLORIST: SARAH NINER and OBERER'S
HAIR AND MAKEUP: JENNIFER HARDESTY 
DJ: MIKE BALLARD, LIGHTWAVE 
CAKE AND COOKIES: KIND CAKES 

Consider this my diary entry for this blog post. Consider this a part of me that needed to be essential. To be a non essential worker in this day means you basically have no dire need for existence for the world. As a photographer to feel the word NON followed by ESSENTIAL run through your body, hurts to the core. I am flooded with emotions knowing that the thing that fuels me most is to seek moments, to provide memories, to capture our very breath in an image is so essential to me. This is the one and only thing we are seeking in this moment is the memories of how we survived this covid19, to seek the moments we created in this quarantined environment. I know that to save lives we must limit our contact to be able to exist together in lighter world when this ends. Life is happening still, the trees still move when the wind blows, the grass is still ever growing lush and green, and you still breathe, we still breathe.

As a photographer life is essential, to capture is essential, I cannot wait to for memories we get to create running through open fields and chasing light. Though I cannot wait, I beg of you to still see the good as the sun has risen to shine on you more during this time, I want you to feel the sun and the wind greet you as if it was or may be the hand of God himself letting you know this too shall pass. There is no greater safe haven than to feel the hope for tomorrow. The hope of a bright new day to carry out whatever your heart desires ( quarantined of course) non essential doesn't mean you do not have a place it means you are saved for a better place. You are to fill the lives with blessings, to fill the void where the heart yearned for more. Desire and love for more when this is over means you are finding out what is truly important to you and what matters most. Everyone out there who wishes they could dine in a place, everyone who wishes they could go shopping, go to the park, they are yearning for a privilege but of basic human rights. For those who just want to get back to their routine of work are yearning for a better tomorrow. 

To be non essential is a strange way of waiting but knowing there is a place saved for us when we can commute side by side and shake hands once again is a promise I can't wait to keep. Non-Essential = Saved for a better place 


To live is the rarest thing in the world, Most people just exist.- Oscar Wilde.