Ashley's VIVIFY Session
“When I first opened my gallery of images, I was a body full of butterflies. I was kind of out of body, honestly, but in the best of ways! Like, is that...ME?!”
Ashley came to me in midseason, her heart set on celebrating her 35th birthday with a Vivify session. She had seen her friend’s gallery from earlier in the season and knew she wanted that same magic captured for herself. At the time, my schedule was packed, but I had a feeling I could find a way to fit her in. So, Ashley was placed on the waitlist, hopeful and patient.
As the season drew to a close, a serendipitous gap appeared in my schedule. I reached out to her, and she swiftly responded, excited to secure her spot. Everything fell into place seamlessly—deposit paid, contract signed, and dress chosen.
On the day of the session, I picked up her florals: berry twist dahlias symbolizing elegance and strength, sweet lilac button poms representing youth and renewal, white limonium for remembrance, St. John’s wort for protection and happiness, and seeded eucalyptus signifying abundance and healing. Each flower was chosen with care, adding layers of meaning to Ashley’s celebration of her 35th birthday.
I crafted her crown and loaded the gear into my car, ready for the day's adventure. As I drove to the river, dark, looming clouds caught my attention—clouds that hadn't appeared on my weather radar app. I arrived a little before Ashley and parked near the trailhead, feeling a bit uneasy as the wind picked up. When she arrived, we compared weather notes, both baffled by the sudden storm that had come out of nowhere. Local Facebook groups were buzzing with updates about children’s activities being canceled in preparation for the downpour.
The rain started pouring down heavily. Feeling a mix of frustration and resignation, I joined Ashley in her car, settling into the passenger seat. In my six years of doing this, Ashley's session was the first true rainout. I felt embarrassed by the unexpected turn of events and worried that I seemed negligent and unprofessional. But as we sat there talking, I realized it was far from a disappointment. In that unexpected pause, we found a moment of connection and shared experience that felt transformative.
We talked for over an hour, sharing stories and laughter as the storm raged outside. During that unexpected time, I learned more about Ashley, an incredibly talented hairstylist whose calming presence invited openness and honesty. I found myself feeling unusually candid, understood, and appreciated—not just as a photographer, but as a mom and a woman. Despite the rain, the unexpected storm became a backdrop for a deeper connection, reminding me that sometimes the most unplanned moments hold the greatest beauty. Suddenly, to our left, the loudest bang and brightest flash made us both jump as a bolt of lightning touched down not too far from us, symbolizing divine intervention, power, and raw energy—something that would come to represent the bond between Ashley and me in the future.
Ashley’s nature crown luckily survived overnight in my fridge, and we planned to meet at the same time the very next day, which happened to be August 8th. Ashley sent me a message saying it felt like the session should have happened on August 8th because it was the Lion's Gate Portal. Now, I'm the most basic when it comes to astrological signs. Sure, I love to read a horoscope from a magazine or newspaper, but I don't delve much deeper than that.
However, I was intrigued when Ashley sent me an Instagram post explaining more about the significance of the day. The date 8/8 is considered significant in numerology. The number 8 represents infinity and the flow of energy, symbolizing balance, harmony, and the infinite cycle of life. The Lion's Gate Portal is thought to create an energetic gateway that enhances spiritual growth, transformation, and the ability to manifest desires. It’s a time when higher frequencies can be accessed, facilitating deeper connections with the spiritual realms. That bolt of lightning could not have been coincidental; I think it was all purposeful. This energetic gateway was opened for Ashley and me (more on that to come).
I arrived a little early, as I often do, finding solace in a quiet walk along a nearby trail. This time, I scouted out a fun spot in the woods that I thought would be perfect for some playful shots before we made our way down to the riverbank. Our session began with a bit of bug spray and some joyful frolicking in the woods. We stumbled upon a gorgeous, knobby tree that instantly captivated me. The images we created there were stunning, capturing the whimsical and natural beauty of the moment.
We later headed down to the river, letting the cool water wash over our feet. To my delight, Ashley seemed completely at ease in front of the camera. Her dance background shone through, her movements fluid and graceful, exuding a natural confidence. As she posed, a hiker’s voice echoed through the trees, "You look stunning!" The compliment, from one woman to another, was pure and uplifting, a sweet moment of shared joy. Then, the hiker added, "Oh, and there's this sweet luna moth over here that could be a cool backdrop for your photoshoot." Intrigued, I glanced at Ashley. She had a mischievous smirk and a sparkle in her eye as she revealed the luna moth tattoo on her arm, which held personal significance for her. We waded out of the river and made our way to the tree where the delicate creature rested.
As we stood there, capturing the moment with the luna moth and Ashley, I later learned of the significance of this beguiling insect. With a lifespan of only 24 hours, the luna moth symbolizes transformation, fleeting beauty, intuition, the interconnectedness of nature, resilience, and the mysteries of life. It’s a gentle reminder of the ephemeral nature of existence and the continuous cycles of change and renewal. What a magical catch it was for Ashley's Vivify session, perfectly embodying the essence of her milestone.
Our session continued in the river, with the water gently flowing around us. I loved capturing the top-down shots towards the end of the photoshoot. Ashley made floating in the river with her feet upstream look incredibly peaceful as if she belonged there. We kept shooting until we had no light left and my shutter refused to click.
Finally, we sat on a bench together, scrolling through the images on the back of my camera. Each shot elicited audible gasps of "wowwww" from me as we marveled at the magic we had captured. As the last light faded, we ended the night by hiking out in the darkness, the day's memories fresh in our minds, our skin cool from the river, both of us having experienced something truly transformative together.
The storm, the lightning bolt, and the rescheduling of the photoshoot to coincide with the Lion's Gate Portal—all purposeful pathways that I didn't fully process at the time. Reflecting back, it's clear these moments were not mere coincidences but rather significant markers of transformation. Since that day, Ashley and I have forged a deeper bond, one that goes beyond the lens of a camera. We've shared laughs, stories, and dreams, realizing that our paths were meant to intertwine in ways we hadn't imagined.
Perhaps I can't keep it a secret any longer, but for the 2025 Vivify season, we are thrilled to announce collaborative offerings that pair our mutual passion for empowering women and making them feel their absolute best. As Ashley once said, we're both in the crown business—me with flowers and her with hair. This synergy has inspired us to create special packages that will include Ashley's expert hair and makeup services for photoshoots.
The thought of combining our talents is incredibly exciting. We envision sessions where every woman not only looks stunning but feels like the queen she truly is. This partnership feels like the natural next step in our journey, and we can't wait to share this experience with all the amazing women we have yet to meet. Here's to new beginnings, purposeful paths, and the magic that unfolds when creativity and passion align.