A LATTE + SEE YOU LATER: A GREENHOUSE CAFE LIFESTYLE SESSION

we met in the college choir - a little one-unit elective we both took because we loved singing (and when you're a freshman, you just sign up for EVERYTHING in the hopes of making new friends). on those 20 minute walks to the music building, we quickly became friends, and emily has been a constant in my life for the past five years. after a long season of prayer, patience, and perseverance, my sweet friend is officially off to grad school. while i could not be more excited to see her achieve this goal and pursue her dream, i am also selfishly not ready to see her go. BUT, i know this strong, smart, and talented lady is going to rock the pants off grad school - i can't wait to see where life will take her! 

while we were sipping lattes and chatting about life on an early morning last week, i realized how much she means to me and how deeply i'm going to miss having her so close. in true em + deb fashion, it wouldn't be a proper good bye without one last coffee date and a quick mini shoot - my favorite kind of session! 

pose for me: emily // newport beach lifestyle portraits

this winter break, i've been focusing a lot on my business and my art - creating systems, getting organized, completing tasks, and then shooting for fun, educating myself, and trying new things. i've been trying to slow down during a shoot to notice the details, think creatively, and step outside of my safe zone. it's been a treat to have the time and space to invest in photography in so many different ways, and i hope to always learn and grow more! 

in other news,  this girl should get an award for always modeling so beautifully in front of my camera. 

aren't these colors just so dreamy?! 

and then em asked me to step in front of her lens...i am not half the model she is, but hey, i can drink coffee and laugh like no one's business! 

thanks for these shots, Em! 

wishing you all a week full of purpose and productivity! xo. 

emily // a girl date

in the midst of catching up, i realized i've neglected sharing current work - last week's coffee date/photo date with emily reminded me of just that. you've seen this girl's face on here a million times before, but that's because she just knows that when we say 'hey let's get together for coffee' we also mean 'and don't forget to bring your camera, because we're taking lots of photos!' 

after our scrumptious and overly trendy visit to portola coffee lab (em: i'm wearing my hot pink lipstick so i'll fit in), we ventured out into Costa Mesa for a little photo hike. despite my extreme dislike for June gloomy mornings, the clouds worked in our favor, and i love the results. 

hey girlfriend,

thank you for not drinking your coffee until i've taken a picture of it,

for letting me shoot you first, because i prefer being behind the camera (and you shine in front of it!),

for sharing your heart with me in such a real and genuine way,

for laughing together,

for making me feel hip in a way-too-hip for me coffee shop,

for talking about life, the pretty and the messy parts,

and for your faithful friendship over the last few years. 

you are so dear to me!