“live” is a verb [2014 recap]

The world is so broken and sometimes it leaves you cold.
And at times you can’t feel the fire to guide you home.
The demons will haunt you and try to steal what you know.
But the angels, they brought you, and they’re gonna hold you up.
Shane Harper // Hold You Up

Sunshine is streaming through the tall windows of one of my favorite hangouts. The steamy espresso machine plus the warm sun was enough to make the barista prop open the front door, and the strange combination of warm light and cold air feels amazing. If you ever come to Paul’s up here in the frozen Inland Northwest, make SURE you try a blended salted caramel mocha. Who says you can only have iced drinks in the summer? Hint: nobody.

2014. Oh. My. Stars (that’s something I found myself all-of-a-sudden saying this year, how appropriate!). Perfect expression of for this crazy year.

I know a lot of people can whittle their year into one word, or two… but (my stars!) this year was so different and so multi-faced that I don’t think I could. “Change,” maybe? Or maybe “maybe.” Listen, give, grow, hopeful. All of the above. Plus learn. And near. Lead, flex, watch, slow, possibility, persist. LIVE.

God did much… and I did a lot, too. It wasn’t all completely me + God, even when it should have been. But you know what? His grace was enough to send me back to His side for the rest, healing, and learning He can provide. Yeah. Maybe “change” is good. It’s scary, to be sure. But it’s a channel for Jesus to shine through, and I’m all for that.

The year began with an impromptu(ish) trip to see a dear friend in central Washington. It was lovely – I fell in love with the area ringed with mountains and soft sunsets and clear skies.

I made my way through ten states by the time this year drew to a close… just hit one of them yesterday, in fact! Yes, I’m counting layovers in Tennessee, Georgia, Colorado, and Utah, okay? If you’re gonna spend hours on end in an airport, it should count for something.

Rene kicked off the first “real” session of the year with her gorgeous senior pictures on a chilly afternoon in Florida!

Not only is the she adorable younger sister of one of my (amazing!) college friends, she’s a great guitarist and growing photographer. We’re definitely kindred spirits. <3

People thought we were nuts, but Bre and Tyler and I hadn’t been to the beach together in ages, so we braved it on a 40-degree (and windy/overcast) day early on in the semester… salt water is ALWAYS worth it!

Please. Make time for random adventures. Otherwise they never happen.

Alondra + Stephen’s engagement in Tallahassee was an absolute dream. Just sayin’. 

If you don’t recall the post, check it out again. <3

ps – one thing I learned from their love story? It’s always worth waiting for. Hold out… don’t give up. It makes for the best stories.

Just a little moment to say…

I’ve been so blessed by the friends God’s put in my life. Friends that have big hearts for him and for other people – friends I can trust and love and accept no matter who they are. It’s a blessing beyond words.

With the warmer weather can more beach days and more adventures. As usual. I’m never far from a good time. 😉

In early March, I shot Dannie + Bethany’s engagement sesh downtown! It was lovely and full of laughter and sunshine and… wonderful things. 

Like bubbles. 

That semester (spring 2014, if you lost me), my friend Bre and I had 2nd period on Fridays open for “adventures.” And so every Friday at 9:00 was adventure time. I’ve missed it – we have so many stories from those times filled with Jesus and other people and experiences that I would never have had alone.

Bre, Kaitlin, me, + Jenna… we kinda get along really well. *thumbs up*

In March, my sister and brother came for a visit and I spent time doing everything BUT class… basically… but it was a beautiful time of rest and sibling-ness. And beach going.

My dear friend Kaitlin was one of my 2014 seniors and her session was such a fantastic blast! She’s spunky and adorable (seriously). And when I went back to link her post… I realized. I NEVER blogged her session?! Wait. What. I should do that someday.

Because I shouldn’t keep THIS to myself, gosh!

My roommates and suitemates this year were totally Heaven-sent. They say “God knows what He’s doing…” Oh, heck yes. He does. And I couldn’t be more grateful that He gave me these precious souls to share a year with. I could tell you about our fabulous times together… then I stop and think. Uh, better not. That kind of information is classified. 

Kari + Ryan. AHHHHH. 

Kari was a dear friend before this session, but we’ve grown even closer over the last few months. We both work the same two jobs on campus, and as far as co-workers go, she’s amazing… as far as friends go, she’s definitely a most wonderful gift. 

I can’t wait for June 6, you two. <3

Ah, yes. The time my little town was on the news because of the flood. It was an adventure to be sure!

Finals and goodbyes were a blur… hello, Senior status?! What.

Back to my Inland Northwest. 

YUS.

Home to my lake and my summer job and my family and my blue sky. 

Happy summer, beautifuls.

Colville Mountain 

This summer, I climbed two mountains (ish – they really don’t count, height-wise) and they were definitely the first of many. I can’t get over the breathing of mountain air and the feel of brilliant sunshine and the ever-present smell of pines and collecting wildflowers I’ve never seen before. I’m hooked.

I could’ve called this a post of sunsets, and probably posted about 365 of them. Each one is different and each one is a gift. My favorite thing about God’s day-end routine. 

Fires covered my state this year – thankfully, they didn’t come anywhere near my family. This picture, however, did make it to the front page of the newspaper. Win.

As I was sitting in the Denver airport, awaiting my connection to Houston to see my roommate, she called me up. “How would you like to help out with a conference this weekend?” Seeing as I didn’t want to bum around her house without her for a whole weekend (and meeting strangers seemed like a GREAT adventure!), I said sure! It was one of the best weekends of my life. I was challenged, broken, and changed… through kids. Kids. Of all people. God used them, He used me, He used Hannah… to teach me more about Himself. I love kids… sometimes. But I loved those 13 children (and my amazing teenage assistant), because they helped open my heart to my world.

Caaaaan we have a hellloooo for one gorgeous roommate and amazing soul? 

I love her to death. 

The end.

Oh, and ps – I love her family, too. <3

Happy front-porching and fresh-fruit-eating and organic-summer-wonderfulness? Yes! If you need your fix… I’m sure we have an empty room for takers next summer. 

Have I convinced you to move to the Northwest yet?

Favorite colors…. plus those down there. 

I can’t figure out how to make a down arrow on my keyboard. Help.

There.

I love my family and our map-reading adventures.

Dad and I finally carved out time for our annual kayak-trip. I think there should be more than one of these each summer. Yes? Yes!

In case you didn’t know… I live on a blueberry farm. 

Blue fingers all summer long for the win.

PS – it rains here, too, and it’s gorgeous.

And then, my beautiful friend Anna took my senior pictures. *hearts in eyes* 

She can make me laugh…

a lot…

which is perfect.

Yet another glorious senior session that never made it past the sneak-peek stage… Dakota + the yummy sunlight. Soon, children, soon.

I always wait to pack until the last minute… but hey. I get where I need to go. And this time, it was Southern California. For the first time in forever.

I think I re-adjusted to the island life too quickly. It was almost scary.

I could drive one of those.

La Jolla, CA.

California is even lovely in black and white.

Imperial Beach, CA.

Downtown IB is so charming… loved it. Every second.

Down on Coronado Island, I shot the engagement pictures of Tyler, one of my best friends in the whole world, and her now-one-of-my-best-friends fiance, Logan.

The more I practice photography, the more I fall in love with (and understand) the art. It’s beautiful. It’s real. It’s… life…. and I’m getting too poetic. But I love it.

On my plane from San Diego, I was on the same flight as the band Lonestar. Whaaaaat. 

They sang happy birthday to a teenage girl and I think she was about to pass out.

Gulf-coast girl. Surf’s up… ish. Ha!

This year’s view is lovely. I love my school. Except… for that annoying clock tower.

I decided to make a bucket list of things to do during my senior year. One by one, they’re getting checked off. I keep them updated on Instagram, check it out! Sailing with my girls… that was number 19. 

Sunsets for days. Like I said. I’m in love with a good sunset.

My friend (and recital buddy!) Anna Grace and I had the chance to shoot several events for the school, and it was a blast. I wonder why they put us together… ooops. Too much fun.

Ben + Katie. 

PS – everyone who loved this shoot, I just want to make an announcement. Ben and Katie got married by the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York City. Without telling anyone. This Christmas break. I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT.

They were way too precious. And now they’re married. YES YES.

Oh yeah! That one time we froze our butts off to see the sunrise?! (bucket list #21) It’s happening again.

I was the only Northerner around – the only one who wasn’t shivering in a hoodie and blankets and suffering. I ran about a mile and wanted to go swimming – but my friends wouldn’t let me go for a swim. Humph.

Tyler gave a GORGEOUS recital the day before mine – I was so proud of her (Julie and I cried pretty much the whole way through. What’s WRONG with us?!). 

It’s a weird and weightless feeling when something you’ve worked more than three years for… is over. Like my senior recital. November 7, 2014… one of the most dreaded and exciting dates in my LIFE!! It was wonderful in so many ways. So much God. Eeeeps!! 

Blue Angels with my family <3

I had the unprecedented privilege of shooting the Junior class project (Project Living Proof) – the first of its kind and put on by my ex-roomie. It was a brilliant example of Christlike love, and I was so impressed by the Junior class and their hearts for God.

Fall in Florida – always a struggle. 

Random adventures and heart-to-heart talks took place in Bre’s Honda (his name is Jack, btw) this semester, too! 

Then it was Thanksgiving, and one of the best times of the year. It was also a triple-header session weekend – my busiest ever!

I hadn’t done a family session in FOREVER, but Carrie and her siblings (Kelli and Clint) absolutely rocked it at old Fort Pickens. 

The session was a Christmas present for their mom – successssssss…. I hear she cried. 

My last 2014 senior was yet another good friend, Julie. She’ll be performing her senior recital in March, and I can’t wait!! She’s been with me since Day One… but you’ll have to wait for the real post to find out more about this brilliant girl.

Oh, and ps. She’s drop-dead gorgeous.

Mr. and Mrs. C + their Christmas pictures. It was adorable!

Christmas lights + finals – and then it was time to go HOME!

Christmas Eve. Wait. Was it just me, or did Christmas come and go too fast this year?

My brother came home (and surprised the rest of the family! – geez it’s hard to keep that kind of secret), and we headed up our mountain for one of the opening days of snowboarding. It was so frigid and perfect!

So. I still can’t believe that 2014 is almost over. Just a few more days, a few more hours, even!! 

In church on Sunday, our pastor was talking about the new year. How we’ll use it… what it will mean. It’s interesting to think that there’s only 8,760 hours in a year – give or take a few. Hours. Minutes. That’s when life happens. It isn’t in the big things… it’s in the small ones. Where will my priorities be this year? What will make the differences in my life? What will make the change? Change is inevitable. But it can be effective. Change is when the magic happens – where God and you and the world meet and differences are made.

I’ll graduate from college… there’s a change for you!! I have a future to decide. I have decisions to make every day that will affect not just tomorrow and the next day, but years… even the rest of my future. I’m sure many of you do, too. But the decisions you make to decide huge chunks of time are actually made up of little ones. 

The way you live your day is the way you’ll live your life. Make it worthwhile.

Don’t just let your habits fall into a rut. Live intentionally. Live your habits, live your choices, live your life. Live your 2015… and remember. 

“Live” is a verb.

Much love!
Hannah