Travel Tuesday. I Love Paris in the Rain.

"Down in Paris they walk fast
That is unless they're walking slow
And in cafes they look away
That is unless they look right in
And in the gardens I get lost
That is unless I'm getting found
And if you are the ghost of New York City
Then won't you stick around?"

And yes, I do love Paris in the rain. And in the sun. And I imagine I'd love it in any sort of weather.

Paris won my heart, just as I knew it would—its people, its architecture, it's views, its food, its air. I managed to navigate through the streets while being mistaken as a local, which made it that much better. And the views of umbrellas scattered around the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Musee de Louvre made it a seemingly authentic experience.

Paris, France. 2014.

Madison & Zach. Calhoun Country Wedding.

A few frames from Madison & Zach's Calhoun wedding. So happy for these two and their recent marriage!

Second shooting by the lovely Carrie Fisher (itstheeveryday.com)

Travel Tuesday. Dachau, Germany. A Quiet Remembrance.

It was considered the "Final Solution," Hitler's attempt to clear the world of the unfit, to burn them off of historic records, and pave the way for his Aryan race.

Seems unfathomable, such a gruesome and permanent gesture. Yet history seems to repeat itself despite the horrific remains of concentration—death—camps that serve as reminders all over Europe.

Dachau was the first Nazi camp to be instated in Germany in 1933, housing political prisoners who were forced to expand the camp as Hitler's plan spread like wildfire. By 1939 it was equipped to house 6,000 prisoners, however nearly 30,000 prisoners were detained here as the war came to an end in 1945. Thousands crammed into barracks to die from disease, malnutrition, and exhaustion, thousands more sent to the "Brausebad" to be showered with poisonous gas or lined up against cement walls to face the firing squad.

It wasn't until I spent a day of silence exploring the grounds and the libraries of information at Dachau that I was faced with the reality of what happened—how unbelievable these actions were and still are, as the evils of mass killings and persecution continue all over the Middle East and Africa.

"May the example of those who were exterminated here between 1933-1945 because they resisted Nazism help to unite the living for the defense of peace and freedom, and the respect of their fellow men."

Barracks, Dachau, Germany

Brausebad "Showers", Dachau, Germany

Firing Squad wall, Dachau, Germany

Guard Tower, Dachau, Germany

Information gathered from the libraries at Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial and History.com.

Travel Tuesday. Sea to Sky Highway.

The wintery blue skies bounced off the snow-capped mountain peaks as our rental car carried us from Sea to Sky—Vancouver to Whistler—amidst some of the most breathtaking, peaceful views along the west coast. 

They yawn in greatness, and speak power and grace to every onlooker
who catches a glimpse of their stoic stature and rugged edges.
The frequent phrase “no worries” seems to possess the land as the mountains themselves
swallow all fears and dissipate all concerns. 

The quietness is enough,
more than enough to relieve the soul of its pressing needs and pressures;
it is the remedy for any soul that seeks peace and renewal, purpose and perspective.
Here, the mountains speak, but they speak this peace.
They speak His peace.

Travel Tuesday. St. Augustine, Florida.

My Saturday was spent exploring the streets of St. Augustine and taking in a little taste of 16th-century Europe, just a quick 5 hours from my hometown of Atlanta. I'm a sucker for historic European architecture—the symmetry, textures, and detail—and Flagler College and Castillo de San Marcos provided a feast for my eyes behind the camera.

Joelle & Gheorghe. Taverny, France. Backyard Wedding.

Dreams do come true. I witnessed this first hand as I documented the sweet and long-awaited matrimony of Joelle & Gheorghe with friends and family in a country I've been dreaming about for years.

Just outside of Paris lies the town of Taverny, a town composed of narrow roads, forest, and a beautiful church that has stood its ground since the 1300s. Here is where my French adventures began, and here is where Joelle & Gheorghe said "I do" in front of their loved ones.

And with a house full of French speakers, either French by birth or association, there was no shortage of wine, champagne, and baguette (no really, they never ran out...). And the accordion music and dancing filled the air until the sun rose.

Félicitations, Jojo et Gigi!

Jojo et Gigi, merci beaucoup pour cette occasion. I could not have imagined a more perfect way to spend a "work day" in one of my favorite countries in the world. Bisous!