One of the things I am so thankful for are my friendships. Since I started this adventure two years ago I have gotten to know some amazing people and these two girls are right in the epicenter of it all. Well… technically there are three girls in this “group”, but I’ll get into more detail below. Meet Tracy and Matoli!

I met Matoli at a styled shoot and we instantly “clicked.” We kept in touch after the shoot and became friends very quickly. Matoli came out to second shoot for me on my very first wedding and the rest has been history! Her and I also started our adventure in film around the same time and we both inspire each other and continue to grow side-by-side in our businesses. We challenge one another, inspire one another, and encourage and support each other.

So when Matoli and I decided to go out to California for a photography conference we started looking for roommates! Hayley was also from VA, going to the conference, and looking for roommates so that was a no brainer! We all met (super) early at the airport that morning and it was once again, an instant bond. Our fourth roommate was a California native traveling up for the conference. We connected with her online and there we were! Four roommates, almost total strangers. I knew we would all get along just fine once everyone finished lugging their bags into the hotel room. We then went out to the store to grab a few “essentials.” One of the items on everyone’s list was red wine. Ha! So we all went into Trader Joe’s and we each picked up a bottle of our favorite red, took it back to the hotel, and shared with each other! And somehow in that short week we become something like the “Ya Ya red wine photography sisterhood.”

Almost a year later and we finally had an excuse to gather again. Haley was getting married! So Tracy bought a plane ticket to Virginia and we were once again sipping red wine in a hotel room (minus Hayley, cause ya know… she was busy getting married and all). ;) Since Tracey was coming all this way we decided to turn it into a girls weekend with the wedding being the main event. One of the last things Matoli, Tracy, and I did was find a local winery and do a little impromptu photo shoot (because, duh!).

I’m so thankful for these girls. And the next time we get together, Hayley will be in the photos too! :)