A New Friend...a Kindred Spirit
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Personal
I walked in and recognized her immediately.
This "friend" that I already called "friend"
and we had never met in person.
She has been a cheerleader to me though...she has followed me on social media, texted, messaged, commented...ohhhhh, just constantly speakin' my love language!
She's a fellow photographer...a momtographer turned pro...a lover of happy...a seeker of stories...
We both knew that we'd "click" (see what I did there?) when we met...and we were not disappointed.
We met at 9:30am for a quaint breakfast...
the next time we looked at the clock it was nearly 1:30pm
Where do 4 hours go?
For us, they were lost upon God stories and homestead antics...they were swallowed up in relating parenting and business goofs...they faded into the background of our laughter and even tears!
Amanda (of Amanda Estep Photography) is a gem...she's a rare find...
I appreciated her candidness...I was inspired by her dreams...I coveted her grace-filled spirit...
I may not be as "old" as some, but I'm older than others...and so my over 40 years have given me some semblance of knowledge...and the one thing I've learned (and continue to appreciate) is that this world could use more "grace"...grace givers to be exact because, lord knows, we need it...
I don't think there was ever a time in my life that I thought I necessarily had it all together...
but, at the same time, I do remember having very strong opinions (and sometimes still do) about certain things...whether it be social interaction etiquette or friendship expectations...
but, at the same time, I do remember having very strong opinions (and sometimes still do) about certain things...whether it be social interaction etiquette or friendship expectations...
these notions like to rear their heads when I feel wronged or when I feel the need to prove my point...when I want to "feel" superior to someone else or show that I'm quite capable with my way of doing things...
and yet...
I have learned that so often, I am moreso called to lay aside my own pride and my own "assumptions" in order to show grace and forgiveness to others... (do not think I have this mastered...I do not...)
In the short time I spent with Amanda, it is evident to me that this life lesson is not lost on her...
she comes to the table in humility, vulnerability and this incredibly generous spirit...it doesn't mean that she doesn't have ideas (she's got loads of them) but, it means that she sees such value in others and gives them such dignity, by just taking the focus off of "self"...
Goodness...and this is just the ahhhmazing-ness of her person...
We haven't even touched on her TALENT yet...
She specializes in newborn photography...and I've followed her for at least a year or so...
During this "behind the scenes" time...she has struggled, made mistakes, picked herself back up again, relied on strength from others and her faith, even in times when grace wasn't always offered to her...
she has taught herself a challenging skill...she has honed her craft...
To be a "posing" newborn photographer takes an incredible amount of patience, but also consistency and understanding of specific lighting and colors of light...it's tricky, but she is mastering each step along the way...
I've watched her work transition into the most beautiful displays of art, and yet, capture the precious newness of her wee subjects...
She & her husband have moved their little family to a homestead/farm out in the middle of what she deems "nowhere"...where they are slowly surrounding themselves with ducks and chickens and pigs and soon to come cattle & horses and the dreams continue...
It's an experience to visit her...to be welcomed to her studio and take a breath of fresh air...
I'll be meeting up with her again very soon...and I can't wait!
You can check out her newborn photography and follow her on Instagram HERE :)