I believe there are some people you are just magnetically attracted to… those that have a certain something about them that just draw you in. It’s as if the aura that surrounds them is just a tad more powerful. Some people claim that they can visibly see this aura around other people. While I’m not gifted in that department, Amy has such a strong presence about her that you can’t help but see a visible, fabulous aura around her. I remember when I first saw her stroll in the classroom…confident, beautiful, and sweet. She was one of those girls that you just had to get to know… a girl you could see yourself shop with, have coffee with, laugh with, and tackle the heavy topics surrounding politics and religion with. And that’s exactly who she is…someone who can do all that with such kindness, intelligence, and love in her heart, you can’t help but be completely and utterly drawn into her.  You also can’t help but know that she will be successful with everything she touches.

I find myself easily pulled towards magnets of depth. People who are much more than what they appear or let on. Without a doubt, I knew certain things about Amy…things that were apparent. But as our friendship grew, so did my knowledge of her deep love for life and even deeper heart for others. She knows where she came from and though life seems a bit easier for those who have that “it” checklist, it wasn’t always this way for Amy. But she learned, grew, and became better with each obstacle life threw her way. She looks at the bright side of things and more often than not, ends up encouraging people without even realizing it. And over our mutual love for chai lattes, cupcakes, and The Phillies (well this one’s more hers than mine), I’ve gotten to know a side of the girl who had a fabulous aura around her that surpassed all my expectations. Amy, you’re absolutely, positively, naturally…. beautiful. Inside and out.

We started the day shooting in Amy’s building and then had a blast walking around Delray Beach and finding perfect nooks with gorgeous light!

Yes, Amy’s eyes really are that blue. Yes, life really isn’t that fair.

Just a little walk away and we discovered a heavenly patch of pretty sunlight.

Amy’s purse deserved a few shots in the spotlight. I contemplated trading my camera in for it. 

We found this great little area by the beach and soon discovered Amy’s aura attracted hundreds of pinching flies…

New outfit in tow, and off to the railroad tracks we went! I love this shot that just sort of happened as I was making Amy laugh so hard she began to reach for her stomach. Ok so that’s not completely accurate… True story: during our walk to the railroad tracks, I broke my flipflop. Not just casually or gracefully, it looked as if a car had ran over it….twice. And all that, because I managed to step wrong on a straight sidewalk with no cracks or bumps in sight. So I managed to take all these shots with only one flipflop on. Needless to say, I have tons of shots where Amy is laughing. Hard. At me.

But she was back to being fierce in no time at all…

I adore this set…As we walked back to wrap up, Amy had a brilliant idea to use dogs as props. So we found these two gems…

But this guy was our favorite. 

I’m not quite sure what it is, but book smart people have always intimidated me. People who know facts and can quote bio books without opening a page. Don’t get me wrong, I consider myself quite the intelligent gal but ask me to solve a functional analysis equation and I’ll tell you to please speak English. I’m champion at cramming and I’ve always made the honor roll thank-you-very-much, but when it comes to actually remembering facts, I’m a lost cause. Shoot, I can’t even remember jokes. So on any given day, you can find me calling Adi to ask questions about everything from sheep to World War II. It’s that random. When I first saw Aida, I was a freshman in high school and she was a senior. I’d eat lunch on the stairs in front of the biology department with all the cool kids (rrriiigghhhtt) and always see this girl coming down with the largest stack of books in her arms. I wondered how she could carry so many and admired her studious nature. If only I’d known that one day, I’d marry her younger brother. Funny, the way life works.

Throughout Adi and I’s relationship, I continued to admire Aida and her intense motivation. She was the only human being on the PLANET that I’d ever met who knew what she wanted to be and how to get there, since she was a young teenager. She wasted no time and was determined to become a dentist. Two long graduation ceremonies later, Aida is the BEST dentist out there and is already looking to open her own practice. **Holla if you need a great dentist and I’ll hook you up with her number.** I’ve never stopped admiring her hard work, intelligence, and confidence in her own abilities. I have to admit that I’ve envied her fearlessness and dedication on numerous occasions. Besides being intelligent and a bit intimidating at times (you try arguing stats with her), she’s also extremely beautiful, encouraging, and has a heart of solid gold. She is probably the most generous person I have ever met and is loyal to those she loves beyond anything else. Did I mention the girl can dance?! She brings the house DOWN and kills it! Now, you know if you’re smart AND have rhythm, I’m going to want to be your best friend.  :)

Aida, don’t hate me for posting these but I thought you should know that you are so loved. And had I known on those stairs at South Broward High that you’d one day be my sister in law, and that we’d one day have a photo shoot showing off your fabulosity, I’d have told the entire school how amazing you are….and how lucky I was. Thanks for filling my cavities (darn you gummy bears!), helping me pass statistics, making me laugh, teaching me salsa, and being an all around amazing sister who has accepted me and loved me from the very beginning.

I don’t know about you, but growing up, my dentist never looked this good…

Aida enjoys reading so much, we once threw her a surprise birthday party with all things books as a theme. And salsa dancing.

Hun, you’re so beautiful, it hurts… 

Lord knows I pray for my children to inherit your eyes…

Aida unleashed her fierce side and I was loving every minute of it…

Happy Tuesday!

This may sound totally peculiar and kinda creepy but I’ve always had a thing for red-headed girls. Not like a thing, thing…but more like a strange fascination with them. I think it all stems back to childhood and Shirley Temple, who ultimately inspired and led to my make believe friend, Emily. Before you judge me and deem me a nut case, keep in mind that I was an only child. Emily was a red-head with long, bouncy curls and adorable freckles. She was quirky, sweet, and beautiful, and in order to look like her, I sometimes took a black pen to my face and dotted freckles along my cheeks. Again, blame the parents of the lonely only child for this.

When I met Aniela in high school, she brought back fond memories of Emily. Though I didn’t tell her that because that’s just plain crazy freaky and besides, I’d outgrown those make-believe tendencies…for the most part. Though we ran in different circles (I was so not cool enough to be in the drama club) I recall her being a sweet, pretty red head with a passion for the arts and a love of life. When we connected over the internet years after graduating, I can’t say that I was surprised to see this once self described “cute-and-kinda-dorky” girl transformed into a drop dead gorgeous model. And just like that, my fascination with red-headed beauties was re-ignited. I would check her facebook quite often to see her latest photoshoots and so you can only imagine my excitement when her and I decided one of our own was in order.

Aniela and I had a blast learning together (well this consisted of mainly me learning from her) and catching up on where life has taken us. I think it’s more than safe to say we would have never guessed it would have led to this. We laughed about the popular girls and the boys that thought she wasn’t cool enough. Because really now?…eat your hearts out. She’s confident, sure in her place, and breathtaking. Aniela still has a love for the arts and is happily pursuing drama as well as modeling. She’s happy, content, and willing to go the distance to pursue her dreams. She’s my better version of Emily. Nel, I hope you enjoy your photos as much as I have and I owe you a lunch. You were a dream to work with and we MUST do this again.

We started off in a garage. Models are so down for anything and I loved her for trusting me 100%.

I loved that Aniela treated this like a fashion shoot…complete with FOUR outfit changes! I was in fashion heaven. Here’s my fabulous model in my favorite…the amazing Anthropology…

Aniela, you are FIERCE.

Aniela claims she’s not good at putting outfits together…I highly beg to differ

A colorful print scarf and leather gloves? Yes, please!

She could add hair model to her list of talents as well

A quick outfit change later, and we were off chasing the sun in a pretty field.

I think Aniela can easily pass for an Abercrombie Model in this next shot…

The last look was whimiscal and reminded me of a red-headed Alice & Wonderland

This one just makes me so happy…it was after one particular car honk that made us laugh

Ill end with my favorite from the day…which by the way, was not an easy choice.

Check out more by clicking here for a slideshow! Happy Thursday Everyone!