MY THOUGHTS

What if…

My “Lately” has been a real high strung “Lately.” As much as I want to be someone who rolls with the punches naturally, I’m not… and that completely frustrates me about myself. Life seems to be a never ending smorgasbord of interconnected yet separate pieces that vie for my attention. I’ve been re-reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, by Donald Miller, and it’s brought light to quite a bit of my “lately.”  He talks about the idea of leaving room for the “writer who is not me” to draw us into a better story, about “being a better character”, and about a “more meaningful set of experiences” to live through.

It’s still the first month of a brand new year and I’ve tried over and over to think of the perfect and most needed change to affect in 2011. It’s been quite a challenge since all the while I’ve been working 12 hour days and planning a wedding on top of that. At first, I thought my resolution list was awesome…. but then I realized it looked like it came out of a business book, so I erased it and started over. I got as far as making a “want to read” list and then somehow the task got buried under my work and wedding to-do lists.

So, as I lay in bed reading, trying to wind down my brain from a full 12 hours of “go mode”, I had a moment that can only best be described through a quote from the book….

“I was driving over the Bybee Bridge and listening to Talk of the Nation on NPR when a story came on about a man who was reunited with his father whom he hadn’t seen in twenty years. I listened to the story apathetically, not applying it to my life, when suddenly the Voice, and I am talking about the Writer who is not me, pounded on the keyboard, broke the pencil on the paper, and was so emphatic that I had to pull my truck over by the golf course.”

Christopher and I decided we want our wedding to be about intentionality, about living life to the full, about living a better story. How we will end up fleshing out these theories and intentions, we’re not quite sure yet, but we’re determined. Last night I realized I was missing the point of what our whole theme is supposed to be about. I realized I’ve been more consumed with myself and “what I need to get done” than anything else. Yes, I’m busy. Yes, I have no time. Yes, there’s still a million and a half things to do. But if that’s my story, I’m not sure it’s going to be the shining nostalgic memory I’ve always hoped it would be, years down the road…

But What if…

What if this is “the Writer who is not me” whispering a better story in my own life? What if the purpose for this time is to learn boundaries so my “to do” list doesn’t continue to monopolize my story? What if a wedding isn’t about flowers and colors and music and the dress I want and guest lists? What if the greater purpose of a wedding is to draw myself, as well as the people in my life, into a better story?

I have no answers, but I do have more questions. For now, I’m okay with that because I think I’ve realized that a better story is in the works.

(taken with my phone at the Minneapolis Airport)

blog-phone-photos-2010-1

blog-phone-photos-2010-2

(taken with my phone at the Long Beach Airport)

blog-phone-photos-2010-3

I know this is kind of a random blog post, but I thought I’d share a little about my story and what I’m learning…. since, after all, we’re all in this together. Happy Friday.

BEHIND THE LENS

ABOUT
kate

Voted "Best Photographer" by California Wedding Day. Known for candid romance, breath-taking emotive moments. Sought after for experience.

For over a decade, Kate Noelle has been the wedding photographer of choice for some of the most beautiful, heartfelt, and fun celebrations in the world. Combine Kate’s candidly romantic style and discerning eye for detail with her calming kindness, and you have one of California’s most sought-after photographic experiences. 

 Kate’s work has been featured on leading wedding photography publications, and blogs including Ceremony Magazine, Huffington Post, and Carats & Cake. In addition to weddings, Kate photographs high profile events such as the Academy Awards, the Emmys, The SAG Awards, the Golden Globes, and Radio Disney Music Awards. Her extensive repertoire brings with it masterful imagery, above and beyond service, and a stress-free experience.

When Kate isn't photographing events, you can find her at the beach with her husband, Chris, and two kids, Kai, and Capri. 


ABOUT
kate

LET'S work
TOGETHER

This life is thrilling and grand and moments of greatness are threaded through loss, grief, and uncertainty. So for tonight, let's dance and celebrate the love we have here. Now. What a gift. The ultimate luxury.

Whether your love is the strong silent kind that shows itself in knowing eyes and tender embraces, or if your love is the loud laughter and infectious kind that can barely contain the joy and excitement you feel... I want to be there. With my camera. Taking snapshots so that time will forever be frozen still.

INQUIRE