Snapshots of My Own Story

This past weekend, my husband and I snuck away to go on a camping trip at Hickory Run State Park, and it was honestly one of the best ways to reset as we are about to walk into a new season. We hiked miles up to the most beautiful waterfall one day & climbed over endless boulders the next. These boulders followed a creek that felt like it could go on forever. It was the kind of trip where you come home tired in the best way.

If you know me, you know I spend most of my days photographing other people’s adventures and love stories—which I absolutely adore—but I’ve been trying to be more intentional about capturing my own memories too. This time, I made sure to pack my camera, and I’m so glad I did.

One of my favorite moments was photographing the waterfall. I slowed my shutter speed way down (a simple trick if you want to try it: set your camera around 1/10 of a second, use a tripod or steady surface, and let the water flow!). The result was so dreamy—the water turned silky and blurred with movement, while the rocks and trees stayed crisp and still. It felt like capturing two worlds at once: the energy of the water and the calm of the forest.

Little photo tip: when you’re out in nature, play with movement! Water, wind in the trees, even people walking on a trail—all of it can tell a story when you let your shutter drag just a little. It makes the photo feel alive.

Photography isn’t just my career—it’s the way I connect with the world! Trips like this remind me that I picked up a camera, not just to capture other people’s moments, but to hold onto my own too. And I think that’s something I want to remember to carry with me on every adventure.

Here’s to more hikes, more waterfalls, and remembering that my own story & those I spend my life with deserves to be photographed too.

Meg