Y’all!  So many exciting things to post about.  Great things have been happening these past few months, and I’m way behind in the blogging.  First up, a feature on Once Wed!  This moment… y’all, it’s huge for me.  I got a call one day with an inquiry to be an extra set of hands on set for a styled shoot with… wait for it…. Joy Thigpen.  In the world of styling and event design, Joy is my idol.  Her work is impeccable, thoughtful, soft and creative.  Way before I ever started styling, I knew who Joy was and went to her website and blog almost daily for inspiration.  So after a little happy dance, I composed myself and headed out to Early Mountain Vineyards for a two-day shoot.

The design – completely conceptualized by Joy and Lora Kelley – was dramatic and autumnal with bright, warm fall foliage and a pretty astounding amount of candlelight.  But the photos – by the ever-inspiring Eric Kelley – speak for themselves.  Check them out here.

The best part (besides being incredibly humbled that I’m listed as assistant stylist)?  Joy is just as rad in person as the images that she creates in photos.  She is genuine, friendly, and encouraging.  She took my ideas and she even gave me creative freedom on a few projects.  I got the sense that for her, styling is just the creative overflow of all the loveliness she embodies.  I hope if I continue to work diligently, hone my skills, and keep gracious people like Joy at the forefront of my role models, I too might be like that someday.

If you don’t know Joy’s work or Eric’s, please do check them out and give them some love.  And, of course, I’d love to know your thoughts on the shoot.