BABELY // More than a Retreat // Vashon Island, WA

For those of you who are new here or may not know, I (alongside a killer team) run a retreat called Babely. The concept for Babely came primarily from wanting to encourage women to lose the idea that they need to look a certain way or be in a particular, perfect place in life in order to be worthy of being photographed and celebrated. Hell to the no. Women deal with enough judgement, whether self-imposed or by society (still not sure which is harsher), so it became my priority to find a way to translate and elevate aspects of safe spaces and community I’d created in my personal life, and create that kind of space for others. 

As I just mentioned, for as long as I can remember, I have both intentionally and unintentionally focused on creating safe environments that encourage ultimate vulnerability and openness, lifting others up, and building community by introducing the people I love to other people I love. I can't count the nights-turned-mornings we've spent, circled around a candle-lit table, talking through our fears, struggles and how to actualize our dreams, until some kickass song comes on and fuels a living room dance party where we thrash about like the wild ones we are. This story has played out in different (but similar) forms countless times over the years. A balance between hard, honest conversation and totally uninhibited expression, only made to feel safe because of the hard work and deep connections we'd intentionally established. 

It took a while to realize what powerful, guiding values these were, but when I finally did, I found tremendous comfort in understanding this non-negotiable aspect of my being; it feels nice moving closer to knowing who you are and what you stand for. It was from this deeply rooted place, and a desire to find a way to extend these sentiments beyond my inner circle, that Babely was born. 

All this brings me to Babely 2.0 - my most recent retreat that took place over the course of two glorious days at The Lodges on Vashon. I remember how on that first day, I felt a bit anxious as I finalized prepping last-minute details before the women showed up. But then they came- with boundless enthusiasm and radiant energy that forced every ounce of my anxious emotions to wash away. We began the day with our now-tradition circle of introductions. It was during these intros (taking place literally immediately after our group of ladies arrived) that I realized, holy crap. This is powerful. The women showed up ready and open. They shared their vulnerable, raw and intimate truths to a group of (at that time) strangers. I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful, profound things I've ever witnessed. The uninhibited, unapologetic, supportive and feminine energy was a thick, palpable presence in the air.

Now without further ado, take a peek at some memories from our last retreat.

DAY ONE //

01. The women showed up bright and early to the this gorgeous cabin. We got to know one another over a delicious breakfast, too much coffee and all the mimosas a gal could ever want. Once we wrapped intros, women dove into an incredible macrame lesson c/o Breia from Brush and Mallett, while others began alternating in and out of their consult + make up session and mini-photo sessions with me! 

(Macrame photos captured by Karina Richardson)

As with the first Babely, we had the honor + pleasure of having the incomparable Seattle and LA-based makeup artist Taylour Chanel, slaying face after face. Blessings. This woman is magic.

02. After day one of photo sessions were complete, Alison from Quantum Martial Arts came to the island to lead our women in a two-hour self defense class. They may’ve started out a little uncomfortable or out of their element, but by the end of it, it was clear- these ladies were fully, fiercely feeling their strength. 

They busted boards, were coached in how to not shy away from their voice, and left feeling significantly more connected to their bodies and one another. I knew it was going to be a phenomenal experience for the women, but I was honestly suprised just how totally powerful it was. 

03. We wrapped an overwhelmingly beautiful day with a v romantic, v powerful dinner. While ladies were kicking ass in self-defense, we strung twinkle lights, prepared a feast, polished the glassware and poured all the wine. The night was spent eating a hearty meal and talking about everything from celebrating personal victories, coming to terms with one’s identity, racism, deep personal struggles, running one’s own company, etc etc. It was so good, honest and above all, real (ya'll know by now I live for this!). In short- it was everything I’d hoped for and more.  I remember drifting off to sleep that night with a warm, dreamy halo around my head and heart. 

I can still feel the electric energy when I think back to this evening.

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DAY TWO //

01. The second day kicked off bright and early. The warm sun trickled in as the women were welcomed with big hugs and a yoga session guided by the most magical being, Rosie. She lead a practice with such tenderness and compassion; truly a gorgeous thing to witness from a room nearby, as our team prepped breakfast.

These ladies got their bodies and minds right, so it was only natural to carry that theme with a delicious, nourishing meal. Also, coffee and mimosas. Because life’s about ~balance~, right?  

02. After breakfast, we got right back into make up and photo sessions. While the remaining ladies rotated in and out of these stations, our very own Jai lead a mini-loom class (I sadly don’t think I have photos of this because I was shooting through this bit) while Kayla from Juniper nails offered GORGEOUS all-natural, organic manicures, complete with crystal infused oils and dope ass nail art. 

03. After all was said and done, we shared one last meal together. We wrapped up exhanging numbers, love, hugs and final kind words. After the gals left, I remember feeling total awe at what the hell had just happened. It was overwhelming in such an extraordinary, positive way, and I can only hope that our attendees felt the same. <3 

03. After all was said and done, we shared one last meal together. We wrapped up exhanging numbers, love, hugs and final kind words. After the gals left, I remember feeling total awe at what the hell had just happened. It was overwhelming in such an extraordinary, positive way, and I can only hope that our attendees felt the same. <3 

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THE TEAM //

I couldn’t complete this blog post without giving acknowledgment and endless appreciation to this powerful group of beasts who helped turn this dream of mine into a reality. Jai is responsible for the crazy stunning branding and graphic design each woman receives, from emails to swag bags, pins, clipboards and more. Jai’s work takes the Babely experience to a whole ‘nother level. Truly.
Karina showed up, ready and eager to help in ANY area I needed. She made it so that all things could run smoothly, while also being a beautiful, calming presence to both myself and the attendees. Angelene. There are no words. This woman graciously and TIRELESSLY worked behind the scenes to create all the gorgeous meals our ladies enjoyed. And not even just that. Because the Lodges’ kitchen situation was a little… err… limited, this meant Angelene towed heavy wooden crates FULL of dishes back and forth across the grounds and washed the dishes by hand until her knuckles (quite literally) were raw and bleeding. Wut.
SO much dedication and hard work went into creating a seamless event, and I would or could not do anything without these three. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

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FINAL THOUGHTS:
Holy crap, thank you for reaching and making it to the end. I just have to say- the most exciting/terrifying thing is, Babely is still very much in its infancy. Though I’ve suffered from a lifetime of anxiety, lack of confidence and conviction, I clearly envision this thing growing and evolving in so many beautiful ways. Through this ambitious pursuit, I’ve gained awareness, confidence and an undeniable fire that I am deeply proud of.
I believe in my mission, in Babely itself, and in the fact that ALL women deserve this experience. I choose to extend myself and business past a point of comfort so that I can expand this babybeast over time and make it accessible to all. More is to come, I promise you that, but for I’ll leave it here for now: If what you’ve seen and read above speaks to your soul and you (or someone you know) would like more info on how to join our family, drop me a line in the form down below.
Ya girl is announcing not one but TWO new retreats in the new year.

ON DECK:
01. The One-Day: January 27th, 2019 | Seattle, WA
02. The Overnight: March 9-10th, 2019 | Seattle, WA

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If you are interested in getting more information on Babely or know you want to book and join our family, simply fill out the form below. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Alycia + Jeremy // Desert Adventure Couple's Portrait Session // Joshua Tree, CA

Planning my next trip to the desert has me feeling nostalgic as I reminisce over my last experience there. Sun-soaked days and starlit nights well spent among good company, epic rocky landscapes and of course, the Joshua Trees (oddly not pictured here).
True perfection. 

It may've taken me over a year and a half, but here I am- finally blogging Jeremy & Alycia's incredible early morning (we're talking wake up at 3 am, mmkay) session. This shoot took place during a couple spontaneous pitstops along the highway as we made our way to Salvation Mountain. Sometimes the best shit happens when you decide to celebrate the in-between moments, not just the final destination; when you take time to soak in your surroundings, even if it's just to play with some dirt and watch the sun peak over the horizon of a littered highway. 

I can't handle how much I love these two and admire their connection. It's quiet, it's fierce and it's solid. And it certainly didn't happen by chance. These two have earned their standing in life and with one another, and I couldn't be more more in awe of the commitment and hard work that they infuse into everything they touch.

Exceptional humans, hearts of gold, dressed in black. 

Thank you two for allowing me to document these special moments.
I love you both very much. 

- Alex

Angelene + Michael // Boho Backyard Wedding // Moscow, ID

If you know me personally, you know my love for Angelene runs real deep. She's one of my oldest and truest friends; a relationship I treasure above most. She's an extraordinary example of resiliency, growth and what it means to fight through the ugly and difficult in order to reveal and earn your truth. She is a force, and I love her with my whole heart. 

Then there's Michael. A human who is basically compassion and all around goodness, wrapped together (somehow) perfectly in patagonia sweaters, socks with sandals (!!!) and dad hats. The way he radiates love and kindness is such a powerful gift, and one that I am endlessly grateful to be on the receiving end of. And the way they love one another? Holy shit you guys. It's no wonder that everyone wants to photograph these two. From the looks they share, their tender touches and laughter, and the holding one another so closely, like they're each other's answer... it's out of control. A wholly inspirational love.

With all that being said, it likely comes as no surprise that this was one of the most magical and saturated-in-love weddings I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing. They were extremely intentional about the small group they invited to attend, and in turn created a day that brought each individual in to the ceremony. It's hard to express it in words, it was more than just the two of them getting married... it truly felt like we were all getting married. 

I'm going to stop for now and let the pictures speak for themselves because I'm getting emotional and need a hug. Hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into an absolutely remarkable day.

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To kick off a night-turned-morning filled with karaoke, too much whiskey and interpretive dancing - Michael decided to gift his new wife (and all of us) with a good old fashioned, down and dirty (but like, in a respectful way) strip tease to Genuine's Pony.
Blessings on blessings, ya'll.

By the end of it all, heart to hearts were had and sweat and tears were shed. 
We were and will continue to better off, because of these two.

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Thanks for making it through guys... this was a long one! Too much goodness, I just couldn't trim it down. These two are so good. I love them very much. The end. 

VENDORS // 
Handmade Bohemian Wedding Dress by Dame & Maiden 
Angelene's Vintage Wedding Ring by EmilyChelseaJewelry
Handmade Rose Gold Necklace by RoseRedRoseWhite 
Pink Velvet Shoes from Anthropologie
Florals Designed by the queen herself, Angelene of Little Bits Floral 
Cake and Dinner c/o Kiel Kleeburg

Sami + Brandon // Ace Hotel Session // Seattle, WA

Yes, epic mountain-top adventures are amazing and shooting on the city streets is dope as hell... but there's something so special, so totally captivating about a couple wanting to celebrate the more quiet, slow-paced and intimate aspects of their relationship. 

These two decided to turn their Seattle trip into part vacation, part in-home photo session, and I personally could not be more here for that. They opted for the late check out at The Ace Hotel , so I was able to show up in the just in time to capture all the hazy morning coffee + cuddles. 

Allow me to introduce you to Sami & Brandon.
(BTW- I know it's totally casual or whatever, but these babes got ENGAGED today!!
Do you die? I die.)

Brandon + Sami, thank you for letting me spend the morning with you and document something so tender and real. Your love is a beautiful, inspiring thing and I am so damn happy you two are tying the damn not. All the congratulations to you both!

Jaimie + Curt // Edgy & Chic City Reception // Seattle, WA

PART 2/2: 

Party time! Two weeks after their mountaintop elopement, it was time to bring family and friends into the picture. Jaimie + Curt rented out The Good Bar in the iconic Pioneer Square neighborhood. In true Jaimie-fashion, the already gorgeous space was decorated with moss and succulents, geometric gold figures with cascading blooms, brass frames holding photos from the elopement, palo santo as gifts for the guests, and skulls on tables with airplants flowing out the eyes. Minimal, edgy and a little weird. 

The party was all about merging the community of people who've adored and supported the both of them over the years; to collectively celebrate Jaimie and Curt's union over all the good things in life: stiff cocktails, good conversation, delicious food and of course- dancing.

Mid-reception, I decided to take the couple on a stroll around the city. They embraced the rain and held each other close as we explored the neighborhood.

From the ledge of a mountain to the slick city streets, their love shines so bright. 
ok sure, that may sound cheesy as hell, but like, look at them. It's fucking true! TRUUUU. 

The remainder of the night was full of laughter, whiskey and big group hugs. 
All the essentials.

That's all folks. 
Thanks for reading! And for the couples out there who are doing love/weddings differently, I'd LOVE to work with you. Shoot me an email. Let me tell your story. 

xoxo, 
Alex

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VENDORS // 

Slinky Silk Slip Wedding Dress 
Curt's All-Black Pant's and Dress Shirt
Curt's Black Garnet Ring
Jaimie's Natural-Cut Garnet Ring
Skull Jewelry
Flowers by Seattle Florist Angelene of The Flower Lab
Venue and Catering by The Good Bar

Jaimie + Curt // Sunrise Elopement on Rattlesnake Ledge // North Bend, WA

PART 1/2:

Jaimie and Curt's love story is one worth telling. Beyond the incredible eight year partnership and life they've built together, these two have such a strong point of view when it comes love, intention, design and style, and their wedding was a perfect marriage (lol) of each of these elements coming together. 

J + C have such a unique way of loving and living that neither bothered with the sometimes overwhelming traditional expectations that come along with a planning wedding. Doing it their own way was the only way, right from the start. They didn't give a shit about a fancy cake, first dances, garter tosses, or playing hostess with the mostest to distant cousins and aunts they've never met before.

They wanted it to be intimate. Intense. Selfish, even.
Just the two of them, no distractions. 

Come wedding day, they scooped myself and their officiant, Ian, up around 5am and off we went, driving down winding, dimly lit roads until we made it to our destination: Rattlesnake Lake.

Jaimie hiked up the cold, dark mountain in her slinky silk slip dress wrapped in fur as Curt lit the way in his suit and headlamp (such combo, v PNW). We made it to the top and were greeted by a cool breeze, gradient blue sky and a wild, expansive view.  

Curt and Jaimie stood on ledge and exchanged their vows. They were quiet, full of heart and extremely intimate and vulnerable... things you only feel comfortable saying to your person when no one else is around (another benefit to eloping).

As if on cue, mid-vows, the sun peaked over a mountain in the distance and shattered the darkness with a glorious, warm glow. 

We spent the morning eating doughnuts and drinking champagne, all sprawled on the rocks, soaking up one of the last sunny days of the season. The two bust out a celebratory wedding joint to smoke (modern love: what a glorious thing) and we capped the adventure with a jam session. Curt played some blues guitar while Jaimie sang from her heart, tapping a tambourine rhythmically on her hip. 

The newlyweds had the whole rest of their day to spend relaxing and embracing their love and togetherness. 

I'll close this with a quote; one that unknowingly made it in both Ian (the officiant's) reading and Jaimie's vows.

“You are not two people. And you are not one person. You are an experience.”

I cannot emphasize it enough. At the end of the day, your wedding day is about you. It's not about your pleasing all your family and friends, living beyond your means or making yourself crazy over designing something perfectly pinterest-worthy. If those elements of a wedding are what make you happy, then fucking go for it. But as with everything, always be sure to ask yourself - is this what WE want. Does this represent our love? Is this fulfilling or draining? 

The beautiful thing is there are no rules here! I love that as time goes on, the cultural shift in weddings is becoming more focused on celebrating couple's own unique flavor, love and doing it your own way vs. perpetuating tradition for the sake of keeping things the same. What are your thoughts on the matter? Are you all about tradition, blending traditional and non-traditional, or do you like totally breaking the mold and shaking things up.  Would absolutely love to hear your opinions! 

Thanks for reading!
xoxo, 
Alex

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VENDORS//
Slinky Silk Slip Wedding Dress 
All-Black Pant's and Dress Shirt
Curt's Black Garnet Ring
Jaimie's Natural-Cut Garnet Ring
Skull Jewelry
Flowers by Seattle Florist Angelene of The Flower Lab

Jessica + Schu // Babes in Love // Bainbridge Island, WA

These two. 
It was seriously such a delight to spend an otherwise gloomy Friday riding windy ferries, getting caffeinated while eating slightly stale pastries and exploring Bainbridge Island with these angels. Two total babes who are so fierce, so genuine and so totally in love. 
It may sound weird, but it means something a little extra when I can document folks who are a bit hesitant to be in front of the camera, because god damn do I relate. But when we are able to break down barriers and quickly get to that good, real shit... that's everything. The beautiful, the silly, the weird, and everything in between. It's not about "picture perfect" (wtf is that even), it's about telling your story and allowing me in so I can show you just how fucking glorious you are. 

Let meeeee! 

Q & A // Personal // Seattle, WA

A month and a half late but I'm finally getting to this damn Q&A. Why am I the worst at blogging / avoid it like the plague when I know my it's like, necessary in this industry? I do not know but oh well- I still like me! 
Enough self-love... ANYWAYS. 
You guys submitted a pretty solid collection of questions ranging from personal to professional to even a little weird, and I'm into it. 
Without further ado, let's get into this ish. 

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Q: How did you get into wedding photography? 
A: I sort of fell into the wedding world by accident. I used to tote my camera around daily and would constantly snap photos of the lovely people in my life. 
Eventually a friend asked if I would shoot their wedding, and being so green to the whole thing, I blindly said yes- with no apprehension or fear (it's not like I'm solely responsible for capturing memories of the most important day in most people's lives or whatever). But it worked out and was such an invigorating experience, I immediately knew I'd stumbled upon something big and haven't looked back since. 

**Was that an interesting response?? (my inner monologue is kicking in already)
I'm already exhausted talking about myself and this is only the first question. Why did I do this?
Fuck.   

Q: Crunchy or soft tacos? 
A: Hell yes. A question I can get behind- soft tacos for life! 
But like, if a plate of crunchy ones showed up right now, I would inhale. 

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Q: I love your hair!! How do you take care of your curls?
A: Honest answer: I don't. I've bleached the hell out of it, barely wash it, and ran out of curl cream weeks ago and haven't bought more. I like to believe that my frizzy, disheveled locks add to my free-spirited, ~artistic~ vibe.
A girl can pretend, right? (Code for: lie to me.)

Q: Very favorite lighting method or situation? 
A: Seattle's notoriously dreary weather, though depressing as hell, is an actual dream to photograph in. Nature's soft box... it doesn't get much better.  
However, when I'm not able to shoot in such consistent light, I do love me some golden hour. Having to make quick decisions due to the nature of the transitioning light is so much fun, and the results are always dynamic, warm and wonderful. 

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Q: What are elements of a couple's session that leave you feeling inspired and loving what you do? 
A:  Not a lot feels better than when you're able to skip the small talk and instead, facilitate a space where your clients feel safe enough to drop their guards; to be their truest, most intimate selves. Breaking down barriers and getting to the core of a couple is such an unbeatable feeling. 
I prefer documenting big belly laughs, messy make out sessions, or even normal day-to-day activities that might otherwise go unnoticed vs. anything traditional, posed or forced. 
And when I see my couples react so positively to seeing their real selves shine through in their images... that's what it's all about. Honesty is fucking beautiful. I aim to reveal that to my clients because it's important lesson for them to realize, as well as for myself. 

Q: How do you take your coffee?
A: Typically I go for a pour-over, americano or a doppio. So I guess delicious, black and strong?There's a joke with innuendo here that I'm not going to make. 

Q: I want to move to Seattle but am scared to take the plunge. Thoughts or advice? 
A: Do it! Life's too short. If your gut is telling you to move, save your pennies, make a plan and take the plunge. Do know that the city is mad expensive and housing is competitive, but the landscape is absolutely beautiful and lush, the city is fairly walkable/public transit isn't the worst, there's good food everywhere and the community is incredible (it's seriously what makes it worth it for me). Also know that nothing is permanent, so why not do the thing your heart desires. When you've grown as much as you can and gotten what you wanted out of the experience, move the heck on! And if you need a friend or guide, hit me up!

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Q: How did you get the ball rolling (and continue to do so) when bringing in wedding clients?
A: Though I've been in Seattle for almost two years now (what is time?), I still feel super new here, especially since I've only established myself as a "full-time" photographer just a few months ago. I have a lot to learn, but one thing that have served me well this far is unapologetically being myself. When I allow my authentic voice to come through, I attract clients who are genuinely attracted to not just my work, but who I am. And it's that kind of working relationship that not only makes the product better, but something you can be truly proud of. Plus sometimes you make some legit friends out of it.
Another thing is be kind to yourself! Your inner voice may have a tendency to be pretty nasty at times, but comparing yourself to other artists or wishing you were better, more successful or whatever doesn't do anything but leave you feeling depleted and depressed. Use that energy for making the art you want to make, not because you want to beat out your competition or be featured on some instagram account, but because this is a thing you legit love to do! Remember how fortunate you are to have a calling that your passionate about, so try and lose the ego and create often and for the fun of it. It's not about being perfect, there are no winner's here. It's about consistency and personal growth... at the end of the day, that's what will attract those clients and keep em coming. At least that's what I keep tellin' myself, ayyeeee. ;)

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Alright folks, that's it for my first go-around of Questions and Answers. If I didn't get to yours this time around, so sorry! I'll be sure to include it in the next one. It was honestly a major challenge to write about myself for this long so I left quite a few out in an effort to spare ya'll (maybe I'll do a part ii soon). I hope this was enjoyable to read! Thanks so much for being a part of this conversation and process... I appreciate you very much. 

Cheers angels, till next time. 
-Alex
(Also, sidebar: All photo credit goes to the unbelievably talented Lynnsey of Lion Lady Photo. Follow her/book her/tell her she's lovely.)

Babely // Sponsored Goodies: PART I // Seattle, WA

Babely was a dream of a day- from the baller mimosa bar in the a.m., sassy photo sessions in the afternoon, to the the candle-lit dinner in the evening. Beyond the hard work and dedication of our team, so much of what made the day as special as it was were the contributions given to us by our incredibly generous sponsors. We were fortunate enough to have so many phenomenal brands and businesses send killer products our way that I'ma have to break this blog post into two parts, just to keep it (relatively) cute and short. 

So without further ado, let me introduce you to the bossy brands we whole-heartedly love and appreciate. 

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PRESSED JUICERY: The folks at Pressed Juicery sent us an enormous box of fresh pressed juices. I never knew juice could make a gal so happy, but no lie, it felt like freaking Christmas opening the box and finding such a wide assortment of vibrant colors and juice flavors that I previously never knew existed. Who knew juice could elicit such damn pleasant response?!  
The morning of Babely, we separated out the citrus varieties and set up the bougie-est mimosa bar I ever did see. The rest of the flavors kept our ladies hydrated, healthy and happy throughout the day. These guys have some of the most unique, inspired and delicious juice combos- I'm craving some right now, just thinking about it. 11/10, would recommend.  

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HAND AND HIDE: The talented humans at Hand and Hide truly blew us away with the beautiful leather goods that they individually MADE. BY. HAND. These guys create with quality and longevity in mind (which is perfect for me considering I'm a destructive monster that breaks everything, but that's beside the point). They sent a variety of stunning leather products, including a key caddy, keychains, earbud wrap cases, iphone charger wraps, and (not pictured, but super rad) beer holders. 

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MINIMALIST. BOUTIQUE SKIN CARE: Where do I even begin with Frankie of Minimalist. Boutique Skin Care. What a woman. This hardworking, bad ass New Zealand mama and entrepreneur creates some of the most luxurious, delicious, all-natural skin care products around that will blow ya damn mind. Beyond her passion and expertise in this field, she exudes warmth and kindness in such a way that instantly draws you in. Not only to I love and want to use her products for the rest of my life, but I also want to give her a hug and be her friend. 
Frankie went above and beyond and we could not be more grateful. For our ladies, she sent The Super Serum she makes, and for our team, she sent The Mini Kit , all of which are packages in such a deliciously beautiful way. Thank you Frankie, you're a true babe and lady boss in our eyes. 

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RUSTED VASE CO: The incredibly talented, gem of a woman Carlee of Rusted Vase Co. reached out to the Babely team early on and kindly offered to partner with us. It was amazing to give her a loose vibe and color pallet, and see the places she took it. Her arrangements were modern, understated, a little sexy and totally transformed our space.  Thank you for being such a bad ass and taking the time to collaborate with us during your busiest season... your blooms and big leafy greens elevated the space and took things to a whole other level. 

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BIG SPOON ROASTERS: Because we all a little nutty on the Babely squad, it seemed appropriate to team up with the kings of nut butter- Big Spoon Roasters. We were so excited to receive a big ol' box filled with what I believe to be the best flavor combo ever - their almond ginger nut butter.  I've had it on toast with bananas and honey, put it in my smoothies and straight up eaten it right off the spoon. However you use it, it's obvious this North Carolina company packs big flavor and a whole lotta love into each jar, and we are hooked. 

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ROBINSON PAPERIE: The lovely, creative Camille of Robinson Paperie hooked. us. up.
Not only did she knock our menus, day-of schedule and hand-lettered place settings out of the park, but she surprised our ladies with the raddest paper goods, including sassy prints (I have one in my room reminding me that I am one badass bitch) and darling cards. Her work is playful, but elegant and exudes personality and refinement. Her work helped create such a polished tablescape and experience for our that we were/forever will be totally obsessed with. 

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That's all she wrote. For now. 
Sincerest thanks to all of our phenomenal sponsors. You truly shaped and elevated our ladies' experience, and we are forever grateful.  I can't wait to share more pretty things and bad ass businesses and brands with part ii of this blog series. 

Until then, thank you for reading. <3
For those who are interested in learning more about our upcoming Babely in March of 2018, feel free to reach out to babely@alejandramaria.com for all the juicy info!

Cheers bbs, 
-Alex

Urban Yoga Spa // Social Media Content // Seattle, WA

Urban Yoga Spa is one of the dopest, largest and most beautiful studios in the PNW. These guys aim to inspire people to live happy, healthy and empowered lives so that you may leave as your best self.
 
The folks at Urban were looking to build up social media content to refine their instagram game, as well as revamp their headshots. I was thrilled when they said they wanted their images to be infused with personality and life (vs. something more traditional) which allowed for so much personality and honesty to come through. These beautiful humans possess a tremendous amount of heart and ability, and it was a pleasure to capture it.

Now that things are slowing down over here, I seriously can't wait to get warm and bendy in one of their classes. If you want to get up in the studio, they have tons of amazing deals for newcomers... feel free to check them out here. 

BABELY // An Immersive Retreat for Women // Seattle, WA

Babely: the first retreat of (hopefully) many. It happened just over a month ago and it feels quite surreal to reflect on this dream turned reality. More than a dream, but rather a mission, a hope, a vision come true. No matter how I describe it, words can never compare to the feeling of putting your heart into an experience, having it come to life and be received with such love and appreciation.   

One hope during the planning stages of Babely was that we could trust that our girls, the women we dreamt would attend and designed this event for, would be the kind of courageous, vulnerable, spirited women that couldn’t help but connect and have a good time.

And damn, did they show up ready.

As you may or may not know, it can take a lot to feel comfortable in the skin you're in, but I found it so inspiring that each lady showed up bare-faced, energized and ready for whatever was in store.

We spent the morning making mean mimosas, digging into our baller sponsor goodie bags, eating a delightful af brunch and getting a crash course in making a DIY yarn wall hanging with bulletin board looms. We sat underneath the rustling trees, talking about all the things we were excited about, for the day and in life. These ladies' openness, confidence and general level of "down-ness" was something that left an impression on me right from the start. It was apparent right away- we were in for one hell of an experience. 

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Pictured above is our supremely talented make-up artist doing her thing, Taylour Chanel. She doesn't just do your make up and leave you feelin' fine as hell (though she does that too). She gets to know you. No polite small talk bullshit- just realness. She was such an asset to our team and I seriously cannot thank, adore or recommend her enough. 

MELODY: Bold and energetic right from the get-go. Melody is a badass mama of two who runs an inspiring blog called Honest Chatter. Her blog aims to facilitate a safe, open space for women to feel empowered, supported and not alone in their experiences. Both in her blog and in person, Melody is unapologetically honest in sharing her own stories & perspective, and in doing so, could not be more relatable and beautiful. So happy to be on the receiving end of her spirit and realness. 

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CECILY: Quiet and powerful, Cecily carries herself with effortless elegance and poise. "An elegant scorpion," (a title given to her by a close friend) is something I don't think it could be more appropriate or paint a more inspiring vision when it came to planning her shoot. She came in strong with the vibes and wanted to go a french new wave route (which was EVERYTHING). The mood, emotion and story-telling element was such a fun avenue to explore. I love a woman with a vision.   

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LAURYL: Our Babely girl to a tee. She came in wanting to experience a new way of treating herself, open to learning new things, to feel confident and meet a squad of wonderful women. And that she did. Lauryl's shoot was more free-flowing and very much a gut reaction to the light and shadows in the space. There was lots of movement, direction and experimentation. It was an honor to document her and capture both her light-hearted, sweet personality, as well as a more sexy, mysterious side. We are beautifully complex creatures, and to capture an ounce of her dynamic nature was everything. 

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BROOKE: All I can say is damn, girl. Brooke was not playing around- she 1000% came to slay. This angel by far traveled the farthest all the way from Idaho, and we could not have been more grateful for her presence that day. She's got a new role kicking ass in the real estate world and recently started rebuilding her life and relationships in a brand new location. With all these major transitions, Brooke's hope in joining the Babely family was to leave feeling empowered, confident and glamorous. If this woman is not the face of fierce, I don't know what is. 

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SARAH: I think I can safely say, all of us were impressed by/crushing hard over this powerful woman (just me? I don't believe it!). Sarah spends the majority of her life in service to others, so I found it really special that she decided to join our day of relaxation and indulgence and allowed us to take care of her. She was the last shoot of the day and wanted for her session to capture her natural, joyous self, so she and I bounced up out of the Babely house for a change of scenery and explored the neighborhood. She listened to me ramble (I'll be honest, my brain was a little jelly by that point), climbed into beautiful but sharp spaces (do it for the gram!) and was generally just a delight to spend time with and photograph. Spirit and heart aplenty. My kinda gal. 

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LAUREN: In addition to looking forward to meeting new ladies and treating herself, this goddess shook things up and sought to celebrate her body by doing a shoot in the nude. I sadly can't share most of the images because the internet is filled with prudes and creeps (ugh), but I will say that this shoot really changed how I approach photography. It forced me to slow down and be ok with taking pauses to think and to construct. I don't take a person bearing their body and soul lightly, so I made every effort to show Lauren off in the artistic and beautiful way she deserves. So stoked at the yummy, moodiness that we were able to create together, and beyond thrilled she is too.

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DARLENE: I feel like a photographer can never totally know someone until they get them in front of their camera. I had met Darlene earlier in the summer on a lady beach date and got to chat with her a bit... she came across sweet, intelligent, into nerdy things (I do NOT see nerd as being a bad thing guys, so look in the mirror before you come for me -_-) and maybe a bit on the introverted side. When this lady wrote in her questionnaire that she wanted to "look like a badass queen" in her session, I was excited but had no idea what to expect. Fast forward to her shoot- this babe was throwing down attitude, style and face. None of it was a front, there was no "trying" to be fierce... it's just another aspect of her dynamic personality, and I am obsessed/in complete admiration. Teach me your ways!

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//Dinner is served

For those of you who made it to the end, please accept this virtual hug ::SQUISH!::
You're amazing and dedicated and I love you. 
 
This day was more powerful and magical than I ever imagined it could be and I have a lot of people to thank that without, none of this would be possible. 

• Right-hand woman// Bad Ass Graphic Designer: Jaimie Myer (also responsible for guiding our DIY)
• Intern-Turned-Family//Babely Angel: Karina Richardson
• Seattle-based Make Up Goddess: Taylour Chanel
• Modern Flower Arrangements: Rusted Vase Co.
• Botanical Menus//Place Cards//Acrylic Schedule: Robinson Paperie
• Babe Chefs: Kiel Kleeburg + Genevieve Jones
• Gorgeous Seattle Home Studio + Venue: Laura and Tim Sullivan, of Sullivan & Sullivan Photography
• All of our incredible, generous sponsors, who I will be dedicating a proper post + thank you to shortly. 

And last but not least, thank you to Melody, Lauren, Lauryl, Cecily, Darlene, Sarah and Brooke. Each of you stepped into the experience with open minds, hearts and your unique flavor. You made that day what it was, and it is surely something I will never forget, so THANK YOU. 

To those who see these images and are inspired, and either want to attend, collaborate or be a sponsor- get at me! All inquiries can be sent to babely@alejandramaria.com. Round two is in the works and hot damn- it's going to be bigger, better and more beautiful. Absolutely can't wait to show you what Babely 2.0 has in store <3

All the love. 

xx, 
Alex


 

Angelene + Michael // Intimate In-Home Session meets Engagement Shoot // Seattle, WA

As evident by the presence of fur coats- this session is from far too long ago, but I'm terrible at blogging so whatever. Sue me.

Whether this post is long overdue or not, the truth is that I can't think of many love stories more beautiful and palpable than Angelene and Michael's. These two humans are so expressive in their love for one another, both in their unique ways, and something about that transparency in their individual love languages couldn't be more appealing to me. 

They can't help but let you in, because they can't help but be themselves. Authentic expression and bold love: the stuff photographer dreams are made of. 

These two decided to have a staycation at Seattle's Ace Hotel and invited me to come over and document them. We spent the morning eating waffles, listening to Beyonce, drinking too much coffee, and romping about town. Couple's that boogie in their underwear and then get dressed to the nines and look fierce as hell around town stay together. 
That's a saying, right?

Simone // Phenomenal Woman // Seattle, WA

A woman is power personified. Both vulnerable and fierce, kind and in control, silly and quick-witted. Women are infinitely capable beings in pursuit of truth and balance, with a depth, knowledge and strength that demands respect.

Simone fully represents the multifaceted nature of being a woman.  Getting to know her story and fight reminds me of our capacity to not just endure, but to thrive. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to capture the many faces of this woman... all commanding, admirable, and wholly beautiful. 

Kristen + Dave // Elegant Ballard Rooftop Wedding // Seattle, WA

Kristen and Dave know how to love, how to make their photographer tear up during their vows, and most of all - they know how to throw one hell of a classy celebration. Each detailed of the day echoed the quiet elegance (DIBS- new perfume name!) they each exude, and felt so personal and relevant to them. The day allowed for room to breathe and soak in each moment ... no stress, no rushing. The three of us were able to take our time, stroll around Ballard, stop for espresso, and spread their cuteness and love all about town. I love it.

The ceremony took place in a beautiful, light-filled ballroom and had everybody feeling all the things. Kristen and Dave didn't go for a bridal party, there was no flashy cake-cutting/smashing-in-the-face, and no garter toss. Instead, they had family, their closest friends, the bombdest food, and a killer dance party that was almost impossible to break myself away from. 

Those that celebrate their love in ways unique to them = my happy place. It is what fuels my passion in this otherwise often taxing industry, and pushes me forward in my pursuit of growth.

I live for telling these stories.  

Thanks for viewing!

xoxo, Alex

A Leap of Faith: On Going Full-Time with Photography // Personal

Guys. I officially put in my notice. The title says it all, but even as I read it, I can't believe it. 
Some of you may or may not know, but during my past year and a half in Seattle I have been busting my butt working two full-time jobs- one being establishing and running my photography business, and the other being a barista at Google. It's been a struggle balancing the two, but it wouldn't be right if I didn't pay my respect to this weird ass corporate day-job that ended up being one of the best things to ever happen to me. Seriously.

Let me explain.

Having a steady source of income + benefits and working for a place that went above and beyond in their endless support of my photo career afforded me the opportunity to slow down and reevaluate my relationship to photography and my business. I didn't need to shoot to survive any more. I was for the first time able to say NO when a client or situation wasn't right, and instead, only take on work that was fulfilling and fueled my creativity. I was able to grow, gain a real point of view (where I was totally lost before), refine my style and reignite my passion. This is not to say that I have my shit figured out, or that I am by any means done growing (oh hell naw), but it is important to acknowledge that without this security, I may have never learned that I am crazy about intimate engagement sessions, weddings + elopements, have never gotten over my fear of conceptual studio shoots, or felt confident enough to expand my business and plan something as ambitious as Babely. Though the idea of leaving stability IS TOTALLY GOD DAMN TERRIFYING, something in my gut tells me there is no other way. I need to give it up and lean in. I need to do things on my own time, in my own way, to see what I'm made of. 
I'm not scared to be scrappy, to hustle, to get creative or even to 'fail'. It's all a part of learning and I feel a fire in my belly like no other. I'm ready for a challenge and I am not shy of hard work. All I know is that this is right right now and I owe it to myself. Time to get to really get to living, learning and growing. 

My story is not unique. There are so many of us grinding and working damn hard... pushing through tough transitions as we move toward a more fulfilling future. I can only hope that sharing this little bit of real talk from my heart gives you a boost of encouragement and confidence. Keep going, following your intuition and fighting for your dream. We got this. 

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward."

-Amelia Earhart

Whiskey + Love: Moody Seattle Engagement Session // Jaimie & Curt

I was introduced to Jaimie by a mutual friend, and have been thankful every day since. Before I ever met her, I was told something along the lines of, 'Jaimie is the kind of girl you see standing across the street, looking fierce and intimidating as hell, but then you wave to her and her face breaks into the most loving smile as she excitedly waves back.' It's all true... So much sweetness, in leather and lace- how is it possible??

Jaimie & Curt are the kind of duo every photographer dreams about. They are as open, kind and loving as they are beautiful. They live their lives guided by intuition and passion, AND they love whiskey, dogs & good food. See??? DREAM COUPLE. 

For their engagement session we decided to take on Pioneer Square. It went a little something like the bombdest happy hour at Girin, getting serenaded by a brass band that happened to be walking by (wtf is life?!), drinking espresso at arguably too late an hour, and climbing on top of parking garages, loading docks and dumpsters... and they made it all look so. damn. good. 
Jaimie and Curt, thank you for letting me tag along and document your fine selves as you live your lives. You are both so good and words cannot express how excited I am to document your Halloween elopement (yup. that's right). 

Compassion wrapped in witchy attire, I couldn't describe these two better myself. 

Shana + Elie // Love // San Francisco, CA

Ya'll know how it goes... we have good days and we have bad days. My emotions ebb and flow with the seasons and try as I might to hold onto a sense of grace and compassion for myself, there are times where I've been unproductively critical of my work, spiraled in comparison to others, overanalyzed my editing and wanted to scrap everything, or just all together felt down and disconnected. 

But I find when I focus on the work, I ain't got time or energy for any of that negativity nonsense. It's truly the most beautiful thing. When I am connecting with my clients, camera in hand, chasing light and fueled by inspiration and love for my craft- everything is right. 

Elie and Shana are an exemplary reminder of why I do what I do.

First off, meeting them was easy. I walked up to their crazy cute San Francisco home (think iconic SF row house) where I was greeted by their insane + wonderful dog. While their furry beast incessantly licked my legs, we hung out in their living room and spent some time getting to know one another... and not like, how bout that weather fluffy talk, but the cut the bullshit, get on the level kind of get to know each other. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN BOUT YA'LL. Right off the bat, I knew I was in good company.

Elie ran out to grab some sushi and the three of us wine, dined and got so lost in conversation we (almost) lost track of time and damn near missed the sunset! Honestly, the timing couldn't have worked out more beautifully... as we walked down the hill and Sutro Baths came into view, we basked in soft, warm light, gulped the crisp and salty air, and our adventure began. 

These are a collection of photos documenting Elie and Shana's story. A peek into their world full of love, adventure, connection, generosity, passion and joy. Witnessing and documenting the two of them be so openly themselves is an honor; one I will hold on to, cherish and forever be grateful for. 

Puerto Rico // Personal

This post comes at a crazy time. Life be crazy, my love is crazy (hello long distance relationship), and our country be (even more) crazy... it's a wild, wild world ya'll. But it fills me with inexplicable joy to take my time here tonight to go through these pictures, edit them so pretty and present them to you. This is my family. My love. My whole heart.   

For those of you who may not know or can't tell, my white ass is 3/4 Puerto Rican. I was born in Carolina, PR but left young and lived that military child life where I grew up in New Orleans, San Diego, and Sicily, visiting my dad and family twice a year. As I grew older, twice a year became once a year, became every couple years, and before I knew it, FIVE years went by. 

This trip was damn long overdue, but it reminded me this: family is forever. Reconnecting with my family and merging my worlds together by bringing along Kiel left me with a heart so full, a belly even fuller, and sweet sweet memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

My family, my love, my heart. 

Te quiero. Until next time. 
 

Ashley + Tosh // Wedding // Lummi Island, WA

Island magic in its purest form.

When a couple manages to create a space for an entire island (no lie. the whole island) to come celebrate, eat, drink, dance and rejoice in love, you know you're in the company of some next level humans. Ashley and Tosh are a special breed, and the love they share for one another is a true honor to be around. These two managed to cut out the bullshit that often surrounds the wedding world and instead put their focus on what matters: love, duh. No gimmicks, no fuss.
 
Bomb dinner was courtesy of dad, gorgeous desserts and wedding cake baked by sister & friends, flower arrangements done by BA friend crew and the venue was on grandma's property. An entire community coming together to make something so beautiful. That's what I'm talkin' about. 

Simple. Elegant. and full of heart. 

As a photographer, I couldn't ask for a more dynamic and beautiful scenario. Ashley and Tosh, you two are a dream. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such a glorious occasion. 

Don't Make Plans // Personal // Lummi Island, WA

pretty little memories from one glorious summer day