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A dear sweet Legacy – The Wendy Leigh Pearce Scholarship Fund

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go” ~ Jamie Anderson

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Ok. I promise this post isn’t all sad, but if you want to skip the sad — scroll down to the bottom for the important stuff.

I’m sitting here typing this blogpost and can’t accept that I even have to write this.  Writing about losing a friend or grief has never been something I’ve had to consider or even think about doing. I’m so lucky to have never had such a tragic loss — until now.

The past month has been coping and accepting loss. It has been days of  realizing I can’t pick up my phone and text Leigh for some mid-afternoon banter and jokes that I will never forget. A weekly reminder that my other half in this work world isn’t here. I won’t have anymore breakfast dates or dessert dates. A portion of my support system is gone, one of my best friends has left me. It sounds so selfish when I type this, but man it’s so true.

Leigh — you would probably kill me for writing up a sappy blogpost about you (I’m not even sorry about it). I’m so thankful to have called such a strong, incredibly talented, hilariously sarcastic, supportive, amazing wife-sister-daughter, someday business partner, and one of my best friends. I’m so lucky to have known you and will miss you for a lifetime. 

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. We lost such an amazing person way too early and we felt there needed to be some way to honor her legacy.  When we started sharing a studio space in downtown,  I was amazed how every fall and spring Leigh made a point to give back by speaking to classes at UNCG, where she graduated. It was so important for her to share her experience and encourage young students with an entrepreneural drive. She offered internships, answered endless questions about business, and went into too much detail on how she created and grew her business.   She shared her knowledge and experience with SO many at her alma mater.

So here is where is gets good. With lots of help and guidance we have set up the Wendy Leigh Pearce Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was created as a fund for students pursuing a degree in Hospitality at UNCG that have the same entrepreneurial drive. We want to help others reach their goals that embody the same spirit and drive that Leigh carried.  We have a large goal of $25,000 which would endow the Fund to live forever. Please help me spread the word and share this on social media. I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate Leigh’s life and have her memory passed throughout generations to come.

For more information, please Visit the page here. This is exciting way honor Leigh. Please donate if you can, or just share on social media. Please help us spread the word!

Thank you to everyone who has sent me emails, messages, and cards. I’m amazed and have never felt so loved in such a hard time! 

 

Photographers Wedding Day Essentials!

Hello friends! This blog has been up on the shelf while businesses have grown and sessions + weddings have been photographed. Having a little break made me realize how much I do enjoy blogging work. So here we are — jumping back in the blogging saddle. Can’t wait to share so many special moments with you all!

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While preparing for this wedding season I realized there are things I always need each weekend, and things that help me create my best work, as well as reward myself at the end of day. Clearly my equipment is esstential to work a wedding day, but after years of working through the best options for myself, I’ve finally found great things to help make my days functional and great to work through.

I have a double wedding weekend this holiday weekend so in preparing things I thought I would share some essentials that get me through the days!

1. Contax 645 + film. While this is equipment, my Contax 645 joins me for every wedding. It is my creative outlet and will always show me a different view. It makes me slow down and really take time to create each moment. I don’t get to sit down right afterwards and go through  my images. Instead, I trust myself, ship my film off, and wait. Let me tell you – that wait can seem so long BUT getting those film scans back is one of the best parts of each wedding for me. I love creating art with my contax.

2. Leather Hold Fast Gear. I wish I could make myself not carry two cameras on my person for a wedding day – at least for some of that day. I can’t, I just can’t. I love having two completely different perspectives to look through side by side. The only downside is carrying that weight for 10 hours. After trying many options, my hold Fast gear became my new best friend! I can be hands free when I need to be while still keeping my cameras on me and I don’t have to worry about one falling off. Their clips put my mind at ease! Thank you Hold Fast for an amazing system!

3. Energy. Yum! Y’all I am so hungry by the end of the wedding day + I need snacks during day. RXBARS have been so great this season for me. Much more healthy and they give me the energy I need.  If you are searching for something to throw in your bag try them – SO good (the blueberry is a fav!).

4 . Great Hair TiesWho ever knew this would be so important?!  Well my hair changes about 103436 times during a wedding day. These great Paisley Ribbon soft hair ties and wonderful. No pulling hair out & everything stays in place(!!!) Not to mention they are cute on my wrists! I was lucky enough to snag these from the #v9launchparty and can’t wait to order more!

5. Reward. Because who doesn’t need some type of reward to come home to?! I was lucky enough snag the latest Magnolia Journal at Lowes yesterday, and am SO pumped to relax and read through that on Monday. Most of you know, but Ben and I also have a renovation company Saltbox Building Co, so we love finding new inspiration through magazines like Magnolia Journal, her articles are always so great & fun!

So what are some of your favorite things that get you through the work day? Do you have rewards? I’d love to hear them! Happy Friday Friends!!

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