At the beginning of 2014 I spontaneously boarded a plane to Calgary. And even though 2014 isn’t quite over yet, it only felt right to do the same as this year is drawing to a close. So last week I booked a semi-spontanous flight and off I went. I am in an extremely busy season of life. I am trying to finish up my last year of university in order to walk the stage in April. However, I am a few credits off track so I have taken on a too full course load. Aside from that, wedding season just ended for me at the end of September and I am working two other jobs in order to keep up with car payments and tuition. Taking trips like this is what keeps me sane. I have jumped in the car and driven to Oregon for short 24 hour trips (more than once), just to sit by the ocean and gather my thoughts and just breath. And even though I had to work throughout the trip, the change of scenery was welcome and even a relief. I had several shoots booked, some amazing families in Calgary and some beautiful couples in Banff. For one reason or another, all legitimate, every Banff shoot fell through. Understandable, but disappointing. But I am grateful for the shoots I did have (one of which was the amaaaazing Thiessen family!) and for the time with family and one of my very best friends, Elena.

Aren’t those fall colours amazing?! It was so fun to be able to spend thanksgiving in Calgary. Every day I was there was warm and sunny and the views took my breath away on an hourly basis. And while I didn’t get to take pictures in Banff, Elena and I did spend monday exploring Bragg Creek and all of the sights and views that it had to offer. I got home on tuesday and I have yet to unpack my suitcase, I am behind on homework, and things don’t show signs of slowing down. But I am grateful that I had this fun mid-semester trip to push me through the last 6 weeks of paper writing and exams.

While I had my “real” camera out a lot, I also took a lot of iPhone pictures 🙂

So grateful that I can take trips like this in this beautiful country that I call home!

I am now booking for the 2015 wedding season. Email me at michelle@michellekarstphotography.com and we’ll go for coffee {my treat} to chat more about YOUR big day!