My September on Instagram

Is this the time when I'll be entering the world of blogging again? Last time I had a frequently updated blog was when I lived in Norway and talked about how much toast I ate and how many episodes of Seinfeld I had watched. I'm not sure if my current life is more or less exciting. 

But, I do want to document my everyday life and my thoughts more often. Mainly for my own sake. Not only because it will be nostalgic to look back on one day; it also means I will have to set time to reflect on what's happening in my life. I think that's something everyone would benefit from.

So, my September. The absolute majority of personal photos I take is with my iPhone (maybe this blog can motivate me to use my DSRL more often) - so what's a better way to sum up this fall than with some itty bitty help from Instagram?

I knew that my wedding season was going to end with a crazy hectic month. It's starting to feel more like a rule than an exception. There is always some love-hate feelings toward these kind of periods; lack of sleep, constant traveling, tunnel vision to make sure you focus on what needs to be done... It tears on you. No, don't worry, I'm not going to whine about it - I know that I'm an incredibly lucky girl. I'm often reminded of that. All the people I get to meet, the stories I get to be part of, the places I see and the things I experience... This is what I want life to be like, always. 

September started with a trip to Galicia, where Andrea and David were getting married. I decided to stay for a few extra days, to wind down and enjoy the last bits of summer. A few days in Santiago de Compostela was followed by a couple days on the coast (where the wedding took place) and finished with another two days on the countryside with ridiculously good food and wine. Albariño is my new favorite white wine.

Since I spent most of my summer traveling, I decided to rent out my desk for two months. In September I finally got it back. The decision to start renting a workspace was the best decision I've done all year. After four years of yoga pants and working from my bedroom, I now have colleagues who I can hang out with, learn from, discuss projects with and join for after work beers. I'm also slowly but surely learning how to take the evenings (and whole days!) off without bad conscience. 

The second weekend I went to Glasgow. Just for the day to photograph an event. The third weekend I went to France to shoot my last wedding for the season. 

Imagine me sitting in a tiny village named Aubeterre. So tiny that none of my French friends have ever heard of it. I enjoy some lunch while I post the left photo on Instagram... A few minutes later I get a message from one of my close friends in Sweden:

"How exciting that you're in Aubeterre, that's where [my boyfriend's] dad lives and runs his restaurant!"

The morning after two blonde people walked in to my hotel to have some café au lait. What are the odds for that?

I rounded off the weekend by visiting an old friend in Bordeaux. Last time I saw him was at my goodbye party in Minnesota, five years ago. We rented two bikes, he guided me through the city and we reminded each other about things we once did and people we once knew. 

Finishing my last wedding for the season means that I now have time for different kinds of photo assignments again. Supal from Chevrons and Éclairs is a recurring client and has lately also become a friend. Once in a while I take photos for her outfit posts on her blog. This might surprise some, since I usually don't know what I'm wearing myself.

A few days ago, my best friend Hampus moved to Argentina. We were a couple for six years, broke up a few months ago, but have stayed in the same house until now. It's going to be a massive change. But a good and well-needed one.

September brings darker evenings. Colder nights. I don't think I've ever said this before, but I can't wait for winter. Finished the month with a night at Union Chapel in Islington, listening to a live performance of the podcast Welcome to Night Vale. Absolutely brilliant (if you like dark, geeky comedy). Every episode is finished with a proverb. I'll let a few of them finish this blog post. 

"What has four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening? I don’t know, but I trapped it in my bedroom. Send help."

"If you love someone, set them free. Set them free now. This is the police, and we have you surrounded."

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never quite describe the pain."

"When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true. But, because of distance, not for millions of years."

A stormy day in the Midlands

This is Lucy and Rob.

On the first day of March, I went to Lichfield Trent Valley to hang out with them for a few hours. We took photos, got to know each other, then escaped the rain and went for some hot chocolate. Sipping on our drinks and discussing all the details of their wedding, it all suddenly felt so real. 

Only a few weeks to go now.