I am so honored to be a part of this special project. Isla Atropa reached out to several photographers all over the world to join forces in a special collaboration. Isla Atropa is a bridal fashion brand that emphasizes fair trade products and works to promote social issues, mostly through human trafficking awareness and donation. She designed and created 3 special dresses to be sent around on an Eastern US tour, Western US tour, and an international tour. The idea is for the dress to be passed around and each photographer would be able to create a unique story with the goal to raise awareness about human trafficking, forced sex work, and illegal child marriage which are all still very prevalent today:

I was thrilled when my dear friend Lyndsey agreed to model this dress at the Colosseum. She from Virginia and is studying law in Italy with a particular focus on the international side and goals to fight against human trafficking. So of course she was the perfect model for this project. She was able to masterfully show beauty yet vulnerability beneath the complicated shadow of the Colosseum. Such an iconic location, but with an infamous past of violence, sexual exploitation, and slavery. We also wanted to show the trafficking side by going underground to the metro showing how easily someone can be overlooked. But it's not all dark, there's always hope. As the sun dipped and tourists scattered, we wrapped Lyndsey up in lights and she transformed into a beacon of strength and resilience.

​I will let the rest of the pictures tell our story: 

Ways To Help:

• Educate yourself on your town and area of the world
• Get involved in a local chapter to raise awareness, help victims, and fundraise for law enforcement efforts
• Make informed purchasing decisions like ethically made clothing and fair trade goods 
• Be a good neighbor to the struggling teen or substance abusing friend 
• Get political, write and call your politicians to let them know the issue is important to you and ask how they're implementing policies to address the issues
• See something off, say something!

 It was a rainy day in Firenze and Drew had a meeting and opportunity to collaborate with UNCIEF. We love that it's just a quick train ride away! It was the perfect opportunity to photograph in front of these iconic Florentine monuments with these two love birds! Jonatha and Giovanni live and met through mutual friends in Florence and have been together for 3 years! I was so excited to meet them in person because their joint Instagram is just beyond adorable. It's full of real life funny moments and sensual art together. You can feel their passion leap off every image. It's Christmas time and the lights sparkled everywhere along the streets and Christmas trees in every plaza. I love Christmas in Italy! I was so lucky to work with locals because they knew all the best spots! They even knew the owner of a hotel next to the famous Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore! After photographing and skipping around town we headed to their restaurant,  Manzo 24, an ethical meat bistro. We danced to music, talked about favorite Netflix shows, and cheered with Prosecco to a beautiful new friendship! Thank you both for an amazing day!

I first connected with Lyndsey on Instagram and I couldn't wait to move to Rome and meet in person! She's a model, studying law, and has a heart for helping others. Her boyfriend Phil was also finally able to move to Rome to be with her, and of course their gato, Gretel. We had the most fun time walking all over my favorite spots! Trastevere is a boho neighborhood along the Tiber River with cobblestone streets and a traditional feel. Ponte Sant'Angelo is another favorite spot down by the river with gorgeous views of the Castle. And finally, I've been wanting to photograph at the Vatican! We ran into a parade for the unveiling of a nativity scene sculpture for Christmas, so we had the wings of the city to ourselves! We talked about college, how they met, first dates, traveling, hopes and dreams, jobs, and laughed at Phil's goofiness. I know we only have a few more weeks left in Rome before we head to Christchurch and Queenstown in New Zealand. But I can't wait to spend lots of quality time with these two wonderful new friends!! Thank you for the most fun afternoon!

I first connected with Madeline in a world traveling photographers Facebook group. I was drawn to her photos, her style, and her vibe! I'm so stoked to we got to meet in person in Rome!! We explored my favorite neighborhood in Rome, Trastevere. It was a working class area of the city but now feels like a small, authentic, Italian village with cobblestone streets, tight alleys, plastered walls, vines crawling every which-way, bakeries and bars overflowing into the piazzas. It's such a cool place to explore! I love and respect Madeline and Sean's story so much! These PAers knew of each other through church, and Sean hung out with Madeline's dad first! I love that! They dated and knew after just a few months that this was it. They eloped in a national park with an intimate celebration and are now serving others through their work. I loved talking photography business, beer, Italian travels, getting married young, family, and life with these two wonderful folks. I love the boho and artsy feel of these frames and I hope you love these moments too! Thanks for visiting Rome, y'all! 

I love that I get to live in a place that lets me meet me meet new friends from all over the world! Regina is a talented photographer from San Fransisco, California. She has a heart of gold and in the most expensive city in the country, she offers fine art photography for an affordable price to all.  She has traveled all over the world but settled in California with her boyfriend Monty. The day was sunny but chilly and they braved the Rome winter with ease. "Do it for the Insta!" we kept reminding ourselves.  I loved exploring my favorite park in Rome with these two good  souls. Drew and I first walked this route on Thanksgiving and I loved the way the light streamed in through the trees that I hoped I'd be able to photograph a rad couple here! We met at the Piazza del Popolo and then climbed all the stairs up to an incredible view of the Roman skyline. The church at the top of the Spanish Steps to our left, The Vatican, The Supreme Court, Castle Sant'Angelo, and a sea of colorful buildings and church domes. We wandered into the adjacent 16th century park of the Villa Borgehse gardens and found hidden monuments like the Temple of Aesculapius and pond. I had the best afternoon with them talking about photography and life, and I so look forward to getting together again when Drew and I visit his brother in San Fran!  

I've known Leigh Katherine Bonner since she was itty bitty! She and my sister played soccer together and my dad coached their soccer team for years! On one of my trips home from Miami I even got to take pictures of my friend and her sister Allison and their new puppy! It got featured on The Daily Dog Tag! So I was so stoked when Leigh said she was traveling with college friend Niklas Sade. I bribed them with pizza and espresso to wake up early and adventure to the famous Roman sites while the streets were still empty. It was so amazing to see the Spanish Steps clear! The Trevi Fountain had a film crew so we couldn't get down all the way to the bottom, but it was a beautiful site. And when we arrived at the Pantheon the sun just started peaking out over the edge of the 125 AD temple. It was an awesome weekend hanging out and celebrating together! Leigh Katherine was just named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 as a Social Entrepreneur for her incredible, world changing work with her company Bee Downtown. This fourth generation bee keeper is  focused on building healthy, sustainable, honey bee communities around the world by place beehives on buildings. Read up about her amazing work and give them some love! Thank you for Roaming around the city in the morning with me! Come back and visit soon :D

Lenya and her husband take a trip every year to celebrate their anniversary, and they bring the kids along too!! This inspiring couple is celebrating year 5 with a trip to Italy before baby boy #3 joins the family! Lenya is a florist from California (check out her work HERE) and I'm always so humbled when fellow wedding vendors want to work together. We met at the Spanish Steps, found cute side streets and a Vespa, walked to the Trevi Fountain where lots of coin throwing ensued. Then we found our way to the Pantheon for a crucial gelato break and more water fountain playing. My favorite family sessions are when the kids can just be themselves so I can capture those perfectly candid moments. Lenya and Curtis are so go with the flow, positive, and amazing models for how to travel as a family. Tickles and swinging and racing are my favorites! I love that they value family photos so much, I mean how nice is it that they have non-selfies at these incredible landmarks?! I so treasured spending the afternoon with these incredible parents and their world traveling kids! ​

Drew and I had the best time with California model and stylist Miska! I knew it was going to be magical when she wanted to explore the boho neighborhood of Trastevere. It's an off the beaten trail neighborhood next to the Tiber River with gorgeous trees, vine covered alley, and colorful buildings with cobblestone streets. It shows off real and non-toursity Rome! Miska is traveling all over Europe styling photo sessions and modeling. She's a boxer, fashion alumni, from the prestigious Pratt Institute, and has a beautiful soul. It was effortless to work with her, even in the rain! Fall in Rome looked stunning on her! We wandered the streets with no real plan and would oooh and ahhh at every turn. Since she's a model and stylist and has experience videoing weddings, we had the same eye for light and framing. We'd both find an area and be like "YES!" It was an artists dream to flow together. I loved the way she floated and twirled and let the wind take her hair. After we explored this incredible neighborhood we ate gluten free pizza, talked about our hopes and dreams, and then we went biking! We biked through the Forum, up to Aventine hill, and along the Tiber. It was so amazing to become friends with such a warrior and Drew and I can't wait to visit her out in LA! Follow her work on her Instagram too! Thank you Miska for sharing your talent with me!

I was so excited when José contacted me on Instagram to ask about photographing around the Colosseum with his girlfriend, Yuli. He's from Chile and she's from Argentina. They're Instagram influencers traveling Europe and taking photos in all the iconic locations. Traveling together is such an incredible thing. You get to experience unique cultures, old history, and amazing food while also navigating a different language, getting around a new city, and balancing relaxation and adventure. My dad is from Chile so I was able to speak Spanglish and talk about Santiago and Patagonia where my family is. José lived in NYC where he was first discovered as a model so we related to being struggling artists and about favorite US cities. He also just won a big model competition, Mister Chile, and worked with Mens Fashion Week in Miami so we were able to talk about Miami Beach too! Such a cool and small world to have these connections!  They were a joy to work with. They were positive, curious, and go with the flow, my kind of couple! I loved showing them the Colosseum and capturing their love in The Eternal City. 

You can follow their travels on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melalcalde/
https://www.instagram.com/yulicagna/ 

Thank you for a beautiful Italian morning photographing around Rome!

I don't even know where to start with these two. Burcu and I have known each other since we were 14 years old. It took until senior year of high school though for our life long sisterhood to cement. We traveled to Costa Rica together, along with Drew and a few friends, and served in a small beach community there helping local kids. We went to the same university and went through a lot of life ups and downs together. That's when you know a friendship is forever. We're there for each other in the valleys and there to celebrate the mountain tops. Her beautiful soul is kind, generous, and humor. Her open heart is full of determination, bravery, and healing powers. Her inspiring mind is justice oriented, full of light, and ready to make the world a better place. When Drew and I first met Will, we knew there was something special about him. He is humble, enthusiastic, and altruistic. Always a smile, always a plan to improve our planet, always ready to make B happy. They are the perfect balance, the perfect pair, the perfect match. Hands and action, sun and moon, breathing and living. The best example of this is how they both proposed to each other! Yup! Will proposed next to the gorgeous Saxapahaw River followed by a party with friends and family and Burcu proposed at the end of a Leslie Knope-esque scavenger hunt around the Triangle and Triad. Just the most thoughtful and romantic pair!!!