Downtown Franklin was the best location for this gorgeous photo shoot with senior Skiles! We had so much fun finding the top nooks and crannies to create the most beautiful portraits. Skiles’ did an excellent job and the photos turned out AMAZING. I mean, just look at this natural model!

Skiles’ Waggener is a senior at Ravenwood High School in the Nashville area. When she’s not killing it on the volleyball court, she’s involved in her church theatre group! It’s no wonder she’s great behind a camera!

Skiles’ shoot was absolutely breathtaking, with gorgeous sunlight and textured walls, making it an urban + nature blend success!

Portrait Photographer Emily Anne uses natural lighting in her photography style, creating an authentic and life-like image. Skiles’ was absolutely radiant in the this natural setting- look at her glow!

As Estée Lauder said, “Confidence breeds beauty”. Skiles’ floored us with her confidence and ability to be truly herself on camera. She was such a joy to photography, and we are so excited for all that she will set out to do!

We had the privilege of going on a weekend trip to Valencia Spain through CIEE Study Abroad Program. The weekend our group went we ended up having perfect weather (as you can see) and were also able to see the Las Fallas. 

Everyday at 2 PM as part of the festival tradition for a month, fireworks went off in the city center plaza- some of the loudest fireworks I've ever heard, or for that matter, felt. 

We had a small but fantastic group all from the CIEE Liberal Arts Program for the weekend! 

Valencia is well known for their oranges and mandarines - driving through the countryside you can see acres of orange tree groves. 

The architecture in Valencia is beautiful & the guided tour of Valencia was so interesting to learn the history of this popular city. 

If you didn't know, Valencia is the home of the Paella. We had the privilege of going to a paella school where they taught us the art of making paella - if you would like to see how to make paella- click HERE. 

I don't think I could ever get tired of these calming colors together: blues, whites & greens. 

We were walking through the streets of roses and then I had a crazy idea to photograph Elliot in the middle of the street- little did I know he was going to run in the middle and lie down on the ground haha but it looked great and we snapped them just in time. 

Elena is the amazing program director of the Liberal Arts Program at CIEE Barcelona and she & lovely Irene lead us on the tour of Valencia for the weekend. Muchismas gracias, Elena y Irene por todo!!  

We had a great day exploring the beautiful park of Valencia. Will and Victor who also go to Vanderbilt University in Nashville TN- what a small world! 

Take a look at gorgeous Alli, Emily & Megan- we had so much fun exploring the beauty Valencia.

The walking street art graffiti tour was really interesting - so many murals with different artists who have made their mark & branded themselves in the city. The street art really does make the city vibrant. Also, if you live in Barcelona, Valencia is the perfect weekend getaway because it is only 3.5 hours away by car or bus. 

Thank you CIEE for an amazing weekend trip to Valencia, Spain! 

Tenerife - what an absolutely beautiful and unique island. In case you didn't know, Tenerife is one of the 5 Canary Islands located 60 km off the coast of Africa and is a province of Spain. This rugged destination is the perfect place to relax and unwind walking on volcanic rock the deep Atlantic blue ocean seaside, walking beneath the gorgeous palm trees, or hiking up mountains and volcanic rock formations-- this island has it all. Not to mention, the perfect climate 60- 70 degrees and sunny year round - talk about the best of everything!

One thing we did quickly learn is that, since this island is pretty small - public transportation is not always that reliable so I would 10/10 recommend renting a car for the time you stay. 

The north of the island is more well known for white sandy beaches but also quite windy. The middle of the island close has a mixture of both but black beaches instead of white! The south of Tenerife is most touristy with many restaurants, shops & boutiques, and it is also even more steady weather temperatures & almost always sunny. :) 

Such unique terrain- unlike anything I have seen before. Also, this island is a very popular European vacation hotspot for people from the UK - we saw many British people relaxing on the beach. 

We stopped at a lovely restaurant in Candelarias, Santa Cruz Tenerife called Crepe de Emilie and it was absolutely delicious- just look at these healthy salads! Also, grilled goat cheese is a thing. :) 

There are so many other neat things you can do here on this island for free: and here are a few ideas: 

1. See the 1000 year-old Drago tree- The Millennium Drago is the multi-crowned king of Canarian flora and the best view of it is from Plaza de la Constitución.

2. Visit Masca- Setting eyes on Masca for the first time is like discovering a lost world tucked away in the creases of Tenerife's ancient Teno Mountains. 

3. Swim in Garachico's rock pools- 1706 when an eruption sent two destructive molten rivers careening through the town to fill the harbour with lava instead of ships. Ironically, the event which nearly took the town off the map 300 years ago is now the reason  people flock there. The pools are various depths and shapes; some are suitable for toddlers, as long as they don't mind mingling with sub-tropical fish, others require good lungs to reach the bottom. 

4. Explore the Anaga - the right choice if you want to explore the beautiful area of Anaga - a UNESCO biosphere reserve. An excursion to Antequera Beach with this great team is one of our favourite things to do in Tenerife the right choice if you want to explore the beautiful area of Anaga - a UNESCO biosphere reserve. An excursion to Antequera Beach with this great team is one of our favourite things to do in Tenerife.

5. Hike the Teide- hiking in this gorgeous National Park is a real treat, excursions, visiting the Teide Observatory, Sunset and Stars on the peak, a visit to the Altavista del Teide Refuge and a cable car ride up the mountain.

We really enjoyed this trip and it's really fun taking portraits on an island!  Honestly, it is much easier to get to Tenerife from Barcelona, Spain or a European country rather than Nashville or anywhere in the US but if you do get a chance to visit, don't pass it up! :)

Girona, beautiful Girona! Home of the Game of Thrones movie set (which I do not endorse by the way), the oldest Jewish Quarters in all of Spain and filled with rich history. 

In this beautiful town you can absolutely see the old medieval architecture but also later Roman influence. This city had been laid siege to over 20 times, so it has had its fair share of invasions. 

Girona now has another reason for the larger flux of tourim- Game of Thrones backdrop. However, personally the streets like these are ones that made me feel like I was waltzing through a romantic movie. 

"La muralla" the wall of Girona was built to protect this beloved city from invaders, but clearly it didn't work, due to the number of invasions! 

Nothing like finding fresh fruit in the markets on the streets of Girona on Las Ramblas de Llibertat. 

Girona is one of the most nationalistic cities that is 110% for the independence of Spain. Almost every street corner you turn, you will see either the Catalonian flag of independence or these ties on the windows, indicating the desire for separation from el gobierno de Espana. 

The Arab baths were one of my favorite findings in Girona! These Arab baths are Romanesque construction (12th century) inspired by Roman baths, its most outstanding elements include the entrance, which was used as a changing room and relaxation area and is covered with a barrel vault, and the cupola covering the central pool, which is supported by slim columns with gorgeously capitals.

Very mysterious, are they not?! 

Of course we had to try the gelato made by the #1 best restaurant in the world for 2013 and 2014- El Celler de Can Roca. And it really was fantastic! 

We climbed up this old German barracks fortress to get this view of the city. Worth it! 

Located within the Força Vella, the Jewish Quarter or Call is one of the city's most emblematic areas. It consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets and patios that have maintained their medieval atmosphere. It is one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in the world and clear evidence of the importance of the Jewish culture in Girona.

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Can there ever be too many gelato pics!? :) 

Running up these stairs where they filmed the Game of Thrones TV series truly did feel like a cinematic moment. It also reminded me of the beautiful ethereal fairytale wedding ceremony scene of Arwen Undomiel and Aragorn Elessar from Lord of the Rings. :) 

Thanks so much for taking the time to enjoy some of the journey with me!

Hope you enjoyed & until next time!

Love & Light Forever 

Emily 

This weekend, had the privilege of traveling from Barcelona to the historic city of Girona, Spain. While in this gorgeous town that felt like a movie set--- if you would like to see the city click HERE --- we discovered one of the best coffeeshops in the world - Espresso Mafia. 

Not only is the coffee incredibly smooth and house roasted, but the shop is absolutely fantastic and biker friendly-- but really. Started by an amazing couple Christian and Amber Meier. Christian is a professional cyclist with a passion for coffee who decided to start this coffeeshop along with their other coffeeshop La Fabrica in the heart of Girona, Spain. Even with our brief time in Girona, we could instantly tell that Espresso Mafia was the place to be as 6 or 7 professional bikers stopped in for a fresh cup early in the morning. 

Not only is the decor absolutely fantastic, but the people are fantastic and make you feel right at home as soon as you walk in the door. 

“Another? Another. ”

— Espresso Mafia

Do yourself a favor and go try Espresso Mafia on your trip to the gorgeous city of Girona!