Indianapolis Lifestyle Photographer | casey and her camera

This month’s Project Ten challenge was ‘Out of Place’. I shot the prior theme, Adventure, while home visiting in Michigan with the ever-so-lovely best friend, and upon completing the shoot I realized she had more outfits in her car… EEK! My prior series was a little late, so I found out this theme on the morning of the Adventure shoot, and as we drove from one location to the next, I decided  to use her (as my most favorite model in all the world) for this theme, as well!

To me, these Project Ten challenges have been simply wonderful – putting me out of my comfort zone (see: Out of Place) every month and pushing me to expand my horizons, pick up my camera on a day-to-day, and shoot minimally to get just what I need. On a personal level, there’s no one in the world who shares in my feelings of being out of place in much that I do.

Nicky and I met 8 years ago (NICKY…. EIGHT YEARS… I DID THE MATH THE OTHER DAY AND HAD A HEART ATTACK…. not out of shock, but rather because I’m apparently THAT OLD NOW) and formed a quick friendship, becoming roommates shortly after meeting. I’ve gone through some of my most challenging years in life with her – and her the same. We struggled through some ups and downs – both individually and together – and yet, through it all, nothing could ever even come CLOSE to breaking us apart. She understands me more than anyone I know, even with a couple of close-seconds. 🙂

We both left Michigan about four years ago and went through our own, individual, feelings of being out of place in new places. Now, we’re both married, settled, and seemingly TERRIBLE at keeping in touch. I hadn’t seen Nicky in 3 years prior to meeting up for a day of our traditional photo adventures and old-lady-rocking-chair-front-porch-converstaions. We both came into town for my wedding reception – a bit delayed, but better late than never. I was chatting with another old friend and mentioned that they would be seated with Nicky and they gestured behind me and telling me she was there. I’m not sure I even finished the conversation, I think I literally just ran to hug her, opening the flood gates as I went. It was the only moment in which I cried on that traditionally-emotional day. And just like that, we picked up right where we had left off three years prior.

And I no longer felt out of place.

So thank you, Project Ten, for bringing us back together for a day. To have a female in my life who understands me, relates to me, finished my sentences, and isn’t afraid to cover ANY topic of conversation with me, is exactly what I’ve always wanted. When she’s around, I feel ‘complete’, corny as it may sound. And we’ve promised (and even scheduled it into the calendar) to be better about keeping in contact. But even if it doesn’t last, I know that the next time I see her, it will be just the same as when this day ended.

Wishing you all that someone who helps you NOT to feel out of place – no matter what the situation, the event, the circumstances, or the challenge. <3

casey and her camera is an Indianapolis Lifestyle Photographer specializing in family, couple, lifestyle, senior, and wedding photography for Indianapolis, Indiana and the surrounding areas.