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! :)

Hayden Kelly, you are a stunner!! Wow, we had SO much fun!!!

When Hayden smiles, she sure lights up a room! Isn't that smile contagious!? 

Hayden's shoot was SO much fun the perfect mix of natural with golden sunlight shooting through the trees at illuminating her gorgeous hair to a more urban industrial look on Clinton Street. We had originally tossed around about the idea of doing them over fall break on the beach in Florida. Obviously, it's not the same but this was the perfect location to capture her personality & style. Maybe next time on the beach pics though ;) 

Aren't her outfits just ADORABLE!? A mix of soft classic + trendy causal... the perfect combo! 

No big deal, Hayden just walking the streets of Nashville like a BOSS. 

100% yes to the glitter!!! Marathon Music Works on Clinton Street was the perfect spot to get the retro urban look we were going for. :) 

Okay, Hayden... maybe you should think about a career in modeling and fashion!? 

I've got to say, Hayden's mom Mary was absolutely incredible!!! She had the entire trunk set up like a portable wardrobe + brought props of our dreams. So prepared and all the hard work totally paid of in these lovely pics!! 

Take a look at these fantastic retro shades ;) 

When Hayden isn't working it as a model, she also happens to be a Centennial High basketball star! :) 

One of my favorite shots ever... golden glitter glory! Funny story, the Emily Anne Senior video has Hayden featured with her blowing glitter. The day we set for Hayden's veiwing/ordering session, I happened to run into her before at CVS and she was covered in glitter- I get to their house later that evening & she's COVERED in what... GLITTER!! I hereby have named her "Glitter Girl." :) 

In all seriousness though, Hayden is truly a remarkable girl. I am so excited to see what she is going to do an accomplish in her lifetime. This is only the beginning!! 

Congratulations, Hayden!!! :) 

High school is a HUGE part of life. 4 years of your life spent engaging in team activities, Friday Night Lights, honors societies, ACT prep, late night Sonic drinks, pep rallies... the list goes on. We focus our intent on walking across that platform on graduation day with a diploma in our hands for hard work, but what next? 

Choosing a university can be a daunting experience, but with proper guidance, you can have rewarding results. 

Just Make Up Your Mind!!! 

Believe me, you're not the only one. Many studies have gathered that approximately 50% of students that enter college declare "undecided." That is 1 out of every 2 people you meet that walk the halls of your college campus do not know what career path they would dedicate their lives to. 

AND, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 80% of students change their major at least once. Changing your major at least once can result in additional semesters of schooling, delaying graduation and accumulating even more debt. 

What's the Point? 

Well, the point of asking the question is to at least address it! Why are you going to college? Is it for a social connection? To meet a future spouse? To party and maybe kinda figure out life? To escape from your parents grasp? Maybe it is to get a well-paying job and start an independent life of your own? Whatever the reason, it would just be down right miserable to waste 4+ invaluable years at the prime of your life on something you do not love or can even see yourself doing. 

Let's break down some of the stereotypical assumptions about college and start helping you figure out what is the best path for you. 

1. Be Proactive. Do Your Research. 

I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but, as in anything in life, if you want it you have to work for it. 

Thomas Jefferson once wisely said, "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."

While you're in high school, over summers, during breaks, when you have spare time, make a list of anything and everything that sparks your interest, even things that are remotely fascinating to you and begin exploring those possibilities. 

For example, if you feel drawn to the medical field, why not volunteer at your nearby hospital, a nursing home, ask for some shadowing experience. I cannot tell you how many times friends have told me about beginning their career on a pre-med track and then as soon as they saw blood, they were grossed out and couldn't handle it anymore. How to prevent this? Check it out on the front end! Even maybe try watching some medical TV shows (I haven't personally done this so I can't recommend any and I know they are not always accurate) but at least you get a better idea of the field and mentality. 

If you are drawn to the arts, try experimenting with all different mediums: maybe you're good with pencil, but have you tried sketching on an iPad? Watch Photoshop or Graphic Design Illustrator Tutorials on YouTube? An IMMENSE amount of knowledge is at the TIPS of your fingers! Try to engage in the arts communities by joining local art gallery events or showcases, networking with other artists or photographers could give you an advantage and more experience than others entering it blindly and studying theories in class. 

2.Have a Goal

 Many people claim that you can "figure it out" in college, you can be clueless about what you want to do in college, just GO. 

Well friends, that is a MYTH. In reality, all you will be doing is wasting time confusing yourself, spending unnecessary amounts of money to go in circles on something you are not even certain about. 

According to the US Bureau of the Census in 2011, only 27% of college graduates actually used their college major degree in their level of profession. Thinking of the 50% of students who even change their majors multiple times before they achieve this is risky.

In the United States, we are given the privilege to create our own image. The brand we wear, how we walk, how we talk, how we apply ourselves... all creates a unique individualism. In some cases prove the "rags to riches" story. However, let us not take this privilege of education lightly. 

3. Visit Campuses. 

Based of personal experience, a university may appear to be your dream school on paper, but you may be missing out on the entire picture if you go off the impression the college administration and web designers want you to see. 

Choosing a university is a holistic process. Logistically it should make sense with what career goal you have in mind and ideally not make your grandchildren still have to pay off your debt. However, no matter how good it looks on the website, your own intuition and emotions may compel you love or hate you school choice. 

Lining up a school tour or simply stepping foot on a university campus may save you years of regret or give you a serene confidence that bolsters your college decision all the more. 

4. Explore Other Possibilities. 

Some people believe that college straight out of high school is the only option. Familial pressure or traditions based on previous notions may influence a teenager's decision on college entry. Also, quite candidly, college is not for everyone. Yes, it can help to have a degree for some higher paying jobs, but a degree in itself is not everything. 

However, there are other alternatives to mediate the gap between attending or not attending college. Recently, the term "gap year" has become more prevalent in modern culture. A gap year or two is simply a time frame in which a high school graduate can work, study, travel or do things otherwise they would not be able to do while at university or afterwards. 

While gap years are not for everyone, they can prove to be an excellent alternative for students not quite certain about a major or career path. In this time, the student can explore different possibilities in the forms of: internships, unique jobs, volunteering, mission trips, religious ministry opportunities, etc. For example, some excellent world wide missions and Christian evangelism training base schools that focus on community, self-discovery and identity, include: Thunder School in Nashville, TN, YWAM, Hillsong College and many more. 

These valuable years could be spent experiencing real-life applications to interests and generating authentic interest or disinterest in subjects. After these few years, students could then apply for university and know exactly what goal and direction they have in mind. Not to mention, it's always handy to save up a little extra cash for school on the front end while narrowing one's focus. 

5. Consider the Costs. 

Education is valuable, but is it worth years and years of debt? Unfortunately school in the twenty-first century is NOT CHEAP. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015-2016 year at private institution was $32,403, $9,410 for state residents, and $23,893 for out of state tuition at a public institution... For ONE YEAR. Tell me that is not ridiculously expensive!? 

Thus, it is crucial to take college seriously and to know what you want and understand how you can get it. Planning out financially with your parents how much they can contribute,  how much you are expected to cover, and how much you can can obtain from scholarships and grants is especially helpful when determining a school. 

Sometimes, making certain accommodations such as living at home or attending community college for general ed. courses may be wise, frugal decisions that save in the long run. 

Well I hope this was insightful for you! Good luck on your college journey! 
Feel free to email me at emilyannephotoart@gmail.com and let me know your thoughts about this article, how it has helped your, or your own personal struggles and I would be delighted to hear. 

Love and Light Forever, 

Emily Anne 

One look at those mountains and I knew I was destined to reach the peaks. Not just literally, although I do hope to one day climb a mountain, but figuratively. 5 years ago today, I embarked on one of the most exciting yet daunting adventures: becoming a business woman and photographer. 

Capturing the beauty in others behind the lens, has always been one of those things that makes my heart flutter. As my clients know, I get just as excited if not even more thrilled about creating their dream images. Having the privilege of creating art, showing clients what I see behind the camera and watching their reactions are a few of the things that make my job absolutely priceless. 

However, the business and career of photography has not always been glamorous. To give you a glimpse, there are days I have come home crying about not being able to please everyone or have become way too stressed out comparing myself to other more "successful" business people in this field of expertise. 

One of the many things I have learned along the way is to: NEVER give up on your dreams. No matter how hard, no matter how painful it is at the moment, I promise, "this too shall pass." Whatever you are doing, keep pressing on and climbing higher, because the higher you go the more perspective you gain, the more ground you cover, and the stronger you become. The view is ALWAYS worth it from the peak.

As Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I am truly thankful for every person along the way who has encouraged me in my journey along the way. I am by no means at the top of my mountain, but I am headed in the right direction. I truly couldn't do it without your love and support!! And without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has guided me every step of the way.

Wherever you are along your journey, keep pursuing your dreams no matter what other people say. Do that special something that makes your heart skip a beat. ❤️

Now, sappy post ends here.😝I hope it inspired you to keep moving forward!

What challenges have you overcome this past year or what are you learning to overcome? I would love to hear your story. Email me at: emilyannephotoart@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram HERE or even feel free to comment on this blog post below. 

Love & Light Forever,

Emily Anne

This beautiful lady, Rachelle, is stunning both inside and out. Here is just a taste of our exotic photoshoot in the heart of Malaga, Spain in an ancient Castle: Castillo de Alcazaba.

You should absolutely check out this talented woman's music... Rachelle Fisher is ridiculously talented!!! Here is the link to here music: http://www.rachellefisher.com. Do yourself a favor and go listen! Bob Marley said it so well, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” 

When I listen to Rachelle's voice, I truly feel this way! She has SUCH a gifting to bring uplifting joy and peace through her original music. One can just feel  soul and passion in her music. 

This venue is absolutely gorgeous. Alcazaba de Malaga was built in the early 11th century by the Hammudid Muslim Dynasty. This fortress overlooks the entire city of Malaga including the pier with a clear view to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Interestingly, in 1487, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain captured the entire city of Malaga from the Moors. The inner citadel called the "Torre del Homenaje" became renown as their place of victory.  

I hope to one day photograph the dreamiest wedding up in this Alcazaba of Málaga fortress, perhaps in one of the inner citadels laden with rustic brick, palm trees, and marble floors. 

All photos taken by Emily Anne Photography, an international traveling photographer specializing in weddings, senior portraits, family photos, and professional business headshots based in Nashville Tennessee. 

Ah, words cannot express how lovely this family is and how happy I am with how these family photos turned out!! 

Shot on a beautiful cloudy day in the Appenzell region of Switzerland outside this absolutely adorable tea room! From our view we could see perfectly green rolling hills framed by the Swiss Alps in the distance.

This photoshoot was the perfect combination of both modern and yet rustic styles and the most beautiful people!