One of my favorite things about photography isn’t just creating beautiful images—it’s the people I meet along the way.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Northern Ireland for a workshop hosted by Cass of Noelle Mirabella Photography. If you’ve ever seen her work, you know exactly what I mean when I say it’s timeless. She photographs beautiful moments between families, children, and grandparents with so much heart. Since I specialize in boudoir photography, I was excited to step outside my usual world and learn from someone whose style was so different from my own.
Before the workshop began, Cass emailed everyone attending with information about getting to Rosehill House. Since it was about a two-hour drive from the airport, I replied to the group asking if anyone else would be arriving around the same time. I thought it would be fun to travel to the cottage together and get to know a few fellow photographers before the workshop even began.
That’s how I met A.
She was traveling through Ireland with a few friends and had rented a car. Another photographer and I had arrived before she did, so we took a taxi into downtown Dublin, grabbed breakfast, and wandered around with our suitcases while we waited for A to arrive. Once she got there, we loaded up the car and began the two-hour drive to Rosehill House. Before long, we were talking about photography, our businesses, and life as if we’d known each other for years.
Somewhere during that drive, the conversation turned to boudoir photography.
She casually mentioned that she’d always wanted to do a boudoir session.
I smiled and said,
“Let’s do it.”
Then we realized it had to happen that very day. The workshop started the next morning, and our schedule would be packed from around 9:00 a.m. until nearly 10:00 p.m. each day. If we were going to do it, it was now or never.
We had just flown across the Atlantic, we were all jet-lagged, and all I really wanted to do was crawl into bed for a nap.
Instead, I grabbed my camera.
By the time we arrived at Rosehill House, photographers were still arriving from different parts of the world. The first thing we all did was drag our luggage inside, wander through the cottage, and claim our rooms.
Walking into Rosehill House felt like stepping into a storybook. It was whimsical, cozy, and full of character. Every room had beautiful textures, interesting architecture, and gorgeous natural light pouring through the windows. Later, I learned that the owner had actually built the cottage by hand, which somehow made it feel even more special.
Since I hadn’t planned on photographing anyone there, I hadn’t looked at the property beforehand. I had no idea what the rooms looked like or where the light would be. I didn’t have studio lighting with me or a carefully planned shot list.
Just my camera.
And honestly, that became part of the fun.
We wandered through the cottage, discovering beautiful pockets of natural light and little corners that most people might have walked right past. Every room presented a new creative challenge. Where was the best light? Which angle told the best story? How could I use the character of the cottage to create something beautiful?
There wasn’t any pressure.
There wasn’t a perfect plan.
There was just creativity.
By the time we finished, I was completely exhausted—but I also couldn’t stop smiling.
She absolutely loved the photographs, and so did I.
The next three days were filled with learning, inspiration, and getting to know photographers from all over the world. I came home with new ideas, a fresh perspective from learning Cass’s timeless approach to storytelling, and friendships I never expected to make.
When I look back on that trip, I don’t just remember the workshop or the photographs we created.
I remember sending one email, hoping to find someone to travel with.
I remember wandering through downtown Dublin with my suitcase.
I remember breakfast before the adventure even began.
I remember meeting complete strangers who quickly felt like friends.
I remember arriving at a cottage I’d never seen before, grabbing my camera instead of taking a nap, and creating something neither of us had planned.
Photography has given me so much over the years, but one of the greatest gifts has been the people I’ve met because of it.
Looking back, I thought I was traveling to Northern Ireland to learn from an incredible photographer.
I did.
But I also came home with something I never expected—a reminder that some of life’s best experiences aren’t planned. They begin with one email, one conversation, and a willingness to simply say,
“Let’s do it.”
To this day, they’re still some of my favorite images—not just because of how they turned out, but because of the story behind them.
Check out Rosehill house in northern ireland: https://www.