The Adventures of an Elopement Photographer’s Broken Ankle

I’ve always been a firm believer that you attract what you put out in the world. This has been my motto since I started my photography business almost nine years ago, and I feel like through that belief I have been so lucky to attract such amazing human beings into my life. Throughout the years, I have witnessed nearly 200 couples commit their lives to one another, and each one holds such a special place in my heart. Each one I have connected with because I was putting something out there into the world they resonated with them. Kayla & Cory are no exception to that.

When I met Kayla & Cory, I was instantly thrilled to be surrounded by two other creatives, him being a graphic designer and her being a fashion designer. It just creates an energy between the three of us that is unstoppable and magical. So shooting their wedding was a dream because I felt like it just flowed so easily, and I was even blown away by the shots I was evoking out to these two. What I didn’t know then is that not only was I connecting with them on a creative level, but I was also connecting with them on a heart level.

I have always defined myself as having a “big heart,” after a coworker said that to me during one of my break ups in my early 20s. You know…someone that typically cares too much, does too much, and gives people too many chances. For a long time, I resented that as it was a source of a lot of pain for me. I hadn’t learned how to attract the people that would take care of it or even understand it. But at the end of this session, I had realized that I was finally finding and associating myself with other people that feel and do the same. You know…the ones that care too much, do too much and give wayyy too much.

This skateboarding session was not planned. I flew to Long Beach mid-September to meet up with Kayla and Cory for a day-after session. They had gotten married in Colorado in August but wanted to capture their love in their new home in California as well (stand by for those pics). It was a dream come true for me to fly out to do this, and when I saw their skateboards hanging out in their home, I knew I wanted to not only give them a day-after session, but also just hang out with them and capture them doing what they normally do. So I proposed this skateboarding session.

Kayla and Cory, hesitant to take advantage of my time in Long Beach, finally agreed and even offered to teach me to skateboard. I was stoked! The session went off without a hitch, and it made me fall in love a little more with Long Beach and of course with these two cuties! At the end of the session, I wanted to attempt what I’d learned on the skateboard…”just one more time…”

Well that “just one more time” was my downfall, and before I knew it I was on the ground yelling fuck but determined that my left ankle was just sprained. By the time Cory had carried me up the infinite stairs at the beach, I looked at Kayla and said, “I should probably go to the ER huh?”

These two though!!! They did not leave my side. They did anything and everything to make sure I was okay. Kayla held my hand more times than I can count, she comforted me when I cried and started to panic and gave me a solid sounding board when I realized how much this was about to impact my life. Cory handled the emergency like a pro, finding a hospital, taking care of logistics, and just making sure everything was going smoothly. Their teamwork was incredible and probably the reason I was able to remain calm enough that I made the ER doctor second guess if it was actually broken.

They went above and beyond. They gave me so much love and support, and four weeks later, they are still doing that for me from several states away. I’d say I’ve finally come to a place of finding my people and attracting the right people to pour my big heart into. I don’t have enough words to say thank you to Kayla and Cory. But I will say that I sure as hell am glad that this event, regardless of how not fun, connected us even more.

So today…today is the one month anniversary of breaking my ankle after this epic skateboarding session. Today is two weeks post-surgery, first surgery in my 30 years of life, to repair the broken tibia and fibula. Today I have missed shooting four weddings, two elopements and have had to reschedule multiple sessions and travel plans. Today I was supposed to be boarding a plane to go shoot in France, Morocco, and Australia. However, today, despite missing all these things I was looking forward to, I couldn’t be more grateful! Today I realize that in this past month, I have learned sooooo much, and I have to believe that these things happen for a reason…or at the very least, if you shift your perspective, you can find the good that can come out of it.

During the last four weeks, I have realized that I needed to slow down. That I was running full steam and probably not giving the best version of myself to anyone. I have realized that I need to take care of myself. I have realized that sometimes life has a funny way to force you to follow dreams you have been neglecting because you were too scared or stubborn to embrace them. I have learned who my friends really are and  that I have such amazing people in my life. I have learned that giving those people a chance to be there is worth more than trying to protect my heart.

I could actually write a list miles long of what I’ve learned, but mostly I have learned that these people in your life are far more important than any job, trip, or adventure you could plan. That having human interaction sans devices and social media is key. And that if you pour your heart and love into others, you will attract what you put out and learn who those kind souls are that will give it back in return.

With that, I have to say thank you to all the wonderful people that have been there for me in the last month. That have brought me food, taken me to doctors appointments, been understanding and patient, shot weddings for me, taken care of my clients and just lifted my spirits in general. I couldn’t do life without any of you, and I am truly thankful! And don’t worry, Cory retired the board that did me in. 😝

After breaking my ankle I had to fly back home to Denver on it to see a specialist. From there, I had surgery two weeks later on Oct 1st where my doctor placed two plates and nine pins to put both my tibia and fibula back together. I will be non-weight bearing for probably another 2-4 weeks depending on healing. Thus continuing life on one foot…and believe me I will never take having two working legs for granted again! After that, I will start physical therapy to get back to walking, hiking, shooting, climbing and all around adventuring with my peeps and pup!