Autumn is my most favorite season. Ahhhh. The chill in the air, warm soup on the table sided with crusty bread, pumpkin & cinnamon flavors making their annual appearances and the leaves changing into Fall colored confetti…… just the thought of these things excites me. My love for Fall began when I was a little girl, living in a small town nestled in Central Virginia. Autumn was always lovely there. The trees would start to turn and everyone knew that apple picking season was well on its way.
When I was in my late teens and early twenties, one of my favorite things to do, was go on photo adventures with my photographer friend, Meagan. The two of us would explore, photograph and create unique imagery. This was far before Anna Filly Photography, this was far before I had purchased a DSLR of my own and far before any desire to own a business had ever crossed my mind. During these adventures, Meagan used me as her model. I was her creative guinea pig.
One evening, after she had spent hours crafting a burgundy and burnt orange floral crown, Meagan invited me out to test the evening light. “I wanna call this session ‘The Autumn Angel,'” she explained and after a few brisk moments in the ever cooling evening air, the Autumn Angel was born.
That was four years ago.
So many years later, the picture that was captured in a little field off of a little highway would be featured as the cover of Bella Grace Magazine’s Autumn issue.
Which makes these images so much sweeter, today.
In all honesty, I did nothing to do get on the front cover of Bella Grace Magazine. Not a single thing. At the time when these images were captured, Meagan and I were just two girls with a passion for portraiture. This year,on a whim, Meagan submitted images to the magazine, and on a whim, Bella Grace chose one of me…. for their cover.
Before I had any desire to build a photography business, God was up to a business of his own. He knew then, that these image would be featured, and he knew how much a simple feature would mean to a full time photographer.
God means it when he promises “more than you can ask for or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20) in both big things, & small things, His promises ring true for those who trust Him and those who love Him. I call moments like these, “Jesus kisses”. They aren’t necessary for our survival here on earth, but He chooses to romance us with them anyway.
So, no, this isn’t a step by step process on “how to get featured in a national publication”. But, it is a humble reminder that the God of the universe has a daddy’s heart & loves to “wow” his children.
To view the original blog post (from circa 2012) and other images from the Autumn Angel Photoshoot by Meagan Abell– click here!
xo
Anna Filly
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