Hustle.

We put so much weight in the word, we put so much weight in the action. Hustle is the hard-fought accomplishment bought by pure grit: it’s sweat, tears—and in this busy holiday season, it’s a whole lot of wrapping paper—and when you catch the momentum, it’s difficult to stop. Hustle is the “go, go, go” attitude that chases the horizon. But, here’s the thing about horizons: they move forward as we do, and if your eyes are fixed upon them alone, you often forget that you’re standing in the beautiful “now.” Sometimes hustle tempers the quiet beauty of slowness. 

Quietude, by contrast, is underrated. It’s pitched as complacency and seen in opposition of progress, but to think so is folly. Calm, stillness: they are the slow, meditative breath on the mountaintop of existence. They clear the mind in passionate simplicity, and ground the soul in much-needed rest. Sometimes less is all the more. 

If our next inspiration by Juliet Ashley Photography is anything made manifest, it’s stillness. No fuss, no hustle, just the incandescent splendor of an untroubled heart—and that, sweet friend, is beauty itself. 

A word from Juliet Hayden of Juliet Ashley Photography:

“This bridal shoot was inspired by the beautiful scenery of southern Oregon. I love how the greenery bouquet connects the bride to the landscape while her dark hair and white dress create contrast, such simple elements like this often have the must dazzling results. Just as we arrived to the location a summer storm started to roll in, casting a soft glow. We could see faint flashes of lightning off in the hills and hear low rumbles of thunder while the wind played with her hair and dress. Couldn’t help but look around in awe, thanking southern Oregon for giving us its best.”

photographer: Juliet Ashley Photography / venue: Southern Oregon / floral designer: Jack Lily Floral / dress: Trois / model: Amelia Sorensen / film lab: Photovision Prints