my why...

2018-01-30_0010 I found myself in a rut. I had such a disconnect from my work and the photography I once loved and craved became something I had no feelings for... like nothing. Numb was the only word I could use to describe how I was feeling.

What had gone so terribly wrong? How could I spend a lifetime with a camera in my hand and all of a sudden find myself with my "dream job" and have these feelings towards it? It took a lot of self discovery. It took isolation to hear inside my heart. It took confusion, tears, anger and basically giving up to figure out... I COULDN'T give up! It wasn't in me. There was this pull to continue doing what I loved so much I just had to find a new way to go about it. I had to shake myself free of the doubt, the rules, the expectations I had placed on myself to "play it safe". I had to let go of that "people pleasing" mentality and do for ME. It wasn't easy and it wasn't quick.

To be honest with you, it took almost two solid years to get it all out of my head and get right with my creative voice. I am not going to say it wasn't painful. But what came out of it...what came out of that muck was so much clarity. Not only for my photography work but for my heart.

The thing I discovered most about myself (although I did already know it, I just didn't know how to express it) was that I am super upbeat, fun, optimistic and an overall happy personality...but I am just a little "deeper" than most. I don't know how to even explain it. It is just who I have always been... I don't just hear the beat to a song, I feel the words...type deep. I see beyond the surface of people and truly feel their heart.

I am very aware that everyone has a "story" and not in a cliché kind of way...like a REAL story. Life isn't always pretty. It sure isn't always easy... and no matter what the story is, whether I even really know the details or not...I capture it.

I like to look at my photography as way to capture a FEELING and a MOMENT...it isn't about your hair or your makeup...it is about YOU and YOUR STORY.

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I'm goin' back to Cali...

SpankiMills_1329 Okay so I went and now I am back...but every time I return I ache to go back as quickly as possible! So I have this friend. A friend who supports me through every journey I take. She is "my person". Only one problem...she lives in California and I, well I am in Texas! Her daughter Rachel is a senior and for her birthday her sweet momma decided to surprise her with a gift...a gift of ME! They flew me to them and we spent 3 days together shooting and laughing, making memories and most importantly bonding. Laura and Rachel are like family (as is her husband Chaz and other daughter Charlie) but these two girls get my heart....and love me no matter what! I am so blessed to have found their friendship and honored I was chosen to be such an important part of Rach's senior year memories. It was a week I will never forget! Although I am an Austin, TX photographer...my heart is in California with these amazing friends! SpankiMills_1331SpankiMills_1333SpankiMills_1330SpankiMills_1328SpankiMills_1342SpankiMills_1324SpankiMills_1322SpankiMills_1323SpankiMills_1327SpankiMills_1326SpankiMills_1325SpankiMills_1334SpankiMills_1336SpankiMills_1341SpankiMills_1339SpankiMills_1337SpankiMills_1338SpankiMills_1343SpankiMills_1340SpankiMills_1345SpankiMills_1348SpankiMills_1349SpankiMills_1344SpankiMills_1346SpankiMills_1347SpankiMills_1335SpankiMills_1321

the best days of my life...

SpankiMills_1203 ...But all the possibilities, No limits just epiphanies

I'm never gonna look back...I'm never gonna give it up...

This is gonna be the best day of my life. The time is NOW. that time in our lives that we continually look back on and refer to as "the good ol days". The time where we are discovering who we are and what we are meant for. The times we are just now starting to realize mom WAS right about a few things.. it is a time for fun. a time for growing up. a time for you to be YOU.

These ARE going to be the best days of your life.... SpankiMills_1207SpankiMills_1204SpankiMills_1210SpankiMills_1205

"Mom, that is like the hottest girl in all of the town, you have the best job ever"...Words from a fourteen year old. My son has been in love with Miss Bailey for a few years now and it was just icing on the cake that she chose me to do her senior images. It was pretty funny how my kids, especially my boys rarely make an appearance in my office but one it was time to edit this gallery I had a few young boys hanging out doing "homework" on the floor behind me. I have to say....my boys sure have good taste!

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The Beatles said it best...

SpankiMills_1197 When I grow up to be a man Will I dig the same things that turn me on as a kid? Will I look back and say that I wish I hadn't done what I did? Will I joke around and still dig those sounds When I grow up to be a man?

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boys. quickly becoming my favorite to photograph. As a momma of three boys myself, there is something so fun about photographing senior boys for me. It is like a tiny glimpse into my quickly approaching future. The genuine smile a boy gives...after having my own, melts my mommy heart. They are so tough but so sweet. So full of life yet the most kind hearted clients I have. I love a being able to go outside my comfort zone, simplify my thinking and just shoot in a different...more BOYISH way.

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We are young...Dallas, TX senior

SpankiMills_1023 "Tonight, We are young, So let’s set the world on fire...We can burn brighter than the sun" We are Young by Fun

Toni. A Dallas Texas native. College Senior. Something was so magical about this session. I am not sure if it was Toni, or the first sight of that hazy warm sun that graced us, or the crisp weather... or a combination of it all. But THIS is the very reason I am a photographer. For the days that magic appears. For the clients that "get me" and can easily translate my vision into a reality. That allow my lens to catch a glimpse into their soul and allow my photographs to speak words that have never been spoken outside of the quiet of her mind. That moment that offers an unspoken connection between myself and the person I am photographing only to be interrupted by my lens. This is why I am a photographer.

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Jenna and a day of Renewal

SpankiMills_0788 "hey I need a model for a mentoring session… I have a vision and I need YOU… you ready" After going through the emails I had with my ONE on ONE mentor Tiffanie, I knew where she was struggling and what she needed help with. I had an idea and location that would be a perfect challenge for her. I had been in a funk my own self, just felt like I was in a shooting "rut" and this mentoring session came at a PERFECT time. Not only do I love seeing a new photographer so excited and full of hopes and dreams but it helped remind me WHY I too love this job. We met in the town I recently moved from which is also the same town where I started my photography business. We were eating in the local hometown cafe that happened to still have the walls decorated with images I had taken years ago of my very first few high school seniors. As we ate and went over notes, in walked Chris Whaley. If you do not know that name then you must not be from TEXAS. He is an AMAZING player for the Texas Longhorn Football team and has HUGE potential. He is the hometown hero for this tiny little town, and he happens to be one of my first few seniors. A surreal reminder of where it all started for Spanki Mills Photography.

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So as we sat and talked, and I found myself getting excited about not only Tiffanies business, but my own business as well… In the middle of a town that introduced a photography business to me, in a cafe full of love for my images, and now a table away from one of my very first REAL clients…it was surreal. It was as though God put Tiffanie in my life at this very moment, and had us meet in this town, a town that means so much to my business, my family, and my heart….and He walks a past senior in to sit a table from me. Everything about this day was so so so good for my soul….and then Jenna meets us. Jenna who also happens to be a past senior client of mine, comes to the session with SUIT CASES <--- yes plural! CASES FULL of clothing. ready to be AMAZING! SpankiMills_0796SpankiMills_0797SpankiMills_0798

There are just some people who know are meant to be in your life… the same goes for my clients. I know RIGHT off those that I will work with and love, but after it is all over it is over. Others I know immediately will develop into friendships that will last forever. Whether it is the senior or the senior's momma. I just know. and Jenna is one of those that is just meant to be. If ever I feel the need to just shoot for my soul…she is the girl. and today was no different. She brought it. and with the light, and the model and the mentor and the zealous for our love for photography… THIS is what we created. My heart is once again FULL. SpankiMills_0801SpankiMills_0802SpankiMills_0800This day was meant for me. For the friendship I made in Tiffanie, for the renewal of my spirit, for the humble reminder of where I started, and for the amazing love I have for the town I was shooting in. God had shown his buttery Sun Shine down on us and we created. To see more on what a ONE on ONE mentor is look HERE.

SpankiMills_0803some BTS from the day… Chris, Tiffanie doing her thang, and Jenna seeing herself in my promo!

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Avery | A&M Consolidated Senior

SpankiMills_0762 you will see me shoot here often. I ADORE this place. The light is all I think about and I would love here if I could…never mind it doesn't have a door, is missing part of the wall and is covered in BUGS. I still am in love with this place. Avery was so much fun and game to hang out by the big nest of yellow jackets…all to get the image… hello…did I mention I LOVE her! SpankiMills_0766SpankiMills_0768

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Here is a little "Behind the Scene" for  you…

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Melissa

Okay Melissa is seriously what I call a ROCK STAR. This girl braved the cold gloomy day and still brought her A-Game! Can you tell we were shivering the entire time? Nope... rock star I tell you!

as if these images weren't AMAZING enough, we had planned for her to finish her session with a few water images but I will be honest...after I felt how cold the water was I just assumed NOT A CHANCE. But this girl was BRAVE and insisted on it, how do you say no to that!