5L0A0774 copy.jpg
hello.png

I'm Gennean, a writer, photographer, and wild heart.  I love traveling, a good cup of tea, everything Harry Potter, and I'm all about keeping it real.  I specialize in portrait and travel photography and am passionate about capturing the wild, real moments of life.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

EXPLORE more on the blog:

 
 
 

GENNEAN ON INSTAGRAM

» Wherever you are, be all there. It’s a quote that I’ve loved for almost a decade, and one I’ve aimed to live out with each person, throughout each day, in each season. In a day and age when we’re constantly being distracted, grasping for our phones, and being tugged by the tyranny of the urgent, there is something refreshing about remembering to be fully present right where I am: to fully be with my people, to enjoy special moments in the day, and to embrace right where I find myself in life. Right now, that means being fully present with family, with friends, or with myself. It means putting my phone away while enjoying a cup of tea, or choosing to sit in a park to watch the sunset. And it means embracing and thriving as a complete and content (and pretty freaking cool) single woman. And it — all of it — is lovely. Wherever I am, I will be all there.
» Don't mind me, I'll just be over here continuing to fall hard for the Pacific Northwest 😍
» Fall is holding strong in the Pacific Northwest, and the autumnal colors mixed with the rain and fog are making for quite the magical experience. I'm won't lie: I kind of love it here. I’m feeling real thankful to have another week up here and for the opportunity to explore more places. I’m going to spend some time in Portland and am considering heading out to Cannon Beach as well, not to mention hitting up Sisters and Bend on my way back to California. Any other things I should do or see while I'm in the PNW? ↟↟↟
» I’m officially onto the adventure and currently feeling the full gamut of emotions: excitement, fear, curiosity, and everything in between. But most of all I feel expectant. Already, I can sense movement. I sense growth and stretching, and am graciously being given glimpses of clarity as I am physically, mentally, and spiritually exploring new places... and it is good. But it's hard, too. In this space there is very little consistency and an abundance of time spent alone. I like myself well enough to enjoy my own company, but the longer you are with just you the more heart work you find yourself wandering into. Not bad, but not easy either. They say that good things don't come from comfort zones though, so I'm leaning in. All to say, this life of traveling can and may look glamorous and exciting from the outside, and while it is sometimes, it can also be challenging. It's not for everyone (tbh I'm not even sure it's for me sometimes), but I do know I'm doing what I need to right now: holding to the promise, chasing the dream, and seeking the One who gave me both. I hope you're right where you feel you're supposed to be, doing "you", and that you're refusing to settle for anything less. Don't worry about what it looks like to everyone around you, or how crazy it may feel. Life is too short for that. Do what you were made to do, use your voice and life for good, chase them dreams, and always be a kind human✨
» Paris 🇫🇷 was one of the cities I most looked forward to visiting while in Europe, and — despite meeting a few travelers along the way who said it was overrated — I refused to lose my wide-eyed wonder, eventually finding myself falling hard and fast for the city of love✨ So I've compiled a little list of what to do, where to eat, and more for a dreamy weekend getaway in Paris! #linkinprofile —— 💻 gennean.com/blog
» Real talk: I recently had a close and well-meaning friend express how much they want me to know my purpose, and it got me thinking once again about calling and purpose, and the immense amount of pressure we put on ourselves and one another to have it mapped. And — once again — I find myself shaking my head at the absurdity of trying to figure it all out. I mean, I get it. To some my life might look a real hot mess right now — like maybe I'm floundering aimlessly as I live without a permanent address or typical twenty-nine year old's life — and I kind of get it. Hell, even I think it sometimes. Because American culture teaches us that life should look a certain way by a certain age; that there are milestones we should be reaching; that we should be climbing "the ladder"; and that the only real way to meet a dude nowadays is online (ugh). But I have to ask: why do we think that‘s the (only) map we should follow? and what if we dared to veer off course and do our own thing, forging a new path? Because that's pretty much where I’m at, and yes, it might look a little crazy. Or maybe it’s just different... and therefore others aren’t sure what to do with it. Or me. No, I don't know where I want to live (yet). No, I don’t have a career path I’m chasing. No, I don’t have a boyfriend or anything even remotely close. No, I don't really know what I'm doing, tbh. But man am I ever in love with my life and, most importantly, my Creator. There’s nothing inherently wrong with having a 5 year plan, but when our plans become the most important thing to us, that can be a problem that keeps us from real obedience. And I don’t want to end up there. All this to say, screw the cultural standards and expectations others have for us. I believe this life is too short to not live it fully, embracing every step and misstep, and showing Love to every human we meet. So if that means looking a little bit of a mess, I’m okay with it. Oh, and my purpose? To keep saying yes — no matter how crazy it looks — and always sharing it with you in the realest of ways. Like right now. Embrace your space. Live fully present. Trust the process. You got this.