Exploring Richmond, Virginia

Hi Friends!!

I am currently looking at my summer and trying to plan vacations, family time and road trips. Summer is SO short and trying to fit everything in is always a challenge! Three months doesn’t sound that short until you are talking about June, July and August. Am I right?! haha!

Speaking of vacation, I never blogged my trip to Richmond this fall. I flew to Richmond Virginia by myself in October to attend the Katelyn James Workshop. I blogged that amazing experience HERE! I went a few days early to explore the area and get a little vacation in. I found out solo vacationing is NOT what I expected!

Living in a small town my entire life, cities have always stressed me out! My trip started out with quite a few flight delays so by the time I navigated the city streets to my hotel the first night I was ready to turn in early with pizza and tv! haha!

I started my first full day for breakfast at a close by Chick-Fil-A. I have heard SO much about this fast food chain I was excited to try it myself. I think my expectations were a bit too high, I enjoyed my meal but didn’t think it lived up to the hype! (sorry chick-fil-a fanatics!).

I drove into the city and enjoyed my coffee with a view at Libby Hill Park.

Next I checked out the historic streets of Churchill. So many beautiful houses and viney walls! 😍

St. Johns Church is one of Richmonds many historic landmarks. It was built in 1741 and is where Patrick Henry gave his memorable “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech in 1775.

I learned that coffee shops are my comfort zone!

When my feet got sore from walking or I wasn’t sure where else to go I would find the closest coffee shop and decompress for a bit! It was interesting having zero itinerary and no other opinions, it was certainly uncomfortable at times but the freedom and spontaneity was a fun change!

Thank goodness for social media! I was sharing updates on my Instagram page and my good friend from high school reached out because she recently moved to Richmond! I was so excited to meet up with Jamie that evening! She took me to Carytown and showed me around the VCU campus. Now I am not usually a cake person but we stopped at a local hot spot called Shyndigz and OH MY WORD! Best cake I have ever tried! Seriously yummy!!

Whenever I am in a new place I get a major urge to photograph PEOPLE in my new environment! Now I know I was there for a photography workshop and I would be photographing people the very next day but those photography roots run deep ya’ll! haha!

I found a local photographer who was part of a learning photography community with me. I reached out to her and crossed my fingers she would want to meet up and exchange photos! I was so happy when she agreed! She lived in Charlottlesville, VA which was about 1 hour from Richmond. I drove to Charlottlesville early the next day to check out the area and found a stunning apple orchard called “Carter Mountain Orchard.” What a view!

Xiaoqi showed me around the stunning campus of the University of Richmond while we chatted and photographed each other among the pillars! Ahhh I was loving all the white, so many photo options!

I will share a full post of her portraits soon!

I had survived two days on my own and even found people to hang out with! 😉

After a fun afternoon together we hugged goodbye and I hoped in my car to pick up my new workshop friends! Wow!! The photography community has brought so many people into my life and for that I am ever grateful!

Did you miss the next part of my Richmond journey? So many more new friends, camera’s and good food in the workshop post!

That’s all today friends! Have a happy Tuesday!

xoxo - Natalie Carolyn