I'd like to kick things off here on The Jones today with this photo Chance took of me and Olena in complete and total BLISS getting to not only see this Savannah Cat up close but getting to love on it and have it love on us! Look at that face.
This was in Anaheim, CA, on October 19. Home Free had a show that night, so Olena and I headed to the venue early. When Chance came up to us and asked if we wanted to go to his friend's house in a bit to meet his Savannah, I mean, it was a no brainer. When someone lets you into their home solely to pet their animal, you go. You can follow this beaut on Instagram, and you should. @zeusy_cat
Since that day I've pretty much been working and traveling with Home Free with a few scattered days off in between. I joined them on their Press Day in Los Angeles to get some photographs of them, and then the next day I hopped on the tour bus with them for a week! I figured I'd share a whole bunch of photos I've taken of the last few weeks with my favorite country a cappella group and my best friend.
Let's get into it, shall we?
I believe in these guys so much. Getting to watch their growth firsthand has been extremely special. They always say "don't meet your heroes" because the collective thought is that you'd be let down. Some day very soon these five guys are going to be heroes in the eyes of many, and I know in my heart that meeting them would never be a let down. Genuine people with genuine talent succeeding is such an inspiration, and an incredibly rewarding experience to be even a small part of. Watching them get recognition from their shows to interviews to the red carpet is so exciting.
Then I joined them on tour and they allowed me to experiment with concert photography for the first time! Please set aside your judgement, as this is a new skill that I'm just starting out in :)
Olena does it again: capturing me capturing. I love what I do, and I love that Olena's always right by me capturing those moments. Makes me all the more comfortable and makes it all the more fun.
The first day off I got to spend with them was spent in Monterey, so we all decided to spend it at the historic aquarium. It did not disappoint. Actually, on the contrary, it fascinated.
The next day wasn't a day off, but we couldn't pass up whale watching in Monterey Bay. Whales are Chance's favorite animal, so thankfully he spearheaded this activity, and I'm so thankful that he did. Easily the most amazing thing I've ever seen in real life was the moment we got to see a whale breach all "Free Willy" style right in front of our faces. You think you can understand how that would look, or how big these creatures really are, and then you get to witness it firsthand and I got a little choked up in amazement of what I was viewing.
In the middle of this show, Olena and I decided we had gotten all the usable photos possible for the night, so we snuck out of the theatre with the intention of shooting at the Monterey Pier. On our walk, we passed a wine bar, exchanged a shared glance, changed course, and walked right in. Over cheese and wine we talked and laughed. Again probably confusing people about the nature of our relationship, not having it any other way.
There's an explanation for this next photo, but I like it better without one. A sidesplitting moment that one lucky audience in Napa Valley got to witness.
Next stop: Seattle! Ever since my girls' trip to this city I've been dying to go back. Home Free was scheduled to spend Halloween there, so I joined them there for my last day on tour. We spent it getting high on coffee, taking Abe's suggestions, and laughing a lot. Abe is Home Free's promoter, who somehow knows the best places in pretty much every city we stopped in. If you wanted to do something on any given day, you were pretty much guaranteed to find a suggestion that fit the bill from Abe.
We didn't dress up, but it was the most fun I've had on Halloween in years.
I probably don't have to keep harboring on the fact that I have so much fun with these people. You get it, I'm sure. I feel lucky to have been brought into their lives by way of Olena, and to have begun to form my own relationships with them all. I'm an anxious person, and to meet people who not only accept me but laugh at my jokes and applaud my weird is special. Seriously watch out for these five handsome fellas, they're only just beginning their growth, and I'm so excited to be on this journey with them.
I was home from this trip for just enough time to go on a callback and hang out with Jen, and before I knew it, I was on another aircraft, this time headed to Nashville to film the days leading up to the CMA Awards, which my boys were in attendance of and got to walk the Red Carpet for!
Not to brag, but we're kind of a big deal. Post on that experience coming soon! :)
Make the most of your weekend, people, you deserve it.
XO