The Summer We Answered the Call 🌿

This summer has been one of the quickest, most unexpected seasons of change we’ve ever walked through — but also the clearest reminder that God is in the details. Looking back, we can see how every small moment — from teenage dreams, to the leap of faith that brought us to 30A, to the season of motherhood and business building — has been leading us right here. We’ve said it so many times these past few months: look at God.

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Ryan’s Story: From a Teenager’s Heart to Full-Time Ministry

A few days after Kingston was born, Ryan officially added a new title to his résumé — and no, it wasn’t “baby deliverer,” although that hidden talent proved itself too 😉. It was something he never saw coming and certainly wasn’t looking for, but when the opportunity came, it felt like the missing piece of the puzzle — suddenly the bigger picture and even the smallest details made sense.

Ryan was offered and accepted a full-time position at Destiny Worship Center — a role that allows him to step fully into what he has always done best: connect with people. If you know Ryan, you know he loves to talk (to anyone, anywhere, about anything!) — but even more, you know he has a rare gift for truly listening. For making people feel seen, known, and loved. This ministry role blends those gifts of communication, encouragement, and shepherding in a way that feels less like a new job and more like stepping into a calling.

The truth is, Ryan first felt stirred toward ministry as a teenager — but he dodged it. Out of fear. Out of wondering how it could ever happen, or what it might look like. It felt safer to set it aside. And yet, God never let go of the call.

When we moved to 30A five years ago — a move we thought was primarily about photography and business — God was also planting us in the place where this calling would one day unfold. None of it was wasted. Every conversation, every relationship, every “yes” we gave along the way was a detail leading us right here. To the summer when the call he once avoided became the call he could no longer deny.

And the timing couldn’t have been more meaningful. As we welcomed Kingston into our family and stepped into a brand new season of life, it felt like God was weaving the pieces together in a way we could never have scripted — confirming that this new role, in this exact season, was no accident. Look at God.

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Anna’s Story: From the Classroom to Refuge Education

Just as Ryan was stepping into his long-awaited calling, I felt God stirring something new in me too — an invitation to hold both motherhood and ministry close, and to begin building Refuge Education not as a sprint, but as a steady, grace-filled walk into the future. My background has always been in education — as a teacher and a coach — long before photography became my full-time work. When we left the classroom to pursue Refuge together, I didn’t realize how much that foundation would eventually come back around.

Over the years, education has been a quiet heartbeat of Refuge. But now, the vision is to see it grow into something much bigger through the gift of online platforms. The heart behind Refuge Education is simple: to create space where photographers (especially women like me) can build businesses that not only serves others fully but also allow them to be fully present for their families.

And this isn’t an overnight launch. It’s not about rushing to create a perfectly packaged program — it’s about letting something grow steadily, the way God often works. My prayer is that as I live this out myself — walking the messy, beautiful tension of being a full-time mom while also stewarding this creative calling — Refuge Education will reflect that balance.

For me, this space is more than just business. It’s a creative outlet that fills my cup and serves others, and my deepest hope is that it becomes a resource that pours back into others. That it helps photographers find clarity, freedom, and encouragement in both their work and their homes. That it’s not just talking the talk about balance, but truly walking the walk alongside those I get to serve.

What’s more, God has been showing us the power of online education — how it can reach beyond 30A and allow me to serve women across the country (and even the world) right from home. Retreats and in-person experiences will always be part of Refuge, but this online space opens the door for impact that grows steadily, one faithful step at a time.

Refuge Today: A New Rhythm

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So what does this mean for Refuge as a whole?

It means a shift, but not a goodbye. We will still be photographing the sweetest couples and families — but with limited availability, and only here along 30A. Travel will be extremely limited and reserved for select opportunities. This boundary is what allows us to honor both the ministry calling on Ryan’s life and the education calling on mine, while protecting our most important role: being Mom and Dad.

It also means Refuge is stepping more fully into education — through online courses, individual and group coaching programs, and resources designed to encourage and equip photographers. Our mission hasn’t changed: we exist to love, serve, and celebrate people in the same joy filled way we believe Jesus would. But this season is a new expression of that mission, shaped by the details God has been writing into our story all along.

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The Summer We Answered the Call

Leading to this hasn’t been without tears, prayers, or surrender. Change can be scary, especially when it means letting go of the familiar. But this summer has been marked by peace. The kind of peace that only comes from knowing you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

From a teenager’s hesitant stirring, to a cross-country move we couldn’t fully explain, to the season of motherhood and business growth that reshaped our dreams — it has all been preparation. Every detail, every step, every “yes.”

This is the summer we answered the call. And as we step forward, we are overwhelmed with gratitude — for the community that surrounds us, the clients who trust us, the people we get to serve and celebrate, and the God who writes stories more beautiful than we could ever script for ourselves. Look at God. 🤍

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P.S. For Our Clients 🤍

We want to make sure you know exactly what this means for you:

• 📸 We are still photographing weddings and sessions — but moving forward availability is limited and only along 30A.
• ✈️ Travel work will be very rare and reserved for select opportunities.
• 🌿 Refuge Education (workshops, retreats, and online resources) will continue to grow, equipping photographers with tools, systems, and encouragement to serve well and live fully present.

Thank you for trusting us, cheering us on, and walking with us through every season. We couldn’t do this without you!

Oh and you know what to do — stay tuned because an overdue rebrand is coming soon 😉

With so much joy, gratitude, & all of our love,

Anna (& Ryan) 🎉