A Mother–Daughter Journey, A Dream Realized, and the Magic of Photographing Paris
For the past month, Dream Lily Photography has been unusually quiet online — and for the best possible reason. Sydney and I have been traveling, creating memories, photographing incredible people, and experiencing a once‑in‑a‑lifetime adventure that I’m finally ready to share. Between our London and Paris photography sessions, a week back home, and then another week at Topsail Island photographing an engagement session and a family beach session, it’s been a whirlwind of airports, suitcases, memory cards, and sunsets. The kind of month that fills your heart and your hard drive all at once.
But the heart of this story starts long before we boarded a plane.
---
A Story Years in the Making
On our final night of the London/Paris trip, during dinner, the group was invited to share their experiences and thank Silvia, our tour guide, for everything she had done throughout our travels. When I stood up to speak, I didn’t expect to tell a story that began many years ago.
When Sydney was in middle school, she took her very first international trip to Italy. I wanted to go too, but as a single mom, I could only afford to send one of us. She was such an amazing traveler that she was invited back the following year for the Ireland trip — and somehow, we made that happen too.
Halfway through paying for that second trip, Sydney became old enough to get a job. I told her that if she wanted to continue traveling, she would need to help pay for it herself. And she did. She took over her own payments and also paid her way to Spain the following summer, and that’s where she met Silvia.
When she came home, she talked about Silvia constantly. She had made such an impact on her.
Then we learned that the London and Paris trip would also be led by Silvia, and Sydney immediately said, “I have to go.” And she did.
What I didn’t expect was what came next.
Sydney knew that Paris had always been on my bucket list. To thank me for making those earlier trips possible, she paid for nearly 90% of my trip. She works at Sonic, as well as helping me run this business, and gets paid twice a month — one paycheck went toward her trip, and the other went toward mine. She did all of this while taking extra classes so she could graduate high school early.
As I shared this story at dinner, I began to cry. I realized how incredibly loved and blessed I am to have experienced this perfect mother‑daughter trip. My child — who isn’t even an adult yet — worked hard and sacrificed so that I could experience a dream I never thought possible.
I am unbelievably proud of Sydney. Every moment of this trip is a memory I will treasure forever.
And finally, I got to meet Silvia — the person I had heard so much about over the years. She was every bit as wonderful as Sydney described and did an incredible job making sure each of us had the fullest experience possible.
Thank you, Sydney, for giving me Paris.
And thank you, Silvia, for helping create memories that will last a lifetime.
---
Turning Memories Into Art
Of course, when two photographers travel together, magic happens.
One of my favorite moments was recreating Sydney’s first‑birthday Eiffel Tower photo — a cardboard party decoration in the background, a stuffed dog in her arms, and a tiny outfit that I still have tucked away. This time, we were in front of the real Eiffel Tower. Sydney held the same stuffed dog, wore a similar outfit, and held her original birthday outfit in her hands.
The photo is everything I hoped it would be: sentimental, full‑circle, and a perfect blend of motherhood, nostalgia, and artistry. It will be displayed in this blog, and I can’t wait for you to see it. It’s the kind of image that reminds me why I love legacy photography, sentimental recreations, and capturing stories that span generations.
We also had the privilege of photographing several other travelers who wanted professional Eiffel Tower photos. It was such a joy to capture their excitement, their friendships, and their once‑in‑a‑lifetime moments in one of the most iconic places in the world. There’s something magical about photographing people who are experiencing a dream — their joy becomes contagious, and the images reflect that energy. These sessions were a beautiful blend of travel photography, Paris vacation portraits, and genuine human connection.
---
What’s Next for Dream Lily Photography
Now that we’re home, we’re diving into editing, organizing, and preparing to share everything from:
· London & Paris traveler photography sessions
· Our mother‑daughter Eiffel Tower recreation
· Topsail Island engagement photography
· Family beach sessions
· Behind‑the‑scenes moments from our travels
· And a few surprises we’ve been planning for fall
Thank you for your patience while we’ve been away. This past few months have been transformative — personally, professionally, and creatively. I feel refreshed, inspired, and more grateful than ever for the clients and community who support Dream Lily Photography.
Stay tuned. Beautiful things are coming...
