2020 Graduates

Congratulations to the class of 2020! I’m proud to have shared such a transformative experience with so many grads this year. Enjoy some of my favorites - although it was so tough to chose just a few from each session! Boiler up!

If you are interested in senior pictures, please contact me using the form below or via my contact page.

The Best of 2019 Weddings

These are some of my favorite photos from the 2019 wedding season. I couldn't have asked for a better year. I adore every single one of the couples I worked with. I will cherish these photos forever.

My Two Weeks in Bali

I recently embarked on an adventure of a lifetime; a trip I’ve been dreaming of since I could remember - Bali. I had the most incredible, life changing and eye opening experience. The purpose of this post is to shed light on commonly asked questions and share my personal advice to those who want to experience Bali! It made me so happy that so many people asked me questions about my trip and Bali in general. Planning and research before hand can make or break your whole experience. This blog post would be a good start for anyone considering to experience Bali or just wanting to learn more about my trip. Disclaimer, this blog is a bit lengthy! I include information everyone should know before they consider a trip to Bali along with some general travel trips.

I’ve always wanted to go to Bali and decided to make it happen. I researched Bali for months and asked tons of questions to people who have visited before. Facebook groups are extremely helpful, like Girls LOVE Travel. You can ask the group questions and search questions that have already been asked. A really amazing Bali specific group I recommend is Bali Life. Once I felt like I had researched enough, I bought my plane tickets.

A friend of mine put me in touch with the owner of a tour company based in Ubud, Bali. His name is Wayan Logan and he owns Abracadabra Tour Company in Bali. Wayan and I started planning the itinerary in May of 2019. I gave him a list of the things I wanted to do that I had researched and he also provided a list of other things I could do while in Bali. From there, he took my list and together we built the plan. He gave me tons of advice and told me when I was trying to shove too much into the itinerary (which happened a few times haha.)

My original plan was to go alone, but I decided to post on the Girls Love Travel Facebook group that I was traveling to Bali to see if anyone wanted to join. That’s how I met my travel partner, Stacey. She booked her ticket right away and we started talking about what we wanted to do in and booked accommodations. Stacey let me work with Wayan to plan most of the trip, which was nice. It was a risk traveling with someone I never meet before, but looking back I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I couldn’t have asked for a better travel partner. Travel made me a life long friend. We shared many unforgettable memories throughout our travels in Bali. When it was time to say goodbye, I felt like I was leaving a life-long friend but gaining a life-long travel buddy.Travel really does make the best friendships and connects the world. 

Disclaimer: I don’t recommend traveling with strangers. I happened to be very lucky to find someone so amazing so easily. You definitely have to have a certain type of personality to travel with people you don’t know. Know yourself, be aware of the kind of person you vibe well with and always be smart when picking a travel buddy. Even though my situation ended up being amazing, I could have found myself in a bad situation.

Flight

I purchased my plane ticket in late May 2019 for approximately $750 (Including flight insurance) through Orbitz. Stacey flew from Houston and paid over $1,000 and booked it right after me. Getting a good deal on flights can be hard, but it’s possible. I had never booked a flight through OTA before, but I had no problems and will probably do it again. My best advice for finding cheap flights is to start looking early, book early, track your prices and be flexible with dates!

My Itinerary

The thing people asked me for the most was my itinerary. I contemplated about sharing this for a long time. Wayan and I worked on building the itinerary for months. That is part of what I paid him for, to help me plan the most incredible trip ever. I value Wayan, his services and expertise so much that I don’t want to give it all away. Building the plan for your trip is how you learn about your destination. It really prepares you for the experience you’re about to have. I don’t want to take that from anyone planning to go to Bali, because it is so important. I decided to share a condensed version of my itinerary with you. I purposely left out some details because finding places is part of the fun. I always say if people could find these amazing places before the internet, they can find it without the internet. Hidden gems make a trip 10 times better. I included a few Airbnb’s and hotels that I loved. Here it is:

  • Day 1: October 4th - Arrival-Ubud

    Airbnb address: Br. Ambengan, peliatan, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia

    Day 2: October 5th- Ubud

    Airbnb address: Br. Ambengan, peliatan, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia

    Ubud day trip: Bali big swings, bird nest, rice terrace and water temple
    Day 3: October 6th – Ubud

    Airbnb Address: Banjar Gentong Tegallalang Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia 80561, Indonesia

    Sacred Monkey Forest

    Karsa Spa
    Day 4: October 7th – Ubud

    Banjar Gentong Tegallalang Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia 80561, Indonesia

    Tegenungan Waterfall

    Kanto Lampo Waterfall

    Mt. Batur

    Hot Springs
    Day 5: October 8th-Ubud

    Nusa Penida day trip from Ubud
    Island Tour-Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach
    Day 6: October 9th - Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan)

    Fast boat to Gili islands from Bali

    Hotel Address: PinkCoco-South Beach of Gili Trawangan, North Lombok, Indonesia 83355.

    Day 7: October 10th - Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan)

    Hotel Address: PinkCoco-South Beach of Gili Trawangan, North Lombok, Indonesia 83355.

    Snorkeling tour

    Day 8: October 11th-return to Bali-Canggu
    Finn’s Beach Club
    Day 9: October 12th-Staying in Canggu

    Tanah lot Temple

    Finn’s beach Club Canggu
    Day 10: October 13th – Canggu

    Surfing and beach time

    Day 11: October 14th - Staying at Bingin Beach

    Airbnb Address: The Sun and Surf Stay Bingin Beach, Down the Cliff, Pecatu, Bali 80361, Indonesia

    Beach time

    Day 12: October 15th – Bingin Beach

    Airbnb address: Jalan Pantai Bingin, Kuta Selatan, Bali 80361, Indonesia

    Visit Uluwatu

    Day 13: October 16th

    Beach day at Bingin Beach

Photos below: Nusa Penida-Diamond Beach

Gili T

Looking back, I wish I would have changed a few things about my itinerary like spending more time in Gili T. Gili T was the most beautiful, idyllic and energetic places I have ever been. I could have spent weeks in that magical paradise. The Gili Islands are a group of 3 small islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. They’re located in Indonesia, near the coast of northwest Lombok Island, so technically not a part of Bali. Gili T is known as the party island and it’s pretty clear as soon as you arrive. There’s also no cars on the island. You can only travel by horse or bike. The horses are small and have to carry way more than they are made to handle. I suggest avoiding using the horses by packing light and using the bikes. The air is so fresh there. I wish I could have put it in a bag and brought it home. I went on a private snorkeling tour through the islands for only $30. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Swimming with turtles, seeing shipwrecks and underwater art. It’s a bit of a challenge to get there to the Gili Islands, but it’s so worth it.

All the photos below are from the GilI Islands.

Money

The currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah. Right now, 1 United States Dollar equals 13,637.50 Indonesian Rupiah. To give you an idea of how much things cost, here’s a list of some items I purchased.

  • 1 hour full body massage: 100,000 rp ~ $8 USD

  • 2 hour surfing lesson: 450,000 rp ~ $32 USD

  • 2 hour private boat snorkeling tour in the Gili Islands: 450,000 rp ~ $32 USD

  • 1 Bintang (Indonesian beer) 20,000 rp ~ $2 USD

  • Hand knit shirt in traditional market: 100,000 ~ $8

  • Entrance into parks, viewpoints, etc. can be anywhere from 10,000-80,000 rp.

  • Meals can be anywhere from $2-$10

Bargaining is definitely acceptable when it comes to shopping in Bali. It’s okay to negotiate, but remember the person selling you the item likely has a family to feed and a roof to keep over their heads too. Be polite and courteous in your approach. Remember that the few dollars you’re trying to save can provide a meal for a local family. The currency stretches much further for the locals. Just be respectful in everything you do. Remember you are a visitor in THEIR country.

In total I spent around $3,000 dollars including flight, hotels, food, activities, etc. I think people assume travel is much more expensive than it truly is. For Bali, your flight will be the most expensive part. I always recommend doing a currency exchange at your home bank before you go. This is where you’ll get the best exchange rate and avoid fees.

Getting Around

I used private drivers through Wayan to get around while in Bali. Through Wayan’s company, I always had English speaking, knowledgeable and safe drivers. You can hire a taxi and in some places you can get Grabs and Ubers. I found so much value in going with drivers who were more than just a taxi. All of my drivers taught me about the places they were taking me to and always got out with me instead of waiting in the parking lot like other drivers do. I had so many questions and they answered them all. They took photos of me and told me where the best photo spots were at each location. I think hiring the right type of driver can make or break your experience. My visits to temples and different sites wouldn’t have been the same without Wayan and his team going in with me, answering questions and teaching the Balinese culture.

Renting mopeds is also a very popular option. I decided against this option because I don’t have much experience with mopeds or driving on the opposite side of the street. Driving the mopeds as a tourist can be quite dangerous. Mopeds are the cause of a lot of tourist injuries.

To get from Bali to the different islands you’ll have to get there by boat. Wayan organized this all for me, it was great. The trip from Bali to the Gili Islands feels like it takes forever. Between waiting for the boat, boarding the boat, the ride itself and getting off the boat takes a while. If you’re going to the Gili islands you’ll want to spend at least 3 nights there to make it worth the trip. I’m not going to lie, the process of boarding the boats is extremely hectic. If you get on a boat in Sanur like I did to get to Nusa Penida, you will get wet. This is another reason to take a backpack and not a suitcase. Just to give you an idea of what it’s like, here is a video I found of people boarding the boats in Sanur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofghNARAFVs It’s quite funny and makes me think of how shocked I was when I got socked in my white jumpsuit boarding this boat. P.S. I highly recommend sitting on top of the boat and drinking a Bintang with other travelers.

Hotels/Airbnb

Most people associate Bali with infinity pool hotels and the photos Kim Kardashian posts while she’s there. While that is definitely a part of Bali, that’s not even close to all there is to offer. I stayed in both Airbnbs and Hotels. They were each so different and I am so glad I got to experience all types of living there.

The first Airbnb was in the middle of a huge working rice paddy and was a true authentic Balinese experience. We had to walk probably close to a mile through the field to get to the Airbnb, but it was worth it. The second Airbnb was inside a traditional Balinese family compound. It was a beautiful hut with a pool right outside. It sat right on the edge of the jungle. The owner carried breakfast up to us on her head each morning. The family living there came out and greeted me as I walked by. It was extremely welcoming and again a very authentic experience. Both of these places cost around $30-$45 a night.

The last night in Ubud we decided to spend a little more and stay at a nicer hotel. We stayed at a hotel called Bisma Eight. It cost around $250-$300 a night. It had the classic Bali infinity pool and the most wonderful amenities. I was greeted upon arrival with cold towels and a welcome drink before being shown my room. It was the most lovely hotel experience I’ve ever had. I recommend it to anyone: https://bisma-eight.com/

In Gili T, we stayed at a beach hotel called Pink Coco. The whole place was pink and it was adorable. This place cost us around $80 a night.

In Canggu we had our only bad hotel experience. It had a great location, but the rooms left a lot to be desired. It cost us about $90 a night.

I stayed in 2 different places in Bingin Beach for my last two nights for about $100 a night. Both overlooked the water.

No matter how tempting it is, don’t stay in the treehouses you see on Instagram and Airbnb. These are somewhat common on the islands. I saw a few of them in Nusa Penida (2 pictures below) that I almost stayed in and I am so glad I didn't . They were extremely hard to get to and they had absolutely no plumbing, water, electricity etc. Monkeys are super common in these areas and can get in the tree houses easily. Instagrammers go to these treehouses for a few hours, take photos and then leave. They don’t actually stay there. Just be smart when booking your accommodations and make sure you get ALL the information.

Food

Fried rice (Nasi Goreng) and fried noodles (Mie Goreng) are everywhere in Bali. I loved both of those dishes so much it’s almost all I ate. I had smoothie bowls, seafood and a variety of chicken dishes as well. The food is amazing regardless of your location within Bali.

Whenever drinking tap water in a foreign country, proceed with caution - sometimes it can be dangerous to our health. This is not to say that the water is unsafe to locals but may react differently within our bodies! Water in different areas have different bacteria that your stomach may not be used to. It is really easy to get sick from drinking the water in Bali. It’s often called “Bali belly”. It can happen from drinking the water or eating the street food. As tempting as it is, never ever eat the street food. Everyone I met who tried the street food got sick. Always drink bottled water or use a filtered water bottle.

Here are some really good items to travel with to make sure you’re reducing your carbon footprint and being safe at the same time:

Life Straw

GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier [+ Filter] Bottle

Water-to-go Bottle

The Other Side of Bali

No one shows the photos of the not so pretty parts of Bali. Not every part of Bali is full of beaches, infinity pools, relaxation and easy living. There’s also a lot more walking, climbing and potentially dangerous cliffs that no one tells you about. To get to the beautiful beaches, sometimes you have to do some exhausting and scary stuff. Between walking down steep stairs and rocks with no railing and walking through tight walkways to get to your hotel, you will be exhausted and sweaty before you reach some of your destinations. Also, It’s not uncommon for the sidewalks to be extremely uneven or even have holes in them. Absolutely no one told me about all this. Things just aren’t as accessible and if you’re not in shape, it’s a real challenge. You’ll see what I mean in some of my photos below.

I think it’s important to share the beauty of Bali, but also the downfalls because tourists can help some of these problems. For example, the trash on the streets and in the water. Being respectful of the environment well before you even land in your destination is so important. It starts with what and how you pack and how you act when you arrive. Educate others and set a good example for everyone. Show the local restaurant and lodging employees/owners what is important to you as a traveler. Tourism makes up over 80% of Bali’s economy. The locals care what travelers want because their economy relies on it. If we show them that sustainability matters, they will implement more sustainable practices. Use your voice, it matters.

Things to know:

Beware of stray dogs. I learned that the dogs with a collar (usually a ripped piece of fabric) have been vaccinated. The dogs without the collar have not had their shots. Rabies are very common, so careful of what dogs you’re petting. There are also many dog shelters you can volunteer at and donate to in Bali.

Animal encounters: The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud is a very popular attraction. The guests aren’t always respectful of the animals and that is why the place can get a bad reputation. The staff and the facility overall are good to the animals. They post the rules and guidelines for a reason. It’s so important not to pet, look the monkeys in the eyes or feed them. It’s tempting to let the monkey jump on you, but it is best to leave them alone and just look from a far.

I visited the Bali Zoo and did an elephant mud bath experience. The Zoo was very nice and well taken care of. It’s so important to do your research on elephant encounters or any animal encounters before you do them. A lot of places claim to be sanctuaries, but they are not. Any place that offers elephant rides is not a sanctuary. This Elephant encounter was a lot different than one I did in Thailand. Mostly because Elephants are not native to Bali and they are in Thailand. I would not recommend doing an elephant encounter anywhere that elephants aren’t native. If I did this trip over again, I probably would not have done this.

The Traffic: I mentioned this before, but I would not recommend renting the mopeds if you’re not used to them and driving on the opposite side of the road. It is absolute chaos. It’s also very common to see little children riding mopeds with no helmets and mopeds with multiple dogs on them, so don’t be shocked when you see that.

Safety: I felt very safe the whole time I was there. I actually felt safer walking there alone at night than I do at home. The Balinese people truly value their Hindu beliefs. Karma is very real to them and as a result of that, they are very good people.

Culture: The Balinese culture is very different than what we are used to. It’s not uncommon to see topless women walking around. Especially if you’re staying in an authentic Airbnb or hotel.

Hinduism: 83% percent of the Bali population is Hindu. They are passionate about their religion and you see it in everything. They have offerings in their cars, on the streets and everywhere in between. The offerings often consist of palms, flowers, incense, money, food and lots of other things. They’re on the streets, so watch where you step. In Hinduism cows are considered sacred, so no beef is consumed in Bali. But you will see lots of peaceful cows hanging out around Bali.

ATMs: Some ATMs just don’t work for our cards and you’ll have to search around for one that does work. Especially in the Islands. When I was in Nusa Penida, I tried to use an ATM 3 times, it didn’t give me the money but it still went through on my account. Be aware of that kind of situation and call your bank. Like I said above, I like to take out a large amount of money at my bank before I go and then use ATMs if I have to. There’s a fee every time you withdraw money, so I always try to take out larger amounts to avoid using the ATM multiple times. In Bali, I used cash for almost everything. You can’t use cards everywhere.

SIM Cards: If you want your phone to work like it does at home, you’ll need to get an Indonesian sim when you arrive. They can take up to 24 hours to start working. Wifi is pretty common at hotels and restaurants though. The SIM cards come with data on them. I got one with 9 GB and that was plenty. If you run out of data and need more, you can reload them online. Telkomsel is a good brand to use. P.S. you’ll want to download whats app!

Tinder & making friends while traveling: I have no shame in saying I used Tinder in Bali. It’s a great way to meet other travelers. Just be safe the same way you use the app at home. Aside from Tinder, I met lots of people from all over the world at bars and restaurants. Bali is a vacation spot for a lot of Australians as it’s super close for them. Talk to people, go to dinner, stay in touch. It’s amazing what kind of interactions you can have while traveling. Just be careful!

Massages: Get a Balinese massage. Get as many as you possibly can, you won’t regret it.

Last, but not least...

When traveling, I believe that you should at the very least, learn “please” and “thank you” in the local language. The Balinese people are so extremely kind and happy. It’s important to be kind back. Locals so appreciate it when you take the time to learn part of their language. It’s a sign of respect and will help you travel less like a tourist and more like a local. If you’re going to travel to another country and not immerse yourself in the local culture, religion and cuisine, don’t go. The best part of Bali was the people and their culture. Bali is not for everyone. Traveling to other countries isn’t for everyone. Being 10,000 miles away from home requires patience, tolerance and understanding for people and customs that are completely different from your own.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have about my trip or planning your own. I want everyone to see beautiful Bali.

Instagram: @emmmm_w & @eaw.photo

Email: contact@eawphoto.com

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If you haven’t seen enough photos already… here are some of my very favorite moments from my trip.

Valentine's Meet Up

When Gabby asked me to be a part of this model/photographer meet up, I had no clue what to expect, but I knew it was going to be something I didn’t want to miss. I squeezed it into my busy schedule and I’m so glad I did. It was great to get to watch and learn from other photographers while having so much fun. I love the community of photographers and models we have here at Purdue. It feels so good to be around creators who support each other! We had tons of Valentine’s props to do whatever we wanted with. It was so laid back and enjoyable. We all helped each other with ideas and I think that’s what I loved the most. I love the community over competition movement and I really felt like this was a perfect example of it. Some of us were shooting the same model at the same time, but had such different ideas and outcomes. Here is my version of this night.

Models:

Emma Colt

Esther Peres

Danielle Renae

Tobi Babarinsa

Ally Carpenter

Kathryn Harville

Taylor Bragdon

Harry McSteen

Jess & Alex

Jess and Alex have the kind of love that every photographer hopes they are lucky enough to capture. This kind of love makes taking photos so easy and fun. Their whole shoot was full of true happiness and emotion throughout every prompt and pose. These photos truly captured their love for each other. They even brought their favorite Harry Potter books and their Pacers jerseys for the shoot, which I LOVED. They ended the shoot with a little snowball fight and a “we’re done!” hug. The pictures not only captured their relationship, but a few of things they enjoy together. I can’t wait to capture their wedding and tell the story of their forever through photos. I picked a handful of pictures to share in this blog. I will let these photos tell their story of authentic love.

Thailand

I had the most incredible experience in Thailand. Purdue study abroad is one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of. From the temples of Bangkok to the beaches of Phuket, every part of this trip was full of beauty. I can’t wait to go back one day soon.

Liam

Ciera and I both Graduated from McCutcheon High School in 2015. While we were not exactly close friends at McCutcheon, Ciera and her now husband, Seth have always had a special place in my family and I’s hearts. I found myself swooning over Ciera and Seth’s love and little one on facebook for a long time, so when they asked me to do Liam’s one year photos, I couldn’t say yes fast enough! This little 1 year old is a sweet bundle of joy and I am so glad I had the chance to meet him with my camera in hand.

Liam was shy and just a little fussy at first, which is expected in a brand new environment with an annoying girl in your face with a camera. Ciera helped warm Liam up to me (and the camera), which made for some adorable photos of the two of them together. It’s so clear this little boy loves his momma and I can see why. What a precious little bond they have.

Seth was working, so he wasn’t able to come to the shoot. He is a wrestling coach, referee and wrestler himself. You’ll see the perfect little wrestling pose from Liam in the gallery below. That photo made his daddy proud! I think the odds of Liam being a wrestler in the future are pretty high…

It was so nice to talk and catch up with Ciera while capturing photos of her beautiful baby boy. I love the type of shoots where I’m working, but feel like I am just hanging out with a friend at the same time. I love these photos so much, it was hard to choose which ones to add to this blog. I really hope to do even more baby photos in 2019! Enjoy this cutie!