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Anna Filly Photography

Anna Filly Photography

Roanoke, Virginia Wedding Photographer specializing in timeless wedding, engagement and lifestyle photos.

Life

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There was a recent death in my family.  My heart has been so heavy.  Thoughts have left my head, traveled straight to my heart & vise versa.  Death has such a hollow emptiness…

I’ve been contemplating death, as one in my situation would. Death is the absence of life.

No matter how you put it, no matter how else you describe it, where there is death, there can not be life.  That statement in itself has sent my mind on an adventure.  I don’t want to make this post depressing or morbid, rather, I want to open your eyes to just how much life is around you… and in you.

If you’re a Christian, then you can agree with me that God is the creator of life. Without God, the world could not be created.  God breathed into dust and Adam came to life (Genesis 2:7).  Therefore I think we can agree that God is life.  Now, look at all that is around you.  Friends, family, wildlife, nature, trees, potted plants, your pet chihuahua everything that can grow, live, breathe, it all has life.  But in this world, it’s temporary.  Everything that has life, will have death (unless your name is Elijah and you were a prophet in the old testament 2 Kings 2:11).
Humans are the only ones who are able to know their creator intimately, and with that relationship, we are welcomed into an eternal realm that far surpasses anything we can understand in our present state.  That’s AWESOME.  But one thing I don’t think we realize as often as we should is just how much God is in our everyday and in everything.  If God is life, then God is in everything that has life… and we choose whether we want to accept or reject him (Matthew 12:30).

When he accepts us just like we are….

There is so much more to life then mundane routines and getting caught up in the unimportant.  As Christians, when we open our eyes to the fact that our creator surrounds us, is in us and intimately, consistently, pursues us, we see a glimpse of our true eternal potential.

Mind… BLOWN.

God you are so good.  Open my eyes to see you more.

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: 2 kings 2:11, creator, death, everyday, everything, God, intimate, Jesus, Life, life without god, matthew 12:30, mundane routines, spirituality

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  1. Phillip says

    October 5, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    I love you Anna. <3

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Hi there! I’m Anna Filly, a Wedding & Portrait photographer in the sweet, deep South. I love hosting dinner parties, sparkling water, & magnifying love through the art of photography. I have a slight obsession with fresh cut flowers, ice cream is my guilty pleasure & crinkling nose laughter is my muse. Grab something sweet & browse the site! I’m so glad you’re here.

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Virginia Wedding Photographer located in the Roanoke Valley.

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The best way to spend the day 🎃 The perfect fall The best way to spend the day 🎃 

The perfect fall day • hiking through the mountains • homemade costumes • intentionally visiting people we love • collecting leaves, treats & memories 🍁 🍬 🥾
Bare feet in a flower field, mountain air, golden Bare feet in a flower field, mountain air, golden light kissing cheeky grins, and the kind of laughter that makes you wish you could pause time.

The end of summer always feels a little bittersweet — a reminder that seasons change, little ones grow, and these ordinary moments become the memories we treasure most.

So here’s to an evening in the flowers, a golden sunset, and this beautiful, fleeting season of life. 🤍⛰️Want a session like this one ? I’m offering these in just a few weeks !!
I don’t think I’ve ever photographed a bride who r I don’t think I’ve ever photographed a bride who radiated so much JOY!  Alida + Noel wedding day was SUCH a fantastic celebration.  From the sentimental moments, to the ones that left you laughing, each part of the day was filled to the brim and overflowing with love and joy.  These two got married in Harrisonburg, VA surrounded by their family and friends.  It was SUCH a marvelous day.  Can you feel the love through the photos?  I might be biased— but I totally can!! 

A huge “Thank you” to all of the wonderful vendors that made this day so beautiful:

Wedding Venue | The Loft at Liberty Street
Ceremony Venue | Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church
Wedding Coordinator | Natalie Valentine
The Dress | Ivory on Campbell
Hair | The Studio Hair Salon - Kendra
Photography | Anna Filly Photography
Second shooting | By Grace Studios
Flowers | HER BRIDESMAIDS!
Catering | Vitos Italian Kitchen
DJ | Seth Marsh
Cake | Heritage Bakery and Cafe
Our last day of summer before the “ber” months hit Our last day of summer before the “ber” months hit & the littles have their first day of school. 

So much joy filled our days this Summer. The beach. The lake. The river. Friends upon friends. Two lost teeth. Our first caught fish. The sprinkler in the backyard. Ella Langley on repeat. Learning to play games as a family. Friday fun nights.  So many adventures & not nearly enough time. We adventured. We tried new things. The sun bleached their hair & they each grew so much. 🥹☀️ 🌊
There’s something about fall that feels like comin There’s something about fall that feels like coming home.

Maybe it’s the cooler mornings, the golden light, or the way life naturally slows down after a busy summer. Whatever it is, this season has always been my absolute favorite. I get giddy just thinking about crisp mornings & cinnamon flavored things, crunchy leaves & flannel anything.

I love that fall invites us to gather around the table a little longer, cheer a little louder at football games, wander through pumpkin patches, and soak up the little moments that somehow become the biggest memories.

As a photographer, I get to witness this season through the eyes of so many wonderful families—and it’s a reminder every year that these moments are worth holding onto.

Tell me... half of you are ready for Fall to be here and half of you aren’t. Which team are you on ?! And what’s your favorite thing about fall? 🍂👇
Our Lina girl turned FOUR over the weekend! Four y Our Lina girl turned FOUR over the weekend! Four years of little Lina. Wow 🥹 She’s everything we prayed she would be & so much more. Lina is joyful, full of confidence, a lover of books , introverted & she’s never met a dog she didn’t like. Loving her is like watching your heart gain legs & curiously explore this big wonderful world. Our golden haired girl is so much fun. She loves “girl dates”, painting her nails, cooking with momma, anywhere there is water & “relaxing with a snack”. 

Angelina Joy, watching you bloom & grow is an honor. You radiate hope simply by being exactly who you are. I’m so abundantly grateful that I get to be your momma. 🫶🏻🐾🍓🌼🍭🫖
Spring in the garden 🪏 🌸🐓 Spring in the garden 🪏 🌸🐓
Young, wild and THREE ! Faith Marvelee you are al Young, wild and THREE !

Faith Marvelee you are all things vibrant, adventurous & you live life to the fullest. You are a living exclamation mark 🥹♥️ You have the biggest heart and love tending to those younger than you (babies). You love the idea of being a momma & are always quick to keep your siblings in line. Yo don’t do anything halfway- you’re ALL IN! If there is music, you’re dancing. If someone needs help, you’re the first to offer assistance. You rarely sit still & if you’re moving, you’re running. You’re my only child who potty trained in one week just because they wanted to! You’re spicy & fun, carefree and tender. I love you, little one. Cheers to three !!

Instagram went rogue & edited a handful of images in a weird black and white. Ooops !
Alexander you’re FOUR !!! 💙 👟🏎️⚡️🍦⚽️🛝 Our adventur Alexander you’re FOUR !!! 💙 👟🏎️⚡️🍦⚽️🛝 Our adventure seeking, compassionate, fun-loving second born. You add so much joy to each and every day. Life with you is the sweetest it’s ever been.  I cannot believe you’re FOUR !! 4️⃣
Dave 🤎 What a whimsically adventure we are on. W Dave 🤎 
 What a whimsically adventure we are on. Who would have thought that this little life would be ours ? The days are long & the years are short. We are laughing through the heartache & seeking out the good. The ordinary joys that fill our chaotic days are what make us grateful. I’m so thankful for you. You’re are always willing to say “yes”, you are the first to volunteer to put a kid (and simultaneously yourself) to bed, you are relentlessly laidback (even if your wife things urgency is necessary at times), you were made for music, you desire nothing more out of life than to live it quietly & work with your hands, you’re witty & loyal & simple & kind.

The more we do life together, the more I see how we are velcroed together. Choosing each other, day by day, has made us whole. Even when the waves of life crash over us & knock the breath out of us, I always come up for air, looking for you. You’re my safe place. You’re home.

You’re so many things… but my favorite thing is that you’re mine. Happy birthday, Dave the babe✨🫶🏻

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