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Anna Filly Photography

Anna Filly Photography

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

the New Girl status

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Day four into my Spring semester at the University of Mobile and I’m already feeling like I own the place.

Okay, maybe not.

I’ve successfully met all of my professors, made it to class on time and only have gotten lost….. once.  Okay, okay, maybe twice.

The fact of the matter is, I love it here.

But it is hard.

It’s hard walking into the cafeteria when the only person you know is walking out.  It’s hard buying SIX books for your Chinese Civilization class, when in reality you can only afford three.  It’s hard repeating and explaining that you’re from Powhatan, Virginia. “Which is 14 hours away and 45 minutes west of Richmond,”.  

It’s hard being that far away from your little sister and having a roommate you reminds you of her daily.

But it’s wonderful.

It’s wonderful knowing that there is so much fertile ground for growth and the possibilites really are endless.  It’s wonderful knowing that God has called you to Mobile, Alabama for a specific accumulation of reasons that you’re discovering daily.  It’s wonderful making new friends, and taking leap after leap outside your comfort zone to get to know people better.  But i think the most wonderful thing of all is knowing that in every detail of my day, Jesus is right there.  I’m not alone.  It may sound cliche to say that, but no matter how cliche it is, it’s comforting.  Leaning on Christ in every detail and letting him have the reigns has been a messy, beautiful, challenging process.

But I’m here.

I’m at peace.

and I’m more in love with my Savior because of it.

If that’s not good news, I’m not sure what is.

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: alabama, Books, college, God, here, Jesus, leaning, mobile, New girl, powhatan, The university of Mobile, virginia, wonderful

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Honey says

    January 17, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    I love you, Anna! …..and yes, I miss you. I am sooooooooooo very proud of you. Longer Than Forever…. love Majah

    Reply
  2. Pat DeNunzio says

    January 17, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    So good to hear you’re settling in. I know you are going to love it and grow, GROW, GROW. Love, Pat

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    January 17, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    (((((hugs)))))

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What’s Rumbling: So long, Spring semester! | ANNA FILLY says:
    May 11, 2013 at 1:28 pm

    […] has literally FLOWN by.  It just seems like yesterday that I was blogging about being the “New Girl” at The University of Mobile… now, four months later, I’m […]

    Reply

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More about Anna

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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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 !!

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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 🤎 
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2026 has had the sweetest and slowest start.   The kids are praying for snow days, Dave is building garden beds (eeeekkk!!) and I’m caught up in a new book series.

Photography has already been SO fun.  Last week I spent a few days photographing the @restandplay30A retreat in sunshine-soaked 30A Florida.  It was SO fun connecting with the attendees and being refreshed by the precious reminder that rest and play are necessary.

While at the retreat, I felt the nudge to start blogging again.  
Who remembers when I used to blog each week?! 

At first I brushed it off.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I missed the connection and creative outlet blogging offered me.  Writing will always be special for me.  I have journals upon journals to prove it.  But writing in a way that allows for me to connect to others is something that I just can’t shake.

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We are offering festive, in studio minis that are PERFECT for kids, families, couples in love & business professionals. These minis are 20 minutes & beautifully showcase the joy & wonder of the holidays. 

BOOK now by clicking the link in my profile. DM me for a discount code 🫶🏻🥳
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The most anticipated sessions of the season are ready & waiting! Twenty minutes and the most stress free, joy filled experience with your favorite people. It doesn’t get any sweeter than that! As a mom of four littles, I know how fleeting every season is— so let me help you capture as much of it as we can !

Over half of them have sold out already !! Grab yours NOW !
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