on being inspired

I came across this blog post the other day during my internet wanderings. I was SO inspired. I am a little bit nervous about shooting my last wedding at 38 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, I have weddings booked at 35 weeks, 37 weeks, and 38 weeks. And then 4 weeks post-partum. (I'm not insane, friends. They were all booked before I knew of the pregnancy.) I was feeling hopeless about the pre-baby weddings, thinking there was no way I was going to have the strength to do them. Until I saw the amazing Chenin Boutwell in her 37 weeks of pregnancy glory. SHE did it!

So I decided... I am going to do whatever I can to assure my presence at these weddings. I will build my strength every day... walking, mentally preparing, and pumping myself with good nutrition so that I can handle the work of these weddings. I know I can do it. It has been done before, and if my body is capable, then it will happen.

Thanks to Chenin for totally inspiring me... I have heard a few times that I am crazy to think I can do it, but I know there are lots of mama's out there who have done the same thing!

P.S. I had my official maternity session on Friday with my friend Samantha. Here's my favorite pic from her sneak peek!

A HUGE giveaway!

Since I don't think my last blog post was exciting enough (kidding)… I am really excited to share with you some MORE great news! It could be that I am probably just easily excitable, but I think this first announcement is definitely cause for celebration! The amazing team behind Hill City Bride has teamed up with their vendors again for an incredible new project. Together, over 40 people are coming together to giveaway an ENTIRE WEDDING!

I'm talking the dress, tux, bridesmaid dresses, flowers, hair, make-up, spa services before the wedding, day of photography, an engagement session, bridal session… this list is going on and on and on.

And one incredible couple will have the opportunity to win it ALL.

Head over to the official site to find out the details and enter to win!!

designing... again!

I also posted this over on the business blog but am excited to share my new mommy-job for next year! ;) The past several months I have spent a lot of time planning and budgeting and planning some more. I've been trying to come up with the best way for me to continue to run a full time business, stay closer to home more often and spend as little as possible for day care next year (and more time with the babe). Not wanting to completely give up my business, nor compromise the quality of service or product, I made the decision to significantly cut back on my outside-of-the-house work, limiting myself to only 10 weddings next year.

A few months prior to this decision, I had been chatting with Jane about possibly hopping on board to help her with a few design projects, but the timing just wasn't working out for us. I was knee-deep in my busiest booking season (ever) and wasn't seeing my workload let up in the near future. However, fast forward a few months and I was definitely starting to see some spare time in my future. I contacted Jane again, and the timing couldn't have been better!

I am so excited and honored to share with you all that as of August 1st, I will be reaching back to my design roots as a new member of the team at Jane Johnson Photography & Design. I can't wait to dig my hands into some new design work (including template design for Focused by WHCC)!

click here to read more about the transition!

and even more news...

Stay tuned for another big announcement after this one... but first...!! The past several months I have spent a lot of time planning and budgeting and planning some more. I've been trying to come up with the best way for me to continue to run a full time business, stay closer to home more often and spend as little as possible for day care next year (and more time with the babe). Hang with me, I promise, this is going somewhere business related. :) Not wanting to completely give up my business, nor compromise the quality of service or product, I made the decision to significantly cut back on my outside-of-the-house work, limiting myself to only 10 weddings next year.

A few months prior to this decision, I had been chatting with Jane about possibly hopping on board to help her with a few design projects, but the timing just wasn't working out for us. I was knee-deep in my busiest booking season (ever) and wasn't seeing my workload let up in the near future. However, fast forward a few months and I was definitely starting to see some spare time in my future. I contacted Jane again, and the timing couldn't have been better!

I am so excited and honored to share with you all that as of August 1st, I will be reaching back to my design roots as a new member of the team at Jane Johnson Photography & Design. I can't wait to dig my hands into some new design work (including template design for Focused by WHCC)!

click here to read more about the transition!

wanna buy 5 copies for my mother! | published

I have been waiting SO LONG to write this blog post! I teased a little bit on facebook here and there... not to be mean, but because I was SQUEALING on the inside and I really couldn't SAY what was going on......... until now! Friends... this may be one of my biggest accomplishments to date. I am extremely proud and excited to share with you that I had some of my work published in O Magazine. As in, The Oprah Magazine. Yes. I am still trying to process the whole thing myself... so, so surreal.

As I mentioned previously, I had the lovely opportunity to photograph Kim Sorenson from the Omniterrum located in downtown Lynchburg. She was a treat to photograph and her globes... oh the globes! Amazing collectibles... I am already intrigued enough by historical maps, but putting them on globes just makes the experience of traveling with your fingers so much more gratifying!

I posted about some of my pictures of Kim being published in the June issue of Bella Magazine. That was super exciting for me! But, when O magazine contacted me about using some of Kim's recent head shots for a feature they were doing on her, I was beyond thrilled and a little bit in shock. :) Not to mention SO excited for Kim as well!

Okay, so enough about my shock and awe... check out the evidence for yourself... and go find a copy to read the article about Kim!