Barrett & Courtney | Liberty University Mountain Pictures

Barrett and Courtney met while working at a local kids gym... which if you ask me, takes a special kind of person to hold that sort of a job! When I learned that they BOTH worked with kids in an active environment, I immediately thought they must be fun and easy-going people! And they totally are! I had a wonderful time getting to know them while we walked the grounds of this beautiful property. You can't beat the stunning mountain views at Sierra Vista and combined with good light and two people in love... that's a recipe for a DREAM session! I had a wonderful time at Barrett and Courtney's engagement session and I'm really looking forward to their wedding day at West Manor Estate... which is right around the corner! 

One of my goals for 2016 is to back-blog all of my favorite sessions and weddings from the past few years. My poor blog has been so neglected and right when I was ready to make big blogging dreams come true last summer, life kicked into high gear and the poor blog was neglected yet again! So I am starting again and this time with a sure fire plan (and a combination of periscoping to bring in content to fill the gaps!) and I'm excited to get things rolling around here! :) 

Without further ado... check out this adorable couple and how comfy and cozy they are in the snow!! :) And a big thanks to Marianne at Sierra Vista in Bedford, VA for allowing us to shoot here! 

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Liz is a wedding and birth photographer in Central Virginia. She loves to photograph fun and easygoing couples in love as well as emotional and discreet birth stories and just about anything in-between. 

A Periscope Series #birthFAQscope

For the last couple of weeks I have been experimenting with and researching about the new-ish social media platform, Periscope. Periscope is Twitter's live video broadcasting app. If I'm being candid... it's basically like everyone was just given their own TV show and platform to use as they wish... for free. Some people ROCK it... some do not. In the meantime, I am trying to learn how I can use it as a tool in my business. 

I would have bet a million dollars back in college that I would NEVER be a public speaker. I actually won the "most improved" award in my college Speech 101 class because I was HORRID the first time I stood up in front of my class. And I think by the end I was... not so horrid. Hah! Honestly, who is honored to receive a Most Improved reward? That just confirmed that I was actually as terrible the first time around as I had thought. Hah!

Anyway... so it's been an interesting few weeks exploring this app and basically putting on my own live broadcasts. But the app has really grown on me and I've enjoyed getting to know people better and share information with others. What I love the most about the app is that there is a constant influx of information... I learn SO much from the other broadcasters! About everything from homeschooling to cooking, to social media marketing strategies and where to buy sparkly pink backdrops (which we all know won't be happening... so yeah sure, some of the info is useless ;)).

All that to say... I have officially started 'scoping daily, and this week I am starting my very first Periscope Series! I've been too afraid to invite you all to watch my 'scopes - but this ENTIRE experience has been about pushing past my fears (like going live with NO make-up on. That seriously happened...!) and taking the leap! And honestly... that's kind of how the entire last year has been. And I have loved it. 

So - if you are a birth photographer or if you are interested in what my life looks like while running a birth photography business and raising girls... or if you just want to see me make ridiculous faces and stumble over my words... come follow me! I'll be scoping twice every day this week! :) 

A Big Announcement | East Coast Birth Photography Workshop

It feels a bit surreal to be writing this blog post. For years, I have watched as colleagues and industry friends have grown their photography businesses to levels that have justified the start of industry educational opportunities. For the past few years, I have casually offered mentoring through my website on an as-needed basis. However, I have always stood firm in the fact that I am NOT a teacher. I don't have the talent of teaching... I even struggle with my own children! (Eek!) Regardless of this claim, I have met with numerous willing photographers and openly shared anything and everything they have asked me regarding photography business information. And surprisingly, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The best part for me, though, has been the relationships were introduced through this avenue. Some of my best industry friends have come out of these mentoring meetings!

One of these friendships has officially grown into a business partnership. It's so crazy to think of the journey I have walked with Emily Gerald over the past two years and where we are today! You guys... Emily IS a teacher! When I met her she was a grade-school teacher and had just finished her Master's Degree in Teaching. I mean... this partnership was destined to happen. :)

Earlier this week, Emily and I launched our first e-book we co-wrote (that you can download for FREE right here!), which was crazy exciting! I suppose it wasn't exciting enough, though, because today we are sharing MUCH bigger news! Ahh!

Emily and I are hosting an intimate, one-day, all-inclusive birth photography workshop! 

At this workshop in March, we will be sharing all we know about running profitable birth photography businesses to help equip and encourage other photographers to run their own businesses more efficiently and with great success. 

Our ultimate hope is that by sharing and teaching how we run our own businesses, the birth photography industry will grow.

The workshop agenda is packed full of content including portfolio building opportunities, information about the birth process, connecting and gaining wisdom from other birth industry professionals, the ins and outs of running a profitable birth photography business, client relationship tips and tricks, and more!

For details and to find out how to join us, click here.

Registration opens 02.01.2016 at 10AM EST! To sign up to receive an email reminder, click here!

I just want to say thank you to those of you who have given me the chance to share my knowledge and for all of you who have supported me in my photography career so far. It's the most incredible feeling to do what you love and know that you are helping others in the process! <3 

Holiday Gift Guide for Mamas & Babies

With the holiday season upon us and Black Friday right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to throw together a few gift guides for my blog readers! Below are two lists I've been mentally gathering over the past year of some of our absolute favorite products we have either used or heard about. Check out the lists below and let me know what you would add to them!

1. Covered Goods - This four-in-one Nursing Cover is a stylish and versatile product that any modern mamas are sure to love. I love that even if the mama in your life isn't planning to breastfeed, she can still find plenty of uses for this adorable product. 
2. Timi and Leslie Diaper Bag - I am absolutely in LOVE with my T&M bag. I actually received it for my birthday about 6 months before Izzie joined our family and since then it has been my go-to bag (it's over a year old and still looks great)! The high-quality materials combined with the stylish look have made it impossible for me to find a better bag. Seriously - I've probably bought and returned 3 new bags this year alone... and for a self-proclaimed "bag lady," that's a huge deal!! (P.S. I have the Rachel style!)
3. Burlap Bows by Tator Tots Trends - My girlies have been looking adorable this year in all of their hair accessories from Lora's shop, but I was feeling a tad left out! As a busy mama, being able to add quick accessories to my outfits has been an easy way for me to add a touch of style as I am on my way out to run errands or meet with clients. I was SO happy this year when Lora launched her new BURLAP BOW line. The neutral colors go with almost anything! Easy AND cute? The new mama in your life will love them!
4. Photography Lessons from The Moment Collectors - I have been admiring Sarah Q's work for years and when I saw she had launched The Moment Collectors I immediately thought about the mamas I know who would love to learn a few more in depth ways to use their cameras. Her online lessons have received great reviews and I have no doubt in her ability to teach and share her knowledge, considering she is a homeschooling mama of three! 
5. Earth Mama . Angel Baby - Earth Mama Angel Baby promises safe, hospital recommended, organic and natural herbal products specifically formulated to support the entire journey of childbirth, from Pregnancy through Postpartum Recovery, Breastfeeding, Baby care, and even Baby Loss. Their products are high-quality and promise to be treasured by any mama who receives them.
6. Hydro Flask - I am IN LOVE with these bottles! Earlier this year I took an Instagram poll asking for water bottle suggestions that would actually keep my water COLD while I am working at an all-day wedding. Hydro Flask was suggested, I purchased one... and I have since bought 4 more bottles! Oh, they are THE BEST. Whether the expectant mama in your life is craving hot drinks or ice-cold drinks, a Hydro Flask bottle is sure to keep the temperature satisfactory until she finishes the last drop. (And let's be honest, sometimes it can take all day for mama to finish her coffee.)

1. LostMy.Name Book - Sunday received one of these books for her birthday and it is so much fun! The storyline follows a young child who has lost their name and goes out to find it... along the way meeting a world of magical animals that lend letters from their own names that end up spelling the child's name in the end. I may or may not be more excited about the book than Sunday is. Either way, it's a treasure of a gift! (If you've already bought a LostMy.Name book, check out their newest book: The Incredible Journey Home, personalized to a child's very own address!)
2. Minky Blanket from By George! Baby Boutique - Soft, organic fabrics and unique patterns make Sarah's handmade baby items stand out from the rest. Choose from teething rings, baby sheets, boppy covers or custom-made blankets!
3. ZipADee-Zip - If you have seen Izzie & I in person this year, I've no doubt seen her in one of her Zippies!! We LOVE these things! Izzie loved being swaddled and when she got too big and mobile to be safely swaddled any longer, we heard about these swaddle transition blankets and bought one right away. She transitioned seamlessly and we love being able to communicate to her when it's time to sleep and when it's time to wake! 
4. Melissa & Doug Band In A Box - The thing I love about this Melissa and Doug set is that not only have M&D built a trusted brand with high-quality, long-lasting products... but this Band In A Box will last for YEARS. From 6 months old until 6 years old, music instruments are a hit with almost all kids at any age. 
5. Zutano Baby Booties - I absolutely love these baby booties! They are super soft and fluffy, but MOST important, they are the ONLY baby shoes I've had for my girls that have stayed on their feet. I adore Zutano's selection of neutral colors, which I find to be especially practical and helpful in keeping things simple in Izzie's closet. 

What would you add to these lists? 

What were some of your favorite products from this past year? What did your kids love? I'd love to hear some ideas from you all!