Yearly Archives: 2014

Hubby’s been working… like A LOT!  I’ve been working, a lot!  Usually at this time of the year, the two of us would be like ships passing in the night but seriously, this is ridiculous!  I’m not complaining… well I’m trying not to complain!  He’s not over seas anymore so that’s something that’s a major bonus!  Some days though… it kind of feels like it!

His work is so crazy right now and it’s at a point where we just all have to muscle through it.  There are many days out of the week  and weekends where he’s up and gone before Linc and I are awake and he’s not even thinking about driving home long after Linc and I are both sound asleep!  I think its more rough on him than it is on us!

Linc is a creature of habit, he likes his schedule.  Something that is all me!  So as much as I wish I could break him of that habit (I know, I know who am I and what am I saying!) that fact really works in our favor during times like this!  Linc and I can go and do our normal scheduled activities and he’s a happy camper for the most part!

Yesterday Tuck had the day off and it was AMAZING!  It was an ENTIRE day off and I was hellbent on throwing away the list of things that needed to be done in order to have a family day!  Yes my laundry room was piled up and the grass definitely needed to be mowed.  I had some photography projects that needed some attention and there were two Wink’s that needed to be stuffed and sewn back together pronto!  BUT we all just needed a day off!  I really needed a day with my boys.  A day of nothing to do but enjoy being together doing something we haven’t done in a while.  A day with no plans and nothing scheduled!

So we packed ourselves up and we headed off to the Norfolk Zoo… and as Linc would say “I see the ANIMALS!”

Some times you just need to break away and surround yourself with your family.  You need to spend the quality time with your wee ones and have FUN!  A day filled with no plans, no agenda and let loose!  We ALL needed this and it was wonderful!

 

Tuck is always a t-shirt and shorts kind of guy.  In fact he has these shorts that I hate b/c they have all sorts of holes in them!  I sometimes forget that he can actually be quite dapper when he wants!  Look how handsome he is above!!  I just love them so much!

We sat down for a little snack break and then moved on to see some more animals.  The only animal I actually caught on camera was the giraffe’s.  That’s because it was the only animal Linc stayed long enough to watch walk across the field.  We did stay to see the elephants get a bath which was pretty awesome.  Linc was mesmerized until the elephant trainer sprayed the window with water… then he was OUT!  I’ve never seen him move quite that fast before!

The highlight of the afternoon for Linc was the excavator in the elephant area.  Of course the elephants were inside and it was just the machine scooping up logs and other wonderful stuff the elephants left behind!  Linc wanted to stay there for hours but we finally enticed him to come away with the promise of dip n dots!  It was our first dip n dots experience with Linc!

And of course, no day is quite complete unless you make your own mud puddle!  I’m going to start calling Linc muddy because it doesn’t matter where we go, if he’s given the chance he will make his own mud puddle to jump in!  I came outside from making our dinner to find Linc and Tuck just pouring away in the mud!

It’s crazy to me how much he is growing!  He looks more and more like a little boy each and every day!  He is doing more and saying more each and every day!  This time is just so precious to me and with it flying by so fast like this, these family days are more and more special.  I know there will come a day when Tuck and I find ourselves begging for the days to go and do without a care and Linc is the one that has plans of his own.  So I’m trying my best to honor these days when Linc asks us to go see the grave digger, to see the animals, to swim in the pool as much as I can!   That way we he is older we’ve laid a foundation that family time is important and as busy as his schedule gets with friends and activities, maybe he will pencil me and Tuck in!

Filed in:PersonalTagged in: | | | | | | |
comment

They’ve known each other since they were teenagers!  They’ve spent 13 years together as a couple and are just celebrating their 7th year of marriage!

It’s truly an incredible thing these days… to not only spend this much time loving one person but to love them MORE than you did 13 years ago, to be MORE devoted to them than ever before and to appreciate them much much more than you ever have!  This pretty much sums up each day for Lisa and Austin!  They are an incredible inspiration for so many of us “young” couples and I truly felt blessed to be chosen to spend a few hours with them capturing these special moments!

Lisa and Austin have a gorgeous family:  inside and out!  I’ve been truly blessed to capture some memories for them when their little ones were younger and to see them grow through the years!  I was over the moon excited when Lisa first mentioned the idea of a anniversary session trash the dress!  I knew how special it would be for both of them to get dressed up in their wedding garb and to be able to just spend a few hours to themselves, celebrating how it all began!

Lisa is an amazing planner and she is kind of fantastic when it comes to the details of things!  I loved how she included some of the personal touches from the beginnings of her and Austin’s relationship!  The framed letter to Lisa… my heart was in a puddle!  Seriously, sweetest most romantic thing EVER!

Lisa made her own bouquet but even better… her son Riley made her a “toss” bouquet for when we headed down to the water!  Her boys.. aren’t they the most incredible boys?!!!

I’m getting ahead of myself though so let me back up a bit!

Austin and Lisa have been together for ever and their days are filled with family and work and the normal busy lives of parents!  It was beautiful and amazing how everything came together for their anniversary so they could spend some time celebrating the two of them and how far they have come together!

Lisa is truly an amazing woman!  She is kind and sweet and thoughtful.  She has the biggest heart of any woman I have ever met.  She takes care of anyone and everyone around her but the best part is that you don’t even realize she’s taking care of you.  Sometimes that’s the biggest battle… not everyone wants to be taken care of even though the need it.  Lisa just knows how to do this and she makes everyone’s lives better when she’s around!  She has a smile that can light up even the darkest of places and it’s so contagious you just can’t help but smile yourself!

Austin is always smiling around Lisa!  He just gravitates towards her and it’s a truly moving scene to watch!  You can truly feel the love and the respect between them!  Austin is always aware of where Lisa is and he is never far away!  His eyes light up when she tells a story and he is always stealing little glances her way!

They may have been together for a while but they are more like teenagers in love!

At one point in the night, I could hear in my head “if I’m a bird, you’re a bird!”  They have a love like that… one that is only written about in stories!

But don’t just take my word for it… see it for yourself!  Here are some of my favorites from our evening together!

Lisa you are GORGEOUS girl!!!!

Love you both so much and thank you for letting me capture this special day for you!!  You both are truly an inspiration and I am blessed for not only being able to share in this with you but also to know you both!!!

xo

B

Filed in:Photography | Trash the dressTagged in: | | | | | | | | | | | |
comment

So it’s Monday! And this past week has been crazy… but here’s are some of my thoughts (now call me baby?!)  I felt like that was appropriate because I’ve had that song STUCK in my head for what feels like eternity now!

Each month, I sit down and start to think of business things!  What worked well, what didn’t work well that month!  Where can I invest more time or what really needs more of my attention and what can I pull back from.

Basically, I like to see what my game changers are!

This month has been a wild roller coaster ride.  This whole year has been a wild roller coaster ride, but I’ve learned some really key things about my own business!

So.. I thought I’d share them with you because sometimes we all just need a little insight on how other people are making their way through.  Plus, in all honesty, sometimes just putting yourself out there is a good thing!

Here are some of my Game Changers this month:

  • Constantly re-working and updating my website!  This has helped me so much because I’m now highlighting all my recent work which is so completely different from my past work!  With each session we grow and develop.  Trends are changing and I’m also comfortably finding my own cozy place in my own style consistently!
  • Online system for contracts and invoices and new clients!  This is something I fought for sooo long!  I hate contracts but they are a necessary evil.  I am soo much more diligent about contracts now that I use an online signing system and all that anxiety surrounding contracts has disappeared!  Plus it’s amazing for organization in my office!
  • Scheduling days!  This is huge and it makes life easier for my family!  I set consistent days where I shoot sessions during the week.  The rest of the days are spent between family time/down time and office time!  I finally feel like I have a bit of balance AND my productivity and turn over is so much better!
  • Knowing my strengths and letting go of the other stuff!  I know that I love candids.  I know that I can make my clients feel comfortable and at ease in order to get those natural, candid moments.  I also know that decorating and styling and details (as much as I love them) are not my strongest.  I’ve learned to let go of what I’m fair at or not great at and really appreciate what I AM creating and doing well.
  • Paper planner!  I know this is old school but it works for me.  I have to see everything in writing all laid out in front of me in order to get the big picture.  I know you can see that on the computer but it’s just not the same!  There’s also something really satisfying for me when I am able to write down a date in a calendar and then highlight it, cross it off, or star it!  This works for me and while it’s not the most efficient probably, it makes a difference in my business!

So those are some things that I’ve got on my list so far.  Today I get to sit and finish the rest:  what didn’t work out so well and what I can do and choose for my goals next month!

Happy Monday everyone and I hope you had a wonderful and restful weekend!

This week I will be sharing some fun party pics from a wedding celebration as well as an amazing anniversary session!

Here’s a little sneak peek of the session I worked on last night!

Filed in:PersonalTagged in: | | | | | | |
comment

« Previous Next »