How my man joined my dream.

Growing up, I had a lot of dreams. I legitimately wanted to be a successful chef with her own cooking show. Emeril Lagasse was my hero. In 6th grade my mom bought me a rolling pin, a huge chefs hat, and my very own apron. I was in heaven. However, I almost never cooked. I wanted the reward without ever having to practice/work towards it. That dream faded after a while, which is unfortunate because my husband would be reaping the benefits (aka not eating grilled cheese every night) these days, had I not dropped that dream.

High school hit and my passion for photography ignited. I never invested in a DSLR because my high school photography class was a joke and I already had a couple point-and-shoots. I knew though, that it was my dream. I'd buy magazines on top of magazines with my paychecks, just day dreaming about the lighting these photographers had, the equipment, and the eye that they had for their craft. It inspired me. I couldn't get enough. I stalked numerous fashion photographers, but really fell in LOVE with lifestyle photography.

Fast forward a few years when Caleb and I began to date. Some of you may know this already, but it was Caleb (along w/ my mom) who gifted me my very first camera for my 20th birthday. There were so many tears. I truly felt like it was finally happening. It quickly became my number one goal to one day run my a photography business and work side by side with my husband...cause there's just something marketable about a husband and wife duo, AND we'd get to work together. However, I truly didn't think Caleb would ever go for it. He wasn't exactly into "the arts", so I kind of let that dream fade, too.

Then our honeymoon hit and he slowly began to play with my camera and all its settings. When we came home and reality set back in, I told him he should come along with me to an upcoming wedding I had on the books, you know, just for fun. He thought it sounded like a decent idea, so he borrowed a camera from a family member and the rest is history.

That very summer we got hired with our amazing wedding photographers and the dream I had dreamed of for so long really became a real thing. Caleb and I quickly booked dozens of weddings and everything was happening so fast. I look back and can't even remember a time we WEREN'T shooting weddings together.

We have the best time shooting together. Like I said the other day, we truly treat them like date nights. We get free dinner, free cake, unlimited dancing, AND get to take pictures? It's unreal. Some days, I complain... cause lets be honest, it's hard mixing your passion with business - because then it becomes work. Yet it still challenges me, it still excites me, and still scares me every single day...and I'll continue to do this until I'm too comfortable (which I don't see happening anytime soon).

I can't believe the way things worked out. Two years ago, had someone told me we'd be shooting 30 weddings this year? I'd laugh in their face and call them crazy pants. Well, that's exactly whats happening and I'm loving every second. Sure it can be hectic, and crazy, and tiring, and emotional, and scary...but its my favorite thing in the whole world and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm just thankful I have my husband next to me for all of it. I am one lucky gal. I have so many drafts in my blogger on various topics about wedding photography, as well as me just trying to document more of my passion. I don't think I do that enough and I'm excited to talk about it more. I get a LOT of questions in this business, and I'm still learning a lot...and I think it'll be really neat to look back years from now and see how much I've grown! Happy Tuesday, friends!

How are you making your dreams into a reality?!

{maternity shoot}

HAPPY FRIDAY, FRIENDS!!

Obviously, that is not my adorable pregnant belly seen below. That would be a friend from church. She and her husband asked if I'd be interested in a maternity shoot this Spring and of course I jumped at the chance, and we made it happen one evening earlier this week! Heather is seriously beautiful, and she has the most adorable little family, plus a little guy on the way! I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Yikes. Any more beautiful faces and I think your screen might burst ;) hope you enjoyed.

Live on purpose!

For those of you who don't know, I'm kind of obsessed with photography. I got my baby camera when I turned 20 a couple summers back, and basically haven't put it down since.

My ultimate dream is to be a SAHM (waayyy down the road), & with that, also a full time photographer. I absolutely love capturing fun moments of new families, couples, etc... it really is my passion. So I thought I'd share a few more with you guys today! I really am not comfortable putting myself "out there", but isn't that what this blog is for anyway!?

This is just a little snippet of my passion and I love being able to share it with you guys :)

Caleb and I have been volunteering with the youth group for a few weeks now, and plan to make it a weekly thing. Last night, we talked about "living on purpose"... and my word of the night became "intentional". Which is funny, since that was one of my new years resolutions; to be more intentional. In my relationships, at work, with my family, at church... and I have to say, its working.

Photography is my passion, and I want to use it for Christ.

& please excuse me,  I had NO time to prepare my usual Monday post-weekend recap, I'll be back with more on that tomorrow!

Go out today, and live your life ON PURPOSE. Be intentional, and be happy.
Love you all!