Another fun, but busy weekend!

Friday evening we had no real plans, but we wanted to drop something off at Erin & Jared's house quickly! So we stopped by, then they asked us to stay for dinner (so sweet!) which turned into a full blown game night! We loved it and had such a blast!

Saturday morning Caleb and I got ready for a wedding we had been really excited for! It was in Lawrenceburg, IN (which was surprisingly less than an hour drive), and Libby, the bride, was a sister of one of our previous brides. She said that choosing us to photograph her wedding was a no-brainer, and we couldn't have been more excited!!

It was COLD outside - but these ladies were troopers!!!

That adorable couple on the right is Katie and Seth, and we photographed their wedding a few years ago! Libby, the bride, is Katie's younger sister. I was beyond excited when I found out Katie & Seth welcomed a sweet baby boy into the world just 6 little weeks ago! How precious is he??!! My heart was honestly so happy all day! This family is the sweetest! Caleb and I get so much more from wedding days when the families are so accommodating and friendly all day. They made us feel like part of the day, not just "hired help" :) we're so grateful!

Sunday, after church, I did some serious grocery shopping and did some meal prepping. I pre made taco salad for lunches and tonight plan on pre-making more meals so we can stay on track throughout the week! We've slipped up a bit the last couple weeks, not doing terribly, but that always seems to happen when we're working a lot. I'm remembering to give ourselves some grace and just try harder the next week!

Hope everyone has a good Monday! Make it a great one!

A new perspective on creativity and busy weekends.

Friday evening was ladies night! I was so looking forward to this because we found a great deal for a local paint night and hello, girl time! I was able to get in touch with my creative side in a new light. Normally, my creative outlet is my other job; photography. So it was fun to try something new! I'd only done this once before but it was before Caleb and I were married so it had been a while!

When Erin, Natalie and I arrived and saw the painting up close and personal we were a little nervous. It was a LOT more detailed than the calendar online made it look; but we were determined. It helped tremendously that we had THE COOLEST teacher in all the land. Christine was her name, and she rocked it. She had an awesome playlist and pretty sure there was more dancing than painting half the time.

To be totally honest, I'm kind of impressed with us. I love that each of ours has their own unique spin on it, and I can't wait to hang this somewhere in our home!

Saturday, Caleb and I had another wedding and we knew we were in for a long day. What we didn't know we were in for, was one of the sweetest couples we've ever photographed. So many times throughout portraits, Daniell couldn't help but tear up and tell her sweet groom, Evan, how she couldn't wait for the next few hours to pass so she would be his WIFE! I did my fair share of tearing up all throughout the ceremony and the reception speeches, and it just gave me a renewed perspective for what Caleb and I get to be a part of. We honestly count ourselves blessed.

Their first look was one of the most precious I'd ever seen. Evan couldn't contain his emotions when he saw her! If you saw my instagram, you'd know it took both of their tissues to clean up those tears; talk about precious. I was also excited to find out this sweet bride of mine reads my blog!!

Sunday was filled with two engagement sessions and a lot of walking Downtown. The last engagement session ended at Rhinegeist which totally worked out so I could go support two of my friends at an art show that was being held there!

So while my weekend was long, a friend recently put things into perspective for me. She basically said to look at these long days as an act of worship, because I'm using the gifts God has given me! So I decided to look at this weekend through a new pair of lenses. The long weekends that include weddings, sessions, vendor meals, new faces, battery changes, memory cards, flash triggers, sore feet and tired eyes... I need to look at it as serving. I need to see it as an act of worship. I'm thankful for friends who speak truth when I need it most!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Next up this weekend? A wedding in Nashville. Woo!!

One quick weekend!

Phew! This weekend was mainly pretty busy, but I loved it all. Friday, Caleb hung out with his friends so naturally I went to the local Mexican joint for take out (quesadillas on quesadillas, and duh, queso). At first was a little bummed to have no plans, but quickly realized a night in with my favorite donuts and an amazing book was just what I needed! I am only a couple chapters in but feel like I'm already taking a lot away from it, which rocks!

Saturday was a really long day, we shot our 6th wedding of the year! Before we got there though, we binge watched a ton of Undercover Boss via Netflix. We can't help it!! I end up crying basically every 30 minutes while watching, ha!

The wedding party later that day was a really fun group of people! For some reason I expected the shooting that day to be more difficult than normal, I was mostly worried about the wind/rain/cold temps, but everything worked out - just like it always does!

I ended up knowing the make up artist (she was MY make up artist for my wedding, and I totally forgot I recommended her to the bride at our consult), the hair stylist AND the DJ! He just so happened to be a Groomsmen from a wedding 3 weeks ago! Cincinnati is beginning to feel much smaller than I once thought! Aleicia and Matt had such a beautiful day, we were so lucky to capture it.

Sunday was awesome. Seriously such a fun time. It was the day we finally got to throw Erin her first baby shower!! I have a full post on that to come with all sorts of fun!

What did you guys get into this weekend?

Rambles from a thankful heart.

Phew. This has been a week! It started out pretty crummy with a terrible migraine, and then work yesterday afternoon turned out to be really frustrating! But I'm thankful for this cutie, who surprises me with Nutter Butters and long hugs...who lets me vent my face off until I have nothing more to say. Who tells me how amazing I am even when I don't feel like it...and who poses with the cutest little yellow penguin there ever was, because he knows I'd laugh about it (and would turn into one of my favorite photos - hehe)!!

Caleb and I have worked pretty dang hard this year, and although I'm excited for these last couple weddings this year (only two more!!!) its about time for a break! I'm so excited that after work now I can come straight home and just BE! If I want to relax, I totally can! If I want to be productive, I can do that too!! It's something I'm definitely NOT going to take for granted.

Before this free time hit, I had been doing quite a few sessions with my church family! My love for family photography is rekindling. There's just something SO special about family portraits. Getting to freeze a moment of a cute kid with the most adorable belly laugh? There's nothing like it. It's pretty cool when I think that these are photos these families will have for the rest of time. I have to remind myself of that when I have a long, crazy day. No matter WHAT it is I'm photographing, that I'm helping document someone's story. That's pretty killer.

I'm also feeling extra thankful this week after last weekends wedding. Leah was so sweet and messaged me ON HER HONEYMOON to tell me how much our presence on their big day meant to them. I mean!?!? I seriously do feel so lucky to get to be a part of so many amazing moments!!

*non obvious transition in post topics*

Can we all just take a second and talk about how scary fear is?!? It's been on my mind a LOT lately. About our future, our jobs, our lives...where do we see ourselves in 5 years?! It's crazy how much life can change in just a matter of months, and its scary when you have no idea what your exact "plan" is, and if you have one - whether or not it will work. I'm struggling a LOT with giving it all up to God, but I know that's what has to happen for me to be at peace. I need to believe in myself more, and KNOW that God has bigger things in store for Caleb and I than we can even imagine right now.

This post was insanely random, BUT that's just the kind of week I'm having. Thanks for sticking through the rambles :) happy almost-Friday!!

Snap happy over the weekend.

Weekend, you rocked. Friday evening I picked up dinner and hung out with a gal who is like the little sister I never had; Miss Greta. We had a blast singing at the top of our lungs (yes, to Adele's new single) and enjoying the most delicious "toasted marshmallow hot chocolate" ever! I stayed up way too late, but I had a great night, so it was worth it!

Saturday, we had our 27th wedding of the year. Guys, it was AMAZING. I feel like I say this about so many of my brides but Leah was truly amazing. She's incredibly sweet/beautiful/charming, and her dress was SO her! Her choice of venue (21C Museum/Hotel) and the surrounding streets offered the coolest photo ops, so we did our best to take advantage. I still can't believe we only have TWO more weddings for the year!!!

We got home pretty late but made sure to wake up for church the next day and even had time to get lunch with family before I headed out with my bro to do his senior photos - we did them a little later in the year than we originally wanted, but got some amazing, Fall inspired shots Downtown!

Then he snagged one of ME!

Unfortunately, I started to feel pretty crappy in the middle of the night Sunday into Monday, with a pretty awful migraine that lasted until yesterday afternoon, so I used one of my sick days. I hate missing work, but I have to say, I think it was a day of rest that I really needed. Hope you all had a fun weekend!!!

OMG...for so many reasons

OKAAAYYY. Lets get started. This weekend was freaking awesome -- for SO many reasons. This being one of them;

Now that that's out of the way - let me back up a little bit. Like I said on Friday, Caleb and I had big plans to spend some quality time with the grocery store, but we decided to stuff ourselves silly at our favorite Mexican restaurant first, which meant we weren't in the mood to spend the night doing groceries, but instead, ogling at gorgeous pillows at TJ Maxx.

Saturday, we woke up, spent our time doing groceries and cleaning our place before watching a crap ton of college football - we're not used to having Saturday's off so it was a nice change of pace! Later that evening, we went to a graduation party, then had our best friends over to enjoy the OSU game and enjoyed the best cookie cake ever ;)

Fast forward to Sunday (lets be honest, we were a little sad that we booked a Sunday wedding since we are die-hard Bengals fans - but I was pretty up front w/ the bride that I'd be keeping myself updated on the score ;) she cracked up and told me she WANTED me to! Turns out she was a huge fan too)! In all honesty, Ann was the sweetest bride ever. I mean, she made us a freaking basket full of goodies to keep us going throughout the day, as well as a "thank you" gift. How awesome??! Not only does she have an awesome personality, she and her husband really made their day unique! Look at her amazing VW dress, and that kilt!!!

I've got another busy week ahead, but the end of October is in sight, and I've survived somehow. Last night, my Erin sent me this...and its my mantra right now; "This is your Sunday evening reminder that you can handle whatever this week throws at you".

Enjoy your Monday, friends!

We made it!!!

Phew, I can finally breathe... for now. I survived 2 engagement sessions and 2 weddings within 72 hours. Woo!! What kept me going? A comfy king size hotel room bed, and a lot of energy drinks.

The day started out in Downtown Cincinnati for Jessica and Justin's big day! We had a great time, and finally got to shoot at a new venue - New Riff! It was awesome. They were serious troopers, it was FREEZING outside, and also spitting rain... luckily, outdoor photographs were really important to them and they toughed it out. I think it was WELL worth it. My one piece of advice to brides? ROCK your dress. It's the only day you're going to wear it, so make it worth it. Suck it up, and dance in the rain a little ;)

After we left, we made the 2.5 hour drive up to Maria Stein, OH! The long drive brought to you by this delicious hot chocolate...

We woke up on Saturday and prepped for the day ahead. Molly and Chris were SUCH a gorgeous, sweet couple. Molly and I had never met in person, but spent many hours over Skype getting to know each other. She's one of the sweetest gals I've had the chance to work with. Unfortunately, the weather didn't agree with us and kept us inside the majority of the day. However, they chose the most gorgeous barn to get married in, so it all worked out!

Caleb and I didn't get to bed until well after midnight, seeing as we had a 2.5 hour drive home...so sleeping in is just what the doctor ordered. Caleb went to the Bengals game yesterday (can I get a WHO-DEY!!?! 4-0 baby!!!), while I stayed home and edited my tush off. Then met up with another sweet couple for their last-minute engagement session. Their wedding is next month, and we can't WAIT!!

I'm definitely exhausted today, but really proud of us for getting through this busy weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting through this work week because this weekend? FREE! I can't believe it. We have LOTS of fun planned and its going to be great! Hope everyone had a fun, fall-filled weekend!!!

We were productive!!

While I slaved away in my cubicle all day Friday ;) the boys got us all moved into our new place. So after a bit of unpacking, we celebrated our move with a bit of Mexican food like any normal human would, ha!

Saturday morning we decided to get our favorite donuts in the world for breakfast, because...well, donuts...

...then prepped for our 21st wedding of the year! I can't believe it! I was excited for this day because the bride and I really hit it off from the first time we met. She even texted me when she woke up and couldn't wait for us to arrive! She's such a fun gal and I knew she'd be a blast to work with. ALL DAY she made sure we had anything and everything we could need. Granola bars, water, air conditioning ;) I loved it! Sure, it was a LONG day, but with clients like these? It's so worth it.

& as always, here's a few sneak peeks from their big day!

Her sisters "introduction" into the reception was awesome, ha!

We got home around midnight and didn't fall asleep until well past 1AM so we decided to stay home all day Sunday. We got SO much unpacking done but of course stopped during the Bengals game and CAN I GET A WHO DEY!?!!!? So stinkin excited about this season. I pray we can continue with this winning streak!!!! Our boys are lookin' good!

Our weekend ended with running a few errands and witnessing one of the prettiest sunsets I've seen in a while!

Another thing I'm pumped about today? Amy + Erin's grand opening of their Etsy shop!!! Not only are they having a sale for their first day, but you'll get a free Halloween sticker sheet with your order. You know I'm excited!!!! So click that link and get to shopping, ladies! Make this week a great one!