July marks the FIFTH year that I’ve been in business.
I cannot even believe how fast the past five years have flown by! When I graduated college, I graduated with a degree in History and English, a ten month old baby and a burning desire to turn my photography hobby into a full fledged business. Two months later, Andrew and I were brand new residents of Fayetteville, Arkansas and I found myself sitting in a downtown office with a bouncing one year old, a borrowed pencil and a business license form. I was wearing sneakers and my stomach was going crazy with butterflies and I was so nervous and excited that I couldn’t stop tapping my foot. It was happening! I’d dreamed of opening a photography business for years but, back then, I had no idea where photography was going to take me.
My business started out part time. Andrew worked full time for the University and was also in Grad School so I spent most of my time chasing after Max and the rest of my time figuring out how to run a business. When Henry was born in October 2012, I slowed down from part time to an extended form of maternity leave that lasted exactly eleven months. And in 2014? I jumped with both feet into the deep end of full time photography work. I loved it more than I ever could have imagined. This five year adventure has been such a whirlwind and I’m so grateful (and also in slight disbelief!) that I have gotten to know so many amazing people, that I’ve been able to photograph so many magical moments and most of all, that I’ve been able to create an awesome full time career while also caring for two kids at home. It has been so incredible and, five years in, I still can’t believe how much hard work and determination pays off. Here’s to another (wonderful!) five years!
And to celebrate?! I thought it would be so fun to post a few anniversary posts for my July weddings last year. The past five years have gone crazy, crazy fast for me and I can’t believe that all these weddings were a year ago. They seriously feel like they took place yesterday!
Jamie and John | July 11, 2015
Jamie and John had the quintessential Fayetteville wedding. Seriously. If you’ve inquired with me about a wedding anytime in the past year, you’ve probably seen their wedding because I send it to every single bride that inquires with me about a summer – or Fayetteville! – wedding. Jamie is one of the sweetest brides that I have ever been lucky enough to work with – I love her! – and everything about her wedding day was absolutely perfect. I loved their wedding so much and still feel blessed that Andrew and I could be a part of their celebration.
Erin and Brian | July 18, 2015
Erin and Brian were married in Audubon, New Jersey last year and their wedding day was magic. These two had such a fun bridal party – one of the bridesmaids carried around a cardboard cutout of a celebrity for part of the reception (ha!) – and, to this day, I can’t get over how much I loved photographing Erin as she got ready for her wedding day in her childhood home. Her wedding day with Brian was magic and I’m so glad I was able to meet them and photograph their wedding day!
And in addition to loving their wedding day? I also loved that Andrew and I were able to explore Philadelphia the day before and they day after Erin and Brian married one another. Prior to their wedding, I had never been to the Northeast and it was so fun see a brand new (to me!) part of the country. Traveling for weddings is the best!
Ah! Erin and Kyle. These two are peas in a pod and their wedding day was full of so much color, joy, and creativity. From Erin’s amazing dress to her incredible flowers (ZuZu’s Petals was the florist for both Erin and Kyle and Jamie and John’s July weddings) to the fact that Erin never stopped smiling every single time that I’ve ever seen her, Erin is basically one of my soul sister brides and being her photographer was the best. And full disclosure? Sometimes I look at Erin and Kyle’s wedding photographs just to remember how much color and life they infused into every part of their wedding day at Fairlane Station. Their wedding was so dreamy and so full of personality and (surprise!) I loved every minute of their wedding day!
Happy Anniversary to these three amazing couples and Happy Five Year Anniversary to my photography business! I can’t wait to share more of my 2016 weddings with y’all in the near future and hope y’all had as much fun reading this post as I had putting it together!
Weddings | Engagements | Seniors | Families | Personal