Goals | June (& a catch-up post of the past couple weeks!)

Ooook. SO. I haven't blogged in over two weeks. And while I realize this is very bad, I feel that you should know it's because I hadn't been HOME in over two weeks. And folks, lets face it, it's really hard to sit down and blog when you're photographing a week-long convention, or three weddings, or spending time with your family, your in-laws and other family friends that you rarely see. As much as I'm trying desperately to be a better, more consistent blogger (and I really am trying!) real-life people interactions will always come first. Because those are moments that you can't get back if you step away from them. So, please forgive the severe lack of posting of late, and know that I AM excited to get back in the swing and have much to share!

1) Kylin & Jordan Featured!

To start off with, I don't want to gloss over the fact that the beeeautiful wedding of my friends Kylin & Jordan recently got published in the summer edition of DIY Weddings Magazine! I'm so excited that not only can you buy the digital version of the magazine, therefore it's being featured online, but you can also buy it in PRINT! This is the first official thing I've had published in print, so that makes me excited. Plus, I love showing off my gorgeous friends and the wedding that they put so much lovely effort into! So, you should definitely check it out!

2) May Goals Update

As always, the things in bold are what I did accomplish. It was a bit of a rough month, as we were busy/gone for about half of it. So, have mercy on me as you read the list...

PERSONAL GOALS

• Continue working out at least 4 times a week (I did this the first two weeks, but not the second two...)
• Brainstorm and accomplish another for-the-apartment decorative project
• Make 2-3 meals per week, without Aaron's help (8-10 for the month) (again, the first two weeks when we were home, I did!)
• Have girl time with at least 4 different friends in person
• Call or hand-write at least 2 far-away girlfriends
• Mail the last Thank-You's
• Order Wedding Album!
• Make more progress catching-up on personal photo editing & uploading
• Work on organizing iTunes & all Music folders on computers
• Sort through all clothes & shoes and get rid of some!

BUSINESS GOALS

• Make detailed weekly to-do lists
• Total all receipts/costs from January - April
• Get mileage for both cars up to date
• Blog at least 2 times a week (trying this again!)
• Finish researching Business Insurance options & decide on a company/policy!
• Finish researching and choose a company for online backup & off-site storage!
• Finish researching laptops/desktop monitors
• Make a list of prioritized purchases!
• Edit one bridal shoot
• Edit two weddings
• Shoot two weddings
• Prepare for & lead the photographic team at TeenPact (the organization my husband works for) National Convention

So, as you can see, THIS time around I did a lot better with business goals than personal ones. But hey, any progress is still progress!

3) June Goals

All right, here's what's on the agenda for this month (even though we're already over a week into it, now). The personal goals are nearly staying the same, because so much went unaccomplished last month.

PERSONAL GOALS

• Continue working out at least 4 times a week
• Brainstorm and accomplish another for-the-apartment decorative project
• Make 2-3 meals per week, without Aaron's help (8-10 for the month)
• Invite friends over for dinner at least once
• Have girl time with at least 4 different friends in person
• Call or hand-write at least 2 far-away girlfriends
• Mail the last Thank-You's
• Order Wedding Album!
• Make more progress catching-up on personal photo editing & uploading
• Work on organizing iTunes & all Music folders on computers
• Sort through all clothes & shoes and get rid of some!
• Shoot just for fun at least 3 times

BUSINESS GOALS

• Make detailed weekly to-do lists
• Total all receipts/costs from May - June
• Add mileage for both cars from June
• Blog at least 2 times a week (still/always trying this!)
• Finish researching and choose a company for online backup & off-site storage!
• Finish researching laptops/desktop monitors
• Purchase new laptop
• Edit 2 - 3 weddings
• Submit 1 - 2 weddings for publication
• Attend 1 seminar/conference

There we go! Here's to June and much (hopeful) productivity! Stay tuned for more posts to come about all the things that took place in the last several weeks!

Featured | Jared & Samantha on Lucy Dylan Weddings

I was so excited to see that the beautiful wedding of my friends Jared & Samantha was featured on Lucy Dylan Weddings, yesterday! The only thing I love more than getting to document gorgeous wedding days (especially of friends) is seeing others excited about them and wanting to share them so that even MORE people can experience the beauty and creativity that the bride put into her special day. So, special thanks to LDW for wanting to feature their wedding!

I loved reading the behind-the-scenes info that Samantha provided for the post. She's so talented and put so much thought into each detail - which really showed in the way everything turned out. Such perfect touches of elegance and class! But, don't listen to me ramble on about it, head over to the blog post and read what Samantha had to say!

Featured | When Photographers Support Each Other

Let me just say, one of the greatest blessings in my life is having some incredible friends who also happen to love Jesus and who also happen to be photographers. That combination makes for an encouraging support system like none other, and honestly it's often those friends that keep me going on days when work gets stressful or business is looking bleak. They know what I'm feeling, they know what I'm going through, and they know that at the core of it all, life isn't about just taking perfect photos or shooting a certain number of weddings. They know that it's really about using our talents to bless our clients, to impact lives, and to encourage each other on this journey and in this industry.

I can't say enough good things about the ladies I've met here in Virginia during the few months that I've lived here, so far, and especially about a fellow Richmond-based photographer, Katelyn James. She has passion, spunk and joy like you rarely see all combined into one person, and she clearly loves people, which is evident in any interaction with her or even just reading her blog posts. Not to mention, she's one incredible photographer. That's why I was super honored and excited when she asked to interview me for her debut "Featured Friday" post on her blog! She's really one of the sweetest people you could ever meet, and I very much look forward to getting to know her more as time goes on.

So, if you're interested in knowing more about me, how my business got started, and what inspires me, head on over to her blog and check out the interview! And then when you're done, scroll through her other blog posts. You'll see a lot of gorgeous work that will make you want to spend hours there. :)

Featured | Jeremy & Anastasia's Summer DIY Wedding

This has been a rather busy Thursday. I was gone all day yesterday at a photography conference with a friend (which I plan to blog about tomorrow, so stay tuned!) and I'm leaving tomorrow to go to Florida for a week of fun in the sun! But, unfortunately for this sandwiched-in-between day, there's a ton to get accomplished...

However, a very welcomed bright spot was seeing that the wonderful ladies over at Love and Lavender (a new favorite blog to browse) have featured one of my favorite weddings from last year. Both the bride and the groom are friends of mine, which always makes it extra enjoyable for me, and their style was a dream to photograph. Anastasia did an incredible job with all of the details, on a budget you wouldn't even believe. That girl is so incredibly talented and resourceful.

But don't just take my word about all of the prettiness. Click the link above and check it out!