When Jill and I were sitting in her living room just throwing ideas out into the wind, we never imagined or visualized what last Friday would look like. Last Friday was surreal in many ways. There were many moments that made me stop and take in what was happening. Jill and I decided back in January that we wanted to do a “Wedding Giveaway”. We told the boys our idea and because we have awesome husbands that let us dream big, they started helping us plan. After a few days of planning, we realized that this wasn’t a simple task. Hosting a Wedding Giveaway included contracts and vendors and date selection and social media management and timelines and so on and so forth. It was…. intense.
However, all of the intensity was worth it after this past weekend. This past Friday, several Wedding Collective Giveaway vendors gathered at Big Spring Farm and we had a big “vision” day with our winning couple, Alex and Laura! If you haven’t heard Alex and Laura’s story, you can watch it HERE. We met with them all day on Friday and I’ll just say this… we can’t wait to share more about their story, their personalities and their hearts. Gifting this wedding to this amazing couple is quickly becoming one of the highlights of my career. The vendors love each other, the couple is more than perfect and the story is powerful.
We started at 10:30am on Friday at Big Spring Farm with a site tour, then we had lunch provided by the amazing Chef’s Catering (who catered my SISTER’s Wedding!), then Alex and Laura met with Jess Creates and Tart Event Co to work on colors and invitations and then they interviewed with Mike and Shaina. Whew! After ALL of that, it was my turn! We all PILED into Mike and Shaina’s 4Runner and headed through the cow pasture, across a babbling brook and up to the mountaintop for their engagement session!! The light was glowy and the location was incredible. Lexington, VA is such a gem!! We even had a gorgeous Sette’ from Paisley and Jade to use in the field!!
After two hours of shooting, we were finally DONE with the planning day! I’m sure Alex and Laura were both exhausted yet thrilled to have accomplished so much at one time. We left the hilltop as the light disappeared and then headed to dinner… mexican style!! What a perfect way to end an amazing day!! Enjoy these favorites and get EXCITED for the Wedding Collective Giveaway WEDDING in September!!
I feel like I just wrote last week’s update, but somehow, another Friday is here. Time flies when life is full… and right now? Life is really full.
Every Friday, I’m sharing “Where I Am”—personally, spiritually, and professionally—because I believe in sharing the journey while I’m in it, not just when I have all the answers tied up in a neat little bow.
Sixteen years ago, I had no budget for marketing. Zero. None at all!
So I did the only thing I could think of—I started sharing my life.
Ever felt that wave of anxiety before a photoshoot—the kind that makes your mind race with thoughts like What if I freeze? What if I run out of ideas? What if my clients feel awkward?
When it comes to wedding photography, the right lens can make all the difference. But let’s be honest—gear can get expensive. So when Canon introduced the RF 85mm f/2.0—a lens with portrait, macro, and image stabilization capabilities for just $500—I knew I had to put it to the test.
Have you ever started a session, camera in hand, and suddenly felt stuck? Your couple is standing there, looking at you, waiting for direction… and your mind goes blank.
Have you ever tried to sit down with your spouse to talk about dreams, goals, and vision—only for it to turn into frustration or misalignment? If so, you’re not alone. Vision casting in marriage is hard because it brings up deeper fears, beliefs, and unspoken dynamics that many couples don’t even realize are at play.