Taking a little time just for me l Personal

A hard reality of growing up and running a business is making time for yourself. The last time I took vacation time from work was to move into my house, which lets be real wasn't a vacation. And that was two years ago this month. I am a very busy person, and I always try to keep myself that way (which isn't always good). I work full-time at my day job, I run my basically full-time photography business, I have house chores, yard work, meetings, working out, etc. There is little time left for me except the little sleep I do get.

This year I not only made time to educate myself more for my business in two trips with my fav photog gal pal, Erica. But we also planned out a pretty awesome concert season around wedding season. I decided to make more time for ME, so I don't get burnt out and loose out on life because my work 90% of the time comes first before anything.

When Warren asked if I wanted to come to the beach, I definitely contemplated it for awhile, as I am quite a bit of a work-a-holic. So adult pep talk to myself goes like this: 'you need a break!' Truth be told WE ALL NEED A BREAK sometimes. We all NEED a chance to recharge our batteries.

I did work Wednesday morning before leaving for the beach. I packed the IPad so I could check my emails in the morning. The first thing we did when I got there was go down to the beach, which the beach is happy place. A place where I can sit for hours and reflect, think, and just let things go.

The beach for me is normally quiet time for tanning, but when Elizabeth asked to help build sand castles and such, I couldn't say no. I hadn't done those things in YEARS.

 See answering emails while on vacation :)

 A quick little selfie of Gabby and I at Chic-fil-a

 Then the little sister drove from her new home in SC to see me :) :)

 Chase photo bomb hehehe

 My heart was completely whole this day :)

 We decided on dinner at Medieval Times, if you have never been there you definitely have to go!!

 And you get to eat with your hands

 LOL we have a special bond :)

 And all the kids wanted to ride with us, Sammi's face is pretty priceless :) :) :)

 And then a walk on the beach....LOVE HER!!

 We ate out of dog bowls LOL another fact about me: Hot dog is my fav food, not exactly allowed on my normal diet, but hey I was on vacation.

 I LOVE the beach at night.

Then home for the Band Perry concert with this chic!

 B is really for BLUE.

Miss A Outdoor Boudoir l Louisa, Va Women's Photographer

The more I do and study boudoir, the more I learn of every woman's struggles in live. Growing up I just thought there was fat and skinny. In life now I know as women we all view ourselves as flawed, and that doesn't even matter your size. STOP!!! Just be you! 

I want to take a stand and let every woman know 'YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!' That doesn't matter you age, size, height, how many kids you have had....stop with being mean to each other, stop belittling yourself, look at all the things to love about you, and wear your smile with confidence. Gaining your self confidence is ALL what boudoir is about!

Here are a few sneak peeks from Miss A outdoor boudoir. Someone that came in from out of state for her session. Someone who is independent, strong, and gorgeous!

Her rock star shoes!!!

Mr. De'Loach is Super Dad l Ashland, Va Family Photographer

Warren is a super dad! There is no explanation about that. Being a single parent is tough, but he has shown true strength and patience. He will do anything for his girls. He told me before they got here for the summer that he is their protector and he will do all he has to to protect them from this world.
For Father's Day I surprised him with a wrapped gift to take with him out to AZ to get his two little pride and joys. Inside was a Super Dad shirt. To me that is what he is. :)
It's not very often you hear how awesome single dad's are. I have a few friends that I can say are awesome single dads, and Warren falls into this category. Giving up a lot to spend every waking moment to make sure they are happy and having fun here in Va. Painting their finger nails. Playing pretty pretty princess. And singing Frozen and Beauty and the Beast in the car as loud as he can because that is what makes them happy.
You are an amazing Dad!!

 I love a child's laugh, but there is something about Gabby's that just automatically puts a smile on my face. 

 The second part of Warren's Father's Day surprise was cute little girly super girl outfit to take pictures with his shirt. Huge thanks to Rooty Tutu's for these awesome bedazzled shirts and tutus :)

Don't you love their bedazzled capes?!?!?

 tickle fight anyone?

 Love the emotion in this image!!

 And these are the faces I am used to :) :)

 I love how much fun they have together :)

A look into Katelyn's DIY Wedding Invites l Personal

It is just a few more month until Katelyn ties the knot, less than 4 to be exact. A standard rule of thumb is sending out your invites about 4 months in advance. When I reminded Katelyn at the beginning of April that we needed to get on the ball with getting these done, I think she had a mini heart attack. :/ Sorry 

Many know that I am Katelyn's Wedding Photographer, but it has been such an honor to also help with the planning side of her wedding as well. Most of her wedding is rustic plus DIY. She sent me a few ideas on place settings, cakes, and wedding invites. I want her to have the wedding of her dreams, so in that sense I took on helping her design and put together her wedding invites.

She bought most things from Michael's (brown paper, ivory paper, peel and stick pearls). The ivory ribbon came from Hobby Lobby. And the Lace is what I had left over from a wedding photo booth (thanks Shannon and Travis :) ), but it was also from Hobby Lobby I bought it in 2012.

 First task was to cut the invites so they would fit onto the ivory paper.

 

 Then to cut the lace so it could be glued on the back side.

 

Next task was making a bow around the lace, which Katelyn will tell you it is a lot harder than it looks.

 These self adhesive pearls went in the middle of the bow, but we also hot glued them down to be on the safe side.

 The final product