My First Bridal Expo!

As most of you know, I've been working to get my photography business up and running since we moved back from Italy. It's a bit of a challenge because the best way to get new clients is through referrals from old clients. So I started to do a little research on other ways to get my name into the wedding community and in the process I found this super awesome bridal expo in Columbus. I got all the information and chatted about it with T and Momager and we all decided it would be a lot of work upfront, but in the long run it would pay off. (And it totally did because I booked a wedding for next April with an ADORABLE miss who is going to make a gorgeous bride!)

I crafted and sequenced and researched and rebranded for two weeks and it completely took over my house and my life (seriously- I even neglected my bike for two weeks). But I'm super happy with the outcome and I'm even more excited to do another show in January - that is bigger! And I have probably 150 ideas for the next one, so it should be super awesome. I'm currently working on getting my website back up - which is fun and exciting and a h-u-g-e pain in my behind. But I wanted to share a few shots from the wonderful day!

I would like to give a very loud shoutout to my best friend Casey, who helped me with sequencing and rebranding via many late night texts and phone calls, Momager (who hates being called Momager - but she channels Kris Jenner like no other and it is fierce and awesome) for encouraging and supporting, Hubs for help (and patience) as I wandered aimlessly through Hobby Lobby, and most importantly - my grandparents, who made the trip from NH to help me bake hundreds of cookies to hand out, they helped me set up and take down my booth, and sat with me all day so I wouldn't be alone. I literally wouldn't have been able to do it without all the love and support in my life, and I'm very thankful to have all of you - even my long list of unnamed people who got the "do you like this leafy flower or this leafy flower better" texts and Kara for the iced coffees and shopping dates. Y'ALL rock my world.

Diamonds, Zeus, Peonies and Patriotism

T and I have been married for five years. Holy smokes, that seems like a long time, but also not that long when you think about how much time we have actually spent together. Army life makes for a tough marriage, but like my favorite country singer Dierks says "The hard times put the shine into the diamond" and I really couldn't agree more. 

This year was kind of special for T and I, as it is the SECOND anniversary we have actually spent together. Year one he was in Afghanistan. Year two, we were together, in Venice. Year three he was in Poland. Year four, Ranger School. Year five, he was coming off a 30 hour walking shift with ranger students. So he had a blissfully short nap, and then I made him cook me dinner and we snuggled on the couch and watched SVU. I got to wash his disgusting army clothes and kiss him goodnight twice. While this may sound boring to some, I was happy simply to have him under my roof, where I could look at him, hug him, and request a calf rub.

He let me drag him to an amazing triathlon training with some really great people on Sunday, and then I let him drag me to a gun show. See? Compromise makes for two happy people. We had a great weekend, and as I have done for the last two years, I took some photos of our wedding rings together. As a wanna-be wedding photographer I try to create work that can be used for my portfolio on a regular basis. Obviously this is kind of tough from time to time, but since the rings are always handy they seem to be the most consistently photographed object I own. 

Zeusy was my first attempt (Year three: T was in Poland). Every dog-owner has seen the adorable picture of the dog with the rings. My best buddy made that possible for me as he is probably the most well-behaved pup on the planet.. Yes, I am very biased. Yes, sometimes he's a monster. But he's also the cutest ever.

Year four I found myself in Portugal with a girlfriend, but a few days later I found myself at a farmers market with peonies that looked just like my wedding bouquet. Considering they are easily my favorite flower, and they were dirt cheap for a dozen of them, I bought them and let the smell remind me of our wedding day.

This years may be my favorite. Insprired by T's patriotism (also the 2nd 4th of July together), the finding of a wedding invitation and a recent article about "off-lensing," I made these lovelies. I may, again, be biased, but I think this years ring shots are the best selection yet!