June Goals

I'm two days late with this post, and I had popcorn for lunch yesterday. Two sure signs that wedding season is in full swing! But despite all that's written on my to do list next to me, I feel good about summer. Generally around this time I'm a frazzled mess. I haven't taken time for myself and I feel like summer is going to slip by without my taking part. This summer though is going to be different. I can feel it.

For starters, I've revamped my work day to make it more conducive to how I work best. I used to sit at my desk for 10 hours straight and get frustrated when I wasn't plowing through my editing like I thought I should. Instead I'd find myself on social media for hours on end just spinning my wheels. I'd drag through the day and work through the night because I hadn't gotten enough done during daylight hours.

NOT ANYMORE. I realized I had to fix the problem because I didn't want to pull 80-hour weeks again this summer.

In May I decided to set my alarm for 60- or 90-minute increments and set a goal for that focused work time. When my alarm rings, I get a 15- or 30-minute break to get out of my desk and do something--whatever--I choose. It's crazy that I get WAY MORE done in less time now, but it really works! And I have my nights free to spend with Nathan or coach gymnastics without the nagging thought that I should be working on the business. While I love what I do, working alllllll the time had me resenting photography a bit, which is just not right. Having time away helps me love what I do again. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? :)

So, ahem, on to my ...

June Goals

• Read Animal Dreams (I didn't read a lot in May … want to make time for this in June!)
• Embrace turning 30. Yep, that's right. I turn 30 this month. I'm not going to lie, it freaks me out a bit, but it's coming ready or not. I might as well be ready for it, right?
• Visit Chicago and hang out with some really cool people. It helps that I'm spending my birthday weekend with some of my favorite people
• Pick strawberries for the first time!
• Go to an Indians game
• Decide on a location to spend our anniversary
• Photograph two weddings
• Get completely caught up on all May editing before we go on vacation with Nathan's family
• Keep my Inbox below 10 after my morning e-mail time

Allie & John | Blair Center Wedding

Sometimes I just can't make a blog post any shorter. I totally tried, but Allie and John's wedding had so many great moments, and I couldn't leave out any of them! The thing I love most about weddings is that each day tells an entirely unique story. That's incredibly exciting for a photographer … especially one who loves to capture the day from start to finish!

This wedding was full of so much love. Between Allie and John of course, but also between the two of them and their families and friends. Both Allie and John wanted this day to be about their relationships with the people they adore most, and I think everyone left that night feeling so loved.

Some of my favorite moments from this sweet couple's day:

• Allie's incredible kindness from the moment we walked in the door. She immediately gave me a hug and put Samantha and me at ease.
• Allie's bridesmaids' excitement when she stepped out of the hair and makeup chair. She was gorgeous. I think there was some clapping involved.
• The hilarious contrast of walking out of the girls' suite to find the guys playing games in the bar and wearing their sunglasses inside. The difference between how girls and guys get ready never fails to make me laugh.
• The first look. And watching John's nervous excitement seconds before he saw Allie in her wedding dress.
• The nice golfer that insisted John take a swing on his wedding day. And the polite golf clap from his groomsmen when he nailed the shot. (Note: The groomsmen were hilarious.)
• Allie's sister marrying them.
• The ice cream truck that showed up halfway through the reception. That thing was a crowd pleaser for sure!
• The selfie stick that never left the dance floor.
• And while we're at it … the JAM-PACKED dance floor the entire night. I've never seen so many good moves in one place. Of course I'm partial to the groomsman doing a straddle jump (or toe touch for all you cheerleaders out there), but everyone was killing it on that dance floor. :D

Lido | 1 Year Lifestyle Photos at Hudson Springs

On the most beautiful spring morning, I met Lido and his parents at Hudson Springs Park in Hudson, Ohio, for this little guy's 1-year photos (look back on his newborn and 6-month photos). Lido was the happiest I've ever seen him. I think he knew he super cool golf-themed birthday party was coming up later that week. :) A few of my favorites from my time with the P family!

Merrit & Matt | Edgewater Park Sunset Engagement

Oh man. This engagement session has me falling in love with photography all over again. Merrit and Matt are two of the coolest people ever, and no matter how much they tried to convince me that they were going to be awkward in front of the camera, I just didn't believe them. HOW CUTE ARE THEY? Merrit and Matt were such a joy to have in front of my lens--so much light, positivity and laughter.

We started the gorgeous spring evening off at Tremont Scoops, where we got to indulge in delicious ice cream and break the ice. Win-win! These two love sweets (will you be best friends with me and Nathan?! :) ), so this was the perfect spot to document the two of them hanging out together.

And then we wandered around the Tremont neighborhood and found all kinds of cool spots to shoot.

As the sun started to set we took off for Edgewater Park, which was the best idea ever. The sunset was unbelievable and I had so much fun using my film camera to capture all that gorgeous glow.

Merrit and Matt will be getting married in Utah in a couple months. I'm so sad I won't be their wedding photographer. Whoever is lucky enough to photograph their wedding has a reallllly fun job ahead of them! Gosh, you two are great. I'll be thinking about you in July when you tie the knot!