Kristen & Dan | Palm Beach Aruba Wedding

Kristen and Dan traveled from Chicago to Aruba to get married in April. And Nathan and I were lucky enough to photograph the celebration. (Talk about a pinch-me moment!)

Wedding in Aruba made perfect sense for these two. They're laid back, fun and legitimately have smiles on their faces all the time. I even remember Kristen saying, "I love to smile," while she was getting ready on her wedding morning. :) All that and they got engaged in Aruba!

That happy island got a whole lot happier when Kristen and Dan said, "I do." I've never documented a more joyful wedding, and it will go down as one of the highlights of my photography career. Thanks a million for having us, Kristen and Dan!

Ceremony: Santa Filomena Catholic Church
Reception: Aruba Marriott Resort

June Goals

Time is a funny thing. It can just evaporate into thin air, leaving you confused about where that last hour went or what actually got done this week. 

I had an epiphany after reading 168 Hours a couple months ago: If I don't plan ahead, things will almost never go the way I expect or want them to. That goes for almost every aspect of my life: the day's schedule, what I'm going to eat all week, money, my wardrobe, etc. 

Dave Ramsey always says that a budget is just a way to tell your money where it should go. The same thing is true for every minute of the day. If I don't tell my time where to go, I've suddenly spent two hours of my work day on the couch watching Ellen and eating gummy bears. Sure, that's enjoyable, but what's NOT enjoyable is trying to make up those two hours of work in the evening when I could be hanging out with Nathan ... watching Ellen and eating gummy bears. 

Planning ahead is so not exciting, but having control of my life and time for all the things I want to accomplish (including some margin!) IS exciting. Slowly I'm learning this.

I've started to consistently plan my days the night before because (shocking) my goals won't get accomplished without a little foresight. I always just thought I'd fit cleaning or reading or working out in when I had time, but when busy season hits, I never have extra time lying around just for reading. I'll always fill extra time with work or watching cat videos on YouTube when left to my own spontaneity. I have to be intentional about picking up my book or grabbing my gym shoes (way more enjoyable in the long run than watching cat videos), which means I have to build it into my schedule. 

And now that I've gotten into the rhythm of planning my days ahead of time, let's see if I can't accomplish a couple of these lingering goals once and for all, shall we?

June Goals

• Finish An Irish Doctor in Love and at Sea by Patrick Taylor and read Rising Strong by Brené Brown
• De-clutter bedroom
• Donate and sell unwanted clothes
• Host a summer party
• Go to the farmers market at least twice
• Order new USBs
• Order new stationery
• Update tax document
• Shoot four weddings!

How are you all starting your summers? What is your biggest time suck? How do you overcome it to feel accomplished and ready for real relaxation?

Kristen & Dan | Aruba Snorkel Cruise Rehearsal Dinner

I can confidently say that this was the most fun rehearsal dinner I've ever photographed AND attended. A snorkel cruise in the middle of the Caribbean Sea? Yes, please!

When Kristen and Dan contacted me after Danielle and Ed's wedding, I jumped at the chance to work with this family again. Not only are they incredibly gracious and inclusive and easy to photograph, this family knows how to have a good time. And I knew that fun would be multiplied at a wedding on the beautiful island of Aruba.

Here's just a little taste of how the weekend went. Up later this week is Kristen and Dan's tropical wedding!

P.S. I wasn't hired by Jolly Pirates to advertise for them ... they were just that good! If you're headed to Aruba, I'd highly recommend checking them out!

Shaker Heights Ohio Lifestyle Family Photos

Meet Laura, Matt and Maddox. I used to coach gymnastics in Cincinnati for a team that competed against Laura's. I guess we were supposed to be mad enemies (juuuuust kidding) but we were all actually friends! I got to photograph Laura and Matt's wedding a few years ago ... and now their adorable 1-year-old! These three traveled all the way up to Cleveland from Northern Kentucky for this session. Thanks a million, guys!