• Throwback to that time I photographed @hsamson22 in Ireland, and then another throwback to when I received an email from an author asking to use one of the photographs for the cover of a steamy romance novel. 🙈 Heather, this will FOREVER be one of my favorite shoots! Meet me in County Clare again someday? It's a deal? Great! 🧳 (For anyone wondering about the outcome of the book cover, I've never felt more confident saying "I'm so flattered! ..but, no." 🤪)
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    Throwback to that time I photographed @hsamson22 in Ireland, and then another throwback to when I received an email from an author asking to use one of the photographs for the cover of a steamy romance novel. 🙈 Heather, this will FOREVER be one of my favorite shoots! Meet me in County Clare again someday? It's a deal? Great! 🧳 (For anyone wondering about the outcome of the book cover, I've never felt more confident saying "I'm so flattered! ..but, no." 🤪)
  • You remember how in old sitcoms, when one of the main actresses was pregnant, they'd come up with all sorts of ways to hide her belly (pillows, blankets, shooting mid-shoulder and higher) because it might distract the viewer from the main storyline of the show? That's kinda the mentality I took for @ashlynscarter's shoot last week (she’s due in May), and I'm proud to say we KILLED IT! Ashlyn's invested heavily in her brand imagery over the years, and one way to I can honor that investment and make it even more valuable is by ensuring that it's *evergreen!* Not too seasonal (unless we're specifically shooting for season-specific marketing material), easy to use throughout the year (and coming years) without it feeling dated. Ashlyn, you KNOW I love a good challenge, and this was such a blast!
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    You remember how in old sitcoms, when one of the main actresses was pregnant, they'd come up with all sorts of ways to hide her belly (pillows, blankets, shooting mid-shoulder and higher) because it might distract the viewer from the main storyline of the show? That's kinda the mentality I took for @ashlynscarter's shoot last week (she’s due in May), and I'm proud to say we KILLED IT! Ashlyn's invested heavily in her brand imagery over the years, and one way to I can honor that investment and make it even more valuable is by ensuring that it's *evergreen!* Not too seasonal (unless we're specifically shooting for season-specific marketing material), easy to use throughout the year (and coming years) without it feeling dated. Ashlyn, you KNOW I love a good challenge, and this was such a blast!
  • Fun fact: self-portraits with a toddler are WAY harder than simple self-portraits with a photo-averse husband. I published a Self-Portrait Guide last year in our shop and after years of self-portraits with Matt (who HATES having his picture taken), one of the tips I gave in the Guide was that if you ARE shooting with family members who have short attention spans/tolerance, have everything ready to go before you call everyone outside. ⏱⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That advice could NOT have been more spot on!! We have a tradition of shooting a self-portrait in the snow every year (so grateful Matt is willing!), and 2020 didn't give us a good enough storm to cover the ground, so this is Felix's first one! I had Matt wait inside with Felix while I got my camera out, set up the tripod, composed my shot, and locked in my settings. Only once I was ready to fire the shutter did I call Matt, and he dashed out in the cold so we could give it a try- I only got 8 shots off before Felix was done with it all, but we got a keeper! 🙌🏻 Gosh, I look at this photo and see so many stories of provision and joy. My husband, my favorite redemption story. Our son, who we waited so very long to meet. That house, one I've loved since I was a little girl. My cup is so full! 🥰 #abbygraceselfportraits
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    Fun fact: self-portraits with a toddler are WAY harder than simple self-portraits with a photo-averse husband. I published a Self-Portrait Guide last year in our shop and after years of self-portraits with Matt (who HATES having his picture taken), one of the tips I gave in the Guide was that if you ARE shooting with family members who have short attention spans/tolerance, have everything ready to go before you call everyone outside. ⏱⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That advice could NOT have been more spot on!! We have a tradition of shooting a self-portrait in the snow every year (so grateful Matt is willing!), and 2020 didn't give us a good enough storm to cover the ground, so this is Felix's first one! I had Matt wait inside with Felix while I got my camera out, set up the tripod, composed my shot, and locked in my settings. Only once I was ready to fire the shutter did I call Matt, and he dashed out in the cold so we could give it a try- I only got 8 shots off before Felix was done with it all, but we got a keeper! 🙌🏻 Gosh, I look at this photo and see so many stories of provision and joy. My husband, my favorite redemption story. Our son, who we waited so very long to meet. That house, one I've loved since I was a little girl. My cup is so full! 🥰 #abbygraceselfportraits
  • It's the freakin' weekend! Gosh, I have SO MANY GEMS from @dana_graham's brand shoot. One of the storylines we focused most on was "working from home with kids” because that's such a present reality for their family, and I'm *obsessed* with how this one in particular turned out. B's twirly pink dress, G trying to keep up with his sister, the tiara, all of it. Motherhood is such a beautiful chaos, and I love that we didn't shy away from that for Dana's brand portraits. It's honest and unpretentious, which is my very favorite way to shoot. Styling by @katherinebignon!
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    It's the freakin' weekend! Gosh, I have SO MANY GEMS from @dana_graham's brand shoot. One of the storylines we focused most on was "working from home with kids” because that's such a present reality for their family, and I'm *obsessed* with how this one in particular turned out. B's twirly pink dress, G trying to keep up with his sister, the tiara, all of it. Motherhood is such a beautiful chaos, and I love that we didn't shy away from that for Dana's brand portraits. It's honest and unpretentious, which is my very favorite way to shoot. Styling by @katherinebignon!
  • You know that viral video that went viral in December about the dog bemoaning all the outfits he never got a chance to wear in 2020 because of Covid?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That's how I feel about this coat. It's a SHOW stopper, and I *revel* in the chance to wear it to weddings and on date nights! Alas, Covid descended and this coat remained tucked away in the closet. But we're spending this upcoming weekend at the @ritzcarltontysonscorner for our 10th anniversary, and even if I only get to show it off on the walk from the valet to the check-in desk, you can bet it's coming with me!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thanks @davidabel.co for the BTS image!
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    You know that viral video that went viral in December about the dog bemoaning all the outfits he never got a chance to wear in 2020 because of Covid?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That's how I feel about this coat. It's a SHOW stopper, and I *revel* in the chance to wear it to weddings and on date nights! Alas, Covid descended and this coat remained tucked away in the closet. But we're spending this upcoming weekend at the @ritzcarltontysonscorner for our 10th anniversary, and even if I only get to show it off on the walk from the valet to the check-in desk, you can bet it's coming with me!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thanks @davidabel.co for the BTS image!
  • Ten years ago, you and I had no idea what the future would hold; we just knew we wanted to experience it together. We stood at the altar of the church where you grew up and promised, for better or worse, that we would love and honor one another. We were bright-eyed and hopeful, excited to start our lives as husband and wife. Some might have said (scratch that, some people *definitely* said) we were in a rush, getting engaged just six months after we started dating, only 22 and 23 when we were married. But when you know, you just...KNOW.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Somehow, I thought that marriage was this ARRIVAL point- "and then they lived happily ever after." I didn't *really* understand that our wedding day was just the beginning of the grandest, most beautiful, most illuminating journey either of us have ever been on, one that keeps going, keeps developing! Rather than January 8, 2011 being the end of the book, it was only the third or fourth chapter of a story that's still being written.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And what a story it's been, love! One of adventure, discovery, inspiration! And at times, a story of grief, unfulfilled longing, and pain. But woven throughout the chapters of pain, there's been such beauty, such redemption, and glimpses of glory as hope is found anew.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Matt Springmann, I love you infinitely more than I did on that frosty day 10 years ago, and count myself infinitely more lucky now than I did back then. It is my privilege to love and honor you, all the days of my life. I love you and I like you. Happy 10th anniversary, darling!
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    Ten years ago, you and I had no idea what the future would hold; we just knew we wanted to experience it together. We stood at the altar of the church where you grew up and promised, for better or worse, that we would love and honor one another. We were bright-eyed and hopeful, excited to start our lives as husband and wife. Some might have said (scratch that, some people *definitely* said) we were in a rush, getting engaged just six months after we started dating, only 22 and 23 when we were married. But when you know, you just...KNOW.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Somehow, I thought that marriage was this ARRIVAL point- "and then they lived happily ever after." I didn't *really* understand that our wedding day was just the beginning of the grandest, most beautiful, most illuminating journey either of us have ever been on, one that keeps going, keeps developing! Rather than January 8, 2011 being the end of the book, it was only the third or fourth chapter of a story that's still being written.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And what a story it's been, love! One of adventure, discovery, inspiration! And at times, a story of grief, unfulfilled longing, and pain. But woven throughout the chapters of pain, there's been such beauty, such redemption, and glimpses of glory as hope is found anew.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Matt Springmann, I love you infinitely more than I did on that frosty day 10 years ago, and count myself infinitely more lucky now than I did back then. It is my privilege to love and honor you, all the days of my life. I love you and I like you. Happy 10th anniversary, darling!
  • I love @laracasey's reminder that "there is nothing magical about January 1st." It's tempting to think that the date 1/1 has some sort of special power with it, but in truth, it's just a new date on the calendar. The thing that matters most isn't the date, but having a PLAN for turning your new goals into action!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of my biggest goals for this year is leaving the office by 2pm each day. This week, Felix started with mornings at nursery school and I really want my afternoons open to spend with my little dude! But that 2pm quit time doesn't just happen on its own, so I'm working backwards from the overall goal (quitting at 2pm) and allowing that desire for afternoons with Felix to help me PLAN my time throughout the day and week! It's going to mean earlier mornings (setting my alarm for 5:30), crystal clarity on what the most *important* work is each day/week (*not* necessarily the most urgent!), and a ruthless elimination of the nonessential. It's going to require discipline and focus (I use the Freedom app to block access to the websites I get most distracted by), and brutal honesty about what I can and cannot achieve in these more limited hours.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You guys, I can't WAIT. I *love* this kind of challenge- it almost feels like a game, seeing just how well I can adhere to the new boundaries around my time!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I want to hear your most audacious goal for this year! Drop it in a comment!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Shot for a collaboration with @la_rochere_france using their Napoleon champagne flutes @larochere_na
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    I love @laracasey's reminder that "there is nothing magical about January 1st." It's tempting to think that the date 1/1 has some sort of special power with it, but in truth, it's just a new date on the calendar. The thing that matters most isn't the date, but having a PLAN for turning your new goals into action!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of my biggest goals for this year is leaving the office by 2pm each day. This week, Felix started with mornings at nursery school and I really want my afternoons open to spend with my little dude! But that 2pm quit time doesn't just happen on its own, so I'm working backwards from the overall goal (quitting at 2pm) and allowing that desire for afternoons with Felix to help me PLAN my time throughout the day and week! It's going to mean earlier mornings (setting my alarm for 5:30), crystal clarity on what the most *important* work is each day/week (*not* necessarily the most urgent!), and a ruthless elimination of the nonessential. It's going to require discipline and focus (I use the Freedom app to block access to the websites I get most distracted by), and brutal honesty about what I can and cannot achieve in these more limited hours.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You guys, I can't WAIT. I *love* this kind of challenge- it almost feels like a game, seeing just how well I can adhere to the new boundaries around my time!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I want to hear your most audacious goal for this year! Drop it in a comment!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Shot for a collaboration with @la_rochere_france using their Napoleon champagne flutes @larochere_na
  • I finally got to saber a bottle of champagne last night! After shooting Julie & Joey's wedding in 2017 and capturing this shot, I went home and told Matt I wanted to learn how to saber champagne too, so I could always have a fun party trick up my sleeve. Mission accomplished: see my stories for proof! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Last year was hard in so many ways but it *didn’t* defeat us. You’re still standing, and so am I! I have so much HOPE that the resilience, resourcefulness, and tenacity gifted to us by a difficult year will make these next 12 months better than we could ever imagine. Happy New Year, friends- here’s to a bright 2021, and to a relentless focus on what matters most!
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    I finally got to saber a bottle of champagne last night! After shooting Julie & Joey's wedding in 2017 and capturing this shot, I went home and told Matt I wanted to learn how to saber champagne too, so I could always have a fun party trick up my sleeve. Mission accomplished: see my stories for proof! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Last year was hard in so many ways but it *didn’t* defeat us. You’re still standing, and so am I! I have so much HOPE that the resilience, resourcefulness, and tenacity gifted to us by a difficult year will make these next 12 months better than we could ever imagine. Happy New Year, friends- here’s to a bright 2021, and to a relentless focus on what matters most!