Take a minute to breathe. Stop what you’re doing, put down the phone, shut off the tv, minimize distractions, and just be. Check in with yourself mentally and physically, and slow down. I’m terrible at this - but it does help me when I’m overwhelmed or anxious. And this weekend has been so incredible yet so exhausting that it’s been easy to feel overwhelmed when I stop and think about it. So I’m taking things slow, an hour at a time if need be, and deep breathing through it. Who’s with me?! 🙋🏻♀️ 
It’s engagement session day!!!! I’m in Asheville, North Carolina with Allison and Tyler this weekend so that we could scope out their wedding photo site in the mountains AND visit the Biltmore Estate for their engagement photos! To say I’m excited is an understatement. I can’t wait for a full day of photos, estate tours, photos, wine tastings, photos, garden walks, and oh - PHOTOS! Swipe to see some of the iPhone views we checked out last night at the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains!! . . . #adventureelopement #adventureelopementphotographer #adventuresession #preweddingshoot #preweddingphotographer #destinationphotographer #adventurephotographer #blueridgemountains #asheville #northcarolina #mountains #biltmoreestate #craggypinnacle 
Today’s been rough. Tomorrow I fly off solo for North Carolina and I’ll admit, I’m nervous. Every plane ride I’ve taken over the past 11 years I’ve held my best friend’s hand on takeoff and landing. Every. Single. Time. Even this past weekend, with an 11 week old in my arms, I still held his hand tight. I’m not scared, but it’s become my little good luck charm, my superstition, my “knock on wood” act. Tomorrow I won’t get to do that. It’s also my first time being more than driving distance away from Bexley since her seizures, and I’ve yet to spend a night away from Barrick... sooo there’s that! Though I had a wonderful vacation with them this past weekend, and I’m thinking that’s the universes sign for getting me prepared to leave them this weekend. 😅 Vacationing with kids is stressful people! And I’m excited for the upcoming adventure, ready for some peace (I love my kids I swear), and can’t wait to see the @biltmoreestate in person!! Most of all I’m excited to shoot Allison and Tyler’s engagement session before their wedding next month! So if you could, send some good vibes, say a quick prayer for me and my momma heart. I would love it! 🖤 
We’re headed home from our first ever working-family-vacation, and it’s been a whirlwind! When your first wedding of the year starts a plane ride away, and your year starts off as hectic as ours did, you decide last minute to pack up the kids and grandparents and bring them all with you. 😂 I am so so grateful for this job that has allowed me, my husband, and now my family to travel and see the world. I have the most amazing clients who trust me enough to let me tag along on their adventures as they start their lives together as one, and I love every one of them, including my non-destination clients too! I hope to recap some of the events of this long weekend in New Orleans, LA and Hattiesburg, MI - but first we’ve got to get these kids back on an airplane and headed home to Illinois! #seeyousoon #destinationweddings #travelingphotographer #workingvacation #neworleans #hattiesburg #Louisiana #Mississippi 
IT’S WEDDING DAY!!! We’re in Hattiesburg, Mississippi for Samantha @ JT’s big day today at @venueatroseoak and we couldn’t be more excited!! We’ll see you soon guys, it’s going to be amazing!!! 
TIPS FOR HONEYMOON PLANNING // with travel agent @kennedyglazik 🧳 DON’T PROCRASTINATE // Start planning..... early! It is never too early to get ideas, start planning, and nailing down your destination/resort! You can even book way in advance to get the best rates. this also gives you extra time to pay it off 👏🏽 🧳 IT TAKES TWO // Plan your honeymoon.... together! Make sure your destination/resort offers things you’ll both enjoy to ensure it truly is the time of your life, making memories together that will last a lifetime. Just because someone else’s honeymoon looked amazingggg via insta, doesn’t mean it’s the perfect honeymoon for you both! 🧳 GET HELP // Talk with a travel agent!! 🙌🏽 chances are, they have personally been to or work with someone who has been to the resorts they recommend to you and know what each has to offer! They will match you up with the perfect destination that offers all your priorities and must haves! Bonus.... you don’t pay for their services, & they usually get you a better deal than if you went through the stress of booking on your own. 🧳 TIMING IS KEY // Decide whether you want to leave on your honeymoon as soon as possible or if you would rather wait a little while after! Personally, I believe both offer great positives. If you’re SO ready to just get on the beach and relax after your wedding, leave the next day ✌🏽✈️ or if you need a few days (or weeks 🙋🏼♀️) to unwind, send thank yous, etc. before you’re ready to fully enjoy your vacation - that works too! There’s no right or wrong! 🧳 DOCUMENT IT // This should be obvious coming from us... TAKE PICTURES! 📸 capture every moment on your first vacation as newlyweds - you will be SO glad you did, especially 20 years from now! You’ll realize the pictures capture more than just the two of you - but SUCH an amazing happy time in your lives, your destination that you chose to visit together, and your love ❤️ how cool would it be to travel back to that destination on an anniversary and get a similar shot?! Thank you Kennedy! If you’re planning ANY upcoming trip, what are some questions you’d have for us?! We’re going to answer them all! 
HOSPITAL BAG ESSENTIALS // I love sharing what in my bag I brought that made an impact, so much in fact that i couldn't fit it all in one IG post. Those, "I'm so happy I thought to pack that!" items. So TOMORROW on the blog I'm sharing just that! My "thank god i brought this" list PLUS a link to my FULL list of everything I brought! Who’s excited?! 🙋🏻♀️ tag someone you know who’s expecting! 👇🏻 
2021 is lookin’ to be amazeballs. I’ve officially closed my bookings for weddings because I have hit my DREAM goal for the number of bookings in one year, four of them destinations. I’m SHOOK. And no, that doesn’t count the two postponements I had in 2020 due to the ‘VID. This year, I’ll be shooting DOUBLE what I’ve shot any other year and I just can’t believe it. To my Mager Image Couples both past, present, and future: THANK YOU. I am so humbled by the fact that my “hobby” has turned into a career that I am so passionate about yet allows me the flexibility to be with my family when they’ve needed it most. As you all know 2021 started out so fucking rough I didn’t see any way to get through it, but I did. And I had DREAM clients postpone sessions, wait patiently while it took me weeks to reply to an email, and even hold off booking me to party with them until they knew I was back to work. I’m just floored at the love and support that has been offered to us, and I know I’ve found my peeps! For those of you planning 2022 weddings - don’t wait too long! I’ve booked up a few months already and more dates go every week! It’s going to be an amazing year, so buckle in for all new content soon!!! #magerimagephotography #weddingphotographer #thankyou #shook #internationalweddingphotographer #letsparty #camerainhand 
I love Schitt’s Creek! Who’s with me? I even watched it while waiting on our little boy’s arrival! Stevie’s my favorite, but Roland has some HILARIOUS one liners I’ve only caught the third or second time watching the series! Who do you think is the best and why?! 
Can I give you one piece of advice? Take the honeymoon. Seriously. I know they're expensive and I know life can be busy and I knowwww there's a million other things you need to accomplish. BUT. If you don't now, it'll be 100% harder to get away once married life starts. It's honestly not even really married life. It's bills, mortgage payments, kids, etc. etc. but when you get married you have the ultimate excuse to say ✌🏻 out for a bit. Have fun, go get a tan, drink too much, eat because you starved yourself for that dress! You totally deserve it, and everything will be waiting for you when you get back. I promise. We went to Cancun, Mexico for our honeymoon - where did you go?! 🏝