• Anyone feeling extra hygge this week? First, what is hygge? A Danish term for coziness and comfort. For me, it creeps in on rainy cool days and Fall days. Hygge is a part of my brand because the closeness and warmth that it exudes, is how I want all my images to feel and look. In my home life, hygge is brought about through the smells of our home, our lighting, and through cooking together. It is not something that only comes about in the fall but rather, through the coziness of our company. Right now, we are listening to @cinematic_orchestra with Patrick Watson’s song, “To Build a Home” and cooking sausage gnocchi. The seasons of our life pass by so quickly. I have enjoyed marking the seasons through curated playlists that represent the time of year, the location, and the year. It has helped me remember all the warm and together moments we have during our busy lives. This is a busy season of life right now. For photographers, we are giving all our time and energy into the creation of thoughtful and beautiful images. Between editing, emailing, and photographing the next event, it leaves little time for other aspects of life we enjoy. For me, that is time with friends and cooking at home. But each season of life will pass and soon the leaves will fall and our wedding season for 2020 will be done. All the engagements that have been scheduled, postponed, and looked forward to will be edited and delivered and a new round of love will flood 2021. 2020 has been something of a mixed bag for me. I’ve never had a more successful year. I’ve traveled extensively and made so many new friends but it hasn’t been wonderful for everyone. So I count my 2020 blessings as doubles and triples. I hope you’re enjoying the season’s change and the ushering in of warmth and togetherness.
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    Anyone feeling extra hygge this week? First, what is hygge? A Danish term for coziness and comfort. For me, it creeps in on rainy cool days and Fall days. Hygge is a part of my brand because the closeness and warmth that it exudes, is how I want all my images to feel and look. In my home life, hygge is brought about through the smells of our home, our lighting, and through cooking together. It is not something that only comes about in the fall but rather, through the coziness of our company. Right now, we are listening to @cinematic_orchestra with Patrick Watson’s song, “To Build a Home” and cooking sausage gnocchi. The seasons of our life pass by so quickly. I have enjoyed marking the seasons through curated playlists that represent the time of year, the location, and the year. It has helped me remember all the warm and together moments we have during our busy lives. This is a busy season of life right now. For photographers, we are giving all our time and energy into the creation of thoughtful and beautiful images. Between editing, emailing, and photographing the next event, it leaves little time for other aspects of life we enjoy. For me, that is time with friends and cooking at home. But each season of life will pass and soon the leaves will fall and our wedding season for 2020 will be done. All the engagements that have been scheduled, postponed, and looked forward to will be edited and delivered and a new round of love will flood 2021. 2020 has been something of a mixed bag for me. I’ve never had a more successful year. I’ve traveled extensively and made so many new friends but it hasn’t been wonderful for everyone. So I count my 2020 blessings as doubles and triples. I hope you’re enjoying the season’s change and the ushering in of warmth and togetherness.
  • We are on a mad race currently! To finish Parks and Rec. before they pull it from streaming service on October 1st. Anyone else a Parks and Rec. fan? I know people feel polarized between The Office and Parks and Rec. but I feel they’re both standalone on their own merits. I think Parks and Rec. moves better and obviously had less cutaways. Production is also a little higher quality. But The Office has all the feel good nostalgia that everyone loves. So yeah, I said it. They’re both amazing and one isn’t really better than the other. Fight me in the comments. Or agree. Happy Monday!
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    We are on a mad race currently! To finish Parks and Rec. before they pull it from streaming service on October 1st. Anyone else a Parks and Rec. fan? I know people feel polarized between The Office and Parks and Rec. but I feel they’re both standalone on their own merits. I think Parks and Rec. moves better and obviously had less cutaways. Production is also a little higher quality. But The Office has all the feel good nostalgia that everyone loves. So yeah, I said it. They’re both amazing and one isn’t really better than the other. Fight me in the comments. Or agree. Happy Monday!
  • True love got us like... After a jam packed weekend full of love, we are faced with another Monday. But Monday doesn’t have to be bad. It’s a new opportunity to make a positive impact. So grab onto your loved ones and make the best out of this day. Just like Whitney and Devyn did at their engagement yesterday in St. Joseph, Michigan!
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    True love got us like... After a jam packed weekend full of love, we are faced with another Monday. But Monday doesn’t have to be bad. It’s a new opportunity to make a positive impact. So grab onto your loved ones and make the best out of this day. Just like Whitney and Devyn did at their engagement yesterday in St. Joseph, Michigan!
  • Excuse me while I swoon over this wedding. We had the pleasure of photographing two weddings on Saturday this weekend. This wedding, with Sara and Russ, was so so so much of everything. It was a backyard wedding but everything about it made it look like a custom $50,000 event. What turned this backyard affair into a luxury experience for my clients? Honestly, the attention to every. single. detail. Nothing was haphazardly thrown together. Everything was curated perfectly and this amazing wedding for two of the sweetest people, and a long time friend, made it so wonderful. Swipe over to see their epic dance floor and reception setup that Russell created and built himself. Congratulations, Sara and Russ. You’ve made it and you did it oh so well!
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    Excuse me while I swoon over this wedding. We had the pleasure of photographing two weddings on Saturday this weekend. This wedding, with Sara and Russ, was so so so much of everything. It was a backyard wedding but everything about it made it look like a custom $50,000 event. What turned this backyard affair into a luxury experience for my clients? Honestly, the attention to every. single. detail. Nothing was haphazardly thrown together. Everything was curated perfectly and this amazing wedding for two of the sweetest people, and a long time friend, made it so wonderful. Swipe over to see their epic dance floor and reception setup that Russell created and built himself. Congratulations, Sara and Russ. You’ve made it and you did it oh so well!
  • Las Vegas is Fabulous! While we don’t have any official current trips planned to Fabulous Las Vegas, I can say I officially was able to complete and edit all these beautiful images from this styled shoot. I loved getting to meet all the outstanding new friends from this shoot who dedicated and donated their time. Photography is so much more the just taking a photo. In fact, I rarely spend my time behind a camera. The majority of my time is working on marketing and growth. I spend time editing and writing and spacing myself away from the ordinary. It’s a full time gig and I’m grateful to do it full time. But like photography, the amazing vendors who donated their time don’t just slap something together and call it a day. The garments in these photos took months to prepare and design. They weren’t made by tiny hands of underpaid workers, either. They were made by the talented hands of a woman who designed them and who is supported by her partner and best friend in this image. The hair and makeup didn’t just take an hour. There were hours of research and communication that went into these looks. There were communications and regiments followed. The florals were chosen because of their color and affect. They were also utilized because of what was on season and available in the southwest of the United States. And that just isn’t information many of us have. I’m not going to try and justify price and tell you this is what you’re paying for because frankly, if you don’t know what you’re paying for, you’re in the wrong spot. We aren’t just playing little weekend heros with unsustainable low pricing. We are the real deal people. We are insured. We are professional. We are working to give our clients the absolute best luxury experience ever. Because why? Because they damn well deserve it. Garments: @curvycustombride Hair: @rubyfinchsalon Makeup: @arlethegiselle Florals: @roshanda_shanell_designs Amazing model: @amandadebusk Photography: @newadventureproductions
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    Las Vegas is Fabulous! While we don’t have any official current trips planned to Fabulous Las Vegas, I can say I officially was able to complete and edit all these beautiful images from this styled shoot. I loved getting to meet all the outstanding new friends from this shoot who dedicated and donated their time. Photography is so much more the just taking a photo. In fact, I rarely spend my time behind a camera. The majority of my time is working on marketing and growth. I spend time editing and writing and spacing myself away from the ordinary. It’s a full time gig and I’m grateful to do it full time. But like photography, the amazing vendors who donated their time don’t just slap something together and call it a day. The garments in these photos took months to prepare and design. They weren’t made by tiny hands of underpaid workers, either. They were made by the talented hands of a woman who designed them and who is supported by her partner and best friend in this image. The hair and makeup didn’t just take an hour. There were hours of research and communication that went into these looks. There were communications and regiments followed. The florals were chosen because of their color and affect. They were also utilized because of what was on season and available in the southwest of the United States. And that just isn’t information many of us have. I’m not going to try and justify price and tell you this is what you’re paying for because frankly, if you don’t know what you’re paying for, you’re in the wrong spot. We aren’t just playing little weekend heros with unsustainable low pricing. We are the real deal people. We are insured. We are professional. We are working to give our clients the absolute best luxury experience ever. Because why? Because they damn well deserve it. Garments: @curvycustombride Hair: @rubyfinchsalon Makeup: @arlethegiselle Florals: @roshanda_shanell_designs Amazing model: @amandadebusk Photography: @newadventureproductions
  • Ever dreamt of a Hawaii vacation? Look, I talk about Hawaii a lot. Because IT IS LITERALLY THE BEST STATE IN THE UNION! It’s gorgeous. It’s warm. It is everything dreams are made of! I just ultra spammed my stories because @southwestair is literally having a BOGO from January 6-February 28, 2021. Go check their latest post or jump on the southwest site. The breakdown is you register with them and buy a flight. Then take one by November. Then anytime you fly between the dates above your partner flies free. That’s amazing. A round trip ticket between the Midwest and Hawaii would be less than $700 for both of you. Seriously, that’s outrageous! Friends, I’m not even getting paid for this (although DM me @southwestair and I’ll send you my Venmo). Go check it out friends! And then book a flight and I’ll send you some badass AirBnBs and we can find some time in Oahu, Maui, or Kauai. Let’s hike into your dream elopement spot. Let’s have you and your partner dance in a waterfall and kiss on the beach.
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    Ever dreamt of a Hawaii vacation? Look, I talk about Hawaii a lot. Because IT IS LITERALLY THE BEST STATE IN THE UNION! It’s gorgeous. It’s warm. It is everything dreams are made of! I just ultra spammed my stories because @southwestair is literally having a BOGO from January 6-February 28, 2021. Go check their latest post or jump on the southwest site. The breakdown is you register with them and buy a flight. Then take one by November. Then anytime you fly between the dates above your partner flies free. That’s amazing. A round trip ticket between the Midwest and Hawaii would be less than $700 for both of you. Seriously, that’s outrageous! Friends, I’m not even getting paid for this (although DM me @southwestair and I’ll send you my Venmo). Go check it out friends! And then book a flight and I’ll send you some badass AirBnBs and we can find some time in Oahu, Maui, or Kauai. Let’s hike into your dream elopement spot. Let’s have you and your partner dance in a waterfall and kiss on the beach.
  • Dream weddings do come true! This couple was the first couple with New Adventure Productions that had to move their date. Unfortunately, before things were totally shut down, the proverbial rug was pulled out from under their feet when their original venue cancelled on them. With no warnings. But the stars aligned and they found a beautiful and recently renovated venue, Black Iris Estate, in Carmel, Indiana. This venue was accommodating, kind, and worked within Reyna and Neil's budget and made their wedding day dreams come true. I am grateful to have been part of such a beautiful and elegant wedding. I am also grateful to all of the outstanding vendors that came together to make this day wonderful. Their wedding blog is live right now! Link in the bio!
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    Dream weddings do come true! This couple was the first couple with New Adventure Productions that had to move their date. Unfortunately, before things were totally shut down, the proverbial rug was pulled out from under their feet when their original venue cancelled on them. With no warnings. But the stars aligned and they found a beautiful and recently renovated venue, Black Iris Estate, in Carmel, Indiana. This venue was accommodating, kind, and worked within Reyna and Neil's budget and made their wedding day dreams come true. I am grateful to have been part of such a beautiful and elegant wedding. I am also grateful to all of the outstanding vendors that came together to make this day wonderful. Their wedding blog is live right now! Link in the bio!
  • Sometimes I just daydream about lying in bed. But not to sleep. But just to hold my wife close. To have those moments away from the world where everything is slow and perfect and nothing else matters and where nothing is wrong. Life is fast. Just a few days ago I attended my best man’s wedding. I remember when we became friends. I remember sitting in his big closet listening to Eminem while he drew Sonic cartoons. I remember going to my grandmother’s house on Christmas Day and spending the majority of the day there, enjoying food and the company of family. And now, grandma has been gone for 2 years or maybe 3. No more Christmas mornings as her house, which was sold a few year’s back to another family making memories there. My friend is on his new adventure with his wife and they are planning a future, probably NOT listening to Eminem and drawing Sonic cartoons. The point, is that life goes by fast and the good ole days aren’t really the good ole days until they’re long gone, just a memory in the past. But we can hold one another. We can embrace these fleeting moments and be warm and protected and slow down, for just a few moments. We can have a moment to ourselves before we give everything else we have to the world. And when these days are the good ole days, when life will undoubtedly be thought of as a simpler time, we can have these memories to cherish. To hold onto. To slow down and appreciate for just another moment gone by too soon.
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    Sometimes I just daydream about lying in bed. But not to sleep. But just to hold my wife close. To have those moments away from the world where everything is slow and perfect and nothing else matters and where nothing is wrong. Life is fast. Just a few days ago I attended my best man’s wedding. I remember when we became friends. I remember sitting in his big closet listening to Eminem while he drew Sonic cartoons. I remember going to my grandmother’s house on Christmas Day and spending the majority of the day there, enjoying food and the company of family. And now, grandma has been gone for 2 years or maybe 3. No more Christmas mornings as her house, which was sold a few year’s back to another family making memories there. My friend is on his new adventure with his wife and they are planning a future, probably NOT listening to Eminem and drawing Sonic cartoons. The point, is that life goes by fast and the good ole days aren’t really the good ole days until they’re long gone, just a memory in the past. But we can hold one another. We can embrace these fleeting moments and be warm and protected and slow down, for just a few moments. We can have a moment to ourselves before we give everything else we have to the world. And when these days are the good ole days, when life will undoubtedly be thought of as a simpler time, we can have these memories to cherish. To hold onto. To slow down and appreciate for just another moment gone by too soon.
  • Let’s talk about dreams for a minute. No, not the ones you have at night, but rather, those you think about during the day. Having dreams is the first step to making your dreams come true. Sounds a little obvious but it’s true. And in a world as fast paced as the one we live in, even during a pandemic, dreams are important. In fact, they might important NOW more than ever. You see, when I began this journey 4 years ago while we were driving home after a friend’s wedding, we both decided we wanted to work in weddings. But dreams don’t always come true over night. It took time and a lot of effort and sacrifice to get where we are today. There was hours of planning and work. We had arguments about work and what was too much. We discussed ways to make more, to appeal to new clients, and to make a mark in a very saturated market. And you know what? Those dreams finally came true. Slowly but consistently. But effort and compromise were key aspects and components of it. I was scrolling through my phone last night and caught a glimpse of this picture. It was so quick that I didn’t take the time to look and see the subjects. Just the overall image and I thought, “oh that’s beautiful!” Then I realized that was MY picture. I am finally where I wanted to always be, skill wise and travel wise. And it feels good. But dreams don’t stop once you’ve reached them. What can I do to make those dreams even more dreamy? Here is my list. Later, I want to hear about your dreams and those steps to get there. 1. I want to travel even more often. 2. We want to offer more inclusive travel and elopement options to make eloping and adventuring, easy and approachable. 3. I want to be able to include Felicia in what I am doing more often. 4. I would like to diversify my income to ensure consistent revenue through active AND passive income so when it’s slow, I’m not stressed about money. Your turn. Let’s hear what your dreams are and if you’re working toward them or if you’re there and planning the next step!
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    Let’s talk about dreams for a minute. No, not the ones you have at night, but rather, those you think about during the day. Having dreams is the first step to making your dreams come true. Sounds a little obvious but it’s true. And in a world as fast paced as the one we live in, even during a pandemic, dreams are important. In fact, they might important NOW more than ever. You see, when I began this journey 4 years ago while we were driving home after a friend’s wedding, we both decided we wanted to work in weddings. But dreams don’t always come true over night. It took time and a lot of effort and sacrifice to get where we are today. There was hours of planning and work. We had arguments about work and what was too much. We discussed ways to make more, to appeal to new clients, and to make a mark in a very saturated market. And you know what? Those dreams finally came true. Slowly but consistently. But effort and compromise were key aspects and components of it. I was scrolling through my phone last night and caught a glimpse of this picture. It was so quick that I didn’t take the time to look and see the subjects. Just the overall image and I thought, “oh that’s beautiful!” Then I realized that was MY picture. I am finally where I wanted to always be, skill wise and travel wise. And it feels good. But dreams don’t stop once you’ve reached them. What can I do to make those dreams even more dreamy? Here is my list. Later, I want to hear about your dreams and those steps to get there. 1. I want to travel even more often. 2. We want to offer more inclusive travel and elopement options to make eloping and adventuring, easy and approachable. 3. I want to be able to include Felicia in what I am doing more often. 4. I would like to diversify my income to ensure consistent revenue through active AND passive income so when it’s slow, I’m not stressed about money. Your turn. Let’s hear what your dreams are and if you’re working toward them or if you’re there and planning the next step!