Wahoooo! Ahhhh! It has been so long in the waiting! ;) We have dreamed of this day since last year and it is finally here! ;) Ahhh! We are still pinching ourselves a bit as we make the final preparations for all of the fun we are going to have over the next few days!
I think one of the most exciting things for us is the idea of actually taking time to escape our everyday and refocus. While we are escaping with new and old friends in Maine, we invite you to do your own little refocusing this week! Here is just one of our house rules for the AMAZING Life Escape. Hopefully you will take the opportunity this week to do the same! ;)
Over the last few weeks, we have had many conversations with our family, friends, previous clients, current clients, and even potential clients about the importance of photography and choosing the best photographers for you. I kind of wish we had a recorder for all of the conversations to share them all with you… but basically, all of the conversations culminated into an aha moment for us, choosing a photographer (although many see it as overwhelming) can be incredibly exciting! ;)
This past weekend, we photographed our friends, Brendon and Karen, who we actually introduced to each other! ;) (THAT was such an incredible honor!!!… and we will definitely share more about that soon!) Anyway, we had just placed the Day of Slideshow (a slideshow on our iPad of about 40-50 pictures that we had taken earlier on in the day to give everyone a sneak peek of the photos to come!) out in the bar area and found a group of our friends gathered around watching it! One of our friends turned to us and said… “Ahh! I so wish we would have spent more on our photographers.” At that moment, of course we felt humbled that they were as excited about Karen and Brendon’s photos as we were, but deep down our hearts broke a little. We want EVERYONE to have wedding photos that they are proud of and excited to share! Unfortunately, we often hear the horror stories from others and we know that is simply not the case.
As much as I would LOVE to say that there is a “one size fits all” kind of photographer and those photographers names are Liz and Ryan ;) … that is actually not the truth! But we do feel confident that there are photographers out there for everyone and it is all about finding the best fit for you!
I think one of the biggest challenges that faces brides and grooms when they get engaged is that there are 1 million people who now have an answer to all of their questions and want to tell them what to do next in wedding planning. Instead of adding to that and making it 1 million +2 people, we thought we would share just a few of our thoughts about our process in hopes to educate people on what they could have… so that they don’t look back in a few years and think, “gosh, I wish we had better photographs to remember our day!”
1. Wedding planning should be FUN! Being engaged is one of the MOST exciting times of your life! You have made the decision to spend the rest of your lives together and now you get to plan the celebration to make it official! How exciting to know that your friends and family want to come together to celebrate YOU as a couple! Never lose focus of what this day is all about… you are getting MARRIED! This day should be exactly how YOU want it to be. The professionals that you hire (from the venue, to the photographers, to the caterers, to the band/DJ, etc.) should all be people that you know will keep this process fun because they are just as excited about meeting your needs and helping you plan the perfect wedding for YOU! (Not all weddings are the same!!! That is the exciting part!) Our advice… never lose site of what this is all about – your marriage, and find the professionals that leave you with a smile on your face knowing they are going to help you make the beginning of your marriage exactly how you dream it to be.
2. Expect greatness! This was something we learned in college by one of our AMAZING mentors, Dean Badal! ;) She always taught us to expect greatness from others. Therefore, we have it ingrained in our bodies to expect greatness from ourselves right along with expecting it from others! We are providing a service as photographers. The photographs are just one little piece of that service! You should never have a doubt that your photographers are going to take great care of you! Ryan and I were chatting about this the other day… you know those wedding magazines that always list the questions to ask your photographer. One of the questions is always, “what would you do in case of an emergency and you couldn’t make it to the wedding.” To be honest, we never know how to answer this question because it seems so obvious to us. We would do EVERY single thing that we could to make sure we are there! If the situation came up (which would likely mean a life-changing emergency comes up ;( ) we would do EVERY single thing to make sure our brides and grooms were taken care of! You should feel more confident than ever that ALL of your professionals that you hire for your day will take care of you without even asking. Trust in your professionals and ask for help when you need it. We work with our couples to come up with their wedding day timeline… because as professionals we know how much time should be allocated to get our job done to the best of our ability. No, it is not something most would think is in a wedding photographers “job description,” but it is something that helps us do our job better AND it helps our couples along the way! Side note: HUGE thanks to our friend and AMAZING photographer too, Natalie Franke for capturing us behind the scenes this weekend! She was there as our 3rd photographer and go to girl in case I wasn’t strong enough post-surgery to make it through the wedding. However, I am happy to report- I not only made it through the wedding, but I woke up the next day feeling better than ever! God is good! ;)
3. Choosing your wedding photographers should not be viewed as just a business transaction. Capturing you as a couple is so much more than just taking a picture. We do everything that we can to try to get to know our couples before we even pick up our camera (that is why we start off our consultations by sharing some of our favorite treats and schedule fun date nights with our couples). We always joke that it is not typically normal for our couples to be used to having two strangers following them with a camera for a day. I think we all can agree that would be totally awkward. (And believe me, it would be just as awkward for us!). We are photographers, not because we like to take pictures- of course we do, but we are photographers because we like to capture the moment. We LOVE this life that we all live in and we want to document it. We appreciate every moment and know that in years to come there will be generations of families that will relive the memories of their loved ones through the photographs that we have the honor to take. Seriously, that brings tears to my eyes just thinking about that! We are so blessed to be able to do what we do and be surrounded by love as we do it! 4. Prioritize your Budget. It is likely that you want your wedding day to be PERFECT. You will do everything that you can to make sure that day is PERFECT for you, your family and your friends. Every detail is thought about over and over again. It is easy to get caught up in a budget and planning and pleasing all of your family and friends along the way. Focus on what is important to you and make a budget that reflects that. Of course, as photographers who value photography and have photographed over 85 weddings since 2009, we believe everyone should make photography a priority in their budgets. Whether the overall budget is $5000 or $200,000 it is so incredibly important that your wedding day is documented. It is the only thing (besides your rings & video of course) that will be able to bring you back to the emotions of your wedding day. Forget about the percentages of your budget that all of the wedding magazines, your family and friends are telling you that you should spend on specific pieces of your day. Find what is important to you as a couple and do what YOU want. As we said before, it is so easy for people to tell you what you should do… but honestly, our best advice is to do what you want to do. Follow your heart and you will find what is best. (This advice stems much deeper than just the budget topic! ;) ). But seriously, if everyone is so focused on making this day perfect, I sure hope that you have the memories to remind yourselves of that perfect day in the future! It is not always about the details… it is about the emotions that make the day so meaningful. 5. From Photographers to Family. After our engagement session last night, I posted an Instagram that said… “Our goal is always to fill our couple’s hearts with love- however somehow they always find a way to fill our hearts with even more!” At the end of the day, we want to leave our couples feeling more in love than ever before. We want to capture their love in a way that they can look back on in years ahead and always remember those tingles in their toes! We know that not everyone who is looking for a wedding photographer is looking for someone who is going to leave a lasting impact on their hearts, but we want people to seek that! It is certainly our goal to make that impact on every single couple we come in contact with! It is our dream that we can touch people’s hearts in a special way… beginning as photographers and moving forward as family! I had to include this picture because it is prime example of “beginning as photographers and moving forward as family!” We spent this Saturday hanging out with Kait and Adam (the ones playing skee ball above who were married in May) and their family at the MD vs WV game this weekend! I believe my words just before the picture was taken.. “Let’s take a family picture.” ;) We believe with our whole hearts that all of our brides and grooms and their families become one big extended Liz and Ryan family! And for that we could not be more grateful!!! Huge thanks to Kait, Adam, Rick, Kath, Marianne and the whole crew for showing us how to tailgate on Saturday in and out of the rain!… ohh and introducing us to the Terps world! That shirt I am wearing is actually Kait’s, but after the fun we had on Saturday we might just have to invest in some MD gear and hang out with them more often! (on off Saturdays of course!)
We could not be more excited or blessed to know that we have the opportunity to touch the lives of others in the work that we do. God has given us these talents and it is an honor to be able to share them.
Please, when you are looking for a photographer, think about these things above so that in future years you are not looking back wishing you had done something different! AND, if you know someone who would appreciate hearing these thoughts (or maybe you just want them to hear this perspective!) (engaged friends, family, parents, etc.)- please pass it along to them too! Everyone should have an AMAZING experience… at least we think so anyways! ;)
This is a pretty personal post (I feel like I should shorten that by just saying P3… you would know what that means, right?)… anyway, we are firm believers in being authentic and sharing the good, bad, and ugly. So, when it came to deciding whether or not we would put it out there that I am having surgery tomorrow- the obvious answer was yes! However, actually writing the post and sharing my real feelings is quite hard for me!
I am an introvert. Definitely an introvert! And when it comes to talking about myself, I am definitely not very good at it! ;) So, when it comes to talking about myself in a very personal way, I struggle. However, I have learned over the past few years that being vulnerable is a good thing and being honest during times that we just need some prayer and support can actually not only bring prayer and support, but it may actually help someone else along the way, too!
So, with those thoughts in my mind and in an effort to hopefully help someone else along the way… Yes, I am having surgery tomorrow to remove a cyst from my right ovary. I won’t go into crazy details, but basically I have always had painful monthly cycles. (Sorry- was that TMI?) ;) Last year, the doctor requested an Ultrasound to check everything out. The results showed a 3 cm cyst on my ovary. A follow-up MRI confirmed that the cyst seemed to be an Endometrioma Cyst (that would be caused by Endometriosis, but couldn’t be confirmed without surgery). Long story short… ;) I went to a new doctor this year for a routine exam. After reviewing my records, she requested a follow-up Ultrasound where they found the cyst had grown. At 5 cm, it is now at a size that they feel needs to come out via surgery.
The surgery is tomorrow and is supposed to be same-day, laproscopic surgery. I hear this is fairly common and actually is probably “not a big deal” in the world of surgeries! ;) (Thank goodness!) However, to be completely honest, I am a bit nervous! Every time I have brought it up to family or close friends, I have found myself just saying- “Oh, it’s not a big deal.” In the grand scheme of things, it really could be much worse and I am so incredibly grateful to know that they are able to get in there and take care of it. But, in the perspective of everyday life, it is kind of a big deal! Lol. It is not every day that I have surgery… in fact, besides getting my wisdom teeth out, this is all new to me. I honestly have no idea what to expect and am really just doing everything I can to go with the flow!
This surgery thing has provided a huge life lesson for me. I am learning that it is ok to reach out and ask for help. It is ok to share your personal struggles with those who will be there to listen and offer a positive thought. I am ALWAYS the one who strives to be that positive voice for other people, yet it is hard for me to share my own personal struggles when a positive voice could make the world of a difference for me! Ugh, I am definitely learning! ;)
With facing the reality that I will be having surgery tomorrow and I will be forced to relax for a few days of recovery, I am reminded to soak in this precious life! I am also reminded that those random little things that cause everyday stress in life, really are not worth worrying about! ;) Really… why do we let ourselves get so stressed over stupid stuff?! ;) (Or maybe that is just me?! In that case… huge note to self!)
I know the next few days will be a bit challenging and we could use all of the prayers and support you are able to share with both Ryan and I! ;) We would absolutely appreciate it more than you know if you could send a few prayers our way (or positive thoughts, if that is more your thing!) that surgery goes well and recovery is speedy! (Believe me, Ryan is praying for a speedy recovery, too! ;) ) Ryan will be my AMAZING caretaker (as he is every other day of our lives too!) and I have no doubt he is going to be the best caretaker I could ever dream of!
Ideally, I will only be laid up for a few days- so if you do need to reach us, please don’t hesitate! Ryan will be doing his best to keep up with all things for the business and life! (Gosh, what would I do without him?!?) If it takes us a little longer to respond to emails, please give us some grace!
Thank you so much for your love and support and prayers! It means the world to us that you are by our side helping us through this crazy journey of life and helping us learn these life lessons along the way!
If you are ever in need of a listening ear or a few prayers, please please please do not ever hesitate to ask!
Have an AMAZING Monday, friends! Make it an extra good one! ;)
Summer is definitely not over! ;) Thank goodness because we still have a few things that we need to cross off our Summer Bucket List! Haha! We know we still have a few things that we just aren’t realistically going to be able to make happen this summer (like Ryan running a 10K! ;) ). However, it is exciting to know that we already have a head start on creating our list for next year! ;)
In the meantime, we are definitely celebrating the excitement that we have had this summer! Our Bucket List has definitely helped us keep our priorities straight this summer and reminded us to have fun when our heads were buried in our computers for too long! I would say, we have had one pretty AMAZING summer and we are so grateful for that! Huge thanks to our friends over at the Happy Family Movement for encouraging us to create our list in the first place!
It has been awhile since we updated you all on our progress, but if you follow along on Instagram you have seen some of our fun! ;) For those without Instagram… here is an update for you!
The Little League World Series is an event that is near and dear to our hearts! Growing up about 10 minutes away and even spending a summer lifeguarding in the Grove (where the teams stay for the Series!), we have many fond memories that surround the LLWS. Whenever the last two weeks of August roll around, our hearts are either glued to ESPN or we are enjoying the magic on the Hill in Williamsport! It is my dream to document a team’s journey to Williamsport… a behind the scenes look at the excitement, the challenges, and the dreams! (More on this to come in the future for sure! ;) ). Anyway- this year, our schedule didn’t allow for us to be there for any of the games. However, we were home the weekend before and I did hop over to the Hill on Monday before the Series started with my brother. I talked him into just taking a moment to go sit on the hill and take it all in. As we were sitting there, we witnessed the spirited team from Puerto Rico running laps around the Little League complex (not an easy task!) and they never once stopped chanting as they ran! (Of course, they quickly became my favorite team!) Just before we left, we walked over to the stairway to make our way to our car. Taking one more look around and thinking about the dreams that were becoming a reality before our eyes, a whole group of 11 and 12 year old boys (as well as about 3 or 4 coaches) came running by us! With their mouths wide open in AMAZEMENT, all we could hear was… “Ohh my gosh! Look at that!!” “Look how BIG that stadium is” “WOW!.” The team from Delaware had just arrived and we got to experience their first glimpse of their dreams becoming a reality. That was PERFECT. Have a Picnic at Fort McHenry watching the clouds
Yep… I did this. One day, I was just not feeling it. I was struggling to get anything done and I just needed a break! It was one of the most beautiful days outside (no humidity and about 80 degrees!) It was AMAZING! I grabbed the blanket and a pillow AND a good book and just sat outside at Fort McHenry watching the clouds roll by! It was so good for my soul and I absolutely recommend this to everyone! ;)
Go to an Orioles Game and get Boogs BBQ
Ahhh! Boogs BBQ is like a staple when going to an Orioles Game! ;) Ryan has been to a few games this year- but we both went on a super fun double date with Sarah and Joe a few weeks ago!!! Unfortunately, the Orioles lost, but we had the most AMAZING seats to take the evening in!! ;) (Thanks to Sarah and Joe!) We had a blast and definitely enjoyed us some Boogs! We are super excited to say that we have two more Orioles games on the calendar for this year!!! So that means two more Boogs too! ;) SO FUN!
Travel to Portland
Ok, this one we kind of cheated on! ;) We didn’t make it to Portland, Maine this summer… but we definitely did make a trip to Portland, Oregon! ;) That totally counts, right?! ;) All that matters is that we had FUN- and that we definitely did!
Go to the Flea Market on the Eastern Shore (ie. Crumpton Auction)
SO many of our AMAZING couples and friends have told us about the Crumpton Auction. As soon as they see our home decor (the exposed brick and original hardwood floors from pre-1900s) they say, “you would absolutely love the Crumpton Auction!” ;) Basically, they had us so super excited… I couldn’t wait to go!!! However, I definitely was a little nervous and maybe a tad intimidated at the thought of a real auction!
Ohh my goodness… ;) As we drove through the farmer’s fields and miles and miles of nothing, we started laughing at the thought that we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into! ;) THEN, out of nowhere we see a field full of “junk!” ;) and cars everywhere!! After seeing no one for miles, we realized they were just all at the Auction! ;)
As soon as I got out of the car I was like a little a little kid in a candy store! ;) I was SO EXCITED… not necessarily because of the junk (haha… I am far from a hoarder!), but because of the cultural experience we were about to have! ;) I am pretty sure the smile did not leave my face all day! (Even when we lost the bid for the milk crate and old oar we were bidding on!) ;) We did, however, walk away with a beautiful old cedar chest for $30! ;) Thank Goodness for Melissa Manzione and her mom for showing us the ropes! We definitely would have been lost without them… but we would have been lost with a smile on our face that is for sure! ;)
Spend the day at the beach reading a book
We have been dreaming of a day where we could put everything away and literally just lay at the beach and read a good book! We are FINALLY making that happen TODAY! ;) The weather is looking awesome… so we have made it a date! We blocked the day off and are currently on our way to the beach!! ;) SO FUN!
Added bonus… we did spend an evening at the beach earlier in August with my best friend, Megan, Glenn & Jackson and their beautiful family!! (Megan’s Birthday just so happens to be on Friday… so we figured it would be fun to wish her an early happy birthday! ;) YAY! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Megan!!!) Our evening at the beach with them was magical to say the least! We did take a few photos and then finished off the evening with a round of mini golf! AMAZING! (Mini Golf def has to go on the list every year from now on! ;) )
Throw a big 4th of July Party
The 4th of July is always a super fun holiday for us! Since we have made the move to Baltimore, we enjoy it even more because we have this fabulous view of the fireworks! ;) Every year, they bring the barge in and place it nicely right in front of us! ;) And every year we are pinching ourselves knowing that we are super lucky and super blessed to be able to celebrate in such a fun way!! Every year we open our home to family and friends in hopes that they will be as excited as we are about the fireworks! ;) We love being surrounded by our family and friends and love being able to celebrate such fun holidays in such a special way!
Go to an outdoor concert/performance
We have/will be doing this a few times this summer! So fun!! A few weeks ago we decided to go to the Boordy Vineyards for their Summer Concert Series! It was a blast!!! Seriously! We loved every minute of it! We packed a picnic and enjoyed some wine while hanging out with hundreds of other people on the lawn! It really was magical!
AND by the end of the day tomorrow…. we will have done it again! ;) We are planning to make our way down to the Keith Urban Concert in the Baltimore Harbor to kick off the NFL Season!! AHHH! AMAZING! What a super fun way to kick off the football season, right?!! It might be crazy crowded, but we are super excited!!
SO MUCH FUN!! Seriously- what a fabulous summer, right?!? And it is still going strong! We are so grateful!
Tell us about your summer fun!! We want to know what we should put on our Bucket List for next summer! So, please, do share!! ;)
It is not often that a TV commercial stops me in my tracks. In fact, now that we have Apple TV and it tells us how long the commercials are going to be, I find myself running to do other things while the commercials play. Most of the time, I don’t even pay attention to the commercials… but the Allstate Good Life commercial stopped me in my tracks.
I can’t even tell you what TV show we were watching, but I can say that I watched every single TV break hoping to see this commercial again. And it was on every single break. ;) It is so good, friends. The message is such a good reminder that amongst the bad things that can happen in life, we have the choice to make sure it doesn’t stop us from making our lives good! Ahhh! LOVE it!
So good, right?!?! We are just about half way through our Take Action Challenge with Still Motion (the video workshop we are doing) and we are learning so much about cinematography and the art of storytelling! It is such an art and we are appreciating it even more than ever before!
The story in this commercial is one that we can all relate to! There are stories of “bad” all around… but we can’t let that stop us from making our lives good.
