three years :: nashville wedding photographer

I was not one of those brides who was nervous on her wedding day. The morning of May 23, 2009, for me, was like being a child on Christmas. I was beyond excited, more happy than I've ever felt, and my face was already hurting from my inability to stop smiling. I was preparing to marry the guy I'd dated for four years, and on that day, nothing else mattered. It was the best decision I've ever made.

(Photos by our wonderful photographer Sarah Beaty of Eyeris Photography in Nashville)

This past weekend, we took a little road trip to Beaufort, NC to celebrate our anniversary. We stayed at the precious Ann Street Inn, strolled the streets of this cute little town, at some amazing food at Aqua Restaurant and the Beaufort Grocery Co., and spent a little time on the beach. Sometimes, all it takes is a little adventure... getting away from the day-in-day-out tasks of work, laundry, and planning dinner to remember how much you appreciate someone. I know it probably shouldn't, but it still amazes me how much fun we have together and how we always find new things to talk about... childhood memories that've never been heard and stories never told.

He knows how to make me laugh like no one else can, tells me I'm beautiful even when I'm in yoga pants and a sweatshirt from 2002 with no makeup, and always makes me believe that I can do anything. And I know that I can as long as he's by my side. I love you so much, Joshua, and I look forward to 100 more years of adventures!

happy mother's day :: nashville portrait photographer

President Gerald Ford once said, "There is no undertaking more challenging, no responsibility more awesome, than that of being a mother."

Mothers are amazing people. I think I've always known that, but watching one of my best friends become a mom and listening to some of the mommas at Making Things Happen talk about their children with such adoration has given me a whole new appreciation.

They devote a good portion of their lives to changing our diapers, soothing our cries, cutting the crust off our sandwiches, putting Little Mermaid bandaids on our cuts and scratches (and putting ones to match on our babydolls, too), carpooling us to activities and attending ballet recitals and swim meets, giving us money for gas and movie tickets during our teen years even when we seem almost unbearable, and doing it all for little appreciation.

But today, Mom, I am appreciating all of those things. Thank you for being here for me...  for always encouraging me to follow my dreams, for being a sounding board when I need one and for letting me make my own mistakes, for praying for me every day and making me feel loved, for allowing me my independence and teaching me to be my own person. A million thank yous to my beautiful momma...

 And to all the other mothers out there, I wish you a day filled with love, joy, and appreciation!

making things happen :: chapel hill photographer

It's now been 10 days since I attended the Making Things Happen Intensive in Chapel Hill, and honestly, I've been putting off writing this blog post for over a week because I just don't know how to put into words my feelings about this experience.

The past couple of years have been a wonderful journey, full of struggles and triumphs as I quit my full-time job as a Marketing Director to pursue my dreams of being a wedding photographer. It's been one of the most terrifying and most exciting adventures of my life. There's no way I could have predicted where I would be right now, what I would have learned, and the wonderful people I would meet along the way. I'm so glad I didn't know two years ago what today would hold for me, but I realize that now has to be about making conscious decisions about my business and my life.

And 10 days ago, I nervously walked into a room with Lara, Gina, and Emily and 29 other amazingly brave women and voice wavering and hands trembling, I put it all out there. I opened myself up in a way like I never have, gave up my ability to hide from what I know needs to happen, and made lots of AMAZING new friends who keep each other accountable and encourage one another to be the best version of ourselves.

Making Things Happen is difficult to put in a box... it's all about opening yourself up to who you are meant to be and challenging yourself to take control of your life and let go at the same time. It's about clearing the distractions and the clutter and creating the life you've always imagined. It's about realizing there's no good reason your dreams have to remain dreams. It's about REALLY making your priorities priorities and forgetting the rest. And it's an experience that's truly changed my life... I wake up and put my feet on the floor excited for each day. I no longer just go through the motions; I try to live each day with purpose. I remind myself of what really matters and place my focus on those people. I breathe a little easier at night when I go to bed knowing that I've set myself up for success the next day. And I fail. Alot. But the good news is I have the next day to start all over. Progress, not perfection.

Lara, Gina, and Emily are such amazing people to share their hearts and their precious time away from their husbands and babies with attendees across the country, but their work is life-changing. No really... no dramatics here... it really does change lives. I love you ladies from the bottom of my heart, and I know you will continue to do amazing things!

For anyone reading this who's ready to have your world rocked, I encourage you to check out the Making Things Happen blog, take The Challenge, and/or sign up to attend one of the October intensives in Chicago, Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta or Los Angeles. What are you waiting for?!

Update 8/5/2014: Check out Lara's new book, Make It Happen, now available on Amazon.