You guys, I need some prayers over here. I back all of my images up three times, but I hadn't backed up my documents or work excels in a few months, so I decided to be proactive and do that. Well, my Mac asked me if I wanted to overwrite the original folder on my hard drive, and I said YES, not realizing it would delete EVERYTHING. Every single business excel, tax documentation, mileage tracking, expenses... all gone. I am currently running a data recovery wizard on my desktop, but any additional prayers/good vibes/well wishes would be much appreciated. I feel like I could throw up I'm so anxious over this! And yes, I realize I should have backed these up online / in the cloud, but hindsight is 20/20 and it's too late now 😩 ps. This photo depicts how I felt about being off my social media since last week. I've stuck to putting my phone away while my son is up for almost a full week, and it's incredible. Definitely sticking to this/posting less/being less active on the Internet world while being more present in the real one.
Good morning!!!! So, yesterday I had this realization (well, I've had it many times, but ignored it), that social media is consuming too much of my time and energy. Both for my business and in my personal life. I care too much about little stupid things, and those insecurities translate directly to my regular/non social media life. My son watches me all day long, and I don't want him to ever feel or think that my phone has some sort of precedence over him. I don't ever want him thinking I value a tangible thing, like a phone, more than I do him. And I'm always justifying it in my head, and to my husband. Hunny it's a part of my job. I have to be present and active on social media to stay relevant. Which, is still true. But to an extent. I would check my phone every several minutes. Truly. Right when I woke up, during every commercial break on tv, while cooking, while editing, while laying on the floor with my son, while giving him a bath, before I went to bed.... honestly, just way too much. So, I've decided to consciously STOP giving my phone so much power. I don't want social media affecting how I feel or think. From now on, I will only be checking my phone three times a day. For personal or business. Emails, DMs, fb messages, comments, etc will be checked before my son wakes up, when he naps, and when he's in bed at night. So, I promise to not disappear, but I also promise to be less present in this online world, and 100% more present in the real, everyday world. Also, I tried this before and it didn't last. I really didn't put in any effort. This time, I'm committing by putting my phone AWAY (yup, in a drawer) during the day. Ps. Kayla, your wedding is almost finished!!!
This last week has made me feel so loved and appreciated as a photographer. I go through spurts of feeling like I'm pouring every ounce of my heart in to my work, and left feeling exhausted and undervalued. Then I connect with the most amazing and encouraging clients a girl could possibly have, and I feel so humbled and loved. This past week has been a week full of cards, grateful emails, reviews, gifts, and the most heart-felt thank you's (and I love you's!) I could imagine. My husband always reminds me that there's a fine line between putting too much of your heart in your business, but I've always struggled with just being professional and approaching photography as my job, because to me, my business is my heart. So to be at a place where I'm working with people who truly value and appreciate that.... well, it feels incredible. Thank you guys for the non stop support and love. It means more than you'll ever understand! Photography | @moniqueserraphotography Videography | @featherdanielle Coordinator + Stylist | @peachykeencoordination Florist | @alibdesigns Rentals | @poppiesandtophats Cake | @saint.like.sweets Dress | @merrime_bridal Makeup | @jlm_artistry Hair | @meghansnowcavanaugh Calligraphy + Stationery | @bridgetowndesignstudio Signage | @clinkandkiss Bride + Groom | @emeryadairphotography + @kidesign
Happy Monday friends! Mondays are always my business days, where I make sure I'm caught up on taxes, excels, inquiries, mileage, emails, and making guides. Today's going to be a busy behind the scenes day, but getting completely caught up before my wedding season begins feels amazing! I also really need to start blogging soon. I never blog because I feel like nobody ever looks. Then it feels like a huge waste of time and energy. So tell me, do you read blogs?! Is it worth the effort?! If you like them, I would love to get caught up. If not, well, then I assumed correctly haha
Yesterday I got to do a mentorship with @nicolebriannphotography , which felt so much more like hanging out with my best friend, than working. We talked about photography, editing, workflow, posing, clients, and then life, motherhood, fears, and faith. It was an amazing opportunity, and I truly know we will be friends for years to come! She's an amazingly talented photographer, and if you're not already, you should definitely go support her! Huge thanks to our models for being so wonderful and patient as I instructed and guided!
Yesterday I edited more than I ever have in one single afternoon. My husband got back from being in Arizona all week, and I had SO much to get caught up on, so I locked myself in my office and didn't emerge until my wrist literally cramped and I couldn't move my pinky. I got SO much done though, and I feel so relieved! Today is going to be spent doing a 1:1 mentorship, with a beautiful model couple, and then I took this weekend off to be with my family, settle in our new home, and celebrate Father's Day! Cheers to the weekend, friends! #alpinenw
Yesterday was a dream, and I can't stop pinching myself over the fact that it actually happened! That we actually all came together and pulled it off! A surprise elopement... I'll never get over this. Thank you Emery for trusting me with this. I can't wait to overshare these babies!!! Photography | @moniqueserraphotography Videography | @featherdanielle Coordinator + Stylist | @peachykeencoordination Florist | @alibdesigns Rentals | @poppiesandtophats Cake | @saint.like.sweets Dress | @merrime_bridal Makeup | @jlm_artistry Hair | @meghansnowcavanaugh Calligraphy + Stationery | @bridgetowndesignstudio Signage | @clinkandkiss Bride + Groom | @emeryadairphotography + @kidesign
What do you do when you're planning your dream wedding and you lose everything in a house fire? All your material things, gone. But know what remains? Love. A strong and faithful love that holds more value than any tangible thing possibly ever could. Emery knew that what mattered most to her was the man she wanted to spend her forever with, so she SECRETLY (yes, behind his back) planned a styled shoot with some of the most incredible artists I've ever met, which turned in to a proposal (on her part!)... turned real life elopement!!!!! The story is beautiful, and I truly can't wait to share more. For now, I'm gonna continue sobbing and thanking God for this life and the opportunities I'm blessed with. So beautiful you guys. Love. It's all that ever matters. Photography / @moniqueserraphotography Styling / @peachykeencoordination Videography / @featherdanielle Florist / @alibdesigns Rentals / @poppiesandtophats Cake / @saint.like.sweets Dress / @merrime_bridal Makeup / @jlm_artistry Hair / @meghansnowcavanaugh Calligraphy Stationary @bridgetowndesignstudio Signage / @clinkandkiss Venue / Oasis 41