A fresh start to a new decade

A fresh start to a new decade

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Hey Everyone! I am going to get very real and honest with you today…

Maybe you’ve noticed, haha maybe you haven’t, but I’ve been really quiet on all things social media or having to do with my business lately. Guys, I have been BURNT OUT. Haha well I might’ve also had the flu over the holidays which literally knocked me out and I did nothing but sleep for almost a week. But even after that in trying to get back in to the swing of things I have really had no desire to work. Scary!

I am a very lucky person that can say with 100% confidence that I love my career and there is nothing else I would rather do, which is why I realized I honestly haven’t taken a break for years. Yes, yes I’ve taken lots of vacations and had lots of amazing down time in amazing places, but that’s still exciting, stimulating, and inspiring so I’m really not allowing myself to just rest and recharge. Add in to that just a lot of changes and big things happening in my personal life and I realized I just needed a break! I needed time to not think, plan, create, solve problems, and make decisions.

I know for me it’s really hard to not be busy. When I’m busy I’m my most productive, energized, and inspired! But the older I get the more I realize that I actually need some quiet time to just breathe and recharge! Taking time to read before bed, just going for a walk in my neighborhood without my phone, or taking time to just soak in a hot bath with a glass of wine! All very simple and little things, but they have made a difference and helped me to get back to actually wanting to get going with my business again! If you own a business then you know that it can very easily be a 24/7 job. You’re never not thinking about it. 2020 will be my 8th wedding season in Wisconsin and while I knew it wouldn’t be my last, I was worried I was losing my passion for photography.

I realize now that I just needed to allow myself some time to fully relax and just be a person! Haha to not be a business owner who is constantly thinking and worrying about how to build a successful business. To not be a creative constantly thinking about ways to improve my skill and push my photography to the next level. And to just binge watch some shows on Netflix and let myself rest :)

So, I can say after all of that I am finally ready to get back at it! And even though I have gotten a lot better at creating a work-life balance in terms of prioritizing time with friends and family, I still hadn’t put enough effort in to a work-life balance for just myself and that is my new goal for 2020! Haha along with of course constantly growing my business and serving my clients better. Because, that’ll never change! Cheers to a new year everyone!!

Kelly + Cooper | A Classic Madison Engagement Session | Madison, Wisconsin

Kelly + Cooper | A Classic Madison Engagement Session | Madison, Wisconsin

To start 2020 off right I thought I should blog the adorable couple who will be my first wedding of this year, Kelly and Cooper! They chose classic downtown Madison locations which means we get a combination of beautiful architecture, lake views, and beautiful parks. That’s one of the things I really love about Madison is that you can get all of that in one session all within a small radius.

Cheers to the new year and I can’t wait to start my 2020 wedding season!!

Laura + Mick | A Summer Engagement Session At Lake Kegonsa State Park

Laura + Mick | A Summer Engagement Session At Lake Kegonsa State Park

Today I wanted to catch up a bit with the blog and feature more images from Laura and Mick’s adorable engagement session!! We had a gorgeous summer evening to walk around Lake Kegonsa State Park and just talk, have fun, while snapping portraits along the way :) The cherry on top though was their adorable pup, Leo, who joined us! I am sucker for a golden retriever and just love it when doggos get to join us for sessions!

Maggie + Peter | A Classy and Fun Filled Orpheum Wedding in Madison, WI

Maggie + Peter | A Classy and Fun Filled Orpheum Wedding in Madison, WI

What do you do when you met at UW but don’t live here anymore? You have all of your family and friends travel to Madison for the perfect downtown wedding experience and treat them to some uniquely Badger fun at the reception with the UW marching band! I absolutely love how unique their wedding day was with their ceremony in the balcony of the Orpheum! This was also a great spot for me to capture the packed dance floor :)

VENDORS: Getting Ready: Mansion Hill // Venue: The Orpheum // Second Photographer: Laurelyn Savannah // Wedding Dress: SF Bridal Galleria // Groom’s Attire: Theory // Florist: Felly’s // DJ: Celebrations Entertainment // Day-Of Coordinator: Danielle Oler

Annie + Steve | A Mix of Modern and Boho Wedding at The Abbey Resort | Fontana, WI

Annie + Steve | A Mix of Modern and Boho Wedding at The Abbey Resort | Fontana, WI

One thing I always tell couples when I meet with them for the first time is that they need to stay true to who they are and to plan the wedding they want and that there are just SO many options and ways to plan your wedding day. That is exactly what Annie and Steve did :) These two love brunch so they planned a brunch wedding! I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love a good brunch so having all of your family and friends get together for your favorite kind of day is just how you should spend your wedding day!

If that wasn’t enough, Annie and Steve have the best style! I just love the combination of modern and boho elements for their wedding day. And to make it even more special, the gorgeous and unique stationary was designed by Annie herself! Wow!! Needless to say I just love this couple and love everything about their wedding day and I’m sure you will too after looking through all of these images!

VENDORS: Wedding Dress: BHLDN // Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal // Second Photographer: Kassie Ana // Church: Immanuel United Church of Christ // Reception: The Abbey Resort // Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse // Hair + MUA: Cecley Wilson // Florist: Pesche’s Greenhouse // Sationary: the bride, Annie Andrews // Band: Gabriel’s Horns // Desserts: Gooseberries // Transportation: Area Lakes Limousine