2016 was a year of growth, joy and accomplishment. It was a year that finally felt like all of my hard work in years past paid off. I finally felt organized, well branded, higher end, polished and more professional. Every year I learn new things but I felt like I had finally reached a point in my business where it was the best experience for my clients. From the easy workflow of sending an invoice for brides to pay online to viewing their wedding on the blog in less than 7 days. I started making tiny changes here and there to enhance the LYP experience for each and every bride. Along with learning and challenging myself, I also had a lot of fun! I had some amazing assistants that helped me out this year as well as 17 awesome couples that let me shoot their wedding!

One of my favorite things in my workflow that just made this year so much more enjoyable for me was the Bridal Guide I sent out. (Shhh don’t tell anyone but I send out a goodie box with this guide included when you book with me!) It’s literally 70+ pages of content that helps a bride stay organized and prepare them for what to expect from the LYP experience. It seems backwards but it’s almost like I did my homework before the assignment was given. Educating brides (and grooms!) beforehand makes the wedding day and photography experience 110% better!

2017 will be an amazing year and I get excited every time my first wedding of the season rolls around. I am always humbled when I think about where I started. Those of you that trusted me then to capture your day or your families, I am forever thankful. I have complete and utter gratitude for you and what you allow me to do. I thank God for the opportunity to do what I love and I’m thankful for this little tribe he’s allowed me to connect with. Ya’ll are the best!

So without further ado, here’s the behind the scenes of 2016. It feels a bit weird to post photos of myself (and mostly my backside) but I always love looking at fellow photographers behind the scenes so I couldn’t help myself. Each wedding was fun and had something unique or silly happen. I’ve had to hike my skirt up and tie it in a knot to keep it from getting wet. I’ve had to drive a golf cart and keep up with the owner of the golf course as he lead us to spots for photos. I’m pretty sure everyone thought I was crazy. I’ve had to walk on my knees in the center aisle. I’ve had to stand in a big pile of sand to get a wide enough shot of the bridal party. I’ve had bees down my shirt (yeesh!). I’ve stepped on people’s toes when I back up without looking. I’ve had to duck through umbrellas during the ceremony. I’ve never sweat so much in my life at a few of these July weddings. I’ve transported couples to the reception (holler Jamie + Michael!). I had to take my breast pump to pretty much every wedding and fit time to do that…exhausting. I’ve had a bazillion different cookies at the yummy and enormously famous Youngstown cookie tables. And last but not least, I’ve left not one but TWO expensive pieces of equipment at a church and the bride saved my butt!! (holler Alyssa!)

Enjoy these silly pictures of me and a few of my assistants (Christine, Carrie + Trish)!

Every year around our birthdays we do a short weekend trip away. We’ve been to Michigan, Chicago, PA and a few other spots that aren’t too far. This year we visited central PA as well as near the Finger Lakes in NY. We took Gwen with us so this trip was different than past trips 🙂 As you can imagine!

On our way there we stopped by the Kinzua Bridge. Pretty cool to see but terrifying to think about how much power from a tornado that caused it. Such a tragic and awful thing. It was too cold and rainy for Gwen to get out so we didn’t stay very long.

We stayed in the Penn Wells Lodge which was excellent and far better than I expected. Super clean, yummy breakfast, great location right in downtown Wellsboro. We ended getting a bigger room because I came in with Scott to check in and they noticed we had a 9 month old with us. Perks of walking in and looking like a tired bum with a baby on your hip. 5 hours of driving will do that.

Aside from eating at local joints and searching for cool coffee shops to visit, we spent the weekend exploring different parks. Some we’ve visited before, and some new. Watkins Glen is a great spot for a family hike. We didn’t even realize how long we were hiking until we got back to the car. The waterfalls and rocks just keep going and going inside the gorge. It was the perfect temperature outside and the leaves were a wonderful shade of fall color.

The next day we drove up to New York to visit the Finger Lakes. It was fun to photograph Gwen in front of the water on the dock. She loved all of the new scenery. Anything is better than the four walls of our living room. Let’s be real. She thought the hotel room was the best thing ever. New corners, cupboards, couches and door stoppers to explore. She did really well overall but she did not want to sleep in the pack n play. I am firmly against her sleeping with us but when you’re in a hotel and you probably shouldn’t let your baby cry herself to sleep (you’re welcome other hotel guests), you let your kid sleep in the big bed with you. She is the most easy going baby and going to sleep at home is no problem in her crib. The pack n play is just not comfortable and so lucky her, she got to snuggle with us for the weekend 🙂

Scott put a wonderful, weekend trip together and I’m glad we had such nice weather when we went. I had fun documenting it all!