Today and tomorrow is all about cruise prep in the Galloway house! We are getting ready! We even went and got some cute miniature things to help make our trip easier like reusable shampoo and conditioner bottles. That way we get to use what we already have!

I will be hopefully blogging on the cruise, might just be a bit sporadic! Im bringing my little travel camera, pray the pictures will be okay-ish! Hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday thus far!

Cant wait to share the rest of these with you!! Coming soon!

I photographed my friend Chelsea a couple weeks ago for her bridal session, and I have my first engagement session of the year tomorrow. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I think its good though because I get my feet a little wet, and then take a long break of relaxation and sleep aka the cruise, and then bam! Wedding season is in full swing. Until about November. So, its nice to get reacquainted with my camera and shooting, then take a real break, and then jump right into weddings non stop! I will be sharing a peek of the e-session on Monday, but for now here are this week’s Highs and Lows!

Highs:

• Family Dinner with Jared’s Dad, Step-Mom and Sisters. We love them so much, and we also happen to love the food they make. So. Yummy. It’s always a good time!
• Valentine’s Day was really fun this past week! Even though our dinner wasn’t spectacular, we danced around the living to Foster the People afterwards which was perfect.
• Cruise is SO SOON.

Lows:

• Still sick-ish. What the heck? As long as its gone by the cruise I wont be too mad about it.
• My laptop bag is falling apart. This could be a happy thing because it means I get to pick a new one, but I dont like spending money really so its not that fun.

I think its been a really good week! If those are my only lows, it must have been!

Doesn’t that look like the most perfect cruise outfit? EEK! Found here.

Remember my goals? Well, one of them was to purchase a lot of gear this year. I have been happily renting gear for the past two years, and it has worked out really well for me. I am able to use top of the line equipment and not drain my account. However, as I am sure everyone would agree, once you have rented for quite some time there comes a point when it truly is time to invest in your own stuff. For me, that is this year. There will be a lot more welcome to the family posts in the future!

Here is what I bought this time: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens, Canon Speedlite 580EX II, Oden AC-1320 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with BA-1 Ball Head, and an Impact Air Cushioned Heavy Duty Light Stand, Black – 13′ (4m).

I didn’t photograph the light stand or tripod. They basically look the same anyhow.

Im really excited about the flash because I get to learn more about it. Another one of my goals is implementing off camera lighting and this is one step in that direction!

And this thing is awesome. Combined with the tripod, ladies your ring shots are going to be bangin! Woop!

My next purchase I am super pumped about. Just a couple weeks now! Anyone else purchasing equipment? What did ya get?

You should be so proud of Jared and I. I didn’t get my Valentine’s day gift until Valentine’s day!! Its a Christmas miracle! I gave Jared his the night before, because I literally was bursting to give it to him, but he held out and wouldnt give me mine. Bravo!

I knew I wanted to make Jared something, and I wanted it to be cheap. Watercolors are starting to make a comeback in the desing/art world and I thought I would get back to my pre-school art days and give it a go. Here is what I came up with:

I did that little trick they teach you with using a white crayon to draw or write something and going over it with watercolor paint. I bought all the materials and the frame at Michael’s and had fun doing a few different variations before picking this one. Its not perfect, but Jared loves it so Ill put this down as a victory in my book.

How was your Valentine’s day? Any fun gifts? Or did you stay in and watch a movie with your cat? That is probably my dream Valentine’s Day right there.

Happy Wednesday to ya!

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

-Excerpt from A Prayer In Spring by Robert Frost.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

This is a post for photographers. Brides and Grooms, feel free to zone out and come back tomorrow for Valentine’s day!

I recently posed a question on a Facebook Photographer group asking if it was okay for me to not use a program many other photographers were using, and using well. I didn’t want to fall behind. Sometimes, when the peers in your industry are utilizing something to help their business and their clients, its best to jump on the wagon and use it also. Sometimes. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Blogging are some examples. If everyone else is upping their game, you should too because you want to stay current. Again, this is only sometimes. Sometimes you need to make the best choice for your business. That doesnt mean you can decide to not figure out Pinterest or Blogging because its too hard or because you dont want to work harder.

I made that choice recently with ShootQ. ShootQ is a client and calendar management system. Basically, it can do everything needed to manage your clients including booking, new client emails, and receipts. It can also manage your calendar for you. Reminding you when you have shoots or appointments, or when your taxes are due. As you saw in my goals for this year, implementing ShootQ was one of my business goals. In January, I signed up and started to enter in all the information required. I have been trying to get the hang of it for over a month now. And…its not clicking. Its not making things faster or easier for me. I know this system works for hundreds, possibly thousands, of photographers. I know it saves some of their lives. But, its hurting mine. So, I have decided its not for me and my business. I want to take care of my brides and grooms in a different, but still amazing, way.

Making these kinds of decisions can be hard. You need to have a clear mind about why you are choosing or not choosing something. It truly needs to be the best decision for the business. However, dont be afraid to make it!! Make a pro and con list, ask some close friends, and listen to your gut!

So, thank you to ShootQ! You are awesome, but not for LGP.

As you have seen in the past several weeks of highs and lows, we have been having issues with Jared’s car. Its been on the high side when we thought it was all fixed and on the low side when it continued to break down. Jared and I had to decide when we were going to stop investing time and money into it, and that moment came last week. But, it would help to back track and explain why we bought a 1987 Honda Accord in the first place.

Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey? We did some time last year and we really liked his debt snowball plan. One of the things we thought would help get the snowball going was getting rid of a car payment. Jared had a little truck, and it was great. But, we weren’t really using it for it’s purpose. We dont haul things very often and most things we can get into the Scion including, but not limited to, a 6 ft ladder, a king size bed frame, and 8 ft Christmas trees. So, we sold it. We bought a little clunker car to get him to and from work when it was raining or too cold for him to ride the bike. We spent a lot of money getting it into good running condition and unfortunately we continued having to put money into it. We decided that having another car payment again, and decreasing our snowball, was worth the peace of mind of a more reliable car. On Super Bowl Sunday we went out to a Toyota dealership and bought Jared a little Mazda CX-7. Its working great. Which brings me to this week’s Highs and Lows!

Highs:

• A working, reliable car! I love not having to wonder if Jared is going to break down and call me to come get him.
• Dessert dates with friends! We went to Can-Can last night and it was goooewd. Raspberry Balsamic Ice Cream is amazing!
• Its time to purchase some new gear! Cant wait to show y’all what is joining the LGP family!

Lows:

• Jared caught the bug that has been going around and that had me out for the count two weeks ago.  I hate being sick, but it’s even worse when your spouse is sick.  You cant do anything to help!
• Unbeknownst to me, I ate Bull Testicle the other night. Labeled as Steak Swingers. Ugh. The worst part is that I liked them until I knew what they were.

The new car!! Happy Weekending!

Cue Michael Jackson’s song, and you will beging to understand how I felt the other day when a blog follower wrote that she had seen me in the car.

First, I thought- That is so cool to be recognized while you are just out and about. Next thought was, Im so weird, why would anyone be happy to see me? Then I remembered how I acted the first time I met John and Sherry of Young House Love. AND THEN- I immediately began wondering what I was doing when she saw me. Was I being grumpy towards other drivers? Was I singing like a fool? Or worse…was I texting while driving?

I was reminded that I am my brand. At. All. Times. When you have a business, someone is always watching you. Always. And, that means that I should be aware of myself when I am in public. I should carry myself in a way that represents my business well and casts me in a positive light. Not to say that you cant be human and have bad days, and experience real, raw emotions. However, most of the time, negativeness is best kept at home, or at your best friends houses.

So, I wanted to publicly thank the lovely girl who reminded me of an important lesson. I seriously hope I was at least smiling when you saw me.

Our Wedding Day, by Katelyn James.

I have to first say that we don’t have a cute kitchen. Yet. That is numero uno on the to-do list this year. So, please excuse our warm, oaky, contractor grade cabinets, our dark formica countertops, and our dirty stove top.

Jared and I aren’t huge football fans. Actually, we could care less about football. In fact, we only like to know a little bit of what is going on to tease our friends when their team is doing badly. Its fun for us, and they know we have no idea whats going on so its a win win. Well, when you don’t participate in football and the Super Bowl comes around no one really thinks about inviting you to their house. You have to wait patiently and hope someone asks you. Thankfully we have the best, most thoughtful, group of friends in the world and we were invited somewhere! Everyone brought an appetizer or dessert. Galloheys opted for dessert. I searched for a fun new recipe to try and found the perfect one on Food & Wine. Bacon Bourbon Brownies.

Let’s get started.

My first rule about cooking or baking, especially something new, is to do your prep work FIRST. Most of the time there is an exact science to when you add the next ingredient and you will ruin your food if its not all prepped, and sitting pretty on the counter. Do not skip this step!

1/2 cup pecans
1/2 pound sliced bacon
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 packed cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons bourbon
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Prep all ingredients. You may cook the bacon while doing this. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing 2 inches of overhang on 2 opposite sides. Spray the paper with vegetable spray. Set aside. Spread the pecans in a pie plate and toast for about 8 minutes, until fragrant. Let cool, then coarsely chop the nuts.

In a skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat, turning once, until crisp, 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels and let cool; reserve 3 tablespoons of the fat. Finely chop the bacon.

In a saucepan, combine both chocolates with the butter and stir over very low heat, until melted; scrape into a large bowl. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat in both sugars with the reserved 3 tablespoons of bacon fat. Beat in the bourbon. Add the eggs and salt and beat until smooth. Sift the cocoa and flour into the bowl and beat until blended.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the bacon and pecans on top. Bake for about 50 minutes, until the brownies are set around the edges but slightly wobbly in the center; a toothpick inserted into the center should have some batter clinging to it. With our gas stove, this step took less than 30 minutes and I think we overcooked the brownies by a few minutes. Use your judgement, you know your oven best.  Transfer the pan to a rack and let the brownies cool completely. Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

Enjoy!

I will just say that I squeaked and squealed a lot during this session…Chelsea was so beautiful! I cannot wait to show y’all the rest in April!!

After last week’s flurry of Downton Abbey status’ I knew I needed to watch this show and see if I liked it. Well, I should have known because it is AMAZING. If you like historical fiction at all you will fall in love with this show. If you like drama and suspense, you too will love this show. If you like comedy and romanticism, you will love this show. Basically, you will love it.

I have watched 5 episodes so far and I am constantly thinking of when I will have the time to watch the next one. Oh dear. As usual, here are this week’s highs and lows!!

Highs:

• Downton Abbey. No further explanation needed.
• The temperature. So mild out!
• I have a bridal session tomorrow!! I am hoping to snag a picture that I can actually show you… a teeny tiny peek!!

Lows:

• Jared’s car. Long story. Ill tell you the whole ordeal soon.
• Rain…tomorrow’s shoot! Pray it holds off until the evening!

We cruise in 23 days!! I am beyond excited. For one, I get to check off a 25 before 25 item. I also get to go to another country! I have only ever been to Canada, and I am not sure that counts as my Grandfather lives two miles from the Canadian line.

We are setting sail from Charleston, SC. We are going down a day early…so please tell me any fun things we should see or eat there! Yes, I am all about eating out for all three meals while in Charleston. We have heard a few things, but I want to hear from you guys!

Have any of you ever been on a cruise before? I am kind of nervous to stand on the boat and realize we are in the MIDDLE of the ocean. My blood pressure is already rising. We are doing two shore excursions, a power snorkel and a guided bike tour. Whats a power snorkel you ask? Its like an underwater fan that propels you through the water. Amazing.

So tell me! Curise experiences, Charlestons must do’s, and anything else! I want to hear about it!

Once upon a time I met this really cute boy at church who told me the girl he was sitting with was his girlfriend, when it was actually his sister. I believed him, but he told me the truth several days later…much to my delight. We started dating a few days before Christmas, however I hadn’t budgeted for falling in love with someone and having to buy them a Christmas gift. Thankfully, this boy said all he wanted was time to hang out with me. So, being the sappy romantic that I am, I took a piece of construction paper, drew a clock, and wrote at the bottom: Time To Hang Out!

And that began the tradition of me giving Jared a clock every year for Christmas.

Jared loves wood, and making furniture, and burning art into wood, and all sorts of other things like that. So, this past Christmas I wanted to get him a clock he would really enjoy. I found this traditional german design on Etsy, and he adores it. We have it hanging on our ever changing gallery wall.

I cant wait to have a house full of clocks one day.

“The Experience” is quickly becoming THE most important phrase in our industry. And its a great thing! I had coffee with a new friend the other day, and somehow we got on the topic of the experience being more important than the outcome.

I think this rings true in almost every aspect of my life, including the way I run my business. I think about it this way… Is the new Android better than the iPhone 4? Yeah, maybe. Probably. But, it doesn’t matter. At all. Why? Because, when I walk into the Apple store, it smells nice. Its pretty. The people are always friendly and bustling around working. In general the atmosphere is great. Also, Apple has replaced three (count them, 1 2 3) iPhone’s for Jared and I at no charge.

If I walked into a Verizon/AT&T store with a smashed screen or water damage (gasp!) we all know what they would do. They’d pull the battery out, check that little red dot, tell you it was going to cost $$$ dollars, and call it a day. No questions. The experience is more important to me than the outcome. Same reason why I will never again have a PC. Same reason why I would rather save up and pay someone to wash my car and detail it. Same reason why I will drive an extra 5 miles to go to a grocery store where the employees talk to ME while Im checking out, instead of their best friend who is bagging my groceries. Same reason why when you find a vendor who treats you the correct way, you will go back to them over and over. Even if they raise their price. And lastly, same reason why brides and grooms choose you, over someone else. Their experience is more important.  Does this mean you can slack off and not perfect your craft and art.  Absolutely not.  But, it does mean you can create a loyal fan base.

How to apply this? Boiled down, spoil your clients. Lavish them. Indulge them. Make them feel so special to you. Because they are! Send them their wedding images within a week or two. Gift them thoughtful things. Answer their emails quickly and with a happy attitude. Share your life with them, just as they are sharing a huge part of their life with you.

I will be sticking to my iPhone for quite a while… Mostly, because I like how Apple stores smell.

Picture from here.

Hello lovely and patient blog readers.  Lately I have been living in the coziness of my bed with two cats, and a lot of cold medicine.  My only connection to the outside world was Facebook and Twitter on my phone.  I have blown my little, red, raw nose so much that I have strained my neck muscles. I have watched several old seasons of Friends.  So, there is good and bad.  But, I really hope to be back up and running like normal next week!  But for now, here are this weeks highs and lows!

Highs:

• A patient husband and loving cats. The cats have kept me company, and my hubbie has taken care of me. I am a lucky girl.
• Friends. What a great show.
• The warm weather! I have sessions coming up, and I am hoping the warmth sticks around!! Im done with wishing for snow!

Lows:

• Being sick. Boo.
• Tissues with no lotion. Why would you make any other kind?

Happy Weekending!!

Something I really want to blog more about this year is cooking. If you follow me on Instagram, you will notice that about 50% of my pictures are of what I am currently eating. I love to cook, and I certainly love to eat. Its even one of my goals for 25 before 25. I also happen to drool over gorgeous food photography. I certainly do not consider myself a food photographer, but by blogging about it, I can get better!

Im excited to start sharing this part of my life with you guys! And, feel free to leave links to fun recipes you have on your blogs! For now, here are this week’s highs and lows:

Highs:

• Jared’s car is not dead! This is literally a huge answer to prayer! We need that little clunky car and we definitely didn’t want to have to go back to a car payment!
• We cruise in 35 days! We are going snorkeling and taking a long guided bike tour as our shore excursions. Im so excited!
• I am loving my new facial products. I got a moisturizer from Kiehls, and a coffee bean eye cream from 100% Pure. Love them!!

Lows:

• I read the end of Little Bee, and this book is guaranteed to break my heart. (Don’t worry, I always read the ends of books before Im supposed to. Its okay.)

Have a lovely, and chilly, weekend friends!!

This is turning out the be the booking season for 2012! I am getting inquiries almost daily!  Im sad to say that for a lot of them… I am already booked.  So, I wanted to take some time today to talk about booking vendors on your wedding day!

First things first, do some research!  Get some recommendations from friends, family or on Facebook!  Once you have a few names for caterers, photographers, florists, etc… Take the time to really look at each one.  Consider what you like, and dont like.  Maybe that caterer doesnt seem to have enough options, or the photographer does a post process that doesnt feel right.  Its okay!  Everyone has their own unique taste, and its okay to not like something that your best friend did.

Pick 2-3 vendors that you might like to meet with.  Sometimes, you just KNOW.  A lot of my brides book me because they already know they want me to photograph their wedding!  I love when that happens!! But, its okay if you need to meet with a couple different DJ’s/Bands to find the right fit.  Also, dont forget to ask questions!  If you looooove top 40 dance hits and hate mo-town, make sure to ask your DJ about that!  More than likely, they will play a nice mix and you will get all ages on the dance floor!

Remember there are a lot of other brides booking vendors too.  I am not saying this to put pressure on couples to book and book fast!  I am only bringing it up because in the past two weeks I have had to turn away more than a few brides because I am already booked on their wedding day!  It is so sad for me to write that response email! I hate it! If there are vendors out there that you absolutely want, email as soon as youre able.  Sometimes you dont have a lot of time between getting engaged and saying I Do, so make sure you dont waste time if you have to have somebody!  Photographers and venue’s tend to book 9 months to a year in advance, sometimes longer!

And, lastly, ask your vendors for help if they offer!  We are all connected in this industry and we love working together!  If you are having a hard time finding the perfect cinematographer, ask your photographer, florist, or wedding stylist!  They have more than likely worked with one they liked, or know of one who is awesome!  Trusting your vendors is key to enjoying your wedding day stress free, so ask them for help if you need it!

I hope this can help a newly engaged couple out there!  Wedding planning is often times stressful, so I hope this can help guide you a bit!

Remember when I asked all of you for your opinion on some new specs? And people voted? Well, I was totally on board to order a pair of those glasses…but one day while catching up on my blogroll, an ad on someone’s sidebar caught my eye. It was an eye wear company called Bon Look. And the pair of glasses on the ad were EXACTLY what I had been looking for. And, within a few minutes I purchased them. So, I need to apologize for fakin’ ya’ll out with that poll! But, I loveeee these glasses. I am so glad to have them! They are a bit nerdier than anything I have ever worn, but sometimes its fun to be trendy. You can see them on my face, in this post.

Purchased, here.

Also, ten points to the first person who can name the magazine, and month published, featured in the pictures. 

The touch, the feeeeel of cotton…the fabric of our lives.  The cotton we grew this year is all finished.  I displayed it with my cookbooks.  I know it serves no purpose this way, but I still like it.

Pretty, no? In case you are new around these parts, the traditional 2nd year anniversary gift is cotton. Jared gave me cotton seeds (he is so clever,) and we grew ourselves some cotton plants.

Anyone have any other ideas that I could do with it? I dont think there is enough to make actual thread…