Lynchburg, VA Engagement Session || James & Tresa

I can't even begin to tell you my excitement when I turned into the entrance of Sweet Briar College and saw how much color was still around! All week, I've been shooting with very limited options- you know- the trees with the half-dead dark orange leaves barely hanging on. Somehow, it's like this little area has been protected from all of the wind and rain we've had lately and all of the gorgeous color was there! 

James & Tresa drove down from Northern Virginia to Charlottesville for their engagement session, and then met me at Sweet Briar, which is only about 30 miles from the Lynchburg area. I love this spot because there are a ton of options and so much variety- between the boat house, open fields, brick buildings, and the barns- there's something for almost everyone! 

We had a great time getting to know each other- their adorable pup, Foster came along and you know I LOVE it when fur babies get included! We chatted all about their upcoming wedding at the Knights Gambit Vineyard in Charlottesville, Virginia- it's going to be BEAUTIFUL and so much fun! 

Thanks James & Tresa for making the trip down to Lynchburg! I LOVED LOVED LOVED getting to know you both and can't wait for your big day!!! 

View their full gallery or to purchase prints, click here! 

Motherhood Moments: The little things are what matters

Today's post is something that I really struggle with, and the more Moms I talk to, the more I find out that I'm not alone. It seems in this day and age where we are bombarded with everyone's 'best of' moments through social media, I feel the constant need to be THE best Mom ever.  You know, to constantly be doing fun things, making everything a teaching moment, and for her to always be having fun.  Let's be real here- this isn't possible. If we were sitting and chatting over some wine and you were telling me you were struggling with these things, I would tell you the very same thing. You're going to make yourself crazy.  

We all have our own strengths and weaknesses, and this is especially true in Motherhood. I have a friend that looooooves baking, and almost every day makes something healthy and fun with her kids.  I see her doing that and instantly feel guilty... do slice and bake cookies count as a baking project with her, cuz that's about the extent of baking I'm capable of... and even then, there's a good chance they're going to be burnt.  I have another friend that is so good at getting down on the floor and playing with her kids. She sits there and plays doctor, or barbies with her kids. I've tried doing this too, (yall, it's so boring!!!). I'm no good at it!!  Basically, I want to be able to take Em on family trips and bake, and play, and do all the fun things, all the time, every single day. 

Being a working Mom (yes, especially Moms that are  working at home!!) means that I have to prioritize my time, that I can't always be there, available and ready to play and do the most amazing things all the time.  I start to feel so guilty because I'm not giving her my undivided attention some days.

Can we be honest here for a second- kids don't need our complete attention all the time. They need to learn how to play on their own, use their imaginations, and not rely on us so much all the time. I need to be okay with not always being in "Mom mode."  

I was talking this out with someone the other day and she made such a great point.  There are some seasons where we will spend so much time together- in the summer, we will go to the pool multiple times a week, we will get ice cream, and go on adventures, and that is all so great and so fun. But there are also seasons where I need to get work done, and that's okay too. As long as I'm being purposeful about spending some quality time with my family, that's okay.  All Emmie needs is a little one-on-one time with me for it to make her day. I don't need to have this 'all or nothing' mentality.  If I can spend 15-20 minutes creating with play dough with her, that little block of time is the quality time that she needs for the day. But, those 15 minutes need to be completely focused on her. Put the phone away, turn off the email notifications, and sit and talk and play with her. It's the little moments, where we can be fully present that are going to make the biggest difference.  

---

Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Richmond, Roanoke, and surrounding areas. Currently booking a limited number of weddings and portrait sessions for 2017.  Available for travel world-wide.  

Ashley is Mom to 5 year old, Emerson and is passionate about balancing Motherhood and your chasing your dreams and providing for your family.   Contact me today for additional information! 

Our Weekend Update: An Albuquerque Family Session & A Trivium Estate Wedding

Happy Monday!! I'm only happy it's Monday because I am at the beach this week and I have so much goodness to share over the next few days!! I had such a full week at Creative at Heart in Denver (still going to post an update soon!!) and then I flew to Albuquerque to spend time with family! While there, I got to snuggle with Breighton, and totally fell in love!! He's less than two weeks old and totally perfect!! I flew back to Lynchburg, Virginia on Friday to shoot Dave & Aynsley's Trivium Estate Wedding! All of the vendors, details, and this couple were seriously perfection!!! 

So excited to share a few photos from everything this weekend until full blog posts are ready!! I cannot wait to share these!! 

EVERYTHING about Dave & Aynsley's wedding was perfection. I LOVED working with each and every vendor at this wedding and this couple is the sweetest ever!! Be looking out for Aynsley's bridal portraits tomorrow!! YAY! 

---

Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Roanoke, Richmond and surrounding areas.  

Available for travel world-wide.  Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 and 2017.  Contact us today for additional information.  

Weekend Update: A Trip to Lynchburg Humane Society || Lynchburg, VA Photographer

Em had a few days off for a mini-spring break, and I had the best time spending all day with her!! One of the things that we did together was volunteer at the Lynchburg Humane Society! I got some photos of some of the sweetest animals, and we got to love on some sad puppies.  I swear, I need to buy a farm and adopt all these dogs! But... I already asked Michael, and no more animals in the house for us right now... so please, someone go adopt these animals!! 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Lynchburg, Virginia- but available for travel world-wide.  Contact us today for more information! 

Tony & Cole's Lynchburg Maternity Session || Central Virginia Photographer

Eeeeeeeek! Maternity sessions are so fun and exciting to me! I love getting to celebrate with families as they prepare for their family to grow! Those last few weeks are so exciting and full of anticipation! 

I worked with Cole previously & this girl is hilarious, and a killer realtor! She tells it how it is, which is something I totally admire about her! And exactly what you want in a realtor!! Her and her husband Tony are having a baby boy in just a few weeks and I am so excited!! This little man is going to be SO loved and totally spoiled!! I can't wait to hold him and snuggle him and squeeze him! ahhhh! <3 Plus have wine nights with Mom! 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Maternity Photographer based in Central Virginia- serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Winchester, Hampton Roads, and surrounding areas.  Contact us today for more information!