April 27, 2018

Ashley Eiban

Engagements

Downtown Lynchburg, Virginia Engagement Session || Gabe & Meg

April 27, 2018

Ashley Eiban

Engagements

OH MY GOODNESS is downtown Lynchburg showing off this Spring!! It kept us waiting for so long- now that it finally seems to be here, it wants everyone to know! Hopefully that means the warmer weather is here to stay!!

I was so excited to meet up with Gabe and Meg downtown this week for their engagement session! These two are getting married in October at Sorella Farms in Evington & I cannot wait! We had such a great time chatting & getting to know each other during their photo session! I love engagement sessions so much for this very reason! By the time the wedding comes along, we are all great friends & past that getting to know you stage so we can really have fun and celebrate together!!

Downtown Lynchburg Engagement Session || Spring Bloom Engagement || Ashley Eiban Photography

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide. Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019. Contact Ashley today for additional information!

April 24, 2018

Ashley Eiban

For Photographers

Beyond the Lens: Danielle Wallace with The Crimson Magpie Rentals & Design

April 24, 2018

Ashley Eiban

For Photographers

I am SO excited to be sharing with you a new series while I'm out on maternity leave! I've asked some friends in the wedding and creative industry to write about a topic they're passionate about- whether that be tips helping brides while planning a wedding, what they've learned in their business, balancing life and owning a small business, plus so much more! Let me tell you- there's some amazing stuff coming up and I can't wait to share!

Today, Danielle Wallace with The Crimson Magpie Rentals & Design is going personal today, and talking to us about how she survives as an Introvert, in an extremely extroverted field- the wedding industry! As an extrovert, when she told me what she was thinking about talking about, I was super excited! I love hearing and learning how I can love on others well- and knowing not to take things personally when my introverted friends just need to have a night off, or some alone time!

Beyond the Lens: Introvert in a Creative, Extrovert Industry || Danielle Wallace with the Crimson Magpie

Surviving being an Introvert in an Extrovert Centered Career

Reading an entire book in a day. Gardening in warm morning sunshine. Journaling in the stillness of night. Those moments are my idea of a good time. More often than not, though my reality is quite different. Imagine the hubbub of Grand Central Station combined with the blistering pace of the Indie 500 and the drama of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Picture that and you have an idea of what it’s like to build a business in the wedding industry.

The wedding industry is bright and full of joy, creativity, passion and collaboration. It’s full of opportunities to solve problems both big and small. But as an introvert the continual need to be “on” socially exhausts me to the deepest part of my being. Add a very busy one-year old to the mix and some days I want to crawl into a closet with the aforementioned book and stay there forever. For the introverts reading this, you know what I mean. If you’re an introvert, well hopefully this helps you understand why your introverted friend canceled plans to go out Friday night. Here are a few of the things that help balance my introvert neurosis with my love for this crazy awesome wedding gig.

Behind the scenes. The song is coming to a close. The DJ is about to direct guests’ attention towards four tiers of buttercream perfection. Aunt June leans over and whispers she forgot to bring the heirloom cake knife. I make a dash to my kit and grab my spare cake server, and dash back to lay it calmly (don’t let me kid you, my heart is pounding out of my chest) on the table seconds before the bride and groom arrive to cut the cake. Okay, maybe not a super hero move in the same category as Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne, but I love filling in the numerous gapes so the wedding dreams of very special people go off without a hitch.

Organizational routines. The fuel of a successful event is organization, and lucky for me I love spreadsheets, timelines, calendars, bullet points, anything that smacks of a plan or a to do list. Que the entrance of my daughter (pride goes before a fall, anyone?) last year making it almost impossible to be as organized as I would like to be. My latest comprise: I let her unwind an entire roll of toilet paper so that I can update my spreadsheet while doing calf raises because that counts as a workout, right? All you mamas who run a business while raising kids, you are my heroes.

Intentional recharging. For me that means being completely alone. Alone isn’t really a thing when you have a child, so I’ve had to get creative. To be perfectly honest I have a way to go with this part of my life. There are days when I feel like I’m scrapping the bottom of the barrel. Sometimes my car is my sanctuary for half an hour while I write or read, which is not as depressing as it sounds! A big one is turning off my phone. A reprieve from digital human is a must, so instead (if I’m not working at night) I journal, or bake a treat to share with my husband while we binge on Stranger Things or The Office after our baby girl is in bed.

Really cool people. This one seems to contradict everything I’ve said previously, but I’ve met some amazing people in this industry. Many of my brides and grooms, their family members, and fellow vendors have impacted my life the past three years. My bride that hand-painted wall hangings for the nursery when my baby was born. My bride that checks up on me regularly to see how I’m doing and ask about my life. Fellow stay-at-home vendor moms who reached out to me the first difficult months after my daughter was born. The former bride and groom turned friends who used their trailer to help me pick up rental stock and then wouldn’t let me pay them. My coworkers who have become best friends and yell at me when I’m not taking care of myself…I could go on.

And I do go on! Let me have my quiet place to recharge, and I’m ready to hit the road again. The joy, the romance, the beauty, and the opportunities of the wedding world adds a depth and breadth to my world that I didn’t know was possible. I can’t wait to see what new adventures the 2018 season has in store.

Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019. Contact Ashley today for additional information!

April 21, 2018

Ashley Eiban

Weddings

On Sunny Slope Farm Wedding in Harrisonburg, VA || Cj & Danielle

April 21, 2018

Ashley Eiban

Weddings

Oh guys! This wedding is so gorgeous!! I am so excited to be sharing today!! Cj and Danielle got married at On Sunny Slope Farm in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Saturday! They were so lucky with the most amazing April weather, warm, sunny and in the 70's! Especially considering that it snowed in Central Virginia just 5 days before!

I first met Danielle last year when I was visiting one of my old brides, turned friend, in Florida. Dani was her son's nanny and I was SO excited when she called and told me she had gotten engaged just a few months after my visit! We did their engagement photos out in the Harrisonburg area & I quickly fell in love with DJ & Dani as a couple!

Our Associate Shooters, Rhiannon & Heather did such an amazing job! I loved going through all their images and seeing Cj & Dani's wedding- it really was almost like I was there! From seeing the excitement of the getting ready room, the anticipation of the first look, the joy of the ceremony, and the celebration during the reception! Dani made the most stunning bride- and wait until you see these sunset portraits! Oh my goodness!

Congratulations CJ & Danielle! We are all so excited for you guys! Enjoy your honeymoon so so much! I cannot wait to hear how it goes!!

On the Sunny Slope Farm Wedding || Harrisonburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || Lynchburg VA Photographer

Tent Reception Photos at On the Sunny Slope Farm Wedding || Harrisonburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || Lynchburg VA Photographer

Sunset Photos at On the Sunny Slope Farm Wedding || Harrisonburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || Lynchburg VA Photographer

BIG BIG Thanks to the amazing vendors that made this day so awesome!!

Venue: On Sunny Slope Farm in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Hair & Makeup: The Studio Hair Salon in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Florals: Wild Mint Flowers in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Coordinator: Abby Pearce

Catering: Early Katering Company in Harrisonburg, Virginia

DJ & Photo Booth: Guyton Mobile DJ in Crozet, Virginia

And another special thank you to Rhiannon & Heather for shooting CJ & Dani's Harrisonburg Wedding! You girls totally rocked it!! So thankful for you!!

Lynchburg and Harrisonburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019. Contact Ashley today for additional information!

April 3, 2018

Ashley Eiban

For Brides

Beyond the Lens: Lauren McQuillan from Max & Dexter Event Design

April 3, 2018

Ashley Eiban

For Brides

Guys! This is a GOOD one today! Lauren McQuillan, with Max & Dexter Event Design is speaking to Brides (and photographers, really!) about why you should consider hiring an event designer for your big day! I'll be honest, when I first heard about event designers, I totally thought this was something that only Brides with super big budgets did- but I'll be the first to admit I was SUPER wrong!

Lauren is amazing at what she does- she works hand-in-hand with her clients to create a unique vision and gorgeous day! I'm so excited to have her sharing with us today!!

Why Hire an Event Designer?

As an event designer I assist my brides in so many ways that it's difficult to condense it into just a few paragraphs. A consultation is usually the most efficient way to identify needs, wants, and dreams and determine how I can make these things a reality for my clients. If you find yourself dreaming about a beautiful, branded, budget friendly event that celebrates your love but don't know how to make it a reality I'd love to take you out for coffee and help you bring that vision to life! Otherwise, here are just a few ways that a designer can help you on your big day...

1. Conceptualization

Do you have a Pinterest board full of disjointed elements that you love with no idea how to bring them all together to be uniquely yours? I can help! I love to walk alongside a client in curating a wedding brand that feels so intimately theirs. Detail photos should reflect the quirks and qualities that make you and your fiancé two of a kind. Even if I do not participate in the wedding day at all, I am thrilled to help brides organize their thoughts into achievable, budget friendly concepts that they will cherish via their photo albums for decades to come. I am passionate about investing in home goods that play a roll in your day and then live in your house forever. I love to shop for my brides and find practical, beautiful treasures that highlight a couple's love.

2. Set Up

Often DIY venues allow for set up early on the day of your wedding. This can induce serious anxiety as you must then either do work or recruit others to work on your big day. If you'd prefer to be sipping a mimosa in hair and makeup just before you walk down the aisle, then a designer can be incredibly valuable in ensuring that your set up is achieved to your aesthetic standards. Instead, use that time to get physically and mentally ready for the some of the most important moments of your life.

3. Tear Down

If you prefer that your family and friends have the freedom to celebrate the evening with you to the fullest, then outsource the responsibility of breakdown and hire a professional. So many Mothers of the Bride are left to clean up and remove personal items and as a result, can't fully decompress throughout their daughter's wedding. I love to assist a family by creating a detailed inventory, securing all items after your event, and delivering them to your door so that all you have to handle is your purse on the way out the door. Wedding days are exhausting both physically and emotionally and the kindness of hiring out the late night clean up will allow your family and friends to truly enjoy you and your day.

Thank you for taking the time to read about how I can be of service to you. I wish you the best of luck in your future planning and health and happiness in your marriage! Cheers!

Lauren McQuillan

Max & Dexter Event Design

maxanddexter.com

Lynchburg Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019. Contact Ashley today for additional information!

March 27, 2018

Ashley Eiban

For Photographers

Beyond the Lens: Sarah Wittcop, Personal Photography Editor: Side Hustle

March 27, 2018

Ashley Eiban

For Photographers

I am SO excited to be sharing this post from Sarah Wittcop today!

Sarah is a Personal Photographer Editor, based in Lynchburg, Virginia. I've known Sarah for years and years- from mutual college friends and also when I worked in Marketing.

When Sarah mentioned she wanted to write her post on balancing a full-time job, and a side-hustle, I knew it would be so so good! Sarah has recently gone full-time with her personal editing business, but for a while balanced everything, and has some great tips to share on the topic!

Without further introduction, here's her blog post on 5 Ways to Succeed While Balancing a Job and Your Side Hustle!

Beyond the Lens: Sarah Wittcop, Personal Photography Editor: Side Hustle || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Burning the candle at both ends.

Working your fingers to the bone.

Burning the midnight oil.

Pounding the pavement.

You’ve probably heard these little phrases from time-to-time and they may even describe your life right now. The truth is that balancing a full-time job while working on your side hustle (a.k.a. Your Dream) is not for the faint of heart.

Here are five ways you can survive a season of side hustling:

Remember that this time is only for a season. During my side hustle days I repeated this sentiment to myself almost daily. I needed to remind myself that I could do anything for a period of time. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel and that light is your dream.
Give yourself grace. If you are feeling unmotivated on a particular day, take a hint from your mind and body and take the night off. You can get back to your hustle the next day. Don’t beat yourself up--no one can give 100% all the time. Strive for grace, not perfection.
Develop a plan to balance your side hustle with your previous commitments. Whether that commitment is a full-time job or being a parent you have to determine how you are going to establish balance. What time outside of your full-time job will you commit to your side hustle? How will you manage both? What do you have to give up to be successful?
Learn to say no. You can’t do everything, so you have to say no to a lot of things during this season. For every additional item you add to your to do list you are taking time and energy away from your side hustle. Stay focused on your goals!
Know when to quit. The point of side hustle is to grow something to a sustainable point. So when is it time to quit your job and take your side hustle full-time? Only you can answer that question, but in general, when one or the other begins to suffer significantly you have to decide where you should be investing your time. I would also recommend that you read Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job by Jon Acuff.

I am a full-time job and side hustle survivor! I started my photography editing business while working a demanding job and balanced both for more than a year. It was challenging at times, but it is possible and very fulfilling on this side of the dream.

Good luck and happy side hustling!

Sarah Wittcop is a personal editor for wedding photographers. She lives in Southwest Virginia with her husband, Adam, and their two dogs. You can learn more about Sarah’s work at www.SarahWittcop.com.

Side Hustle || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019. Contact Ashley today for additional information!