Braeloch on Glenburn Farms in Roanoke, Virginia Wedding || Josh and Caroline

 Saturday was my first wedding back from maternity leave and OH MY GOODNESS was it such a great wedding to come back to! It was so much fun jumping back into it- I really have missed the excitement of a wedding day! Plus, Josh and Caroline are the sweetest couple & just radiate how much they are in love with each other! I loved how Josh would steal a kiss from Caroline at every point that he could throughout the day and evening! 

They had their ceremony at the gorgeous Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia & her dress was THE perfect pick for a church ceremony, and she honestly looked like royalty! I loved all the special details that they incorporated- from the veil that has been passed down in her family and worn by over 10 other happy Brides, to the ring box that Josh's brother made from them out of the Christmas tree he proposed next to, the pearls that once belonged to her Grandmother, and so many other sentimental pieces. I just love when couples really make their wedding day their own with details like that!! 

After the ceremony, we headed out to the Braeloch at Glenburn Farms and Boxtree in Vinton, Virginia and were met with the most spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the city of Roanoke.  The weather was so perfect- not too hot, not too cold- we could have stayed out for portrait time forever! Such a dream!! The reception was such a blast- the band, The Finns by Sam Hill Entertainment had everyone up and dancing all night! 

Congratulations Josh & Caroline!! I am SO excited for you both as you begin your new life together! Marriage is such a blessing & I know you are both going to rock at it!! Enjoy your Hawaii Honeymoon!!! 

A special thank you to the AMAZING vendors from today!! Oh my goodness was everything so perfect!! 

Wedding Ceremony Venue:  Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia 

Pastor: Rev. David Skole in Roanoke, Virginia 

Wedding Coordinator: Vicki Itson with Events by Simplicity in Roanoke, Virginia

Ceremony Music: Nancy Delaney in Roanoke, Virginia

Bridal Hair: Jillian Nance from Roots Salon in Roanoke, Virginia 

Bridal Makeup: Jolina Does Make-up in Roanoke, Virginia 

Bridal Gown: AmRhein's in Roanoke, Virginia 

Bridesmaids Dresses: Chantilly Lace Bridals

Florals: Belle's Blooms in Vinton, Virginia

Groom & Groomsmen: JCPenny

Recpetion Venue: The Braeloch on Glenburn Farms and Boxtree in Vinton, Virginia

Catering: Pumpernickle Pickle Catering Co. in Salem, Virginia

Cake: Kellycakes LLC in Daleville, Virginia

Band & Lighting: Sam Hill Entertainment: The Finns 

Videographer: Erika F Dawson Co

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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!

Weekend Update: Brad & Kaitlyn's Pate Chapel Wedding in Lynchburg, Virginia

Oh my goodness! We had our wedding of 2018 this weekend!! SO fun and so exciting! Congratulations to Brad & Kaitlyn- their wedding at the Old Pate Chapel and the Bottling Company in Lynchburg, Virginia was gorgeous- and truly unique! They had a morning ceremony and a brunch themed reception! Can you say donuts!? My amazing associate photographers, Rhiannon and Leah shot this wedding and I LOVED hearing all about it and seeing the joy of the day! I cannot wait to share more from their big day, but first, some Sneak Peeks!!

Cannot wait to share their full wedding! It's a BEAUTIFUL one and you really can just see the love and joy of the day through their images!! Congratulations again Brad & Kaitlyn!! 

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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!

Our Family Maternity Photos! || Central Virginia Photographer

I’ve been posting sneak peeks from our maternity session with Michela Brooke Photography the last couple of weeks, so I’m so excited to be sharing more from our session! I LOVE shooting In-Home sessions, and really wanted that for our maternity photos. There’s something so bittersweet about recognizing these moments in the house that are going to be the last moments of our family as a family of three.  

I always think ME being in front of the camera is such a learning experience of its own because I get to remember first hand the stress that my clients feel before our sessions. I’ll admit I totally started panicking about my house not being 100% complete or clean- since we moved to the Forest area last summer, I haven’t gotten everything how I want it, all the furniture bought, and photos hung on the walls. Wouldn’t it be nice if real life was like an HGTV show that magically completed itself in one episode? ;) In reality, my house was perfectly fine put together, I didn’t need to stress out about it!

I am so in love with these photos- so so in love with them. Michlea did an amazing job of making us feel comfortable and confident- which is SO important when you’re feeling hugely pregnant and have a 6 year old that looooves to be silly and get the attention. She even paused and let Emerson and Michael have a dance party in the living room.  I am so thankful we did these photos and have these memories to always look back on!

Thanks SO much to Ashley Ancheta with Makeup by Ashley for doing my makeup and for Michela Brooke Photography for these images!! 
 

Thanks again SO SO much to Makeup By Ashley and Michela Brooke Photography for making me feel human for a day! ;) 

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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!

What to expect: Engagement Sessions || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Spring here in Central Virginia is just around the corner- which means Engagement Session season is going to be here before we know it! I LOVE engagement sessions because we truly get to know each other, laugh with each other (okay, sometimes the laughs are directed at me) and my couples get to learn how to overcome the camera anxiety!

I know the planning process can really seem super overwhelming- most people do have a fear of being in front of the camera- even in the day and age of the selfie! ;) I cannot even tell you how many couples tell me at the beginning of the our engagement sessions that they are not photogenic, but I make it my mission to change their minds on that!

When your prepping for your engagement session, remember that this is supposed to be FUN! This is the shoot with no pressure! On the wedding day, we'll be tight on time, have to worry about your dress, your guests, and we won't have extra time to chat and get to know each other. This is exactly why I include a complimentary engagement session with each wedding package! This is a time for us to get to know each other, feel comfortable with how I work, and have fun cuddling up in front of the camera!

*When trying to decide on your outfits- try to choose outfits you feel amazing in! Some couples choose one outfit, and others decide to do two! It's completely up to you guys! If you do decide to do two, I recommend having one casual and one dressier outfit. Just know, there may or may not be a private place to change clothes depending on the location we choose! Try to avoid super bright/neon colors, or very small/busy patterns.  Try not to match too much- instead of both of you wearing the same color tops, selecting complementary colors and patterns looks best for photos! Think coordinating instead of matching. The key to what to wear is to make sure that you look like YOU and you feel comfortable! 

*Relax & Trust me! I do NOT expect you to be a pro at this! I don't work with models, but everyday couples just like you guys all the time! I will remind you again on the day of, but it does take about 15-20 minutes to stop overthinking everything and really feel comfortable in front of the camera.  But you can relax because I will help you with exactly what to do and where to put your hands!

*I like to schedule engagement sessions about an hour and a half before sunset- any time of year. The light is gorgeous this time of day! Make sure you are on time. We schedule your engagement session for the best time of day for natural light.  

*I highly recommend considering getting your makeup professionally done! Makeup artists are really good at doing a natural look, so don't worry about looking overdone! If you do your own makeup, make sure you apply your eye makeup a little heavier than normal for your photos.  

I hope this helps you feel more relaxed and ready for your engagement photos! I cannot wait for this super fun experience with you guys!!

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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!

My January 2018 Goals & Planning || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

It's just the first week of January, but somehow I was already feeling behind. I had been planning on working on my power sheets all last month, but with getting sick, taking some intentional time off, and spending time celebrating the holidays with my family, it just didn't get done.  I just kept thinking HOW can you start out the new year without having this all set up and ready- but let me tell you a secret! You can start whenever! It does not have to be January 1st! ;) 

So, I've been plugging along on my power sheets this week- it's going to be a much different year for us, preparing for baby, welcoming a new baby and intentionally taking much less on with weddings and photoshoots this year.  It started with me really needing to re-evaluate our financial goals and needs for the year, and defining my definition of success based on what's best for me and my family. The last few years, that was shooting 20-25 weddings and multiple engagements and family sessions a month.  This year, it looks more like 12 weddings overall and scheduling all Sunday's off. Taking some time off to rest & recover after baby, and really just enjoy my family and learn these transitions.  

My word(s) for 2018 are NOURISH and NURTURE.  Yes, I know most people just choose one word, but these both really stood out to me for this stage in my life.  

Some of my big goals for the year are: 

-To Simplify. I want to simplify our home, my workflow, our day to day schedule. Things need to be clean, tidy, and simple when baby comes along! 

-Wellness. I know, this is on everyone's list in the new year... but it looks a little bit differently for me. I want to focus on being healthy mentally for this birth. To keep positive around birth, and be prepared as I can be with the exercises our amazing doula gave us to do! 

-Allowing myself grace. Trust me, I know that EVERYTHING is going to change in a few short months, so allowing myself grace is going to be so important. I need to allow myself grace to take a nap if I'm feeling so exhausted, if dinner doesn't always get done, etc.  I'm not very good at this one, so I have a feeling this is going to be quite the learning year! ;) 

So, now I want to know, what's your word of the year? What are your 2018 goals and what are you planning on working on first?