sleeping at last

sweet nicole + myron are getting married tomorrow at cline cellars + I feel so lucky to be photographing their day.

xo
em

amazing scans done by richard photo lab

I am SO stinking excited to share the new em the gem with you.

It’s been a tough journey because my old brand + site  were so truly so great it was hard to move on. I admit at times I really doubted my decision when I would talk with friends about it and they said “Didn’t you just rebrand?” … but I knew it my heart that my style was growing and I needed a change.

It was a difficult decision but a part of me knew that I couldn’t settle when I still saw the potential for more. And now, today, I feel like this is exactly where I was supposed to land.

I am so incredibly grateful to:

Breanna Rose for taking my inspiration and my heart and creating a visual space for me that represents all of my favorite things.

Zoe Rooney for being a coding wizard genius.

Jessica for my headshots that reflect ME so well – you are so good my friend.

Delbarr for verbally processing almost every design decision with me.

Aaron for being everything I need and more every day of my life.

I am a grateful girl.

xo
Em

Such a talented team put this shoot together and I was over the moon to have a chance to shoot it! Check them all out here:

gowns : sarah seven // creative direction + design + styling: amanda o’shannessy creative // vintage rentals: one true love vintage rentals // florals: huckleberry karen design // wardrobe styling: head over heals with melanie // hair + make-up: priscilla francine make-up // calligraphy: little miss press // desserts: sift bakery + dessert bar // venue: kunde family estates

And you can see the full feature on green wedding shoes here!

xo
Em

It was an incredible experience… not just because we had an opportunity to hire an artist whose vision I totally love + trust, but because we were forced to stop. slow down. really look at each other.

and in those moments where we were just looking, I just realized that everything I am, everything I have, everything that I am working for. all of it – right now, it’s enough.

it’s all even abundantly MORE.

if all I had was Aaron next to me, it would still be more than enough.

the fact that I could obsess over forgetting some dumb accessory that day but that Aaron could still look at me and love me so truthfully despite my perfectionism just boggles my mind. I’m so silly and yet, I’m enough for him. That’s a truly incredible thing that I take for granted all the time.

I don’t know if you are like me, but I am always looking forward to what’s next. What I want to make happen. The next big thing.

It’s a good thing as a small business owner, for sure. But I struggle so much with contentment, and to truly feel grateful for what I’ve already accomplished, and the relationships I already have.

I don’t always see things with eyes of gratitude. In this moment I am simply writing to remind myself to appreciate this journey + the people that are a part of it with me.

There are plenty of things I still want to do with my life.

Travel to Africa.

Photograph a wedding in Tuscany.

Ride in a hot air balloon. 

Be photographed by Tec Petaja

It’s okay to still have things waiting to be crossed off the list and I want to be okay with even having a list like this. Because today is enough.

xo,

Em

To have friends who believe in me as an artist, that is honestly the best feeling in the whole world.

I am just feeling blessed today by the people who continue to surround me with love and encouragement. As an artist and a person, that’s all I could ever ask for.

Encourage someone you love today. Life is too short.

xo,

Em

To see more of stephen + kristen or to order prints, visit their gallery here.

Seriously though. These two.

Truly, when I consider what I want in my clients and the weddings I photograph, it’s not always a tangible thing – It’s something mysterious.

This might sound weird but I want to fall in love with my couples. I want to believe in their love story and root for them through their years together. I want to connect with what they love about each other.

Usually all it takes for me to fall in love with someone is when they show me their heart. I like to see it and see what it’s beating for.

All that to say that Seth + Christina are the real deal. They make my job easy. I heart them.

xo,
Em

p.s. see more / order prints of seth + christina’s wedding here.