Motherhood & Small Business || Series Returning!

I get so many questions about balancing Motherhood and running my small business! And, many of you know this is something I am super passionate about! One of the reasons I work so hard with my business is because I know first-hand how hard it was for me and my family when I worked full-time in the corporate setting.  I never want to take for granted that I'm able to do something that I absolutely love AND I'm able to help support for my family, and show Emerson that working hard and following your dreams pays off! 

It's been a while since I've written on the topic, but I'm excited to be bringing back my Motherhood and Small Business Series! It's so hard to balance being at home for work, actually getting work done, the housework, and being able to be present with my family. Turning off the computer and phone screens can be difficult. I work so hard to create systems within my business to ensure this, and I can't wait to share things that have worked for me, and things that haven't.  

So, if you have any questions or things you'd like to talk about- let me know! I'd love to chat through things! I'm planning on talking about being pregnant in the middle of busy season, surviving morning sickness and weddings, and seasons of hustle vs rest.  

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Lynchburg, Virginia Family Photography || B Family

It's always so special to be hired to document someone's family- and when they come back again, it's an unbelievable honor.  I loved getting together with "the B family" again this year! They've added another sweet girl to their family since last time, and oh my goodness did we have a blast! Their girls are all so well behaved, and we had a great time at the Old City Cemetery in downtown, Lynchburg, Virginia! 

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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 and 2018.  Available for travel world-wide.  

Ashley is passionate about capturing moments as they authentically happen to ensure a successful session that gives you time to enjoy each other and savor the wedding day moments.  Contact me today for additional information! 

Surviving Busy Season || Motherhood and Small Business series

It's that time of year, where getting dinner on the table seems like a major accomplishment. Heck, even taking a shower and putting on clothes that aren't leggings is a huge accomplishment! This is coming at the very end of the busy-season, but blogging during the busy September, October and early November months is almost non-existent.  When the work piles up, there are photoshoots every night, and it's easy to push other things aside, like family time. It's moments like this when I've found I have to put super intentional with scheduling time off, and putting the work away for the evenings.  

1- Learn to say No. I know, I talk about this all of the time, but it is so difficult to turn down work, especially knowing that the next few months are going to be way slower.  But saying yes to everything means you're having to say no to the things that really matter.  

2- Take the time to Schedule your week.  At the beginning of every week, I look through my shoots and schedule the time for the office work that is required.  I try to have at least one day where I don't schedule any appointments out of the home and I know that I'll be able to answer emails, and get my editing done.  

3- Schedule time off.  If you look at my (color coordinated!!) calendar, you'll see where I have dates that I schedule off ahead of time.  I know that these are the days I can spend some time at school with Emerson, I can do brunch with some friends, and really, just take some time for myself to re-coup and re-energize.  

Trust me, I totally understand how difficult it is to turn down paying clients.  But, I've learned from the past, I've learned from being burnt-out and sacrificing important family time that it really isn't worth it.   

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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 passionate about capturing moments as they authentically happen to ensure a successful session that gives you time to enjoy each other and savor the wedding day moments.  Contact me today for additional 

Following your Calling || A Motherhood & Business Series

     I know it wasn't meant to be offensive, the comment about believing in God's calling to be a stay-at-home Mom, but it insinuated that, by working and owning my own business, I wasn't following God's will. We've heard the comments a million times. You know the ones...

      "How nice that you get to be out of the house and let someone else raise your family." 

     "It must be nice to work just to have extra spending money!"

     "Aren't you concerned about missing your kids milestones?" 

     "It's sad that she loves her job more than her kids..." 

     It seems there's this competition between the moms that stay at home and mom's that work. Why can't we just agree that both are important and freaking hard.  As women, we all wear dozens of "hats" and are constantly balancing different things at once.  

     We each have different gifts, callings and passions, but not a single one of those things makes us a better or worse Mom than the next.  There are some mom's that would give anything to be able to be at home with their kids. Instead, they go to a job every day that they hate and they feel like a failure because they aren't able to be home. Guys- Mom guilt is bad enough- WHY are we adding to that by acting like working moms or stay-at-home moms are any better than the other? 

     I am so passionate about chasing your dreams, and following what you're passionate about. For us, working is helping to pay off our burdensome student loans, AND it's also something that I love to do. I LOVE being able to serve couples and brides, by providing encouragement and advice to them along the sometimes stressful ride of planning a wedding. I also love my family, being a Mom and being actively present.  And guess what-- I can do both. It might be difficult, I may be struggling my way to find balance, and trust me, there are many many hard days- but don't we all have crappy, frustrating days? EVERYONE else has struggles, crappy, frustrating days, and your life isn't any easier or harder than theirs.  

My point is that you totally can have a family and still chase your dreams! How can I sit here and tell my daughter that she can do whatever she wants when she grows up, yet expect her to drop all her dreams once she has her own family? I refuse to do that. If your dream is to stay at home with your kids, then that is awesome! If your dream is to have a family and continue to follow other passions that God has laid on your heart- then good for you! From today on, let's agree to be moms of encouragement & stop looking down on each other for pursuing our passions!! 

     Encourage a Momma this week- I guarantee you they have had a difficult day and need it. It can be a simple text, giving a big hug, writing out a card about what you admire about them, or taking them out for coffee! Let's stop adding to each others guilt but celebrate each other in our talents and what we're called to do! 

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Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Bedford, Roanoke, Richmond & surrounding areas. Available for travel worldwide.  

Ashley is passionate about Motherhood and in chasing your dreams and doing what you love. Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 and 2017. Contact us today for additional information!