Family Portrait's don't have to be miserable! || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Since it's a Monday morning (yuck)... I figured now would be the best time to talk about (almost) everyone's least favorite part of the wedding day... formal family photos.  We have all been in those weddings where the family photos drag on and on, and we all know that we just want to get to the food! Early on in my photography career, I would mostly play it by ear and photos would seem to last forever... and there would always be something that was missed.  It was always so stressful for me, but worse, for the bride, groom and their families.  

I quickly learned that this was not what I wanted weddings to look like- I strive to help my brides and grooms be completely stress-free on their wedding days and this was throwing everything off! So, I changed my approach completely and now have the bride and groom provide a full & detailed list before the wedding day.  I have them chat with their parents together to set expectations.  If we only have 15-20 minutes for all of the family photos, we cannot have a list of 30+ variations.  

Some tips I've learned along the way: 

* Talk with your Mom & your future Mother-in-law to make sure everyone's expectations are set.  Discussing how you have 15-20 minutes of family portrait time that you're splitting between your family and your fiance's family.  

*If there are people you want in family photos, make sure you're communicating that with those family members! Having to search someone down in the middle of portrait time is no fun! 

*We can start family photos right away, even if there are some guests still around! Once they see us starting photos, they will automatically start walking over to the cocktail hour! 

*The best light is not always the ceremony site.  I will scope out the lighting situation before photos and have a plan for where would be best for those! 

*I always start with the officiant, and then the family with the oldest members so they can get into the reception and sit down!

Here is the list that most of my couples start with, and then adjust it based on their specific family members attending their wedding!

Bride & Groom with Officiant 

Bride & Groom with Brides Full Extended Family (parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, etc.) 

Bride & Groom with Brides Grandparents

Bride & Groom with Brides Immediate Family (parents, siblings, spouses & children) 

Bride & Groom with Brides Immediate Family no spouses (parents, siblings) 

Bride & Groom with Brides Parents

Bride with Brides Mom

Bride with Brides Dad

Bride with Brides siblings

Bride & Groom with Brides Siblings

Bride & Groom with Grooms Full Extended Family (parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, etc.) 

Bride & Groom with Grooms Grandparents

Bride & Groom with Grooms Immediate Family (parents, siblings, spouses & children) 

Bride & Groom with Grooms Immediate Family no spouses (parents, siblings) 

Bride & Groom with Grooms Parents

Groom with Groom's Mom

Groom with Groom's Dad

Groom with Groom's siblings

Bride & Groom with Groom's Siblings

Remember, the more detailed you can be for your family list the better!! It is always so helpful for me when I'm calling out names to be specific! Calling out "Brides Aunt" can be a lot more productive if there's a name included in that! 

See, formal portraits don't have to be THAT difficult! I can knock them out in about 15-20 minutes and get you enjoying your wedding reception sooner than later!! 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Lynchburg, Virginia- available for travel world-wide.  Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 and 2017.  Contact us today for additional information! 

Spring with Emerson: Lynchburg, Virginia Photographer

Friends!! Are you guys loving this weather as much as I am? Probably not, because I'm obsessed! It seems like I had to wait SO long for the sunshine this year- I hope it's here to stay!! 

We are thoroughly enjoying these longer days, the sunshine, trees in bloom, and the warmth!! Em has been begging me to be able to wear her 'down dresses' and tanks all winter- so she is thrilled to finally be able to wear those again! 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia- serving Lynchburg and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide and currently booking for 2016 and 2017.  Contact us today for additional information!

John & Shannon Maternity || Lynchburg, VA Photographer

I am in the best mood blogging this maternity session!! The sun is shining, I've got some gorgeous tulips blowing on my desk, and I've got this amazing couple to share!! John & Shannon were one of my very first weddings and it is seriously such an honor to photograph this next big stage in their lives!! We had to reschedule thanks to some seriously crappy weather, but when we finally did get together I was SO thrilled- the weather was gorgeous and the trees were ALL in bloom!! 

Shannon is seriously so adorable pregnant- I CANNOT wait to meet their little guy!! 

Ashley Eiban is a photographer based in Lynchburg, Virginia- serving Central Virginia, Charlottesville, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and surrounding areas.  Currently booking weddings for 2016 and 2017. Contact us today for additional information! 

Chancey Family || Lynchburg, VA Photographer

This session holds such a special place in my heart. I first met Dave & Rachael a few years ago, when they hired me to do their engagement photos. From there, a friendship quickly formed and I was able to capture their wedding photos, their maternity photos, and now their photos as a family of three!! 

Baby Charlie is seriously a dream, and I may have spent half of their session snuggling up with him and smelling his delicious baby smell!! hah. He was such a sweet lil guy during our session, he was exhausted but goodness those sweet dreamy photos!! It is SERIOUSLY such an honor to have these families invest in my business time and time again. I love being able to celebrate all these amazing moments! 

A Very Happy Easter || Lynchburg, VA Photographer

You guys. Raising a 4 year old is no joke. She is constantly keeping us on our toes, making us laugh, is super emotional, and pushing boundaries.  But, it's seriously so fun. To see her learning, growing and goodness, the things she says is always cracking us up! 

Em was so excited for Easter- and we were so excited to be able to participate in her egg hunt at school this year! She was thrilled when she realized that there was candy in some of those eggs! 

Saturday night, she left out a plate of carrots for the Easter Bunny.  She wanted to give him more, but didn't know what he liked. So, she asked me to leave him a note so she would know for next time.  Girl can talk! and goodness my hand was hurting SO bad by the end of it! Tell me this isn't the cutest letter you've ever read! haha

Em was so excited that the Easter Bunny left her treats and hid some eggs around the house for her! He even gave her some books without words so she could read them all by herself! 

I want to hear about your Easter weekend! Did you get in any good family time? Have an egg hunt, eat your weight in chocolate? hah. 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Lynchburg, Virginia. Serving Central Virginia and surrounding ideas, and available for travel world-wide.  Contact us today for additional information!