A Magical Weekend Update: Christmas concerts, Santa visits, and family fun

I love this time of year- even with all of the stress that may come along with it! It's a season that I have to be sure to be intentional, to plan things in advance, but also to know when to say no and take care of yourself and stay home.  This year, I'm trying SO hard to do fun activities with Emmie, to spend a lot of family time, and really talk about the Christmas story!  

This past week was so full of Christmas fun! Friday night we went to the Handle's Messiah concert in the new Liberty music hall. Oh my goodness, this concert totally blew my expectations out of the water! Emerson loved seeing all of the instruments in person and listening and singing along to all of the music!  She was pointing out each instrument that she's learned about at school! 

We LOVED going to the Lynchburg Christmas Parade this year! Even though the weather was less than ideal, it was a lot of fun to be out there and of course, to see Santa at the end of the night! 

On Saturday morning, we had the BIGGEST surprise for Emerson! We set up Christmas photos with with Liz Cook and had Santa come out and surprise her! Her reaction was priceless and something I want to do with her every single year!  We've seen the most amazing sneak peek- I can't wait to get the rest... and don't you worry- I'll be sharing!! 

Michael & I attended an ugly Christmas sweater party on Saturday... and Mike's outfit is too good not to share! ;) I went the easy route and had a stocking on my shirt hold my wine bottle! You're welcome for the laugh today... 

How was your weekend? Did you do anything Christmas-y or unique? Or were you able to stay home, relax and recharge?! 

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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 information! 

Emerson's 5th Birthday || Lynchburg and Charlottesville Photographer

Excuse me while I'm wiping away some tears and feeling super sentimental, as we celebrated Emerson's FIFTH birthday last month! It's been a few weeks now, and I'm still emotional thinking about how much she's grown up!  I had all intention to share this post on her actual birthday, but it's the tail end of busy season, so all personal things get pushed aside! ;) 

Em was so super excited for her birthday this year, and has been counting down the days for over a month.  She's all about cartwheels, so it only seemed natural that she chose to have a gymnastics birthday party! It was so much fun seeing her there with her friends and loving each moment of attention.  

And, I can't have a birthday post without sharing some of the sweetest photos from over the last five years! *Most of these are iPhone photos* 

Thanks so much to all our friends and family that came to celebrate Emmie this year! It really means the world to me to see her loved by so many people so very well! 

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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 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 

Weekend Update || Central Virginia Backyard Wedding, cooler weather, and reconnecting time

Happy Monday! I know, I'm in the minority here, but I actually like Monday's because they are my "get things done" day! Emerson is back in school, and I get to start the new week with my cup of coffee, my to do list written out and diving into the wedding photos from over the weekend! 

I couldn't wait until Wednesday's wedding post to share some photos from Hunter & Robyn's wedding! Their day was so sweet- and the weather cooled off and stayed shady for their full ceremony! They had a beautiful first look moment, and so many friends and family there to celebrate with them! 

Sunday was a fun, relaxing day where we welcomed the cooler weather, extra cups of coffee, and even made chili and salted caramel cookies together! I love those slower days where we're able to prepare for the week and reconnect! 

How was your weekend! Is it finally cooling off there? 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Richmond, Roanoke, Farmville, and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide.  

Currently booking a limited number of sessions for 2016 and 2017.  Contact me today for additional information! 

Emerson's Very First Haircut || Lynchburg, VA Photographer

It's a little embarrassing to admit that Emerson is about to turn 5 in November and she just got her very first haircut! I was in straight up denial about it all, and really really didn't want her to loose her baby curls! 

But, the beginning of the new school year, paired with the knotty mess of hair that was always a fight, it was time.  Emmie was a little bit excited, and a lot nervous, but Heather at Arte de Capilli did such a fantastic job calming her down and giving her the perfect cut! 

She was a little freaked at first, and kept saying it was too short, but I think she's gotten used to it now and really likes it! We got a little treat after her day at the salon, did some shopping, and then of course, had to get some photos! Someone help me- she looks SO OLD!! 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia.  Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Farmville, Orange, Winchester, and surrounding areas.  

Ashley is passionate about encouraging others and chasing your dreams. Learning the balance between work and motherhood.  Ashley is currently booking a limited number of weddings and portraits for 2016 and 2017.  Contact me today for additional information!