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! 

Coleton & Elizabeth's Wedding Day: Trivium Estate Wedding

It is such a special honor to be chosen to photograph someones wedding.  It's something that I never ever want to take lightly.  I have the privilege of being a part of these giant moments in peoples lives, and I invest so much of myself emotionally into my couples.  I get to be behind the scenes, help them throughout the day, see how much their friends and family love on them, and be a part of their private moments that prove how important love and marriage is. I am so beyond thankful that Coleton & Elizabeth chose me to photograph their wedding.  They are the cutest couple ever- you can see their love and their joy just radiating from them!  It was the greatest feeling seeing her walk down the aisle with her Dad, wear her grandma's special earrings, laugh with Coleton through the evening, and celebrate with her friends and family! 

The Trivium Estate was THE perfect backdrop for their gorgeous wedding!! It really was the perfect day in April and everything was so beautiful! I am so excited to be sharing images from their wedding day!! 

A HUGE thanks to the amazing vendors that made this day go SO WELL!! 

Venue: The Trivium Estate

Flowers: Bloom by Doyles

Coordination: Victoria Hunt with The Trivium Estates

Dress: Ballew Bridal

Hair: Before & After Hair Salon

Make-Up: Laci Fore Makeup Artistry

DJ: Official Entertainment

Caterer: Avenue Foods

Cake:  La Bella Torta

Ashley Eiban Photography is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Central Virginia. Serving Lynchburg, Forest, Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, and surrounding areas. Available for travel worldwide! Currently booking for 2016 and 2017. Contact us today for additional information! 

Elizabeth's Bridal Portraits: Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I totally have a love/hate thing going on with bridal portraits! I seriously LOOOOOOOVE so many things about them, like the bride getting another chance to get all dolled up, getting a trial run with hair and make-up, and the fact that they are so much fun. But then after the fact I have to keep them top-secret and that is just straight up torture!! haha! 

Coleton & Elizabeth got married on Saturday and oh my gooooooodness it was such a beautiful day! Elizabeth is the sweetest and made the most beautiful bride!! And that means I finally get to share photos from her bridal portraits!!  Thanks to The Trivium Estates in Forest for allowing the perfect spot for these!! 

Kevin & Brittany's Sierra Vista Wedding

Oh man Kevin & Brittany's Sierra Vista wedding was so beautiful and just absolutely perfect! I was getting nervous about the weather for their outdoor wedding when in snowed in Lynchburg just a short 7 days before! But they could not have gotten better weather for their special day! 

Kevin & Brittany are such a sweet and special couple. I have really loved getting to know them both over the past few months and it was such an honor to be there with them capturing and celebrating their lives together! Sierra Vista did not disappoint in the amazing views- and goodness was that sunset so gorgeous! In fact, when we were done with a few photos of the bride and groom at sunset, they asked for a few minutes of the 2 of them together to finish watching the sun go down over the mountains. They did such a great job with their Spring, rustic barn wedding- I loved all the simplistic details of their big day! 

A HUGE thank-you to the amazing vendors that worked so hard to make this wedding such a success!! 

Venue: Sierra Vista in Bedford, Virginia

Coordination: A Little Party Events

Make-Up: In Your Face Makeup Art

Hair: Heather Shinkle with Arte de Capilli

Florist: Bloom by Doyles

Catering: Nick of Thyme

Photography: Ashley Eiban Photography

Brides Dress & Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal with alterations at the Gilded Thimble

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Jos A Bank

Dj: Josh Ball

Cake: Janice Dailey

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia- serving Bedford, Forest, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Richmond, Roanoke, and surrounding areas.  Ashley is available for travel world-wide and is currently booking limited dates for 2016 and 2017. Contact us today for additional information! 

Charlie & Emily's Lynchburg, VA Wedding

Oh I am so excited to show you these photos from Charlie & Emily's Boonsboro Country Club Wedding! Lynchburg has SO many amazing venues, but Boonsboro holds a special place in my heart, since me and Michael both used to work there in college! Walking back into those doors seems to bring everything back from those days! Funny how that happens! 

Charlie & Emily's Wedding was simply breathtaking! Their friends and family were so amazing and supportive- you could just tell by every hug, speech, and toast that they are so loved and everyone is so excited for their big day! 

Ceremony Location: Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Reception Location: Boonsboro Country Club

Photographer: Ashley Eiban Photography

Catering: Boonsboro Country Club

Band: The Houseband of VA

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding Photographer in Central Virginia- serving Weddings in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Hampton Roads, and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide.  Currently booking weddings with limited spots for 2016 and 2017.  Contact us today for additional information!