​As an agency director who has helped grow a lot of brands (including a Fortune 500 brand--yikes), I have so much love for small business owners. Whether you are a “company of one” or managing a small team, it’s not easy to work in your business and on your business at the same time. 
 
Raise your hand if any of the following thoughts have crossed your mind:
 
I’m so burned out on social, it feels like everyone is using the same IG filters, I hate social media, I don’t know what to post today, it doesn’t even matter because no one buys from social media posts, Facebook keeps changing everything up and my posts don’t look as good as my competitor’s on Instagram. I’m just gonna skip it. Again. 
 
Here’s the harsh truth: we live in the Attention Economy. And without your consistent social media posts, you will hand over your share of that attention to some other brand. 
 
You need an average of seven touchpoints or interactions with a prospect before they’ll buy from you. Social is one of them. 

Social is being social. That’s it. 
Don’t let all the marketing “gurus” scare you into thinking it’s about measurement and algorithms and big ad budgets and posting times. (Yes, all those things matter, but not as much as your sanity.) Social means providing a visual and textual look into your world. It’s the art of conversation. A word or two to your audience. Let them get a word in edgewise. Listen. Continue. Laugh. Cry. Maybe add an animated gif or emoji. Repeat.
 
Don’t let writing social media posts bog down your day.  
The more you practice, the faster and better your posts will become. But if you avoid practicing, you’ll remain stuck in the social media creation mudpit. Keep in mind: the average lifecycle of a social post ranges from a few seconds (Twitter) to a few hours (Instagram and LinkedIn). Your time is worth money. One Twitter post that will only last a few seconds is not worth half your day composing it. 
 
​Repeat after me: this social media post is not sacred. 
 
But you know what is? The interaction and the human connection you’ll forge in the comments and DMs after you post that social media message. THAT is why you need to post consistently. It’s a way to start the conversation that leads to connection. There are people silently watching your brand, wanting to interact with you. Give them that gift. Start that conversation.  

Many years ago, when I was a young, inexperienced marketing coordinator, I started out exactly where you are: floundering through social, slinging captions against the wall whenever I was inspired, and noting what resonated with people. I had many tasks to juggle and social media was one. It was difficult to come up with ideas on what to post and how to do it fast, so here are my tips and prompts to get you rolling. 
 
My challenge to you: complete the prompts below in 30 days and see how you feel afterward. I bet you’ll see an increase in followers, engagement, or revenue, and most of all--you’ll feel aligned with your brand’s purpose and storytelling technique. 

5 Tips From a Content Strategist

1. First thought = best thought. Write and stick with it. Don’t try to edit too much. 
2. Set a timer. Use the Pomodoro technique, run an egg timer or phone stopwatch for 5 minutes per post. When time is up, select a photo to go with your caption and let’s do this thing. 
3. Vary your status update lengths and sentence structures, or you risk what’s called brand desentizing. Keep your audience awake and on their toes. 
4. Give, give, give. And then ask. For every 5 posts in which you provide value, post 1 in which you ask for something small. 
5. Use a social media scheduling tool. Buffer and CoSchedule are two of my favorites.

 

Before Your Wedding

Stay ahead of the game by giving yourself ample time to think about and plan each of the major components of your wedding day, and then break each of those components down with details.

If you aren’t hiring a wedding planner, start a document that holds critical information such as the the vendors, materials, budget, and extra support people required for your ceremony, music, transportation, catering, flowers, makeup, hair, and photography. Having a central document will ease the burden of trying to recall mental notes and will help you think through the logistics of the day. You can even share it with your vendors and support people prior to the event.
​
On the Day

Here are some tips for navigating your big day, all happy and ninja-like:

-Assign roles to family members or your best friends to oversee each of the major components of your wedding. Aunt Jean can welcome the catering crew and Grandpa Joe will love making sure the band is set up on time. Remember, you’re supposed to enjoy this milestone and you can’t be in 5 places at once, so make this a real community event and enlist your nearest and dearest to help get it all done.

-Have a loved one or professional give you a little massage. Even 5 minutes of gentle touch can significantly calm nerves and shift your perspective.

-Leave snacks, herbal supplements, essential oil sprays, and water in your bridal suite or another quiet corner so that you have the space and provisions to restore your blood sugar and take a breather, as needed. You could even have your maid of honor, BFF, sister, or mom (or all of them?) hold a little bag for you to sneak away with for some alone time to recharge for a few minutes.
​

​Y’all, I’ve gotta be honest, yes...large weddings pay my bills. But if I could share one thing with the world on a universal level it would be this: intimate weddings and elopements are 10,000% allowed and amazing! And if you’re reading this right now, you’re probably in the same boat or looking to get on board.

I get it, giant weddings -- even 100 person weddings -- can be super overwhelming for some folks. Maybe because you’re introverted. Maybe because you’re working on a budget. Maybe because you’re just not a fan of big parties. Whatever the reason, I want you to know, it is completely acceptable to have an intimate wedding or elopement. My only suggestion: know your ‘why’ and know your ‘who’.
​

YOUR WHY

I’ve worked with hundreds of couples planning every shade of wedding you can dream up over the last 5 years of running our business and before we ever dive into napkin colors and photographer recommendations I always ask the following two questions:

“What is most important to you on your wedding day?”

and

“Who do you want to share that with?”

I know it seems funny and like a total no-brainer but the answers are sometimes surprising.

If you were born and raised in the U.S. within the last 50 years, your brain has probably been inundated with a million and one “must-dos” for your big day. The rabbit hole of Pinterest can be totally overwhelming to some. And I’m pretty sure we all have that one well-meaning friend or relative that “knows what they’re talking about” and has ideas for every detail of your wedding and absolutely no issues telling you about them. But let me be the one to reassure you -- none of that shit matters.

What you and your partner want on your wedding day does.

If you’re reading this blog and follow Chelsea’s work then you’re probably already seriously considering a more intimate wedding and my advice to you is the same as any other couple: I encourage you to make a list of ‘Must Haves/Non-Negotiables’ and ‘Would be Nices’ along with a list of things that totally do not matter to you in the slightest. And then I want you to own every single one of those desires while also remaining flexible. Because sometimes, shit just happens.

Once you have those lists, start putting dollar amounts to those Non-Negotiables. Or, at the very least, a percentage of your budget that you want to allot to each item. For example, if you desire the most delicious cuisine with perfect wine pairings and for the day to be beautifully photographed but you could care less about music -- put the majority of your budget into food, drink and photography and hook a spotify playlist up to a speaker system and call it a day!

I know, it’s more involved than that, but approaching your planning with that mindset can truly save you a lot of headaches along the way.

The beautiful thing about intimate weddings and elopements is that your budget has to stretch to far less people so you can really treat those special few to an incredible wedding experience while also staying in tune with your own desires as a couple.

​

Hello all!

Today I'm chatting with local graphic designer Katie of Rotanz Design about all things Branding + Logos + Website design for the small business people out there! We're in a different situation than the big guys, we're not rolling around in money so we make tough decisions about our investments, especially in the beginning. 

Let's get her profesh opinion to help guide you through your choices!

​-Chelsea

What advice do you have for someone worried they'll change their style + branding within the next year or so? They're still figuring it out!
I think the most important thing to do is be consistent.* Oftentimes businesses will change their mind on design direction and branding and will make little changes here and there which causes brand confusion. My advice is to own your brand, stick with your color scheme, fonts and style and if/when the time comes to rebrand, then you can make that decision and go for it intentionally.

If you’re new to your business and not quite sure which direction you are going to take, then it’s okay to be patient and wait to invest in branding when you have a better idea of where you want to go.

*Chelsea note: Check out this video from Marie Forleo all about consistency - it's SO important when developing an audience! 

Do you have a certain style you like to stick with when it comes to design or do you love a variety?
I definitely prefer simplicity in design. I find that minimal design catches my eye and stands out against the noise of the streets, screens and magazines. My logos are especially minimal, but that’s to ensure they work across all platforms from large billboards down to a tiny Instagram profile picture. The more complex the logo, the harder it is to be effective in really small applications – and harder to be remembered! I work with lots of different types of businesses and can still accomplish a very different look and feel for each, but I certainly have a modern style and always make sure potential clients have checked out my logo portfolio to make sure my aesthetic is what they’re going for.

My websites also have a minimal look to them and while that’s clearly my preference, functionality and usability is always what I focus on first. You can land on a beautiful website, but if you have no idea how to navigate it, then it’s not doing the job.

Who's your dream client?
My dream client is a small business owner, entrepreneur, or creative in the Asheville area. My favorite clients have gone through my logo and website process and then check back any time they need other branded materials such as signage, brochures, stickers or other print pieces. I love that aha moment that I see in my clients when everything starts taking shape. There’s a real sense of pride and excitement when they can SEE it coming together.

Where people can find ya to keep following along your work, journey and tips?
Thank you for including me on your blog, Chelsea! I’m honored to be featured and hope these answers can help new or existing business owners understand the world of branding and web design a little better.

If anyone has additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! My email address is katie@rotanzdesign.com and you can check out my website at rotanzdesign.com and find me @rotanzdesign on Instagram!
​

Many engaged couples choose their wedding package based on pricing + their day-of timeline. Hopefully both, not one or the other!

Makes sense. 

I've got another reason to consider, what moments do you need your photographer to NOT miss?

Is Grandpa secretly a cryer? Do you have a group ready to dance their asses off at the reception? Or maybe it's definitely NOT a dancing group so you know late night won't be necessary. Envision the day and how you see it unfolding to really know what you want photographed!

Let's start with the most common wedding day photo ops:
Getting ready photos
The dress/suit before it's put on
Hanging out with friends + family during the day (I hear mimosa glasses clinking already)
Details of invitation suite, rings, shoes, florals, etc.
First look
Photos of the venue decor + setting before guests arrive (ceremony + reception)
​Ceremony
Couple portraits
Family portraits
Bridal party portraits
Toasts
First dance / Father & daughter / Mother & son / Any version of these
Candid moments of guests enjoying themselves
Reception traditions
Guests dancing
Fancy exit
​

I offer packages from 2 hour to 8 hour coverage for my small weddings because this takes care of all the bases. I'm happy to customize but it's nice to offer what most couples need from the get-go!

So let's look at how they each play out based on my experience with small weddings + elopements (for which I offer an hourly rate).

2 hour
Covers the basics. For my 2 hour couples, we generally fit in a few getting ready or scenic photos + the ceremony + family photos + couples portraits. Boom. Done. If you only need the basics and have a small group in attendance, this may cover your needs. Or maybe it feels too limited...

4 hour
Covers the basics plus you get time for candids. For my 4 hour couples, we fit in a few getting ready + scenic/venue photos + the ceremony + family photos + couples portraits + candid moments.


Honestly, I'm trying to capture candid moments even if we're together for a 1 hour session. But during a wedding day, things can get hectic. If we're trying to make it all flow smoothly, find the best lighting and are slightly rushed then I won't have the freedom for candids. Candids require some breathing room for the photographer to walk around and find unexpected moments. 
​

​6 hour
For my 6 hour couples, we fit in getting ready + scenic/venue photos + the ceremony + family photos + couples portraits + a touch of reception fun + plenty of candid moments.
​This is a great option for a multiple location wedding too! If we're having a ceremony on a mountain top and a reception downtown, it's likely you'll need to add in driving time to the timeline.
I consider the 4 and 6 hour options my most popular packages. 

8 hour
For my 8 hour couples, we fit in getting ready pics of both partners + scenic/venue photos + the ceremony + family photos + couples portraits + ROARIN' reception fun + plenty of candid moments.
If you're booking me for 8 hours, you likely have a larger wedding (I sneak those in sometimes) and/or you have a full timeline with multiple locations and activities that can't be missed!

Regardless of your best fit, I'll always ask for the most important-can't-miss-photos you are dying for + I ask for enough time to get couples portraits + I photograph the sweet details of the day. Those are non negotiable ;)

I'm always available to take a 2nd look at your timeline too, happy to throw in my 2 cents. 
​

Hi all! I'm excited to introduce a new addition to the CLP blog - guest posts!

I love working with other creatives / makers / entrepreneurs and now I'm tapping into their expertise and advice to share with you. 

First up is my friend Kathryn of Evergreen Era Films located here in Asheville. Her films are thoughtfully produced and add such a warmth to your wedding or business. Yep, she offers her services to the same crowd I do - weddings and small businesses! Woo hoo! She's always who I recommend when clients are looking for film of their wedding day or to promote their brand via video. 

She's sharing with us 3 reasons video improves your website presence. Be sure to check out her work with small businesses once you've read the post! Take it away Kathryn...

​-Chelsea

​"With online video quickly becoming a key means for people to satisfy their information and entertainment needs, small businesses that fail to include it in their internet marketing strategies will do so at their peril."
-The Guardian
​

Let’s get to it and break down the most common scenarios: 
 
Well I edit out your freckles? No. 
 
Will I edit out that blemish that’ll be gone in a week? Yes. 
 
Will I edit out scars? Not unless you asked me to. 

Will I edit out grey hairs? Sometimes! If it's clear you're going for your natural hair color then no and if it's clear that you color your hair to cover up the grey then yes. 

Will I edit out wrinkles in clothing? As much as I can without making your clothing appear plastic! 

Will I edit out that t-shirt stain that appeared after lunch? Yes. 

Will I edit out the flyaway hairs? If they're distracting. If they're showing the wind blowing through beautifully, then no.

Will I edit out that piece of trash or water bottle near your feet? Yes. 

Will I edit out that distracting tree branch, bugs flying by, stranger in the background? Yes. I have no problem editing out environmental distractions to an otherwise lovely photo. 

Will I "fix" your stomach or arms? Only if it's my fault because I captured an unflattering angle or didn't direct you quick enough. Overall, I never plan to flatten a tummy or remove a bump in the nose in every single image I will deliver though. More below...
 
I will guide you into flattering poses under beautiful lighting. I will give clothing tips and recommend you only wear something that makes you feel HOT. That being said, not every image gets set up for flattering angles.
If your spouse makes you laugh out loud or if he/she says something so sweet that your cheeks flush, I’m not worried about you looking like a model. I'll make tweaks in editing to create the most flattering final result and I’ll be sending that pic your way because of that special moment. 
 ​

All this worry about Instagram's organic reach is exhausting.

So what are we gonna do about it ?

Options>>

1. Take action.
Find resources (sooo many are free) online to learn about approaches to social media that feel good to YOU! There are many folks out there who make a living off teaching about this one platform! Tyler J. McCall comes to mind :) 

Be social! You gotta get out there (on Insty that is) and support others just as much as you're hoping to be supported. Like, comment, share, tag/credit on posts and in stories. Take the extra 5-10 minutes a day to comment on other's posts, totally worth it. 

2. Improve your mindset. 
Embrace social media for what it is, LEARN, use it in ways that make you feel good and forget the rest. You don't HAVE to post a Story daily. You don't HAVE to follow other photographers or writers or jewelry makers who unintentionally make you feel bad. You don't HAVE to post daily. You don't HAVE to only post 1 type of content. You don't HAVE to get too personal... or not personal enough!

Running a small business is an evolution, be flexible and open up to how your marketing evolves too. Everyone HATED IG Stories when it first arrived, why though? What a strange thing to spend your energy hating. Instead stay open, learn about it and have fun with it - your audience will enjoy it. 

3. Unfollow. 
A certain feed always make you feel inferior? Unfollow. Boom. I'm constantly asked if I follow some local photographer and I rarely say yes. I follow a handful of photogs who are friends or my mega inspirations.

4. Unplug + replace. 
Let's say you've tried all the above ideas and you're still not feeling a resolution. It's time to try unplugging and enjoy missing out. 
Log out of IG on your phone. I know that extra step would make me think twice about typing in my pw to mindlessly scroll.

Replace an old habit with a new productive habit like:
-reading an edu article on a website about running a business
-meet other entrepreneurs in person for a coffee to connect
-save + organize inspo somewhere other than IG
What do all these lead to? Less comparison, less stress about the IG algorithm and you're still doing important work to move your business forward. 

5. Consider alternatives. 
When I started to see the worst effects of the IG algorithm, I began looking for new avenues of marketing. IG has been great for driving business but I can't rely on old tactics forever. I invested in other marketing techniques including sprucing up my website and SEO.
Looking for a free alternative? Network your butt off. Doesn't have to be cheesy after hour gatherings...
You can plan a gathering for your favorite local vendors for an activity you love:
-invite everyone over for happy hour on your porch
-get a group to go hiking together with your dogs
-go to a local art show together for inspiration
-co-work in a coffee shop
-attend a community event together
Networking is about connecting and being a trusted + friendly face in town.


Don't let Insty get you down, enjoy it for what it is and find other parts of your business to focus on!

​Tim Ferris
Why? Tim is a self-made entrepreneur with a pretty cool backstory. He interviews successful people from all fields and finds out what habits + ideals make them who they are. So much to learn and be influenced by. Listen to the stories of others to be inspired and entertained. 

​Start with one of these episodes:
How to Design a Life with Debbie Millman
How to Have, Do and Be All You Want with Terry Crews
Catherine Hoke - The Master of Second Chances


Oprah Super Soul Sunday 
Why? You can't take care of your business + clients if you're not taking care of yourself. Keep learning and   growing as a human, it'll translate into your success as an entrepreneur. Oprah as been a guiding light for many trying to "live their best life" and now she involves guests that bring it to a whole new level.

Start with one of these episodes:
Cheryl Strayed: Brave Enough
Dr. Maya Angelou, Part 1: 9 Words that Changed her Life
Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling: Brave New Worlds


Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield
Why? Amy offers some of the best "social" marketing advice. Facebook ads, Facebook groups, online videos  and collaborations are all up her alley. She's built quite the empire through free resources, online education and online memberships with her audience. Amy is also open and honest about her behind-the-scenes which I've found valuable and refreshing!

Start with one of these episodes:
#180: 7 Ways I've Collaborated with Friends & Influencers to Increase Profits
#192: Are you Embracing the "Visionary Role" in your Business?
#197: How to 10x your Results in 2018 (and Beyond) with 3 Dead Simple Strategies with Marie Forleo
​

Bright Planning (disclaimer: Chelsea Lane Photography + Bright Planning regularly work together)
Why? Catherine is a local marketing expert who doles out practical advice via her podcast, newsletter and social media. Her audience is made up of small/medium size businesses and I appreciate this because we operate differently than the biggies. Her advice is tailored, well thought out and actionable.
​
Start with one of these episodes:
Episode #53: How to Market your Small Business for $100 per Month
Episode #59: 10 Marketing Tactics you can do in Less than an Hour 
Episode #71 4 Questions you have to Answer to be Successful


And lastly, an honorable mentions from my favorite email buddies:

Skimm'd From The Couch by The Skimm creators (my favorite morning email news dose). I'm new to this podcast but can already tell it's going to be one of my faves for hearing the stories, experiences and inspiration of badass female creators!

The Marie Forleo Podcast - I get my weekly dose from her online TV show but she also offers the same info via podcast. This is best podcast for people in the beginning stages of their business, she'll be your biggest cheerleader!

Akimbo a podcast by Seth Godin is another brand new podcast so I'm still getting started with it. I read his blog daily and it's easy to see his insight is incredibly valuable, unique and will make you press pause to think twice about what he just said. 

Happy listening!

I've gathered up favorite resources that many couples could benefit from when planning a small wedding or elopement!

The internet is, um, big. So rallying resources in one helpful spot saves time!

Visit any of these websites that speak to you for inspiration, tips and insight - don't forget to follow them on social media too for even more goodness. 

The larger names like Brides.com, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, Green Wedding Shoes (I could keep listing but I'll spare you) are easy to find and also have great resources. Don't discount them, give them a visit too! I just gathered the little guys that may not hit your radar.
​

​BEST OVERALL RESOURCE

A Practical Wedding - Website and blog for the laid-back couple. Real advice that's helpful for those of us thinking we don't need to spend $15k on a wedding. The advice & etiquette section is my favorite but the whole site is helpful.
​

MOST BEAUTIFUL INSPIRATION

The Bridal Theory has been a longtime favorite of mine simply because their style is deep, romantic perfection! For major eye candy, follow them on Instagram for 'real wedding' dreaminess to motivate your own style. 

BEST LBGTQ + FEMINIST RESOURCE 

Catalyst Wedding Co. - I love this site because it shows the couples that aren't shown enough. Catalyst shines a light where we've needed a light to shine for so long! They have great articles, advice and inspo for everyone.
​

BEST ETHICAL RESOURCE

Black Sheep Bride - This team collects vendors and products best for those who care deeply about the source. They support companies that give back, have a smaller footprint and have a social conscious mission. 

BEST PODCASTS

Modern Love for sweet stories from all walks of love life. This podcast is a quick listen - perfect for the car ride or while eating breakfast.

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel for advice on hard topics from the ultimate pro. Esther's interviews on other's podcasts were popular enough to encourage her to launch her own. Where Should We Begin? is new so its a great time to catch up and stay subscribed for future shows. 
​

When you scroll through Instagram checking out the cozy photos of a trendy home with a cute girl lounging on her sofa with coffee on the Anthropologie feed, you think "that's what I want!" I love these lifestyle images, they give such warmth to brands that traditional product photography cannot.

So what does it take to create a seemingly simple photo to promote their new couch + robe + mug + candle?

Many many people came together to craft these photos shoots. I've been on these sets and seen the amount of people, time, planning and money that goes into a photo shoot for 1 blog post. One blog post! That's it!

An example of a shoot for a larger company:
1 photographer
1 stylist
2-3 assistants
1 creative director
1 person handling manual labor (that cute couch? may have been moved 3 times for the photo)
1 studio setting or a real home that's been scouted + pre-styled
Artificial lighting
20 hours of prep time
8 hour photo session
Plenty of post processing time to edit images (I don't know the exact amount of hours for this specific shoot)
​Result: 5-7 final images for the client

So when you're a small business owner and you're working with a one-woman-team photographer, how can you bridge the gap to get the results you want without all of those resources and that big ol' budget?

​I've got some ideas. 
​

1. Know where you stand. - Are you in the beginning stages and need help developing your brand? Do you need guidance with this or just some time to gather your thoughts? Let your photographer know this when you inquire about their services. 

2. Maybe you have the basics of your brand in mind (the mood + feel). - Now you're ready to gather inspo pics and make sense of it all. Please don't expect your photographer to recreate other's work but sharing inspo pics is very helpful! Visual aids help when words aren't cutting it, Pinterest is great for organizing this on "secret boards". 

3. And perhaps you know exactly what you want and you have a very strong vision. - My advice here is to meet with potential photographers to discuss and see if you're a good fit based on their input. My other advice for this is to still be flexible, you're hiring another creative to bring your vision to life and they will breathe in new air to a project, let them!

Bonus: Always know your budget. Know what range you're comfortable with and don't be afraid to tell your photographer! They are likely just as excited to work with you and may be willing to negotiate. 

Next, what are the expectations of the shoot?

Visit this post for what factors may or may not be needed for your shoot, very helpful for preparation!

--

Now that you've read that past post, here are a few tips to make the most of a smaller budget:

-Model for yourself! You're likely the face of your business so hopping in front of the camera saves you money + time and gives you a chance to connect with your audience! Photos of you do SO well on social sites.

-If you're struggling to find a good location, chat with your photographer for their recommendations. Your own home may work just fine which saves on a rental fee.

-Find a photographer who is comfortable styling products if that's necessary for the subject. Their rate may be a little higher than others but you saved money on not hiring a stylist without putting that job on yourself. 

-Go with the flow of natural light. If you work with a photographer who shoots natural light, you are somewhat at mercy to the weather gods. A good photographer anticipates and prepares for that with equipment (including artificial light just in case!) and approach. Trust your photographer to guide that process and make lighting recommendations. 

-When tallying up the number of products you want photographed, narrow it down. If you ask a photographer for 20 styled shots, they'll need to charge for the time it'll take to make that happen. Choose wisely!

-And, lastly, communicate! When planning a photo shoot, respond to questions from your photographer in a timely manner so they have time to prepare. If they're to set up a shoot, help book models, buy props, prepare backdrops and be ready creatively - help 'em out and give them the appropriate time to do the work.
​

I hope this helped as you consider professional photography that's still within your budget. You're always welcome to email me with questions about your situation!

We've got cover songs, original songs and entire albums to suggest for this Valentine's Day. And no genre is off limits but these tunes all blend well together.

​Open up Spotify, press shuffle and enjoy!

Adele's cover of Make You Feel My Love (a Bob Dylan song)
Ala.ni - Ol Fashioned Kiss
Alina Baraz - just about any song on the Urban Flora EP but 4 are on this list!
Anthony Hamilton - Can't Let Go
Carla Bruni + Willie Nelson singing his song Crazy
Elle King - Wild Love
Janelle Monae + Miguel - Primetime 
John Mayer's cover of Beyonce's XO
Justin Timberlake + Alicia Keys - Morning Light
Léon - Think About You
Muddy Waters - Sugar Sweet
Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash
The Roots + Erykah Badu - You Got Me
Son Little - Lay Down
702 - I Still Love You (an old school RnB jam from Pharrell's world)


Listen on Spotify now - ​Happy Valentine's Day!

​

How long does a small shoot last?

To be honest, I struggle creating packages that will fit all small business needs. You are each so unique!

​Let's break down what elements of a shoot that determine the time needed then get into package options. 

Models
-number of models
-model experience / efficiency
-number of outfit changes 
-hair & makeup needs

Location
-weather conditions 
-change of location + driving time
-the public (waiting on passersby or a truck to move along)
-availability of the location (public spaces may have limited hours)

Lighting
I shoot mostly natural light so time of day and weather conditions are an important part of my approach. When shooting outdoors, I'll always push for early mornings or later evening just before sunset and those hours are fleeting in the mountains!

Products // Styling
-number of products you need photographed 
-number of ways you need the product photographed
-styling props to set the scene (the amount of props we're working with + the time to style them)

Quantity
I rarely have small business clients ask about the amount of images they'll receive because they're not shopping for bulk.
A good reason for that? Your products and services will continue to evolve, so your photography needs will too. It's not necessary to have 10 photos of 1 product from slightly different angles. It's better to have less images, each of stellar quality.

Narrowing down your needs for the photo shoot greatly helps your photographer provide an accurate time frame + quote for the session. Not everyone knows the answers to these questions from the start but that's what I'm here for! I'm happy to help brainstorm the session visually and logistically. 

I offer a standard small business session that often suits most client needs but I'm also happy to modify it. I work with small businesses because I enjoy being flexible and working together for the best results. 

Looking for ongoing photos that evolve with you and your goals? I offer monthly and seasonal packages as well as my standard small business session!

​
​Downtown Asheville has plenty of beautiful hotels and lofts (both pictured above) to create the perfect getting ready space on your wedding day. You'll want plenty of room for vendors, family and friends to stop in. Maybe this is the only part of the day you'll be downtown or maybe you'd like to hold the ceremony and reception in this area too...

Favorite downtown wedding venues:
Asheville Area Arts Council - minimal + artistic
The Asheville Masonic Temple - historic + cozy
Catawba Brewing - beer city + industrial chic (photos just below)
The Orange Peel - laid-back + fun

Looking for a little bit of urban + nature for your wedding space?

Smokey Park Supper Club's Boat House sits right on the French Broad River and the location is in our River Arts District. The venue is a great mix for an outdoor venue.

Keep in mind that you can get ready in one place then carpool, rent a bus or drive up to the mountains for your ceremony.

You could also meet everyone in a beautiful outdoor spot for the ceremony then host a private dinner reception afterwards downtown! Check out my favorite restaurants with private dining spaces in this post. 

​Cheers to doing it your way!

Black and white images have a special place in your wedding collection. They're all the cliche terms: classic, timeless...

They evoke emotion + drama.

I scrolled through and picked out my favorite black & white images from my weddings this year. Memory lane is a beautiful thing.
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Each wedding is unique in location, style, lighting and mood. I run with the vibe of the day when editing, including with the black & whites. 

Cheers to the new year!
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Some cities just speak to you. Or sing via G & The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies. 

Some cities have hidden corners that only the real fans will find. You can skip Bourbon Street.

Some cities make you crave a walk through a cemetery and an aquarium all in one day.

Some cities know how to mix nature, architecture and color seamlessly. 

Some cities are worth using your camera in the rain. 

No other city is New Orleans. 
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The holidays are here. Officially.

Small businesses have to strike a balance between taking time off to enjoy (yay, you're your own boss!) and making the best sales during the shopping season (oh ya, gotta earn $$).

My best advice? Prepare ahead of time. 

Next year, let's get those holiday photos done in October so you have them to use throughout November and December. Photos to promote new product, the holiday spirit, promotions and events. 

Find yourself needing to change things up regularly?

I offer monthly packages for a quick photo shoot every month to fill up your Instagram. I also offer seasonal packages if you want to highlight the changes in weather, product, styling and use of your product or service!

This is a portrait session I did with Christa Briana for her to create a new website (coming soon!). She is a local illustrator who's work is similar to mine so we enjoyed created hauntingly beautiful images together in the woods of Asheville, NC. 

Portraits of Asheville artist Christa Briana  
Makeup by Serenity + Scott 
Clothes are vintage
Props belong to Christa

My hubby Philip and I partnered to create a delicious + spooky Halloween drink for your festival cocktail party this month!

Philip enjoys getting creative with recipes at home and I love capturing food and drinks.
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​The Witch’s Apple
 
.75 oz bourbon or rye
1 tsp B&B liquor
.75 oz cognac or apple brandy
.75 oz sweet vermouth
2.5 oz fresh apple cider
2 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
1/8 tsp activated charcoal (to make drink black, available at healthy grocers)
Dry ice is an optional and safe way to add some drama.
 
Combine all ingredients over ice. Stir well. Strain and pour over 1 large ice cube.

Cheers!
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If you don't know the perfect spot to have your engagement or anniversary photos taken, how about at home?

Katelyn and Greg had me over for their engagement photos to bring in the fall season. They live in the cutest cabin tucked away in Black Mountain. It was lovely exploring their stomping grounds and hearing about their life together there.
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We roamed around, stomped on leaves and visited the friendly neighborhood cow down street. This cow is more like a dog that comes to say hello when they go on jogs together. I had to see it to believe it. 
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Maybe you're wondering if you have enough fun spots around your home for an hour long session... think about how you spend your time at home. Let's brainstorm...

Cooking dinner together in the kitchen.
Swinging on the front porch swing.
Drinking wine on the deck after work.
Walking the dog.
Cozy by the fire.
Cuddling in bed after getting to sleep in. 
Napping in bed after not getting to sleep in.
Dancing in the living room.
Setting the dining table for date night.
Spinning records. 
Planting or gardening. 
​Lounging in the hammock.

Still a no go? Plenty of public spaces we can find instead ;)
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Don't you love when you run into someone who truly seems to be themselves? They've just grown into who they're meant to be and they embrace it?

I love when my couples give me this vibe. And why would I care about that?

Because creating a wedding brings up so many questions about family, friends, your style, what's important to you. The key to a having a good wedding is to know who you are and what you want for this celebration.
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Ann and Kyle had been together for 11 years before tying the knot. And really, what's the rush?

I like to think it gave them all the more time to learn what and who is important to them so they could go through all the wedding options and pick what's a good fit. 

With about 40 guests, they relaxed in their backyard on a beautiful September day. They held a sweet ceremony with a DIY backdrop then shared drinks and food with loved ones as the sun set. 

Color was king at this wedding. The DIY backdrop was made from old curtain scraps and was as colorful as her on-of-a-kind dress. As she moved int eh dress, colors trailed behind her and everyone kept murmuring they adoration. Guests also noted how "Ann" the dress was, which made me smile.  
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Ann's brother sang them down the aisle, Ann had a flask in her garter and the toasts made everyone laugh with memories. Their 2 pups ran around with homemade flower necklaces and one even carried a go-pro during the ceremony!

​What a great way to say goodbye to summer in Asheville.

Cheers to planning for you two. 
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