It’s hard to believe that wedding season is HERE, folks! I am thrilled to kick off the year with Ivan & Louise this weekend and can’t wait for all the stories to celebrate in the weeks to come.

Being a wedding photographer has been a dream-come-true for me — the amount of joy, creativity, and flexibility running this business has brought into our lives continues to amaze me every day! I am so thankful for each and every one of my clients and consider it such a privilege to be welcomed into their lives.

This off-season saw countless project goals realized: from creating a Newborn Guide and revamping the Wedding Experience to launching the SRP Education site and hosting the first photography workshop for mommas and creatives, it’s been a whirlwind of a winter.

My biggest takeaway in the midst of all that? It seems ironic, but nevertheless the same:

It’s okay to grow slow.

Life is built around seasons for a reason. Seasons to hustle, seasons to rest; seasons to plan, seasons to remain. And for me, it’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game – to want to do what she is doing or book what others are booking.

But in this season? The one I find myself in right now?

My purpose isn’t to say yes to every inquiry or invitation that comes my way.

No, it’s to love my family fiercely, to serve my clients well, and to mentor my students and point them to Jesus.

To be present in the everyday and intentionally invest in this life I’ve been given.

I’m learning that that purpose sometimes requires saying no, and that’s something I’ve never been so great at — especially as it regards growing a business! But, as I approach this busy season, I know it’s something I need to remind myself of daily.

After all, I’ve realized that saying no makes the yeses all the more sweet. Isn’t that a beautiful thing?

Here’s to an amazing wedding season, friends!

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“What you need along the way: a sense of God’s deep, unconditional love, and a strong sense of your own purpose.  Without these two, you’ll need from people what is only God’s to give, and you’ll give up on your larger purpose in order to fulfill smaller purposes or other people’s purposes.” – Shauna Neiquest

“Present is living with your feet firmly grounded in reality, pale and uncertain as it may seem. Present is choosing to believe that your own life is worth investing deeply in, instead of waiting for some rare miracle or fairytale. Present means we understand that the here and now is sacred, sacramental, threaded through with divinity even in its plainness. Especially in its plainness.” – Shauna Neiquest

“And that was the day she chose to live from intention as opposed to habit.”

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My good friend Emily and I took Ryan to the park last week for a quick photo project, and she was so sweet to catch a few of Ry and I running around, too.

He’s growing and changing every day now it seems, and, while a part of me loves every second of it and beams with pride as he discovers the world around him, another part of me just wants it all to s-l-o-w down, ya know?

So thankful to have these memories.

*Images taken by Ivan & Louise & edited by me

*Hands-free diaper bag by Lily Jade

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