Hello! I’m so excited to share my first blog post. THANK YOU to everyone who has been so supportive during this process. The past month has been filled with late nights, lots of coffee and the occasional frustration.  But I knew every moment would be worth it – breathing life into this little business of mine is a feeling I’ll never forget. I’m ecstatic and terrified all at the same time, but that’s what being alive is all about, right? You can’t move forward without facing a little fear.

For those who haven’t met me yet, I’m Emily! I’m a wedding photographer based in northern Virginia, and I’m a storyteller at heart. I love writing (especially songwriting), and I eventually want to write a novel. I love mochas, cozy blankets and cuddling with my dog, Chewy. He’s a schnauzer/westie mix (otherwise known as a wauzer) and full of personality, so I’m never bored.

I’m also a naturally curious person, which led to my degree in journalism from Indiana University. It was on campus that I met my boyfriend Brian (BJ), and we’ve been together ever since. I couldn’t be more grateful for his encouragement, and the support from my family and friends as I’ve taken this spark of an idea and turned it into reality.

In fact, if it wasn’t for a very close friend believing in me, I might not be sitting here writing this today. You see, I really enjoyed photojournalism in college, and while I continued to work on small projects here and there after graduation, I hadn’t considered turning my hobby into a business.

That all changed the day Allison got engaged to her Australian fiancé, Ollie. They knew their timeline would be affected by the fiancé visa process, so they decided to have a simple, elegant courthouse wedding at Purdue University where their story began. One day when we were talking about the wedding plans, Allison asked if I would be their wedding photographer. I remember thinking, of course!! I love photography, and I love you guys, so I’d love to!!

What I didn’t know was that as soon as I pressed the shutter button, there was no going back. I had fallen head over heels with telling love stories in a whole new way. I realized I could capture the magic in this moment – and Allison and Ollie could keep it forever. Giving this gift was the best feeling in the world, and it’s the reason I started this business. Because I want to continue sharing those moments with all of you. I want to tell your unique story, preserving your love, life and laughter for years to come.

So cheers to new beginnings – both mine and yours!