Utilizing Slow Season & Setting up Systems || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

We're hitting the end of "slow season" for wedding photographers here in Lynchburg, Virginia! I'm so excited for the 2018 Wedding Season! I have the most amazing, gorgeous brides and I cannot wait to share the joy of their big day! 

I also really enjoy slow season. After a crammed packed fall each year, it is so nice to have some downtime to celebrate Christmas with my family, and then to have some slower days with a break in editing! I love to take this time to really nail down my workflows and systems for the year, as having these things in place make the rest of the year organized and doable! 

When going through this process, I start my day by writing down the pain points from my previous wedding season and what worked really well. If I have one wedding a month, things are a lot easier, but when there's 4 or 5 in a month, plus engagement sessions, a lot of the little things get dropped or delayed.  My goal is for each of my brides to have the same amazing experience! By recognizing the pain points, I can then brainstorm ways to make that easier for me to ensure it gets done on time.  

I also take this time to write out each and every point that my clients go through. From signing the contract, mailing the wedding guide, scheduling an engagement session, to showing up at the wedding location. Yes, this can take time to write it all out, but this is where you'll notice where you're dropping the ball, or where you'd like to have more contact with your clients! 

Setting up systems during the slow season || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I LOVE that HoneyBook now has a workflow option where you can now input and automate a lot of your workflow- which is amazing!! I am able to automatically send emails to new inquiries, send reminders before engagement sessions, and see a list of tasks to do each day. 

Setting up systems during the slow season || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

There's always a lot to get done in the "slow season" like updating magazines and portfolio images, clean out my office & camera equipment, etc. but setting up my systems and workflows is always one that is SO worth taking the time to get done!

So tell me, what do you like to get done during slow season?

 

PS: Are you interested in Honeybook? Here's my link to get you 50% off your membership! http://share.honeybook.com/gNBpM  

Setting up systems during the slow season || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide.  Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

To Do Lists || Lynchburg, Virginia Photographer

Anyone else obsessed with making lists of everything that needs to get done? Right now, I have multiple lists going on in my notebook- you know stuff that needs to get done with the family, my business, cleaning, you name it, there's a to-do list running for it! 

I am 100% a pen and paper girl, there's just something SO satisfying about getting everything out of your brain and onto the paper. And even more satisfying to cross things off as I get them done! Even though it does seem that some days the list just gets longer and longer instead of shorter! ;) Between my Daily Life Lists, my Client Workflow Sheets, and my Power Sheets, it can seem impossible to keep it all straight. 

I have found a few apps that I love utilizing as I'm trying to keep everything in one place so I thought I would share! 

I've shared about my love of Trello before, so I'll keep this short, but this is great for my brain as I use this as a virtual cork board to organize big projects. This doesn't quite work for me with the little details that need to get done, so I keep this running for big projects and ideas! 

Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

From here, I have a daily to-do list on ToDoIst.Com.  Here, I can put in each and every little thing I need to do. From each blog post I need to write, to what I need to put in an envelope and stick in the mail. I know that crossing things off my to-do list helps motivate me, so putting in smaller to-do's helps me get more done! 

I still have my paper to-do lists- especially when it comes to the daily things that need to get done, water I need to track that I'm drinking (ugh I'm SO horrible at this!). What do you use for your To-Dos? 

Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || Planning and To Do Lists with my small business

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide.  Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

The Griffin Family's Lifestyle Session || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Oh my goodness! I am so thrilled to be sharing photos from the Griffin Family's session! If anything makes me more excited to have this baby, it's snuggling and photographing sweet Edwin! 

It's always so special to me when I get asked back to document these amazing moments in a families life. I do not take this lightly, and it really means so much that this family has had me photograph so many life-changing moments over the past few years! It's so fun to go into their house and see so many of my photos printed on their walls, from maternity sessions, Christmas cards, extended family, and newborn. To be asked back to photograph their newest member of their family was so special! 

Lifestyle Photographer || Newborn and Family Lifestyle Session || Lynchburg, VA Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide.  Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

Old Pate Chapel & The Bottling Company Wedding in Lynchburg, Virginia || Brad & Kaitlyn

Brad & Kaitlyn's Old Pate Chapel & The Bottling Company wedding was seriously SO unique and fun! They truly did make their wedding so unique! At our final consult, Kaitlyn said they made sure to look at each and every tradition to decide if they wanted to do that at their wedding and if they wanted to incorporate it at their wedding as well! They truly pulled it off- down to the morning ceremony and brunch themed reception food!  In our very first chat, she wanted to make sure they had a sweet & simple wedding to celebrate with their friends and family in unique ways. 

Brad and Kaitlyn met at Liberty University here in Lynchburg, Virginia their freshman year of college! They instantly became friends and were constantly hanging out! After some time, they started dating in their Sophomore year, and they've now been dating for four years! They're both adorable- we did their engagement photos over the summer at Sweet Briar College in Central Virginia! 

Brad & Kaitlyn did a morning first look at the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg. I know it sounds strange to hear about photos in a cemetery, but this place is more like a historical park! It's gorgeous! Their first look moment was super sweet and really started the entire day on the sweetest note! Then, after their reception, they headed out to Sweet Briar College for some photos with the mountains in view. What a unique approach- but it was so perfect! 

I am SO excited to be sharing the photos from this gorgeous wedding!! A big thank you to my associate photographers Rhiannon & Leah for photographing Brad & Kaitlyn's big day! 

After their ceremony, reception, and fun bubble exit- they headed to Sweet Briar for some more Bride & Groom portraits! I LOVE this and hope more couples do this!! 

Old Pate Chapel and the Bottling Company Wedding || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide.  Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

What to expect: Bridal Portraits || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

I get questions on Bridal Portrait sessions ALL the time, so why not go ahead and write a blog about them! I, personally, LOVE Bridal Portraits! I know, it's more of a Southern Tradition, but this Southern girl loves it! It's a preview time for you to see the entire look together!  

It's the perfect time to do your trial run for hair and makeup- giving you a full dress rehearsal of what you're wedding day look will be! I've had tons of brides realize that what they were expecting wasn't what they saw when they put it all together, so they were able to make that change before the wedding day! Bridal Portraits are the perfect time to see your hair, makeup, dress, shoes, jewelry, everything all together!

Bridal Portrait sessions are very different than wedding day photos! Wedding images are all about the moments as they're happening- capturing the emotions and intimacy of the day. Bridal Portrait sessions are to celebrate you and how gorgeous you look! There's something so magical about a Bride all dolled up!  

What to expect for your bridal portraits || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

For your Bridal Portraits, I recommend bringing one or two people that you're really close with! Someone that will help you relax, laugh and be comfortable. This should NOT be someone that is critical or overly fussy.  For Bridal Portraits, we do a combination of more formal and posed shots, and then some fun, relaxed ones as well. Bridal portraits should be a relaxed, stress-free experience where you feel even more comfortable in front of the camera!

I usually schedule bridal portraits two months or so before a wedding day. Usually, we need to do these on a weekday so we can ensure that your hair and make-up artists are available and your location doesn't already have a wedding booked! Typically, I like to shoot bridal portraits in the early evening for the gorgeous glowy light and to beat the summer heat as well! 

What to expect for your bridal portraits || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Don't worry- we keep the dress totally clean- I have clear shower curtains, sheets, and an eye on the weather for at least the week before your session! Some brides still like to have their dress steamed once more before the wedding for everything to be perfect, but you do not have to stress about the dress getting messed up! I do recommend bringing some comfy flats to walk around in so your heels don't get messed up before the big day, but also bring your wedding shoes for some photos!   

What to expect for your Bridal Portraits || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

What are you waiting for, let's get your Bridal Portrait Session scheduled!! 

What to expect with your Bridal Portrait Session || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide.  Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

 

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