The beaches of the Outer Banks to the mountains of Central Virginia: Our Weekend Update

It's after 11am, and I'm just sitting down to write this blog! I think that perfectly explains my Monday morning! I'm doing a bit of multi-tasking today as Emerson is out of school for the week, and I'm still playing catch-up! Nothing says welcome back from vacation to the mountain of laundry, floors to be mopped, and suitcases to be unpacked! 

So, instead of doing all the back-to-work chores, I couldn't wait to share some images from this weekend We had a beautiful weekend, with some time at The Outer Banks with family, to Jake & Casey's mountain view wedding in Vinton, Virginia! 

There are so many more images to come later this week- including some stunning bridal portraits of Casey!! Hooray!! 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding & portrait photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Richmond, Roanoke, Winchester, the Outer Banks, Sunset Beach, and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide.

Ashley is passionate about documenting genuine, joyful moments and ensuring a stress-free wedding environment.  Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 and 2017.  Contact us today for additional information.  

Things I'm loving this summer || Lynchburg VA Wedding Photographer

Okay, get ready for the most random post ever, but it's summer time and we all know that I LOVE the summer!! I'm getting sad just thinking about it being over in just a few short, short weeks! Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things right now! :) 

* BIG BROTHER!! I am so obsessed and love watching the live feeds while I'm working!! I wish this show wasn't just in the summer!! 

*These amazing J.Crew Sandals! I bought them at the factory store here in Lynchburg, but I've seen them at both Madewell and J.Crew stores! They are so comfortable, and a bit of an upgrade from flip flops! 

*Starbucks Cold Brew- Black.  SO refreshing and I get my caffeine fix in!! You know, I always have to drive through on my way to drop Emmie off at school! ;) 

*Scalloped shorts! I love the extra detail on the bottom to dress up any outfit! I have some from J.Crew and some in the Loft.  

*This big Kate Spade tote! It's actually a diaper bag, but I love it and don't think you can tell! It's the perfect pop of color for these summer months and I can fit so much in it! It's a great carry-on option, or just a go around carrying all of Emmie's extra toys and stuff in it! 

*Matua Sauvignon Blanc.  Normally, I'm a red wine drinker, but sometimes in the heat, I just want something colder! This is by far my favorite white wine! SO good! 

I want to hear- what are some of the things you are loving this summer??! 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Richmond, Roanoke and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide.

Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 and 2017.  Contact us today for additional information! 

Creating a daily schedule || Lynchburg VA Wedding Photographer

When I first started working from home full-time, I would find myself so easily distracted by all the other things around the house. I would sit down to start working and then get up to go change the laundry over to the dryer.  Then on my way back, I'd just empty and re-load the dishwasher for a few minutes, which would easily turn into me cleaning the entire kitchen.  I would finally sit down to start working and shortly have to get up for lunch. Before I knew it, it would be time to leave to go pick up Emerson from school! 

This was a super frustrating cycle, and I would end up having to catch up on my editing and emails in the evenings, stealing time away from my family.  

Working from home and owning my own business was supposed to give me MORE time, not less time and more stress! 

At this point, I have learned that I am a list and schedule person.  I have a notebook full of to-do lists for the days and weeks, and a planner that is color coded and full of sticky-notes with reminders of what needs to get done each day. I've found, when I get home and start working, having a list to keep my focus on what needs to get done, I am able to focus more.  Some other tips I've learned along the way are: 

1- Get ready in the mornings.  I will still get dressed, do my hair and my make-up. I don't have to get super fancy and wear heels everyday, but getting ready helps me feel put together and more productive throughout the day. 

2- Do the big projects first.  Things that didn't get completely finished the day before, or those annoying tasks that you dread all day. By knocking those out first, I'm able to fly through the rest of my lists! 

3- Right before lunch-time, I schedule time to get all those little things on my list done.  This helps me move quickly and cross things off my to-do list!! 

4- Schedule time to turn off phones, iMessages, and social media.  This includes notifications! I will completely sign out of facebook, because sometimes I find myself clicking over out of habit.  By signing out, it adds another step to needing to log in, which usually reminds me "no social media right now!!" When I get distracted by social media or a text message that comes through, it takes me a while to recollect my thoughts and figure out exactly where I was.  

5- Schedule some time to get out of the house at least one day a week.  For me, I'll set up breakfast or lunch with some other friends in the industry that need to get out of the house as well, or will set up a time to grab lunch near a friends work.  Getting out of the house gives me a nice break and not feel like I've been sitting up in a cave forever! 

6- Because messes distract me, I will spend about 10 minutes in the morning straightening up my desk, and my office space.  I share my office with Michael's closet (small closets in older homes! ugh!!), so I will hang up some of his clothes, straighten out the papers, etc.  and then I will shut the door to the house.  Out of sight, out of mind!! 

I'm sure you have some amazing ideas for staying productive and staying on schedule- I want to hear your best tips and tricks!! 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia.  Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Farmville, and surrounding areas.  Available for travel worldwide.  

Ashley is passionate about chasing your dreams and doing what you love, while maintaining a family/work balance. Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 & 2017.  Contact us today for additional information! 

Surprise! I'm going to Denver!! || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Guys! I'm so excited to be heading to DENVER tomorrow morning for the Creative at Heart Conference!! (& a little bit nervous!! the last time I flew, I got food poisoning and had to be carried off the plane by EMS on a stretcher!! yikes!!) 

Creative at heart aims to inspire hearts of like-minded creatives.  It's an opportunity to form new community and relationships with others in the creative industry.  Other boss ladies that are hustling to make it work! We'll hear from industry leaders about practical content on tons of small business topics- to come home encouraged and have the tools to get stuff done! I'm so excited to be meeting Ashlee Proffitt (the creative genius behind my rebrand!!) there as well!! 

I cannot wait to share all about my experience and time there!! Plus... DENVER!! 

Follow along on my adventures on Instagram and Snapchat for behind the scenes shots!! 

IG: ashleyeibanphotography

SNAP CHAT: ashleyeiban

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding photographer located in Central Virginia.  Serving Lynchburg, Farmville, Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, and surrounding areas.  

Ashley has been serving couples for over 5 years and cannot imagine doing anything else! She is a firm believer in chasing your dreams & doing what you love!! She truly considers it a privilege to cultivate genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust, and lasting friendship- creating memories you will cherish forever! Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 & 2017.  Contact her today for additional information! 

Are you using Snap Chat? || Lynchburg Wedding Photographer

Yet again, I'm totally going to sound old today, but I want to chat about Snapchat!! Just last year, a friend told me I needed to download the app, but I thought it was just for sending inappropriate pictures! haha! 

Once I started actively using it more, following more friends, I totally started loving it!! I love that I get to show interactions with people on a personal level, and that it doesn't have to be perfect! The fact that the snap gets deleted 24 hours after I post it means I don't care if my make up is done, if I sound stupid, etc! I get to show the behind the scenes between my business, weddings, and family life! Let's be honest, a lot more of Emmie than anything else, but goodness that girl says some freaking hilarious things!! 

Just know, if you download the app today, it isn't the most user friendly social media application, but with a little bit of trial and error, you'll totally learn!! 

Here are some ideas of things that you can snap: 

-Behind the scenes of a photoshoot, client meeting, etc. 

-Funny things your child says/does (some of my favorites are from Emmie throwing fits! haha) 

-Road Trip Adventures

-Random Facts about you

-ANYTHING! Really, that's what's awesome about Snap Chat!! 

ps: I was SO excited to offer a custom-made Snap Chat geo-filter at Ashley & Alec's wedding on Saturday!! My good friend, Ashley Sue is offering these for photographers, brides, anyone really! Go check out some of her examples here! 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia.   Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Farmville and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide! Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 and 2017. Contact me here for additional information!