Justin & Meghan: a snowy, Lynchburg, VA proposal!

Guys!! I am so so so so excited to share this beautiful proposal with you! They have such an incredible love story and it was such an honor to be able a part of their engagement!! We had initially planned to sneak out and do the proposal Saturday, but when the weathermen started calling for another snow day, Justin texted and we started plotting! I hid out behind a rock in the woods waiting for them to walk by! 

Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer

Justin and Meghan walked by, stopped to take a picture, and then he got down on one knee.  And I was hiding in the woods capturing the moment! It was so sweet, Meghan instantly said YES! 

Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer

We then got some fun photos of them! They are such a cute couple and I loved how sweet and affectionate they are towards each other! I had to give almost no direction, they were just kissing and snuggling up all on their own! We had just so much fun together and ahhhhhhh the snow made the perfect backdrop! :) 

Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg VA Photographer

 

Aren't they just the cutest? Thanks again Justin & Meghan for the honor of photographing your proposal! It was such a privilege to be invited into a special moment! 

 

Snowy Day: Lynchburg, VA Family Photography

I have been waiting for a big snowstorm ALL winter! Just enough snow to get outside to play with Emmie, make some delicious snow ice cream, and of course, get some time off of work! ;) We were so very excited for this snowstorm- and even more excited to swap some fun snowy day photos with Alina and her family! Alina is a local photographer and one I am so excited to befriend! Her family is so precious and braved the freeeeeezing cold snowy day at The Trivium Estates in Lynchburg, Virginia! 

Photographer in Lynchburg, Virginia
Photographer in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia Photographer
Photographer in Lynchburg, Virginia
Photographer in Lynchburg, Virginia
Photographer in Lynchburg, Virginia

Aren't they SO adorable?!? I'm so thankful they were brave enough to bundle up their little one and get these beautiful shots!! Stay tuned for Alina's photos of us! :) 

why an engagement session is SO important! // Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

wedding photography in lynchburg, virginia // www.ashleyeiban.com // Ashley Eiban Photography

The engagement session- my brides hear me talk about it ALL the time- and it's easily the most asked about from prospective clients.  I just wanted to take a moment to share why they are so important! And not just taking them in general- but with your wedding photographer! I am so passionate about this- I actually include a complimentary engagement session with each of my wedding packages.  

wedding photography in Lynchburg, Virginia // Ashley Eiban Photography // www.ashleyeiban.com

Close your eyes for a minute and imagine you are at your wedding day! Your Mom just finished zipping up your dress (you look STUNNING in that beautiful white dress BTW!) and you are surrounded by all of your best girl friends... and... your photographer! Now, imagine you're at your first-look! It's just you, and your soon-to-be husband... and... your photographer! (you catching the theme here?) You will be with ME more than your fiancé on your wedding day! I will be helping you walk down the stairs, with you and your family, and I'll be out on the dance floor with you as well! I've been known to give my shoes to brides, help with tying your bow, fix your shoes, and in some cases even hold up your dress while you pee! You better REALLY know and like your wedding photographer if you're going to be spending the entire day with them! 

wedding photographer Lynchburg, Virginia // www.ashleyeiban.com // Ashley Eiban Photography

An engagement session is THE perfect way for us to really start to connect and gain that relationship! I get to find out how you two interact as a couple- if you need a little more help with posing and feeling comfortable, if you like to kiss or cuddle, laugh, or are more serious.  Do you have a preferred good-side, or is your fiancé a blinker? These are all things we find out together at an engagement session! 

Think back to the last time you got your pictures professionally taken... you are in the majority if that was your high-school senior photos! For most of us, it is not a common thing to have a camera on you all the time.  Honestly, the beginning of every session can be a little, how do I put this, awkward.  I'm trying to learn you- you're trying to figure out if you're screwing up every picture and what to do with your hand! Don't worry- I've been there! And we work together to figure out the exact style of coaching you need for your photos! Usually, 15 minutes into the session, we are laughing and having a blast, and you aren't even thinking about that initial awkwardness! 15 minutes on a wedding day however can be CRUCIAL to our timeline! 

And i know this is getting lengthy (see, I told you I was passionate about this!!) so I'm going to end with this.  Engagement sessions are SO MUCH FUN! We laugh together and really build the beginning of our friendship with our engagement session! Plus- after our session we grab a quick bite for dinner together and start the wedding discussions! We will start working on your wedding day timeline, creating your family formals list, and hearing all about your vision and plans for your wedding day! It's such a crucial time for us to really start planning and working together! 

Wedding Photography Lynchburg Virginia // www.ashleyeiban.com // Ashley Eiban Photography

I don't want you to only take my word for it- here are some testimonials from previous clients that weren't fully convinced about getting their engagement photos taken: 

    "I have to admit, my fiancé was hesitant about engagement pictures... but he did agree to engagement photos because he knew it was important to me.  He was apprehensive when we first started our engagement session with Ashley- but it didn't take long before we were all laughing through the process.  One of Ashley's instructions was for us to touch noses in some of the shots, and he still jokes all the time for us to 'touch noses.'  Our favorite picture is one where we are touching noses, and I'm so thankful that we have such a positive memory that makes me smile every time I look at it.  Phillip was not looking forward to the pictures on the wedding day, but ever since our engagement session with Ashley, he has nothing but positive comments and actually has suggestions for things he would like pictures of! Talk about a change of heart! We are both looking forward to the pictures that we are going to get on our big day- and that was because our engagement session was such a success!"  -Phillip & Julie


wedding photographer in Lynchburg, Virginia // www.ashleyeiban.com // Ashley Eiban Photography
     "I was a little skeptical about engagement photos. I felt that they were an unnecessary expense that could be avoided. However, we took our engagement photos a few weeks ago and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. Even though Jonathan, my fiancé, and I are pretty good in front of cameras, Ashley's guidance was really helpful. She told us how to pose in a variety of ways and so we didn't look so stiff (Jonathan had to do some lunges to loosen up- haha!) Also, she watched out for good locations as we walked through downtown Winchester, which will also be where we are talking pictures on our wedding. Ultimately, I think it was a great trial run to prep for the big day. I have spent countless hours trying to perfect details of the wedding and I am thankful to have peace of mind about the photography due to the wonderful engagement session. I can't wait to see the pictures from our wedding!" -Jonathan & Elyse
Wedding Photographer Lynchburg, Virginia // www.ashleyeiban.com // Ashley Eiban Photography

I could continue on this topic- but I hope that gives you some clarification about engagement sessions and why I love them! 


Lynchburg VA Photographer: a baking day with Emmie (personal)

Emmie is in that stage where she loves to "help" or even better, "do it all my myself." She was so thrilled the afternoon JiJi asked her to help her bake an apple pie.  She poured and stirred like a pro- and even better taste tested every few seconds.  Enough that we needed to add an extra apple into the mix. ;) 

LynchburgVAPhotographer
LynchburgVAPhotographer
LynchburgVAPhotographer
LynchburgVAPhotographer

Love seeing the determination written all over her face. What are you brave enough to let your little ones do? 

2014 recap! Our amazing clients! {lynchburg, virginia wedding and portrait photographer}

This post has taken me forever to write! I mean, most people post about the best of 2014 the beginning on the new year... NOT the end of January! I had the hardest time picking out my favorites. I have really met some amazing people and am so honored to have been a big part of their lives- adoptions, newborns, families, engagements, weddings, senior portraits, just so so much! I've truly blessed and it truly makes me so excited for 2015! 

I'm so excited to share some of my favorite photos from the past year! Thank you to my amazing clients that supported Ashley Eiban Photography this year! 

Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography
Lynchburg Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer // Ashley Eiban Photography

Thanks for hanging around through that- I know it was SO long! But don't you agree- AMAZING 2014 huh?! So excited for 2015- we've already got so many amazing weddings scheduled for this year and are currently booking for the 2015 and 2016 wedding seasons! 

Newly engaged? Be sure to check out our giveaway running now through Feb 28th! All you need to do is tour The Trivium Estates in Lynchburg, Virginia to be entered for a FREE ENGAGEMENT SESSION!