Weddings
Bellies & Babies
Engagements
Families & Kids
Posted on July 27, 2011
I love weddings. I love this job. The fact that I get to be hand picked by a couple, spend one of the most important days of their lives with them, capture the memories that they never want to forget AND I get paid for it, well, it’s truly a blessing. The reception is probably my favorite part of the entire day. I have SO much fun working my way around the floor and getting some of my favorite shots of the day. In particular, the first dance is my favorite moment. It’s pretty much the only 3-4 minutes out of the couple’s entire day that they have some semblance of privacy. They’re alone in their own world, and they are able to take a few moments to just breathe. It’s in those few moments that their smiles are the biggest, their tears may flow, and their love for each other shines the brightest. And I get to stand back and capture it all in my lens. Its so lovely.
It’s moments like those that I’m going to miss the most.
As I was driving home from a shoot the other day, I was stressing about what was next on my to do list. And what came next, and next and what I couldn’t get to for a while. Then it hit me. This…peace. I practically heard God say “That’s enough.” It was as if I had been playing tug of war with myself and I just…dropped the rope. And the biggest sense of relief came over me. Not something I could ignore.
For a few moments, I thought I was being told to stop completely. To be done with LilyBelle Photography. But, I realized that was creating a pang in my chest. I love what I do. I love the rewards and I love how it makes me feel. I don’t think I could just…stop. But I realized that I was being told to cut back. And the biggest stress for me is editing weddings. It takes up SO much of my time. I told a friend of mine earlier today, “I spend 75% of my day in front of this computer. And the other 25% is spent trying to get my kids settled with food/diapers/clothes/naps/whatever so that I CAN work.” Its true. I’ve been so completely stressed since the beginning of this year. This has been the most stressful year of my life. On top of that, I don’t do anything fun with my girls. The only time we go anywhere is if my husband is around and he pulls me away from the computer so we can have family time. Have I mentioned that I haven’t even taken their yearly pics yet this year? I’ve been so focused on work, I haven’t made much time for them. I’m missing precious time with these girls, and I’m never going to get that time back. I had to think about what was most important in life. In MY life.
So, as of now, I will not be booking any more weddings until my girls are in school full time. Obviously, those of you who are booked and those who are practically booked (Joy & Kimberly) are set in stone and I’m looking forward to these last weddings with an air of excitement and a lighter heart. I’m also going to be able to second for Jenni O’Connor from Lion’s Roar Media when she needs me to. So, if you’d like me to photograph your wedding, give her a call and book me as your second photographer!
Meanwhile, starting next year I’ll be taking more sessions and concentrating on my photography on a smaller scale. And yes, I’ll be back. Once these beautiful girls are both in school full time, I’ll be able to devote more time to my work and I’ll be eager to get back and work those dance floors the only way I know how… with my lens. 
Thank you all for your understanding!
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Posted on December 15, 2010
Looking for that last minute Christmas gift? Look no further! I now have Gift Certificates available for sessions AND wedding packages! Perfect for stocking stuffers or for that what-the-heck-do-I-get-them friend. Email me at christina [at] lilybellephoto [dot] com to get one now!
Posted on November 16, 2010
These two are very dear to me. Linda and Karl are my best friend, Melaina’s parents. MArried for 36 years now, Linda decided it was time to get a portrait done. I was driving to Ohio to meet with some friends and take some more pictures and I stopped to see them and get a few shots for them. It was a little cold for Karl, so we only got a few pictures, but it was really nice to see them both! Thanks again, Linda, for asking me!
Posted on November 10, 2010
This was such a fun session! Amy is one of my sister-in-law’s (my brother’s beautiful wife) best friends. She received two free sessions from me for booking 2 parties with Laura Krooswyk during my Dove Chocolate Giveaway. She gave one to the White family and the other she decided to use for herself. Just for the heck of it! She is a Thirty-One consultant (gorgeous bags!) and thought she’d use the session for some promotional pictures for a couple of her bags too. She even had a couple goofy outfits that we used for some hilarious pictures! Wait ’till you see her Christmas pictures- this girl is a riot! Here’s a couple pictures for you! More pictures and more on this wonderful woman soon!
Seriously? Love this girl! She’s SO much fun! This shot cracks me up!
Posted on October 18, 2010
One of my very good friends, Jill asked me to take pictures of her beautiful family and their adorable daughter, Mia for her 1st birthday. This kid has the sweetest smile! Here are just a couple from our shoot at Lake Katherine. I’ll post the rest soon!
Posted on October 12, 2010
This was a fabulous session! Robyn & Kevin are so photogenic, and their gorgeous daughter, Rayna is an absolute doll. She was probably the most well behaved 2 year old I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing! Completely adorable! More of these soon!
Posted on October 12, 2010
Love these guys. Like, woah. Jenni is one of my favorite people in the world and a fabulous photographer. She is my other half when I’m lucky enough to have her along on weddings. Her husband Wade is a great husband and their little ones, Sabrina & Eliana are dolls. I finally got my chance to do a shoot on our couch, Scarlett O’Chaira! More of these beauties soon!
Posted on October 12, 2010
Thank you Angela for this amazing find. I can’t wait to show the rest of these!
Posted on October 12, 2010
Meet the O’Leary Family! Sarah got in contact with me because my wonderful sister, Cheryl had been raving about me to her co-workers at Delnor Hospital and Sarah, another nurse there, happened to hear. We decided to meet up at Emricson Park in Woodstock, near their home. I told Sarah that would work out great because my husband’s family lived up there. Cue the “It’s a Small World” song. Apparently, Sarah’s husband, Conor is good friends with my husband’s cousin, Jerrod. The location and the last name tipped it off. Don’t you love that?
So first we have the beautiful Kiera who just turned one on September 3rd. LOVE tutu’s! And the leggings are to die for! So is that smile, she’s such a sweetheart! After that, we had a quick change on Kiera and shot family pictures. These three really are as sweet as they look! My favorite picture out of the bunch? Conor and Sarah kissing on the swings. You can’t beat that.
Thanks so much for contacting me, Sarah! I really had a great time with your beautiful family!
Posted on September 27, 2010
I couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather for this shoot! Overcast skies, nice and cool. Not to mention the beautiful family I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing! More pictures of the little Miss Kiera and her beautiful family soon!
