Live Lovely Behind The Scenes

If you follow me on my blog or on Instagram @LiveLovelyPhotography you may know a few things about me; that I am a wedding photographer, that I photograph destination weddings, I love to travel, New England is my home, and that I share all sorts of wellbeing, natural living, and lifestyle posts. And if you do follow me, it may look as if I am constantly on the move, always working, and always traveling. In some ways, I am. But today I was reminded about the importance of sharing more behind the scenes, especially because, as we all know, there is a lot more going on behind the camera than what you see in perfectly curated and edited posts and pictures shared online. It is also a great way for me to introduce myself a little more. Behind each account there is a real person going through a very real journey full of both grand and happy moments and struggles too. 

Despite common belief, I’m not actually a full time blogger and photographer. -Yet! But every day I get a little bit closer to reaching that goal, simply because I have not given up, even though many times I have wondered if I would ever, “go anywhere.” Sound familiar? Some days I still struggle with this, but then I remind myself about the list of accomplishments that I have instead of my list of things I have to do to succeed. I have seen some photographers who are amazing really struggle to book clients. And others who have a lot left to learn, who are constantly booking and bringing in work. It all has to do with mindset and grit. I’m doing my best to hone in my own. 

So what do I do all week long if I’m not blogging and photographing full time?

To be sure, I’m still blogging and photographing. But for the most part, I am a weekend warrior. During the week I work as a secretary for a lovely law firm from 11-5 every weekday. So while I do post the photos of my adventures and photo shoots (that I took mostly on weekends), during the week you will find me behind a front desk, greeting clients, filing, answering phones, and running errands for the office to the bank, probate court, and post office. Does that surprise you? I realized the other day that by sharing all of my photos during the week, some people might have the idea that I don’t work at all or that my blog is my only job right now. That inspired me to share some more behind the scenes. Many of my posts are photographed, edited, and scheduled ahead of time. 

What does your typical weekday look like? 

I usually wake up around 7:30. I know, that is pretty late for many Americans, but I feel my healthiest when I wake up at that time. I am definitely a morning person, but I’m not a before sunrise person, that is for sure! I like to listen to music in the mornings, take time for light reading, and sometimes a work out like a spin class or Zumba in my living room before showering and getting ready for the day. 

To start the day, I check my e-mail and messages on all my social media, make an Instagram post, do some marketing for my wedding photography business, make plans for photo shoots and my weekend projects, browse the news and my favorite blogs, edit photos, and make my scheduled blog posts. During the day it is mostly work, editing more photos, taking notes for my blog, working on posts, and marketing my blog posts by sharing the completed ones on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

At the end of the day I check my e-mail again, and depending on the day of the week I will spend some time outside, go to a work out class, travel locally to take photos for my blog, and enjoy dinner with my husband. Most of my nights are spent fairly quietly. Sometimes if I have a lot of photo editing, I edit some more. I also do most of my engagement sessions and smaller photo shoots during the late afternoons or evenings during the week. Other nights I will go for a walk with Matthew, talk to friends on the phone, meet up with clients at local cafes, read, do laundry, clean our apartment, cook diner, watch a movie, or take a bath before bed. My evenings are quite quiet and simple during the week. I’m such an introvert, so by the end of the day, I’m pretty mentally exhausted. 

Why wedding photography?

I went to college for photography and graduated with a BFA specializing in fine art photography in 2012. I went to Cazenovia College and minored in journalism, art history, and international studies, although I had to drop international studies in order to graduate on time. I always knew I was going to be a photojournalist -until I discovered wedding photography! I helped a friend photograph a wedding at the end of my final junior semester and I loved it so much that I changed all my future plans that weekend! My professors were very surprised. Photographing weddings is like photojournalism, especially as I capture candid moments as they unfold naturally, except every moment is a positive one. Which is why I have labeled my style as “positive photojournalism.” 

How do you photograph destination weddings?

My favorite photography subjects are people and anything travel related. Being able to combine both as a destination wedding photographer is a dream come true. I got the travel bug very young, but it grew into a real possibility when I spent a semester abroad in Canterbury Kent, England. I got my first taste of it as a photographer when I photographed a destination engagement in Disney World a few years back. Soon after that I was flown to Vieques, Puerto Rico for a romantic destination wedding on the island. Earlier this year I photographed a destination proposal in Sedona Arizona. This coming year my husband (who does the drone photography for my destination weddings) and I will be flying to Tuscany for a wedding in Italy! This didn’t just happen. I am known to be a traveller these days so couples feel comfortable with me knowing that I am travel savvy and a great photographer to capture their romantic getaway. That trust took time to build and I am so thankful for my earlier couples for taking the chance on me! 

If you work all week, how do you find time to travel and work on your blog and photography? 

My weekends are sacred! However, they do fill up months in advance! I have a really big family (my husband does too!) and there is constantly a party or gathering of some sort, so I do my best to schedule it in as soon as I know. I also learned that I can’t do it all and sometimes it is ok to say no. I also photograph weddings and other photo shoots on the weekends. I book most weddings 1-2 years in advance! So I always ask loved ones to tell me important dates a.s.a.p. so I won’t book anything on very important dates. My friends are also very understanding when I cannot always meet up with them. 

All of my local and New England travel and blog posts are photographed and made on the weekends. I do my best to schedule these local trips because it is my job, or at least I hope to make it my job. Last year I missed so many opportunities to grow my blog because I didn’t schedule theses trips like they were my work. Once I realized that if I needed certain photos or places for my blog, then I had to make it happen. Some people I know see it as just going away all of the time, and in part it is. I do have a lot of fun and Matthew enjoys these trips too. But I am working during these weekend getaways to get the shots that I need and collect data to make my blog posts. If I skip out on a post to just hang out, then I am hurting the growth of my business. A lot of planning, editing, writing, and work goes into these posts. It’s only 10% doing. The rest of my time is planning, traveling, photographing, editing, uploading, and writing. 

So how do you travel so often?

Most of our trips are long weekends. It is much easier to take off a Friday or a Monday and have a long weekend than it is to take an entire week off. That way, Matthew is able to join me a lot more often. Although my work is very flexible with my goal to work on my photography and blog, Matthew currently only gets two weeks every year. We need to use that time wisely. I have also been teaming up with travel companies and New England hotels, B&Bs, and Inns to promote more New England travel. 

What about this new Undiscover App?

You might have noticed that I recently became a brand ambassador for a new app that is coming out soon. It is a travel app called “Undiscover,” where people can share local hidden gems and travel tips. It is a another great way for me to share my New England travel tips and special finds from trips abroad. I am very excited to be joining their team! 

This coming week we will be in Bali to promote the new app and to film the promotional video! I see it as a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, discover new places (or “undiscover” them), take incredible photos, and learn new things. You can follow along my journey on Instagram @LiveLovelyPhotography. 

Why do you do wedding photography, travel, wellbeing, simple living, and New England lifestyle blogging all as one business? 

I get asked this a lot! The simple answer is that it is authentically me. Like most people, I have numerous passions and interests. Those happen to be photography, travel, writing, simple living, and wellness. I am also very fond of my home in New England I enjoy sharing where I live with my readers. I figured that since I am equally passionate about photography and travel and writing, then why not do it all? My couples love getting to know me better as their photographer and I also meet a lot of adventurous couples in need of a photographer through my blog. It all works together somehow to create a business that is unique and “Live Lovely.”

What in the world does “Live Lovely” mean?

Live Lovely is my life manifesto. In other words, it is my motto as a reminder to live a life with a focus on wellbeing. To live lovely is to live a simple life with kindness, empathy, and to find beauty in the world around you, no matter where you are. Life is never perfect or perfectly happy, but it is important to do your best to live a healthy and happy life.

To see all of my latest photography, travel, wellbeing tips, and behind the scenes; follow me on Instagram @livelovelyphotography.