A Manic Monday

Photo from this shoot

So this Summer has been a huge whirlwind of events.
In a wonderfully good way. 
But also in an oh-my-gosh-how-is-it-already-almost-september-where-did-the-time-go-make-it-slow-down-please kind of way too.
This week is an especially crazy one.

The shop has picked back up again rather quickly now that fall is in sight and everyone wants knits to keep them warm. I've had a crazy influx of orders to work on these past few weeks which has been really awesome, but also very time consuming on top of my photography work.
(This sweater in particular has gotten a lot of attention and has nearly 1000 favorites! 
I'm still a little blown away by this.)

Other things I have to do this week include making 16 flower crowns, seeing The Great Gatsby at The Byrd (because I mean, hello, it's on the summer list), catch up on emails, submit some material for a few things I'm being featured on (can you say exciting!?), learn some new songs on the ukulele for a fun project, get together some belated birthday and wedding gifts, catch up on some accounting, get ready for a few upcoming out of town trips and a few many a lot 439 other things.

Needless to say I've had to repeat this verse to myself quite a lot lately to remind myself to not be overwhelmed and just take things one day at a time.
Check lists help too.

So this Monday's been a little bit of crazy one, but it'll all work out.
It always does.


A Happy List

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A HAPPY LIST//

scrabble. birthday parties. sunday morning coffee and donuts. summer evenings on porches strung with lights. making flower crowns. nectarines. rainy sidewalks. those shoes. knitting. stumbling on new richmond murals. reading that book. flowers given to you by sweet little ones. rain boots. cozy quilts. bunny stamps. running late at night. bob marley and egg making in the kitchen.


Bex & Stephen

Meet Bex and Stephen.

Their engagement session was so much fun.
I really loved capturing the way these two interacted with each other. The whole time they were all smiles, making each other laugh every chance they got.
(As you can see in more than one of the photos!)
Couples like this are my absolute favorite.
I think it really says something about a couple when you can visibly see how they love each other. Not just physically with hugs and kisses, but with the way they make each other laugh and the stories and jokes they tell one another as well.
Because having fun together is just one of the most important things you know? Being able to say you're marrying your best friend is exactly how it should be.
And I can definitely see that in these two.

They had the super fun idea of incorporating their countries flags into their photos since Bex is from New Zealand and Stephen is from here in the states, which I also loved.
I think the photos turned out adorable.
What do you think?


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Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?

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Carytown Cupcakes

I haven't done a Richmond Restaurant post in quite some time.
Don't get me wrong, I've definitely been to quite a few new restaurants this year, more than I can keep track of in fact, however I've rarely had my camera on me when I have. Or if I have it's just been a film one. Or I have had my camera but I get so caught up in having fun with whoever I'm with that I forget to snap some photos (believe it or not this actually happens on occasion).
But I did visit Carytown Cupcakes a few months ago during a portrait session with this beautiful lady, so I thought I'd go ahead and give them a special little shout out today.
Enjoy the photos! Try not to run right to the shop and by a dozen cupcakes immediately afterward. 
I dare you.
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See more posts on Richmond eateries here. 

On The Road

This is another styled shoot I did earlier this year with my gorgeous friend Hannah.
Like I mentioned yesterday, it's easy to get a little behind on your just-for-fun shoots once the engagements, weddings, senior sessions and other various paid portraits pick up.
So you will be seeing a lot more just-becuase shoots this week because I'm finally catching up on them!

Anyway, this girl... gosh I can't get over how just drop dead gorgeous she is.
I mean really.
Save some for the rest of us, right?
Not only is she stunningly beautiful on the outside though, but she is on the inside as well.
I know, I know, an incredibly cheesy/cliche thing to say, but I really mean it. She's definitely become a very dear friend over this past year and I've loved getting to know her and her big loving heart for other people. Seriously though, she somehow manages to make friends literally wherever she goes.
It's really remarkable. It gets a little out of hand sometimes actually.
But she just has one of those kind and welcoming spirits.
The kind you instantly feel comfortable around.
The kind you feel like you must've known for forever.
Whenever you're with her you automatically feel like you're home somehow.
And that's one of the things I love best about her.

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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Gatsby's Girl

This was a fun styled shoot I did with my gorgeous friend Cheyenne quite a few months ago.
I'm so excited to finally be able to share the photos! It's hard having to wait on editing and sharing creative shoots sometimes, but paid gigs come first. ;)

You might recognize Cheyenne from this post.
She's basically one of my favorite people ever to take photos of/my muse.
She's just stunning.

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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com


Country Farewells

Had to say goodbye to my lovely friend Janelle last month before she moved off to Wisconsin.
We had a smashing last in state hurrah though and, other than making a mini music video, we of course took some photos along the way.

Here are a few favorites. 



You're stunning Janelle. I really can't get over it.
So excited for you and this new season of life you're entering into!
This isn't really a goodbye but rather a so-long-for-now.
Get ready for me to come visit.
Love you heaps.




Places Pictured:

Blair

Meet Blair.
This is yet another favorite portrait session I've had the pleasure of doing recently!
Blair is, as you can see, just drop dead gorgeous.
We had a lovely time taking these photos, and caught just the right sort of perfect summer lighting to capture them in.
This shoot had a feel of a modern day snow white to me, what with Blair's red lips and dark hair in the woods. That and a touch of Alice In Wonderland too, because of the teacups and all. ;)
Either way, I love the way they turned out.
Hope you enjoy them too!

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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com