2013 | Year in Review

Ummm ok I know everyone says this every year but...where did 2013 go?! Like seriously, this year flew by. It was definitely a life changing year for me and even though it wasn't always an easy year, I wouldn't trade this past year for anything. So I decided to do a little recap of some of the highlights of 2013! :)

January: I met my now boyfriend on the first day of classes :)
February: On February 25 I started dating the most amazing man on planet earth :)
May: I second shoot JJ & Kristi's wedding and took some pictures of Anna & Justin
August: I met with a new doctor and received the good news that I was able to go back to school! So, in August I also road tripped from NH to SC with my mom. That was definitely an adventure! August also marked 6 months of dating my boyfriend :) I also took James & Heidi's engagement pictures
September: My birthday!!! :D
October: I flew home to NH for a weekend to shoot James & Heidi's wedding! (more pictures coming soon!)
November: I took some pictures of my boyfriend's sister Maryann for my photography class. I also went home for Thanksgiving. I also did a few photo shoots while I was home including Taylor & Adam's engagement session and the Willis family's session (check out the sneak peeks here)
December: This month was crazy with finals and such. And this month I also got to shoot a proposal! You can see a sneak peek of it on Facebook

2013 was a good year, and I am definitely looking forward to 2014! Here are some of my resolutions and goals for this year:

Business Goals

*Blog more | Ok, I know this is so generic but I'm shooting to blog at least 3 times a week. I tend to neglect this blog and in 2014 that is going to change!

*Book 3-4 weddings | I wouldn't mind more ;)

*Learn how to use Photoshop | Right now I mainly use Lightroom for my editing, but I really would like to learn how to use Photoshop! My boyfriend knows how to use it and he suggested that I learn how, so hopefully I will be able to accomplish this goal!

*Attend a workshop or at least sign up for one | I have really wanted to attend a workshop so hopefully this will be the year!

*Push myself more | Again, kind of generic, but I tend to get in a "rut" with my photography and I want to push myself more and to get more creative and push myself in my photography business.

Personal Goals

*Spend more time in God's Word | I'm just being open and honest here, but I really need to be spending more time in God's Word and putting it more of a priority.

*Train for a half marathon | Ok, I am so excited about this one! My goal is to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2015.

*Learn to cook | So it's probably bad that my boyfriend is a better cook than me...yeah, that's bad. But I'm learning! This year I really want to learn how to cook more and be more familiar with the kitchen.

*Read more | And this is not for school. I want to read for pleasure more. On January 1 I went out and bought some new books so hopefully this will be a good kickstart for there rest of the year!

*Be more joyful | Again, just being open and honest over here. This year I really want to be more joyful and not complain as much. It's so easy to complain and not be happy with what we have and such, but when we look around at all that God has given us, how can we not be thankful and joyful? :)
*Spend more time "unplugged" from my electronics | I tend to let my iPhone and computer take over my life. I seem to constantly have my phone on me. And that should not be the case. This year I want to take more "breaks" from my technology and enjoy the moment and the people around me.

Well there are some of my goals for 2014! I am definitely looking forward to this year! I can't wait to see what God has planned for 2014 :)

Now Booking in South Carolina

Happy Wednesday! I hope wherever you are, you're not too cold. It's a whole 16 degrees at my house right now. I am definitely looking forward to the warm(er) weather that I am heading to next week! And speaking of warmer weather...I am leaving next Monday to go back down to South Carolina for school which means I am now booking sessions next week through the beginning of May in Greenville, SC! I am available for family sessions, portrait/senior sessions, engagements, and weddings. If you have any questions, you want more information about any sessions, or you want to book a session send me an e-mail at elizabethcharlenephotography@gmail.com.

Caleb & Grace :: Proposal

Being in the wedding photography business, I love reading other photographers blogs, following them on Facebook, etc. and I've seen some photographers shoot engagements before and to me that just looked like it would be so much fun! I wanted to shoot a proposal! Little did I know I would be able to do that sooner than I thought.

Earlier in the semester, one of my friends approached me with the opportunity to shoot a proposal! One of her friend's boyfriends had contacted her asking if she knew any photographers that would be willing to capture him proposing to his girlfriend. So my friend sent him my email and he sent me the information and I was just so excited! It was going to be the day after finals were done and it was going to be at a beautiful location in South Carolina!

So Friday, December 20 came and I woke up early and headed up to Caesar's Head State Park. Shortly after I got up there, the sun went behind the clouds and it was cold. I hid behind a huge rock in the middle of some trees while I waited for Caleb & Grace to arrive. I was starting to get nervous. I had never shot a proposal before. Once they arrived, I started secretly taking pictures. And before I knew it, Caleb was down on one knee asking Grace to marry him! I started rapid shooting trying to get every moment. It was such a sweet moment (and Grace said yes ;) ).

Caleb and Grace, I'm so thankful I got to capture this special moment for you! Congratulations!!! :)

 I love Grace's face in this one! :)

Taylor and Adam :: Engaged

I am so excited to introduce you all to Taylor and Adam! Taylor is one of my closest friends from high school and I was so excited when she asked me to be her wedding photographer! Taylor and Adam met in September 2012 at a soccer game and they started dating a year ago today (January 6)! This summer, Adam proposed to Taylor after a sunset cruise in Boston. :) Taylor and Adam are such a fun couple and I can't wait to shoot their wedding in May!

Taylor and Adam, you two are great! I had a blast taking your engagement pictures and I can't wait for your wedding!

Adam and Taylor were braved the 20 degree weather for these pictures. I don't know how they did it, I was completely bundled up with a big coat and boots and gloves and I was frozen!

 Look at that bling ;)