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# Abby Grace Blog

Brand Photographer for Creatives

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://abbygraceblog.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [The business overwhelm of 2026](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-business-overwhelm-of-2026/) - Creative small business owners are more overwhelmed than ever before, and it's not because you're incapable of keeping up. You're being asked to do too much.
- [The Pattern Collective | New Orleans brand photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-orleans-brand-photographer/) - Brand photo shoot for a New Orleans-based wallpaper & textile studio, specializing in independent artists and unexpected designs, with owner Brittany Ellis.
- [Emié Active | Athletic wear brand session](https://abbygraceblog.com/emie-active-brand-photos/) - Lifestyle + studio brand photos for Emié Active- no chafe, no bounce athletic apparel designed by an average female runner, for the average female runner.
- [Digital Cravings | Design Studio brand session](https://abbygraceblog.com/design-studio-brand-photos/) - Studio brand session for Digital Cravings, a Brand & Design Studio for creative entrepreneurs, including styled flat lays, head shots, and in-process BTS.
- [PsychED Recovery | Brand session for a therapy practice](https://abbygraceblog.com/brand-session-therapy-practice/) - Brand session for therapy practice PsychED Recovery, central Virginia’s eating disorder treatment center, including team portraits, flat lays, and head shots.
- [Dr. Aaron Hartman | Functional Medicine Brand Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/aaron-hartman-brand-photos/) - An earthy, lab coat-free brand session for Dr. Aaron Hartman, founder of Richmond Functional Medicine, showing his holistic approach to health & wellness.
- [Emily Gerald | Virginia newborn photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/emily-gerald-brand/) - Brand session for newborn photographer Emily Gerald in her natural light commercial studio in Warrenton, Virginia, showcasing family and milestone sessions.
- [Lisa Scontras | Alexandria, VA brand photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/alexandria-brand-photographer/) - Brand session for Alexandria, VA photographer Lisa Scontras, photographed on-site at home & at Studio Oronoco, an artfully-designed photo studio for portraits.
- [WesWen Design | Brand session for a brand designer](https://abbygraceblog.com/weswen-design-brand-session-for-a-brand-designer/) - Brand session for graphic designer Wendy Wade of WesWen Design, a northern Virginia artist specializing in bold, caffeinated style and unapologetic design.
- [Vincent Faith | Children's clothing product shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/childrens-clothing-product-shoot/) - Brand shoot for new size-inclusive baby clothing brand, Vincent Faith, made for micropreemie sizes through 24m, crafted especially with the NICU baby in mind.
- [Capital Ballet | Swan Lake promo shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/capital-ballet-swan-lake/) - Promotional photos for adult ballet company Capital Ballet, a DC nonprofit, and their spring performance of excerpts from Swan Lake.
- [The SEO Expert Helping Wedding Pros Get Found Online](https://abbygraceblog.com/sara-does-seo-brand-session/) - A brand session in Central Florida for Sara Does SEO, the authority for any wedding professional looking to show up for their dream clients on page 1 of Google
- [The Linchpin Co | Scottsdale, AZ brand session](https://abbygraceblog.com/scottsdale-az-brand-session/) - Brand session for The Linchpin Co, recruitment with purpose. Natural light, editorial portraits of an all-female team of recruiters.
- [Wander Beyond Retreat | Photographing a cruise!](https://abbygraceblog.com/wander-beyond-retreat-cruise/) - Photographs of the Wander Beyond Retreat aboard the Royal Caribbean ship Utopia of the Seas, hosted by Cyndi Williams of Wanderlust Campus
- [Lindale Studios Brand Shoot #3!](https://abbygraceblog.com/lindale-studios-brand-shoot-3/) - A brand session for styling mat & backdrop painter Katrina of Lindale Studios, with a combination of intricately styled flat lays and storytelling vignettes.
- [Using ChatGPT to Streamline | with Brittany Long](https://abbygraceblog.com/ai-with-brittany-long/) - AI expert Brittany Long explains how photographers can use services like ChaptGPT to repurpose content, complete routine tasks, & save hours of time every week.
- [Preparing for maternity leave with Yael Bendahan](https://abbygraceblog.com/preparing-for-maternity-leave/) - It can be overwhelming to prepare for maternity leave as a small business owner- here are five steps you can take to maintain momentum and cashflow.
- [Taylor Swift-inspired chairs by Chair Whimsy](https://abbygraceblog.com/taylor-swift-chair-whimsy/) - A collection of 10 designer chairs by Wendy Conklin of Chair Whimsy, inspired by each of Taylor Swift's first 10 albums. Photographed in Round Rock, Texas.
- [Gideon's birth story](https://abbygraceblog.com/gideons-birth-story/) - A story nine years in the making- experiencing birth after infertility, including 60 hours of labor and throwing my "birth plan" out the window at the hospital.
- [Babymoon in the Outer Banks](https://abbygraceblog.com/babymoon-in-the-outer-banks/) - A babymoon in the Outer Banks during the off-season with two kids in tow, where we stayed at luxury beach rental Hill Cottage, designed by Lauren Liess.
- [Emily Gerald | Newborn photographer brand session](https://abbygraceblog.com/emily-gerald-brand-session/) - Soft & airy brand session for Virginia's best newborn & motherhood photographer, Emily Gerald Photography, photographed at her in-home studio in northern VA.
- [Pregnancy after infertility](https://abbygraceblog.com/pregnancy-after-infertility/) - Pregnancy after almost a decade of waiting, why I've struggled with documenting the process, and a third-trimester self-portrait among the cherry blossoms.
- [Brentwood Brand Session | Adrienne Richardson](https://abbygraceblog.com/brentwood-brand-photographer/) - On-location brand portraits for Facebook ads expert + agency owner Adrienne Richardson in Brentwood, Tennessee using a mix of natural light & off-camera flash.
- [Where Women Create | Magazine Feature](https://abbygraceblog.com/where-women-create-feature/) - A 16-page print spread in Where Women Create Magazine featuring my brand photography client Wendy Conklin of Chair Whimsy + her colorful, pattern-filled home!
- [Rebecca Musayev | Nashville, TN Brand Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/nashville-brand-session/) - A tailored, legacy-focused brand session for fine art wedding photographer Rebecca Musayev in Nashville, TN woven with heirloom details & personal touches.
- [Cyndi Williams, Wanderlust CEO | Orlando, FL](https://abbygraceblog.com/cyndi-williams-wanderlust-ceo-orlando-fl/) - A brand shoot for travel agency & travel agent school owner Cyndi Williams of Careers on Vacation & Wanderlust Campus in Orlando, FL
- [Cyndi Williams, Wanderlust CEO | Austin, TX Brand Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/wanderlust-ceo-austin-tx/) - Austin, TX brand photos with all the travel vibes for Wanderlust CEO Cyndi Williams, owner of Tripsy, and founder of Wanderlust Campus and Careers on Vacation.
- [Ashlyn Carter | Targeted Campaign Photos](https://abbygraceblog.com/targeted-campaign-photos/) - A targeted brand session for Ashlyn Carter, focused on a specific sales campaign. Photographed in Savannah, GA
- [Recording vocals for a single: 3 takeaways](https://abbygraceblog.com/recording-vocals/) - "Brand photography is not about you," and other valuable lessons I learned while recording vocals for a single that our worship team just released.
- [How to crush your next sales call](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-crush-your-next-sales-call/) - The three crucial shifts photographers need to make to crush your next sales call, so that you can sell from a place of certainty, not self-consciousness.
- [Eliminate Friction Like A Thermos](https://abbygraceblog.com/eliminate-friction/) - Would you trade three hours of your time if it meant you got 50 hours back? How small friction points in your business are costing WAY more than you think.
- [Happy 1st Birthday, Artisan CEO Podcast!](https://abbygraceblog.com/artisan-ceo-birthday/) - It's been a full year of The Artisan CEO Podcast- we're looking at lessons learned and stats from the first three seasons, a total of 41 episodes!
- [When should I update my brand photos?](https://abbygraceblog.com/when-to-update-brand-photos/) - Eight signs that it's time to update your brand photographs- for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives who market their services online
- [Chair Whimsy, Book Photos in Round Rock, TX](https://abbygraceblog.com/chair-whimsy-book-photographs/) - Brand session for chair stylist & designer Wendy Conklin of Chair Whimsy in Round Rock, Texas to create material for her newly-launched book, Life Whimsy.
- [Katherine Bignon | Virginia Brand Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/katherine-bignon-brand/) - A brand session for stylist and designer Katherine Bignon, photographed and livestreamed for students inside the Lighting The Brand Session course.
- [Top 5: Worst business investments I've made](https://abbygraceblog.com/5-worst-business-investments/) - That time I wasted $7k on a "coaching program," and other ways I've managed to waste money over the last 13 years- painful lessons from a veteran photographer.
- [Creative conversation-starters for networking events](https://abbygraceblog.com/networking-conversation-starters/) - Ten questions to prompt more enjoyable and memorable conversations at your next professional event, so you can quit the small talk and make lasting connections.
- [Julie Paisley | New Jersey Brand Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/julie-paisley-brand-photos/) - Brand photo shoot for Julie Paisley, author, fine art film photographer, and retreat planner. Photographed at a rural US home with a French country aesthetic.
- [Family vacation | Northern Ireland](https://abbygraceblog.com/family-vacation-northern-ireland/) - Our family vacation in Northern Ireland in County Londonderry, including Coleraine, Castlerock, Mussenden Temple, and Giant's Causeway.
- [Family Vacation | Normandy, France](https://abbygraceblog.com/family-vacation-normandy-france/) - A recap of our family vacation to Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France, including visits to Mont Saint-Michel and Pointe du Hoc.
- [Lighting Essentials for Brand Photographers](https://abbygraceblog.com/lighting-essentials-brand-photographers/) - The three most essential pieces of lighting gear every brand photographer should have in their camera bag for every session, no matter what.
- [Maternity leave!](https://abbygraceblog.com/maternity-leave/) - Taking maternity leave as a wedding photographer... in the middle of our busiest season. How we've prepared our office to welcome Baby Spring!
- [Why "being afraid of OCF" isn't an excuse](https://abbygraceblog.com/off-camera-flash-brand-photography/) - How to stop being afraid of off-camera flash to better serve your clients, raise your prices, & show up to EVERY shoot with confidence (no matter the forecast!)
- [House of Prodigy | Oklahoma City Brand Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/house-of-prodigy-brand/) - Brand portraits for House of Prodigy marketing agency with Chessica LaBianca and Nickie Kehoe, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Clean studio portraits & detail imagery
- [Case study: Natural light vs. OCF](https://abbygraceblog.com/natural-light-vs-ocf/) - Why "good enough" isn't always, actually good enough. A side-by-side comparison of a natural light vs. OCF photo, shot for a client's book cover!
- [Published: The new Life Whimsy book!](https://abbygraceblog.com/life-whimsy-book/) - It's here! It's HERE! Wendy Conklin's gorgeous new book, Life Whimsy, is out in the world and I can finally show y'all what she's been working on for the last year(+)! Wendy and I have been working together on her brand visuals since 2021, and the first time she mentioned wanting to write her own
- [Melinda Anita | MD & DC Brand Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/melinda-anita-brand-shoot/) - Brand shoot for Hudson Valley brand & wedding photographer, Melinda Anita, photographed on location at a private residence and the National Portrait Gallery.
- [Constance Gauthier | DC Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/constance-gauthier-brand/) - Brand shoot for architecture & interior photographer Constance Gauthier, a DC-based real estate photography team! Shot on location with an on-set stylist.
- [4 Lessons From Running 19.3 Miles at Disney World](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-from-rundisney/) - What a runDisney event had to teach me about being a small business owner. Lessons from the Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend!
- [Adrienne | Nashville Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/adrienne-nashville-brand-shoot/) - Polished, refined brand photographs for Adrienne of Powerplay Media, a Facebook ads agency based in Nashville, Tennessee.
- [Michele Perry | Florida brand shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/michele-perry-2/) - A brand shoot for fine artist and author D. Michele Perry in Middleburg, Florida, with a combination of lifestyle + process imagery and styled flat lays.
- [KT Merry | Brand portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/kt-merry-brand-portraits/) - Brand portraits for wedding & editorial photographer and educator, KT Merry in Tampa, FL. A combination of lifestyle + detail portraits for educational offers.
- [Travel Hacks for Brand Photographers](https://abbygraceblog.com/travel-hacks-photographers/) - Traveling as a photographer can be tricky- here's how to do it and remain sane and profitable, arriving on site with all your gear in tow (and intact)!
- [Funnel Sisters | DC Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/funnel-sisters-dc-brand-shoot/) - A full-day brand shoot on location in Washington, DC for copywriting team The Funnel Sisters. In-studio portraits and storytelling, lifestyle brand imagery.
- [The scarcity mindset: poison for artists](https://abbygraceblog.com/scarcity-abundance-mindset/) - How this scarcity-minded photographer learned there is more than enough to go around (and what the "there's never enough!" mindset was actually costing me)
- [Natalie Franke | The complete re-brand](https://abbygraceblog.com/natalie-franke-brand/) - I worked with beloved industry champion Natalie Franke to create an entire library of bold photographs for her new re-brand, and here's the result!
- [How to beat creative business burnout](https://abbygraceblog.com/creative-business-burnout/) - Facing a creative business burnout? Let's figure out how it happened, and then use this two-part strategy to pull yourself up and out of the pit.
- [Top 5: Business Books for Photographers](https://abbygraceblog.com/business-books-for-photographers/) - From learning how to "work deeply," to embracing the payoff of resting well, these are the best business books for photographers I've read in my career.
- [Ashlyn Carter | New Haven Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/ashlyn-carter-4/) - Photos from the Fall 2022 campaign for Ashlyn Carter, founder of Copywriting for Creatives. Old-school homecoming vibes on an Ivy League campus.
- [Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots | Published!](https://abbygraceblog.com/mary-marantz-book/) - Mary Marantz's newest book, Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots- an inside look at the small part I got to play in making the visuals come to life!
- [Mary Marantz | New Haven Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/mary-marantz-brand-shoot/) - Brand shoot in New Haven, Connecticut for Mary Marantz, author of books Dirt and Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots, with portraits at Yale University.
- [What is brand photography?](https://abbygraceblog.com/what-is-brand-photography/) - Brand photography- more than just head shots, more than just lifestyle photos of business owners smiling at their laptops. So... what IS it, exactly?
- [Natalie Franke | Brand portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/natalie-franke-brand-portraits/) - You'd be hard-pressed to find a more genuinely-encouraging person than this woman right here. Natalie Franke Hayes, a founder of the Rising Tide Society, photographer, speaker, writer, dear friend to so many, she's the sort of person who gives and gives. And just when you think she's had her greatest moment yet, she outdoes herself
- [Lindale Studios in Spain | Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/spain-brand-photographer/) - Brand photographs at the Spanish home studio of Lindale Studios, specializing in hand-painted backdrops, styling mats, and fine art pieces for events.
- [Linchpin Co | Vancouver Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/vancouver-brand-shoot/) - For recruiters with purpose, The Linchpin Co. A combination of in-studio and on-location brand photographs, team photos & storytelling imagery.
- [Riley Sheehey | Brand Shoot, Round 2](https://abbygraceblog.com/riley-sheehey-brand-shoot/) - My second brand shoot for the incredible artist, Riley Sheehey! Riley's playful style comes to life through illustrations, surface design, & collaborations.
- [Teddy's birth | an adoption story](https://abbygraceblog.com/teddy-adoption-story/) - An adoption story that was simultaneously months and 28-hours long- how our second son joined our family after a previous match fell through.
- [Experiencing an adoption fall-through](https://abbygraceblog.com/adoption-fall-through/) - Adoption is complex, messy, and beautiful, all at the same time. This is the story of our family's match falling through for a domestic infant adoption.
- [Episode 5: Branding 101](https://abbygraceblog.com/branding-101/) - The Artisan CEO podcast is where the art of photography meets the business of profit- I'm excited to have you here! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify Inside this episode... "Branding" is such a big concept that it can feel hard to wrap your mind around. Like it kind of feels like EVERYTHING
- [Introducing: The Artisan CEO Podcast!](https://abbygraceblog.com/artisan-ceo-podcast/) - A podcast where the art of photography meets the business of profit. Learn to run your business like a well-oiled machine, instead of it running you.
- [Chair Whimsy + Frances Valentine Collaboration Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/chair-whimsy-frances-valentine/) - Brand shoot in Round Rock, TX for collaboration between chair designer Wendy Conklin of Chair Whimsy, and design house Frances Valentine
- [Meredith Ryncarz | Savannah Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/savannah-brand-photographer/) - Brand shoot for Savannah wedding photographer Meredith Ryncarz, detailing her heirloom process for brides & grooms, showcasing the family behind her brand.
- [1-800 T-Shirts | Iowa brand shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/1-800-t-shirts-brand-shoot/) - Brand shoot for 1-800 T-Shirts in Dubuque, Iowa. Photographs of the screen printing, embroidery, and design process, with portraits of founder Tom Rauen.
- [Veritas Winery | Charlottesville Brand Shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/veritas-winery/) - Brand photographs for top-rated vineyard Veritas Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia, illustrating the guest experience, winemaking, and stunning Afton views.
- [Live studio recording (you're invited!)](https://abbygraceblog.com/live-studio-recording/) - Free, live training for brand photographers- how to market your business and book sessions at full price when you're low on portfolio material
- [Unsinkable Marketing (my new secret podcast!)](https://abbygraceblog.com/unsinkable-marketing-podcast/) - It was November 2018, and I was panicking as we were knee-deep in paperwork, preparing for our first adoption: Our bookings were inexplicably down by more than 50%. Which was problematic because, you know, we were running a business... but what really made me sick with anxiety was the question of how we were going
- [Alright, alright. I'm doing Reels- here's why.](https://abbygraceblog.com/reels/) - Whenever it was that Reels first arrived, I declared (via newsletter) that I had zero intention of participating in short-form video (Reels & TikTok). I had good reasons that I still stand by: I didn't want another excuse to spend MORE time on my phone, more time on social media. I didn't see a clear line from
- [Brand shoot for Chair Whimsy | Round Rock, TX](https://abbygraceblog.com/chair-whimsy-brand/) - A bold, colorful brand photography session for Wendy of Chair Whimsy, a designer, stylist, and founder of the DIY Upholstery course.
- [Red Fox Inn | Brand shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/red-fox-inn-brand-shoot/) - I grew up visiting my Mimi (my paternal grandmother) in Middleburg, and I have the sweetest memories there! It's like stepping into a small English town- old stone houses, rolling green hill dotted with horses, curated shops selling quality clothing, art, and antiques. One of my favorite things about Middleburg is how many small businesses
- [Brand shoot The Fit Peach &  Blogger MBA School](https://abbygraceblog.com/food-blogger-brand-shoot/) - A diverse collection of branding photographs for Ansley, the brilliant mind behind The Fit Peach blog, Blogger MBA school, and Peach Perfect Financials.
- [How to plan for 2022](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-plan-for-2022/) - When I first quit my corporate job to go full-time with photography, I was *certain* I would fail. I mean, I didn’t think it would happen immediately. But in the back of my mind I was sure this whole photography thing would fizzle out after a few years, and I’d be left to find a
- [How to Pivot into Branding | Featured on the Bokeh Podcast](https://abbygraceblog.com/pivot-weddings-branding/) - This is something we've been (sort of) quietly working on over the last few years, and a subject I've only recently begun to share about- pivoting from weddings into branding! Though I've been shooting brand photos since 2016, the pivot really began for me in 2019 when we began talking about the new service on
- [Brand shoot for Keri of Enchanted Kinder Garden](https://abbygraceblog.com/kindergarten-teacher-brand-shoot/) - A colorful brand shoot for kindergarten teacher Keri of Enchanted Kinder Garden!
- [Brand Shoot for Lindale Studios in Southern Spain](https://abbygraceblog.com/spain-brand-shoot/) - Brand photos on location in El Puerto, Spain for hand-painted backdrop + styling mat artist Lindale Studios.
- [12 Years In- Here's Where I Spend My Education Dollars](https://abbygraceblog.com/continuing-education/) - Firstly, it's still a thrill that my business has existed for this long. When I first left my corporate job (almost 10 years ago!), I was just *sure* that this was going to flame out after 3-5 years. I thought it was inevitable that I'd eventually head back to a 9-5 because there's no way
- [Charleston Brand Session | Dana Cubbage](https://abbygraceblog.com/charleston-brand-photographer/) - Bright, colorful brand photography session in lowcountry for Charleston wedding photographer Dana Cubbage, including a styled shoot at Lowndes Grove.
- [DC Brand Shoot | Lindley Battle](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-brand-shoot-wharf/) - Fashionable brand photography session at The Wharf in Washington DC
- [Adoption updates!](https://abbygraceblog.com/adoption-updates/) - Adopting for the second time- where we are in the process, how it's going, and how I reconcile infertility grief with our family's journey.
- [Connecticut brand shoot | Rachel Hudgins Photography](https://abbygraceblog.com/connecticut-brand-photographer/) - Brand photography can be a dangerous field to work in, because it seems like after every session, I leave with another new person I need to hire for my own life. It was exactly like that with Rachel's brand session in Greenwich- "One day, I'm going to hire her to photograph our family!" See, Rachel
- [Small business owners, we need to talk](https://abbygraceblog.com/diversify-your-marketing/) - This past Monday, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were all down for just under six hours due to an internal error. And small business owners everywhere started freaking out. We get the Wall Street Journal delivered to our home every morning, and I almost spit out my coffee reading an article on the outage in the
- [North Florida brand shoot for Michele Perry](https://abbygraceblog.com/north-florida-brand-photographer/) - Where to even begin here? I first started seeing Michele's name in my DMs about two years ago-we run in some of the same circles in the creative world, and she knows my dear friend Natalie! Michele send me a photo in July 2019 of the vision board that hangs on the wall in her
- [Brand shoot for Virginia newborn photographer | Dana Graham](https://abbygraceblog.com/brand-shoot-newborn-photographer/) - Dana had my heart when she told me she was starting a podcast for mamas who are desperate to dive into entrepreneurship in order escape their corporate gigs in order to spend more time with their families. On our pre-shoot call one of the things that Dana said that really stuck out to me was
- [Eastern Shore Brand Shoot | Sara Reynolds Events](https://abbygraceblog.com/eastern-shore-brand-shoot/) - Friends, meet Sara- a whip-smart Eastern Shore wedding planner for couples who want to enjoy their wedding weekend by leaving the details to a planner they trust and love spending time with! Her attention to detail and ability to weave her couples' stories throughout the wedding day was so much fun to witness as we planned for
- [Kelley Miller | DC brand portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/kelley-miller-dc-brand-portraits/) - Ok, can we all just acknowledge from the getgo what exquisite taste Kelley has?! I walked into this space the morning of her shoot and had to quickly pick my jaw up from the floor- it's so perfectly on-brand for her, and every single item she chose to incorporate into her shoot was spot on. She's a
- [Snag my shot list download!](https://abbygraceblog.com/shot-list-download/) - Hey- photo friends! Have you ever been dubbed a generalist, the one who will shoot just about anything people ask for? Welcome to the club. Ha! I spent my first couple of years out of college shooting anything and EVERYTHING people asked for. "Oh you have photo needs, you say? Well, sir- I just so
- [4 ways to make your brand photos feel REAL](https://abbygraceblog.com/4-tips-brand-photos/) - Have you ever come across branding photos that were meant to feel “BTS” but that were so clearly staged that it’s almost awkward? Bonjour, je m’appelle Abby, and I’ve shot a lot of those kinds of photos in my life :). I’m the girl who wore an updo and a LBD for my head shots
- [Atlanta brand shoot for Ashlyn Carter](https://abbygraceblog.com/ashlyn-carter-brand-shoot/) - This girl is one of my business besties and besties IRL. She's the champagne to my French 75, and I've yet to meet someone who also knows Ashlyn and hear anything other than "OMG I LOVE HER!" She's a pistol, a firecracker, a sharp-as-a-tack entrepreneur, and one of my favorite people to shoot for! If
- [DC Branding Photographer | Lindley Battle](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-branding-session/) - The third time really IS the charm! Lindley and I first scheduled her branding shoot for LAST December, ended up rescheduling for February, then FINALLY got to shoot in August. A combination of weather and Covid (but mostly Covid) kept us at bay, but when we did get together for her session, it was worth the
- [Meridian House microwedding | Jason & Isabelle](https://abbygraceblog.com/meridian-house-microwedding/) - I wish you could have been there for Jason & Isabelle's wedding. It was JOY, over and over again! These two were one of our first couple to reschedule their wedding due to Covid- we pushed from May to September. And then as the world continued to grapple with the fallout of the virus and
- [Maryland branding session | Karen Hall, @home real estate](https://abbygraceblog.com/maryland-branding-photographer/) - You might recognize this amazing business owner! This is my second time shooting for Karen, and while the first shoot 2.5 years ago was good, I can say with complete confidence that we outdid ourselves with this one! Karen is a force to be reckoned with, and I LOVE the personal brand she's built for herself. The founder
- [DC Branding Photographer | Terri Baskin](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-brand-photographer/) - Terri is, hands down, one of the most infectiously joyful people I've ever met. She's got this energy about her that makes you want to stand near her fire- she's encouraging, hilarious, kind, and generous. When Terri gets on stage at a conference, the entire room wakes up- her thousand-watt smile and warm, personable nature make
- [Branding portraits for Katelyn James | Richmond branding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/katelyn-james-branding-shoot/) - WHAT. A. DREAM. Katelyn's one of the most warm, genuine souls I've ever met, and it's easy to see why she's become a household name among photographers and, in general, the creative world. She was at the tippy top of my Dream List for branding clients, and I'm so grateful she trusted me with these
- [A Micro Wedding with 4 hours notice | Seth & Heidi](https://abbygraceblog.com/seth-heidi-wedding/) - This is one of my all-time favorite wedding stories!! Maybe because it's my little brother and new sister-in-law, but also maybe because it was one of those instances of people pulling together and a love that would not, could not be stopped. Seth & Heidi were looking forward to being married on Saturday, April 4th.
- [Brooklyn Winery Wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/brooklyn-winery-wedding/)
- [Middleburg Branding Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/middleburg-branding-session/) - I first encountered Sarah's work in 2010 and I remember being captivated by her use of color. This woman is so talented!! For anyone who hasn't met Sarah Bradshaw, she's an incredible wedding photographer and wonderful human being. She's kind, thoughtful, wise, and one of the most intentional people I know. Sarah's been on the
- [The all-new Branding Foundations course is LIVE!!](https://abbygraceblog.com/branding-foundations/) - “I want to trash it all and start again 😂... I know where I want my brand to be but I don’t know how to get there.” ^^^actual words from a fellow creative as we were talking about the dissatisfaction that comes with feeling like your brand ISN’T where it could or should be. And
- [Fear + Panic are bad bosses](https://abbygraceblog.com/fear-panic-are-bad-bosses/) - [Prefer to listen? Find the audio version HERE] Have you ever experienced FOMO? I feel like it’s a constant battle, especially with tools like Insta Stories- ever seen snippets of your friends at a conference you considered attending, and then rushed off to look for tickets to the next one? Yeah, me too. FOMO is such a strong emotion
- [What exactly is a "brand," anyways?](https://abbygraceblog.com/what-exactly-is-a-brand-anyways/) - The other day I asked my Instagram fam to share their biggest struggle with building a CLEAR, understandable brand, and the results were overwhelmingly varied- my favorite answer was this: “Everything. I guess I just don’t know where to start.” As an industry, we tend to use the term “branding” to refer to everything from
- [Timeless black-tie DC wedding | Zach & Meghan](https://abbygraceblog.com/trump-hotel-dc-wedding/) - I wish you could have heard how Zach & Meghan's siblings and parents spoke about them throughout their wedding weekend- how beloved these two are by their nieces and nephews, how much they prioritize time with loved ones, how they're the ones to drop everything and come to the aid of those closest to them
- [Salamander Resort wedding | Joey & Emily](https://abbygraceblog.com/salamander-resort-wedding/) - Moody, edgy wedding at Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia with geometric touches, by Grit & Grace Inc. and fine art film photographer Abby Grace.
- [Self-portrait series recap](https://abbygraceblog.com/self-portrait-series-recap/) - Last January in an effort to stretch myself creatively, I challenged myself to create a new self-portrait each month- "surely that can't be hard, I love breaking out my tripod + trigger!" Well, it certainly turned out to be a challenge some months, but that's the beauty of publicly committing to something like this AND
- [My social media strategy: Lather, rinse, repeat (and repeat!)](https://abbygraceblog.com/social-media-strategy/) - [Prefer to listen rather than read? Head here for the audio recording of this blog post!] You’ve probably heard the stats from marketing experts- on average, consumers need to hear your message anywhere from 3-7x in order for it to sink in. A one-time dose of marketing just doesn’t get the job done anymore- consumers
- [Annapolis wedding photographer | Nitin & Chelsea](https://abbygraceblog.com/annapolis-wedding-photographer/) - A black tie Catholic wedding featuring Indian elements to honor both the bride & groom's roots in Annapolis, Maryland.
- [5 DIY brand photos you can take for your business](https://abbygraceblog.com/diy-branding-photos/) - I see you. The business owner sitting in your office in the midst of this insane time, realizing that you still need to market your services, but you're coming up short in the photo department. You're desperate to connect with your audience in a way that feels organic, but you've exhausted your supply of stock
- [Nashville engagement session | A + A](https://abbygraceblog.com/nashville-engagement-photographer/) - I dare you to find kinder, more easy-going people than these two. When I first spoke with A&A2 and they mentioned living in Nashville, my first thought was "ooh, they must be FUN people!" And sure enough, they absolutely are. With A working in the music industry and A2 being a teacher, they're the sort
- [Three quick, easy ways to freshen up your website!](https://abbygraceblog.com/easy-website-updates/) - Alright, business owners- I'm looking at you, here. If I ask where to find examples of your work and you tell me not to look at your website because it's been way too long since you've updated it, NOW is the time to make those updates! We're trying everything we can to find opportunities growth
- [Phoenix ballerina portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/phoenix-ballerina-portraits/) - Ballerina shoot at sunset in Phoenix with dancer Peyton Anderson of the Washington ballet by fine art photographer Abby Grace.
- [Felix's birth | A story of open adoption](https://abbygraceblog.com/felix-birth-story/) - Our son's birth story from the perspective of an adoptive parent.
- [Richmond brand photographer | David Abel](https://abbygraceblog.com/richmond-brand-photographer-david-abel/) - It's October and I am SO EXCITED for the next few branding sessions on the calendar! These are such a blast for me to shoot because I get to crawl deep into the mind of another business, which is a phenomenal task when you're working with the sort of entrepreneurs I get to work with.
- [A Harry Potter (ish) gender-neutral nursery](https://abbygraceblog.com/harry-potter-gender-neutral-nursery/) - For the most part, I feel totally overwhelmed when it comes to decorating. It's never been a strength of mine, and I'm just lucky if I can manage to pick throw pillows that that don't completely clash with one another. But then Pottery Barn Teen & PB Kids came out with their Harry Potter lines last
- [Personal work | Sarah's maternity portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/bremerton-washington-photographer/) - There is something truly precious about knowing someone since you were 14, and having the opportunity to walk alongside them during this stage of life. Sarah and I have been best friends since high school, meaning we've seen each other through a lot! We've been there through break-ups, high school drama, identity crises, moving cross-country,
- [August Self-Portrait](https://abbygraceblog.com/august-self-portrait/) - (Written before Baby Spring had made his debut!) Last month's self-portrait is a little less elegant than I usually tend, but I'm totally ok with it! I'm also loving how my self-portrait series has morphed into a documentation of how our adoption journey is progressing. I didn't originally intend it that way, but these photographs
- [Stone Tower Winery wedding | Robbie & Katelynn](https://abbygraceblog.com/virginia-winery-wedding-photographer/) - I challenge you to find two more optimistic, easy-going people than these two! The morning of their wedding dawned cloudy with foreboding skies, but Katelynn & Robbie didn't bat an EYELASH. Their wedding day was also their 10 year dating anniversary, and rather than allowing the forecast to get them down, they focused all their attention on
- [DC branding photos | Claire Ashley Beauty](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-branding-photographer/) - I've had the opportunity to work with some seriously incredible business owners for branding portraits, and Claire Ashley Beauty was high on my list of "people I'd really, really like to photograph!" We first met a few years ago when Claire was doing makeup for Jessie's Stone Tower wedding, and I just remember her being the sweetest
- [June & July self-portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/june-july-self-portraits/) - June was a VERY exciting month at our house, to say the least. I may write a full blog post in the future all about "the call" and how everything unfolded, but in case you HAVEN'T heard, I'll start with July's self-portrait (because June's will make more sense once you have context). Title: MATCHED A
- [Le Diplomate engagement session | Greg & Lizzie](https://abbygraceblog.com/le-diplomate-engagement/) - Guaranteed way to grab my attention: ask about shooting some of your engagement portraits at my favorite French restaurant in DC! Lizzie & Greg have had SO many international adventures over the course of their relationship, and so I loved her choice to start their session at Le Diplomate- it made perfect sense for these
- [Personal work | Emily, Henry & Lou](https://abbygraceblog.com/bluebell-portrait-session/) - Thank goodness for photographer friends who are willing to indulge my whims! This past April I was in the car with Emily & Jess driving back from a girls' weekend in Charleston, and about 30 minutes from home we passed a section of the road that ran alongside fields of bluebells, and I exclaimed "STOP
- [Preppy Alexandria engagement session | Charles & Suzie](https://abbygraceblog.com/preppy-alexandria-engagement-photos/) - The best word to describe them together is fun. From beginning to end of their engagement session, Charles & Suzie laughed (and kept us laughing!) the whole way through. After 10 years as a couple, they have such a good time simply being together! When I asked what they were most anticipating when it came to
- [In-home lifestyle anniversary session | Kevin & Erica](https://abbygraceblog.com/capitol-hill-lifestyle-photographer/) - These two need no introduction, because their wedding photographs are STILL circling the interwebs as the day that can't stop, won't stop. Kevin & Erica have become two of my favorite people we've met as a result of my business- they're incredible hosts and have this gift for making anyone feel welcome and wanted. Being around
- [DC ballerina portraits | Natalie](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-ballerina-portraits-natalie/) - Fine art ballerina photographs at Washington National Cathedral by Abby Grace Photography.
- [A floral ballerina | Fine art ballet portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/floral-ballerina-photographer/) - Have you ever had an idea, but been afraid to execute it for fear that it won't live up to your expectations? That was this shoot for me. I'd been dreaming of photographing a ballerina dripping in florals for a looong time, but kept putting it off because I was afraid I'd disappoint everyone involved,
- [UVA engagement session | Miles & Morgan](https://abbygraceblog.com/uva-engagement-photographer/) - Morgan's first email had me totally smitten with these two, well before I had the chance to meet them in person. Both she and Miles are incredibly intentional, and are the epitome of a couple who desires a marriage more beautiful than their wedding day (though I'm sure the day will be gorgeous as well!).
- [Seattle engagement session | Michael & Kate](https://abbygraceblog.com/seattle-engagement-photographer/) - 2019 has been a year "this has NEVER HAPPENED before" when it comes to weather and engagement sessions. Goodness gracious, mother nature has kept me on my toes!! We flew out to Seattle for Michael & Kate's engagement session, two of the sweetest humans I've ever had the luck of photographing, and were hopeful that with
- [Virginia brand shoot | Riley Sheehey](https://abbygraceblog.com/riley-sheehey-brand-photos/) - New brand portraits for renowned watercolor illustrator Riley Sheehey, taken in her home studio in northern Virginia by Abby Grace Photography.
- [Sweet southern wedding in Charlotte, NC | Chad & Casey](https://abbygraceblog.com/charlotte-nc-wedding-photographer/) - When a wedding photographer gets married, it's always exciting to see how their wedding day will unfold, after having seen and photographed so many themselves! I first met Casey in France when she attended our destination workshop in 2017, and just KNEW there was a proposal on the horizon- it was so evident when she
- [Alexandria anniversary session | Kip & Liz](https://abbygraceblog.com/alexandria-anniversary-photographer/) - It's an absolute honor to be asked to photograph anyone's wedding, something I never get over when we book a new date on our calendar. But if being their wedding photographer is a privilege, there's something next-level about being asked to photograph them again after their wedding day. Kip & Liz's wedding was one of
- [Fairmont, Washington DC wedding | Toby & Andrew](https://abbygraceblog.com/fairmont-dc-fall-wedding/) - An elegant Jewish wedding at the Fairmont DC, complete with the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents!
- [Atlanta Brand Shoot | Ashlyn Writes](https://abbygraceblog.com/atlanta-brand-shoot-ashlyn-writes/) - I was *over the top* excited for this branding shoot!! Ashlyn was a dream client, and shooting for her was a career HIGHLIGHT. This girl- she is a force to be reckoned with. Wicked smart and one of the sharpest tools in any shed, Ashlyn is a copywriter for creatives- in short, her words help small
- [Waiting | May self-portrait](https://abbygraceblog.com/waiting-may-self-portrait/) - This month's self-portrait is once again adoption-related! We're officially on the list of waiting parents- sometimes called being "active" or "live”- and it's both exciting and, if we're being transparent... sort of anticlimactic :). I'm so grateful to be here- this is the point we've been hurtling towards for the last eight months! But after
- [Chicago engagement session | Kyle & Jordan](https://abbygraceblog.com/chicago-engagement-session/) - A sunrise engagement session in Chicago in the Fall, shot on film by fine art photographer Abby Grace
- [Capitol Hill anniversary session | John & Marie](https://abbygraceblog.com/capitol-hill-anniversary-session/) - Marie first popped onto my radar about 3.5 years ago when we launched my first online course- during a webinar, I mentioned something about judgy cats, and Marie later posted an Insta about how she was watching the course with her very own judgy cat, making both mine and Matt's week! I finally had the
- [Chrysler Museum of Art wedding | David & Natalie](https://abbygraceblog.com/chrysler-museum-art-wedding/) - You might remember these two from their stunning sailboat engagement session! I wish you could have been there to see them on their wedding day. They were so sweet to behold- despite the flurry of activity, Natalie was the very picture of calm before slipping into her dress, and David couldn't wipe the grin off
- [Paris ballerina portraits | Natalie](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-ballerina-photographer/) - Meeting Natalie was totally by chance- we bumped into her while shooting at one of my favorite spots in Paris and ended up connecting with her sweet mama Ashley, and I mentioned that if they were still in town once we were back in the city after The Signature Atelier that I'd love to shoot
- [Abby Grace Branding Portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/abby-grace-branding-portraits/) - Let me start this off with a disclaimer: I'm not leaving the wedding scene! I've been photographing weddings for almost 10 years now, I adore my brides and grooms, and I have no intention of going anywhere. So now that that's established... I'd love to introduce you the newest arm of AGP, Abby Grace Branding
- [Paper Pregnant | April self-portrait](https://abbygraceblog.com/paper-pregnant/) - Self-portrait of the joy of being home study approved for an adoption
- [Legacy wedding albums](https://abbygraceblog.com/legacy-wedding-albums/) - It's been QUITE a long time since I've ordered a new sample album- prior to receiving these new books, the last one I'd ordered was from Meg & William's wedding in May of 2014! Not only has my photographic style continued to evolve (at the very least, the switch to shooting film at weddings), but
- [How to work fewer hours while getting more done](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-be-productive/) - Oh I can’t, I’m just super busy. That was my constant refrain for a few years. Long hours in my office, hustling hard on weekends, turning down social outings because I was working, working, working. Because there’s something that makes you FEEL successful about putting in an 8-10-hour day, right? "I was VERY busy, therefore
- [The self-portrait series- January & February](https://abbygraceblog.com/self-portrait-january-february/) - So let me start off by clarifying that this new personal series is centered around self-portraits, not selfies. The former is taken with a professional camera, requiring forethought and a thorough knowledge of photography, whereas the latter just requires a cell phone from approximately 2005 or later :). Self-portraits can be such a stretching exercise! I ALWAYS learn
- [Baltimore Engineer's Club wedding | Ben & Katie](https://abbygraceblog.com/baltimore-engineers-club-wedding/) - There are so many reasons I love these two (Katie being a former professional ballerina being one), but I think the BIGGEST reason is because of how much attention they gave towards honoring their families on their wedding day. Their siblings and parents played such active roles in celebrating their union, each part of the
- [Liftoff: A Practical Wedding Workshop Live has LAUNCHED!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-practical-wedding-workshop-live/) - A Practical Wedding Workshop for wedding photographers is now fully available online. Find out more information at abbygraceshop.com!
- [Registration for APWW Live closes tonight!](https://abbygraceblog.com/apww-live-closes-tonight/) - I cannot BELIEVE how incredible and overwhelming the response has been so far toward A Practical Wedding Workshop Live! Can I share something with you guys? We set what I considered to be an audacious goal, a certain number of full registrations we were hoping to book within the full registration period. We met that goal within
- [Photog Friday: free mini e-book on posing !](https://abbygraceblog.com/free-mini-posing-e-book/) - New mini ebook posing guide for new photographers with basic rules for posing a bride & groom for weddings.
- [My Online Workshop is LIVE!](https://abbygraceblog.com/my-online-workshop-is-live/) - I'm still trying to process how awesome yesterday's webinar was! We had hundreds of people show up to learn about posing the bride & groom in a pinch and have been SO encouraged by all the folks who've registered for this next round of enrollment!! For those of you unfamiliar, A Practical Wedding Workshop Live is the
- [Photog Friday: Get rid of that purple haze!](https://abbygraceblog.com/chromatic-aberration-tutorial/) - Have you ever pulled a photo in for editing and seen that purple or orange haze around someone's head? That used to drive me NUTS. I had no idea how to get rid of it, and if the haze was bad enough, I'd usually just trash the photo. I chalked it up to me being
- [Behind The Scenes of my 2015 weddings!](https://abbygraceblog.com/bts-2015-weddings/) - This is ALWAYS one of the best posts of the year! And because my last wedding of the "season" was January 2nd, I'm posting this a little further into the new year than usual, but it's my blog and I get to do what I want. We have a LOT of fun on wedding days-
- [Photog Friday: the checklist!](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-the-checklist/) - It was May of 2011- I pulled up to the location where I'd be meeting my bride, proud that I was 45 minutes early. "Killin' it, Abby. You are killin' it," I probably said to myself. I opened the back left door on my blue Mazda3 hatchback, thinking I'd grab my purse and get a cup of
- [Insurance against corruption](https://abbygraceblog.com/insurance-against-corruption/) - No, not political or moral corruption. It's even worse than that (slight exaggeration there)- we're talking corruption of TECHNOLOGY, when a piece of equipment no longer works as intended! **DUN DUN DUN!** Want to know one of my biggest wedding fears? Getting home from a day of photographing nuptials, uploading my memory cards, and seeing
- [The Abby Grace SHOP is open!](https://abbygraceblog.com/abby-grace-shop/) - Isn't it amazing how we hurtle toward these goals in our lives and businesses, looking forward to them for SO long, and once we finally reach them, we often forget to stop and celebrate? Well, I refuse to forget. Today we are REJOICING! Why? Because The Abby Grace Shop is OFFICIALLY open!! I'd been dreaming
- [Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum wedding | John & Kristy](https://abbygraceblog.com/chesapeake-maritime-museum-wedding/) - I've finally discovered why I love photographing USNA couples so much; because they're almost always accustomed to enduring long bouts of being separated by hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles, the time they do have together is treasured, savored, sweet. Which makes photographing them SUCH a joy! John and Kristy fit the bill exactly; from their proposal
- [Boho wedding at District Winery | Meghan & Jason](https://abbygraceblog.com/district-winery-wedding-dc/) - I think the word that best characterizes their wedding day is "JOY!" Exclamation point included. These two were so excited to be married!! Meghan was relaxed, more relaxed than most, and just couldn't wait to get to District Winery so she could see Jason. And it was so worth the wait- Jason was utterly enchanted when
- [6 tips for planning a Stone Tower Winery wedding!](https://abbygraceblog.com/tips-planning-stone-tower-wedding/) - It's no secret whatsoever that I love photographing at Stone Tower Winery! At last count, I've been lucky enough to photograph out there something like a DOZEN times. We love the venue so much, Matt & I even joined the wine club to have extra excuses to visit for their Tower Cru weekends for wine
- [Classic, heartfelt DC wedding at DAR | Scott & Hillary](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-film-wedding-photographer/) - Film wedding photography of a classic, clean wedding at Washington DC's DAR headquarters with lush green florals & simple detail
- [Paris anniversary session | Seth & Amanda](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-france-photographer/) - After spending the week with Seth & Amanda during our France workshop (they're the talented folks who made THIS stunning video!), I could not WAIT to meet up with these two again at the Eiffel Tower for anniversary portraits! These two are so kind, patient, servant-hearted, and full of life that it made photographing them
- [The Signature Atelier | France workshop for photographers](https://abbygraceblog.com/french-photography-workshop/) - As SOON as we finished last year's France workshop, Katherine and I knew we were going to host a second one. The first one was incredible, and with everything we learned during round 1, we knew we could make it even more of an unforgettable experience with one already under our belts! We began with the
- [French château wedding portraits | Casey & Chad](https://abbygraceblog.com/french-chateau-wedding/) - Casey first mentioned to me how much she loved Château de Bouthonvilliers last summer in Paris- she was dreaming of getting married in France, swept away in the beauty and charm of this 16th-century domaine. The château & grounds have the ability to make you feel transported back in time, and as soon as we arrived
- [Katherine & Guillaume | Paris Anniversary Portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/jardin-du-luxembourg-photographe/) - How is it that I've known this woman for almost four years now and THIS was the first time I had the opportunity to photograph her and Guillaume?! (Not counting the time we went up to New York last fall to photograph G's head shots for his new book and took a few family portraits).
- [Stylish DAR wedding | Daniel & Mary](https://abbygraceblog.com/stylish-dar-wedding/) - I knew from the moment her email popped into my inbox that this was going to be one for the books! See, Mary and I went to high school together, and even from our limited interaction back then, I remember her maturity and class. (And the fact that was the first person who could actually
- [Paris engagement session | Casey & Chad](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-engagement-photographer/) - One of my favorite things about Casey is how fiercely she loves. Her friends, pups, job, you name it. The most obvious recipient of that fierce love, though, is her fiancé Chad. I first heard about Chad when Casey arrived fro last year's France workshop, The Signature Atelier. And I could tell, just by how
- [Creating a Project in Honeybook](https://abbygraceblog.com/bsb-18/) - If you've ever been on our newsletter list, a student of our wedding workshop APWWL, or attended a webinar with me, you'll know I LOVE systems. Anything that allows me to be more efficient with my time and serve my clients better, I'm all for it. A couple of years ago we started using Honeybook,
- [We're adopting!](https://abbygraceblog.com/were-adopting/) - After an early evening deluge, I looked out at the beach and saw the beginnings of a gorgeous evening sky. "Matt, we have to take this photo tonight- please!" We hustled to our room to get dressed, gather my tripod & camera, and walked down to the sand together. Sure enough, as we arrived the
- [Playful Paris anniversary session | Buck & Sarah](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-anniversary-photographs/) - I met Sarah before Matt and I were married, so... close to 8 years now! And since before meeting, I've admired her- first for her work, then, after having the chance to get to know her, for her character and fierce love of God. She's an amazing encourager and truth-speaker, and is one of my
- [Zach & Kristin | Virginia wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/virginia-wedding-photographer-2/) - This day was SO highly anticipated by all! I've known Kristin for five years now, and as soon as I heard her talk about Zach the first time, I knew there was something special about him. They go together like Nutella & crêpes, absolutely perfect complements to one another. And seeing all their friends and family
- [Himalayan salt, marble, & copper wedding at DAR | Kevin & Erica](https://abbygraceblog.com/himalayan-salt-wedding-dc/) - A fashionable wedding at DAR headquarters in Washington, DC with touches of Himalayan salt, copper, ablack, and marble decor. Design & concept by Laura Ritchie of Grit & Grace, Inc.
- [Bite-Size Business | Organizing Your Film for Weddings & Portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-13/) - I shudder to think about how I used to "organize" my film. I think my system in 2012 consisted of tossing a few rolls of 120 film into the bottom of my Kelly Moore bag... and if I remembered, bringing a ziplock bag along with me to keep them all put together. Eventually my system
- [Colorful garden wedding | Ryan & Becky](https://abbygraceblog.com/chinoiserie-private-estate-wedding/) - When your bride & groom tell their parents that they really want their wedding + reception to feel like Thanksgiving dinner, you KNOW it's going to be a day full of sweetness! My favorite part of Becky & Ryan's day was that it was planned with joy. Decadent details and stunning florals, absolutely, but all of
- [Bite-Size Business | An Ideal 8-hr Work Day for Entrepreneurs](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-11/) - Ok, who here is guilty of walking into their office at 9am, doing a little work (and finding yourself SUPER distracted throughout), and then looked up at the clock and feeling shocked to find that it's already dinnertime? And worse, feeling even more disappointed that you only managed to get about 30% of your To-Do
- [5 Royal Wedding Trends I Hope Are Here to Stay!](https://abbygraceblog.com/5-royal-wedding-trends/) - Ok, it's been almost a week since Prince Harry & Meghan Markle tied the knot, and I'm still in love. I'm completely unembarrassed about the fact that my alarm went off at 5am last Saturday so that I could watch ALL the coverage, witness every guest arrive, and feel, if just for a couple of
- [Robbie & Katelynn | Sunrise sailboat engagement session in SC](https://abbygraceblog.com/sailboat-engagement-sunrise/) - If you've been around the blog's water cooler for any semblance of time, you're probably already aware of how in love I am with sunrise. Is it rough when the alarm goes off at 4:30 am? Yes. But is it worth it? Absolutely! So when Katelynn asked about the possibility of doing their engagement portraits off
- [Sophie | Cherry blossom ballerina portraits for LaBella Dancewear](https://abbygraceblog.com/cherry-blossom-ballerina/) - You all remember Katie & Ben's engagement session from last week, right? Well, Katie is the reason this ballerina shoot happened! See, Katie's the talent behind LaBella Dancewear, and after talking about cherry blossom portraits for their engagement session, it got the wheels turning for her when thinking about her next design. So she created
- [Ben & Katie | Cherry Blossom engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-cherry-blossom-portrait/) - Talk about dream couples: Katie & I first spoke over email a few years ago while she was dancing for a professional ballet company in Israel. She'd just started her own line of dancewear, and while our paths didn't manage to cross then in terms of working together, I was definitely following along with her
- [Ben & Eleanor | National Museum of Women in the Arts wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/nmwa-wedding/) - I don't know about you, but on the morning of our wedding, I was more hyper than a four-year-old with a pack of FunDip... probably crossing into "obnoxiously hyper" territory. Which is why people like Eleanor & Ben are such a sweet breath of fresh spring air! These two were more calm, more at peace on
- [Bite-Size Business | Gear bags for wedding photographers](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-9/) - I've been through QUITE a few equipment bags since 2009. It makes sense, right? As your collection of gear expands, the case in which you carry it all naturally has to grow as well! I've tried out numerous shoulder bags, lens changer bags, and roller bags, and today's episode of Bite-Size Business is a round-up
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-152/) - Happy Monday, my friends! It's a beautiful day here in Sterling, and yesterday I squealed like a four-year-old when I discovered a row of PEONY BUSHES growing along the side of my neighbors house!! It's on the path that I usually take the puppies in the morning and folks, I took time to stop and
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-191/) - Happy Monday, friends! Last week was super, super busy for us, so I slept in today. Until 10. And it was glorious. I think it's one of God's greatest gifts to man. Truly- is there anything better than waking up with that warm, slightly sleepy-yet-totally-satisfied feeling after a good night of rest? I think not.
- [Decision on Film, part deux](https://abbygraceblog.com/decision-on-film-part-deux/) - I fell in love with photography in a college dark room- developing my film, seeing my photographs bloom to life on a previously-blank piece of 5x7 paper, it was magic to me! Film was like a person on a moving train who reaches out to grab you by the hand, pulls you into the train car, and
- [Roanoke wedding photographer | Neal & Krysta](https://abbygraceblog.com/roanoke-wedding-photographer/) - This blog post brings me SO much joy to write!! See, Krysta was my Bible study leader in college. She's also the same person to took me to get my nose pierced when I was 21 :). She's one of the most incredible people you'll ever meet, and has the most contagious laugh I've ever heard.
- [Bite-Size Business | Shooting Hybrid with the Holdfast](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-8/) - Ok, so I've been shooting film for six years now. Actually, nine years, if you start counting from when I first took a dark room black & white film class! But even though I started shooting color film in 2012, it wasn't until 2017 that I implemented film into my wedding day workflow. The factors
- [What's in my camera bag?](https://abbygraceblog.com/whats-in-my-camera-bag/) - When I first started my business, I would have killed to have the opportunity to look inside my favorite photographers' camera bags! Because there are SO many gear options out there (to name a few: Canon, Nikon, or other? Film or digital? Primes or zooms?), it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of
- [Dear Dad](https://abbygraceblog.com/dear-dad/) - Dear Dad, Happy 60th birthday! I can’t believe it. Anyone who knows you well will agree that you are easily the youngest 60-year-old we know. When we were small, we’d give you cards and t-shirts that proclaimed things like “Best Dad Ever!” because that’s what kids do on Father’s Day, right? But as I got
- [Goodstone Inn engagement session | Joey & Emily](https://abbygraceblog.com/goodstone-inn-engagement-session-joey-emily/) - Anytime I get an email from Laura of Grit & Grace, my ears perk up- see, Laura's the coolest. Like, THE coolest. And she has this amazing ability to pair her couples with vendors who are a PERFECT fit for both, both stylistically and in terms of personality. Emily & Joey are perfect proof of
- [Virginia ballet portraits | Annabelle](https://abbygraceblog.com/virginia-ballerina-photographer/) - I remember Jody from when I was a little ballerina- she was a household name at the studio where I grew up, one of those legends who was living the dream of all us tiny dancers. She was a real ballerina, dancing at a company! So imagine my surprise five years ago when Matt and I
- [Bite-Size Business: Getting started on film](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-5/) - Photographers: have you ever longed to try your hand at shooting film, but whether due to fear or overwhelm or a lack of know-how, have never actually taken a crack at it? If so, I totally get it! And trust me- you aren't the only one! My love affair with photography began in the dark
- [Bite-Size Business: "Profit" is not a four-letter word](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-4/) - Why is it that as creative entrepreneurs, so many of us seem to have SUCH a hard time accepting compensation for the work we do? Episode #4 is one I took a LOT of care in writing, because it's one of THE most important ingredients in owning a business: the concept of Profit. Because no
- [Life updates, and the wait within the wait (within the wait)](https://abbygraceblog.com/wait-within-the-wait/) - Infertility can be a hard topic to talk about in general, but especially on my business' platform. I love that my profession and our resulting platform has the ability to bring joy, and hope, and comfort to our couples when things are hard, by the very nature that their wedding photographs represent the very first day
- [Stone Tower engagement session | Jason & Meghan](https://abbygraceblog.com/stone-tower-engagement-session/) - You all are in for a treat- these two are my kind of people. They chose my favorite winery for their engagement portraits, brought along their pup, were as relaxed as they could be from beginning to end, and never stopped laughing the whole way through. I love that while it's clear they're seriously in
- [Sailboat engagement session | David & Natalie](https://abbygraceblog.com/sailboat-engagement-session/) - Please excuse me while I totally geek out over David & Natalie's portraits. When Natalie and I first spoke about their engagement session, she somewhat hesitantly asked if I might possibly be willing to shoot them on a sailboat, seeing as David was on the sailing team during his time at the US Naval Academy.
- [Bite-Size Business: Making new client consults easy to book](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-3/) - Today's Bite-Size Business episode is the answer to a question we hear ALL the time from photographers in our Abby Grace Education group on Facebook! "I respond to new client inquiries and then...nothing. What am I doing wrong??" Sometimes, it's an issue of the information you provided not being the right fit for a client-
- [Bite-Size Business: Preventing Burnout](https://abbygraceblog.com/bite-size-business-2/) - Today's a bit of a special day- the first Bite-Size Business lesson is LIVE on our brand new YouTube channel! So, let's have a conversation: if you're a creative entrepreneur, chances are, you started your business because you fell in love with a craft or artistic endeavor, correct? But...what happens when you get "too much of
- [We're starting a YouTube channel!](https://abbygraceblog.com/were-starting-a-youtube-channel/) - Alright, guys. This YouTube channel has been a LONG time coming. Why? Well, it's something I've had numerous coaches, friends, and industry colleagues tell me: "You come across SO WELL on video, when people can HEAR you talk!" The first time I heard our coach say that, I rolled my eyes internally a bit. But
- [Paris Anniversary Portraits | Trevor & Christie](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-anniversary-photos/) - Trevor & Christie are living my DREAM. Two Americans who moved to Paris, raising their adorable family in the heart of France. YES. PLEASE. Add to that the fact that they're two of the kindest people you'll meet, and you're bound to fall in love with them! We met up for their afternoon anniversary portraits
- [Stone Tower Winery wedding | Jacob & Guin](https://abbygraceblog.com/stone-tower-wedding-fall/) - I'd like to officially title 2017 "the year of Stone Tower Winery!" Especially October- we were there four times in four weeks! Gosh, I'll NEVER get tired of this winery. The views over the hill at sunset are just crazy beautiful! Jacob & Guin's wedding was my first time shooting a ceremony down at the
- [Our wedding album (7 years later)](https://abbygraceblog.com/our-wedding-album-7-years-later/) - Well... this is both an embarrassing post to write, AND a teachable moment for my brides :). I'm NOT proud of the fact that it took me almost seven years to order our wedding album. There were a few mitigating factors contributing to the delay, but at most, those factors can account for the first
- [Stone Tower Winery engagement | Zach & Kristin](https://abbygraceblog.com/stone-tower-winery-engagement/) - I remember when photos of Zach started popping up on Kristin's social media, and when I finally got a chance to ask her about him, she could NOT keep the smile off her face when talking about him. He makes her so, SO happy! Two minutes into their engagement session was enough to prove that-
- [Congressional Country Club wedding | Jon & Hilary](https://abbygraceblog.com/congressional-country-club-wedding/) - Oh you all are in for a treat- these two are SO sweet together! I knew from the very first conversation I had with Jon & Hilary that they were my kind of people- they're the best of friends, dog lovers, and most importantly, more excited about being married than just their wedding day. Check, check,
- [Seven years](https://abbygraceblog.com/seven-years/) - Dear Matt, Sometimes I forget just how absolutely lucky I am to be your wife. And then, in a moment of God's graciousness, it comes rushing back at me. Like that day a few months ago when you told me "you're so beautiful" no less than six times in the span of two hours, and
- [Join me for our workshop in France!](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-signature-atelier/) - Last January when my business bestie Katherine & I announced our first France workshop, The Signature Atelier, one of the biggest FAQs was "are you going to do it again?!" And to be totally honest, we didn't know! We wanted to see how the first one went over before making any plans for a second.
- [My Goal Digger Podcast interview is Top 10 material!](https://abbygraceblog.com/goal-digger-podcast/) - Ok, so if you're a female creative entrepreneur and have access to the internet, chances are, you've heard of the Goal Digger Podcast. My girl Jenna Kutcher launched it one year ago, and in just 365 days, she managed to hit 2 MILLION downloads. I don't know much about podcasting, but that's pretty dang impressive!
- [Fairmont DC wedding | Sean & Emily](https://abbygraceblog.com/capitol-dc-wedding/) - From the first few minutes of their engagement session last fall, I knew these two were the sort I could have photographed these two all day, every day! And their wedding day proved that over and and over. See, wedding days have the potential to be stressful- you spend all these months planning and dreaming,
- [Stone Tower Winery wedding | Eric & Jessica](https://abbygraceblog.com/stone-tower-wedding/) - You know those kind of people you just click with upon first meeting? That was Eric & Jessica. Mostly because, in her first email, she included "when I saw your instagram said "Hogwarts alum" I knew we'd have a lot in common :)." And because during our first phone call, they told me all about
- [Navigating conferences for creative pros](https://abbygraceblog.com/navigating-creative-conferences/) - In less than a week Matt & I'll be heading out for Scottsdale, AZ to speak at one of my favorite photo conferences, UNITED! This will be my fourth year attending, third year as a speaker, and I can't WAIT. Some of my favorite people attend this conference, and as a result, some of the
- [Sunrise Eiffel Tower portraits | Kevin & Arienne](https://abbygraceblog.com/sunrise-eiffel-tower-portraits/) - It is, without a doubt, the MOST recognizable landmark in Europe, maybe even the world (the pyramids of Giza are tough competition...). In planning for The Signature Atelier this past summer, Katherine and I knew that some sort of visit to la Tour Eiffel would need to happen, as this was many of our attendees'
- [International travel, made easier | Delsey luggage!](https://abbygraceblog.com/delsey-ambassador/) - When I was a kid, my mom had this set of matching blue suitcases. Straight out of the 80's, complete with her initials on the lock. She told me she got them as a graduation present, and I remember (as an 8-year-old) thinking "Luggage? What a boring gift! I'd want Beanie Babies or a Tomagotchi
- [National Cathedral + Dumbarton House wedding | Rob & Natalia](https://abbygraceblog.com/national-cathedral-wedding/) - I would challenge you to meet these two and NOT walk away smitten. Rob & Natalia are exactly the sort of couple I fell in love with photographing & serving from the very beginning- two people who are, above everything else, most excited to be MARRIED. Which means that they're also the sort to savor
- [You're invited to my first gallery show!](https://abbygraceblog.com/my-first-gallery-show/) - When I first began shooting in Paris, I had no idea it would become what it has. It started out as me trying to justify the medium format film camera I'd purchased months before by using it for personal work during our first trip to Paris. I also knew that if I photographed everything on
- [San Francisco engagement | John & Kristy](https://abbygraceblog.com/san-francisco-engagement/) - I love, love, LOVE it when my couples choose a location that's significant to their love story for their engagement portraits! If these two look familiar, it's because you probably saw their proposal from last Spring. These two, oh gosh- they're so dang sweet together. But then again, all my military couples are that way (especially
- [Our France workshop! The Signature Atelier](https://abbygraceblog.com/france-photography-workshop/) - It's been almost two months since The Signature Atelier, and I'm still not over how wonderful it was! Hence why it's taken until now to write any sort of semblance of a blog post about it. Katherine & I began talking about the concept of a workshop in France almost two years ago- I'd posted
- [Interviewed for the Goal Digger Podcast!](https://abbygraceblog.com/goal-digger-podcast-feature/) - Hey friends! It's the Tuesday after a three-day weekend, and I'm guessing your inbox is slammed, so I'm just going to get right to the point-I can help with that! Have you heard of the Goal Digger Podcast? If not, this is about to change your listening habits. My friend Jenna Kutcher, business empire-maker (emperor? empress?),
- [Creative At Heart, Round 7 | Speaker](https://abbygraceblog.com/creative-at-heart-round-7-speaker/) - Before this last conference began, I [half] jokingly asked Kat: "So... since I've been a panelist and/or speaker at every single Creative At Heart event since its inception, does that make me a C@H groupie? Or a valued member of the squad?" Let's go with "valued member." That sounds better. In all sincerity, I wouldn't
- [Notting Hill, London | James & Deanna](https://abbygraceblog.com/notting-hill-london-engagement/) - Classic & fun anniversary portraits in London's colorful & charming Notting Hill neighborhood, shot on film by Abby Grace Photography
- [Happy birthday, Matt!](https://abbygraceblog.com/happy-birthday-matt-2/) - Well, Matt, it's your 29th birthday. How on earth did that happen? I feel like it was just last year we were at the Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, celebrating your 21st birthday. Remember? The pub owner came to give birthday wishes, and offered you a drink, and you said "no thanks?" And the very first
- [Paris ballerina portraits | Peyton](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-opera-ballet-photographer/) - Does it get any more perfect than this? Peyton's been on my ballet radar for months, and I've been dying to photograph her for about that long. This girl is STUNNING- she's currently with The Washington Ballet, but as soon as I saw that she was going to be in France for a summer intensive
- [Will & Courtney | Rust Manor wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/rust-manor-wedding-photographer/) - How do I even beGIN to write a summary of their wedding day in just a few short paragraphs? I've known the Kampas since the third grade, and from the very beginning, I've known them as the kindest, most genuine family you ever did meet. So I knew from the moment I saw this Instagram
- [Photog Friday: Utilizing email templates](https://abbygraceblog.com/utilizing-email-templates/) - Who here wishes they could spend LESS time in their inbox? Go ahead, raise your hand- because I promise, you’re in GOOD company! I used to be one of those weirdos who loved email- it was my drug. I loved typing out responses to new brides, or requests from vendors for photos, that sort of
- [Steve & Kristin | Tuscan wedding at Stone Tower Winery](https://abbygraceblog.com/tuscan-wedding-stone-tower/) - These two are my kind of people; more excited to be married than to simply have a wedding, thrilled at the prospect of having all their loved ones in the same place for one night, and lovers of relaxed sophistication. I love these two. I knew from our first conversation that I was going to adore
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-235/) - After two weeks in France, getting back onto an EST schedule has been a LITTLE rough. Like... you lay down to take a quick rest at 4:30pm....and wake up at 7am the next day. That sort of thing. This past trip was the longest consecutive period I've spent in Paris, and I'm STILL struggling to
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-234/) - Happy Monday, my friends! I was SO excited to get into the office today- I had an amazing weekend behind me, and a HUGE week ahead of me! Firstly, Courtney & Will got married this past weekend. You'll hear me wax on about them enough on Insta & their blog post (coming some time next
- [Joey & Julie | Old Post Office wedding in DC](https://abbygraceblog.com/old-post-office-dc-wedding/) - You know, I've been photographing weddings since 2009, and I still can't get over how miraculous weddings are. That out of the 7 billion people on the planet, two people found the one intended for them. That's a magic never lost on me. And the sheer JOY emanated on such a momentous day! Like how
- [Dave & Elizabeth | Virginia wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/virginia-tech-wedding/) - Isn't is so crazy how small of a world it is? When Elizabeth's email first popped into my inbox, her name seemed really familiar- "I think there was an Elizabeth Cole on my track team in high school..." Sure enough, it was her! My dad was one of her cross country coaches as well! Elizabeth,
- [David & Cavin | Paris, France couples portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-france-portrait-photographer/) - When I first saw Cavin's name pop up, it was on a webinar I was teaching last year- I can't remember exactly what it was she asked, but I remember being impressed by her questions! So when I started seeing her name pop up in our APWWL group on Facebook (with more great questions!), I
- [LeeAnn & Christa | Virginia ballerina photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/virginia-ballet-photographer/) - A few months ago, I had this urge to shoot one of my ballerina sessions with an antique ladder. I don't know why, it just stuck with me! And so my first order of business was to find said vintage ladder. Who else would I go to for that sort of thing but Paisley &
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-233/) - I hope you guys are having as awesome of a Monday as I am! Why is it awesome? Because two of our favorite people ever are here- James & Jess! They're visiting from Santa Barbara for a few days of great company. And our first order of business after picking them up from Union Station?
- [Honeybook | Client management for Creatives](https://abbygraceblog.com/honeybook/) - Ok, so we've actually been using Honeybook for about a year now, which might make you ask "why on earth did it take so long to blog about it?!" The rationale behind the delay is this: I wanted to make absolutely sure that if I was going to recommend an investment like this, that it
- [Mark & Meredith | Larchmont Yacht Club, New York wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/larchmont-yacht-club-wedding/) - A soft blue & navy black tie spring wedding at Larchmont Yacht Club in New York state, with a bride in a convertible dress + tulle skirt.
- [Marty + Christine | Soft pink Fairmont DC wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/soft-pink-fairmont-dc-wedding/) - Soft pink wedding at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC with florals from Holly Chapple, design by Engaging Affairs, a Star Wars cake and favors by Sugarfina
- [The Harry Potter studio tour!](https://abbygraceblog.com/harry-potter-studio-tour/) - I'm a purist when it comes to Harry Potter. I don't watch any of the "making of" or BTS interview clips from the movies because I don't want to ruin the magic of it. I don't read/watch any sort of fan-made HP stuff (because let's be honest- the Cursed Child was weird enough on its
- [5 years of full-time employment!](https://abbygraceblog.com/5-years-full-time/) - Five years ago today, I walked into my corporate office for the last time. I turned in my employee badge, my laptop, took the rest of the odds & ends from my desk, and bade farewell to the folks I'd spent the last two years working alongside. I was SO EXCITED! And terrified. But mostly
- [Jeremy & Kara | Rose Hill Manor wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/rose-hill-manor-wedding/) - They'd both been waiting for this day for SO long, and the excitement that it was finally here was palpable! She's absolutely crazy about him. You could tell from way she just seemed to relax as she walked down the aisle that "home" for her meant wherever he was. And when you contrasted his nerves before
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-232/) - Happy Tuesday, friends! Now that it's unofficially SUMMER (because everyone knows that Memorial Day Weekend is the kickoff), things are kicking into super high gear for us. We had a relatively even-paced Spring, but for the next two months, it's going to be go-go-go. And I am PUMPED, because at the end of the big
- [Meet our intern, Maddy!](https://abbygraceblog.com/meet-our-intern-maddy/) - You guys, I am SO excited for today's blog post! This is our first year taking on an in-office intern, and I could NOT imagine a more perfect person for us than Maddy! I met Maddy at AJ & Cate's wedding last September- guests had just been invited into the reception and we were waiting
- [Jon & Hilary | DC engagement at the Spanish Steps](https://abbygraceblog.com/spanish-steps-engagement/) - I love that "swiping right" has become the new version of meeting eyes across a crowded room! Jon & Hilary's first date came after meeting on Tinder, and it didn't take long for their love story to reach "...and the rest is history." And just a few minutes into their engagement session, it was SO
- [Jacob & Guin | classic DC engagement portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/supreme-court-engagement-session/) - Sometimes I'll go to write the blog text for a couple and I'll come up short. Not because there's nothing to say, but because there's so much to say that I don't know where to begin! Like with Guin & Jacob. I could talk about how intentional they are, or how sweetly he holds her,
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-231/) - Happy Monday, friends! We've had a crazy week, in the best possible way. On Tuesday, we ended up heading to New York for a last-minute engagement session, going up and back in the same day. SO worth it- I can't wait for y'all to see Jacquie & Sam's portraits! Then Wednesday, we spent much of
- [That time I turned down a $400K salary](https://abbygraceblog.com/turning-down-400k-salary/) - Ok, before you read that subject line and write me off as a total nutter, hear me out. Because I think this is a concept that quite a few new entrepreneurs struggle with, and not all of us make it out alive. Remember this blog post from a while back about that time I thought my business
- [Will & Courtney | Charlottesville engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/charlottesville-engagement-session/) - I've known her since we were in elementary school. We danced at the same ballet studio, and for a few years there, looked so much alike that our own moms mistook us for one another backstage during Nutcracker! She's one of the kindest, most darling people you'll ever meet, and incredibly talented to boot; the sort of
- [Why It's OK Not to Share Everything](https://abbygraceblog.com/its-ok-not-to-share/) - So... this is a tricky post to write. Because as someone who's created a reputation as being transparent about nearly every aspect of my business, declaring it's ok not to share absolutely everything is a little scary. But I think this post needs to be written, and not just for me! I think it needs to be said,
- [Stephen & Chelsey | Charleston Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/charleston-anniversary-photographer/) - Remember yesterday how I said almost all of my anniversary couples are photographers themselves? These two are no exception! I first met Stephen & Chelsey at UNITED- I was looking for a seat during lunch and there was one open next to Chelsey, and so the first thing I did was sit down and promptly compliment her
- [Scott & Marirosa | Leesburg Anniversary Portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/leesburg-anniversary-portraits/) - It used to strike me as strange that almost all of my anniversary session couples are photographers. But then I thought about it a little more, and realized it was anything but strange- photographers are the one who know, firsthand, just how very important it is to not only celebrate, but document the seasons in between your typical
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-230/) - This weekend I was reminded several times over what a klutz I can be. On Saturday, I had the joy of photographing the wedding of one of my old ballet friends (Kara!) as she married her sweetheart (Jeremy!). So, of course, I started the day off by slipping off the top step of the venue
- [Eric & Jessica | Sunrise engagements at the Lincoln](https://abbygraceblog.com/lincoln-memorial-engagement/) - "We knew when we saw 'Hogwarts Alum' in your Instagram bio, you were the photographer for us!" K, so I already loved them before we ever spoke on the phone, because Jessica's first email contained the sentence above. DREAM couple! And then add to it the fact that they're two of the kindest people you'll
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-229/) - And we're back! Guys, I'll be honest- I had a "final Monday Mash-Up" post halfway written because I had fallen so far off my usual blogging train, you wouldn't believe. But Monday Mash-Up rides again! These last 10 days were CRAY. Eight shoots/events in 10 days. I've never done that sort of a crazy push before,
- [Life updates, and losing your blogging mojo](https://abbygraceblog.com/life-updates/) - I didn't intend to take a two week break from blogging, I promise! It just sort of happened. Because when you don't plan, schedule, create a blogging calendar, and just WAIT for inspiration for a brilliant post to hit you... you don't post for two weeks. Truth be told, things have been a little zany
- [Alex & Rosie | DC cherry blossom anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-cherry-blossom-portraits/) - I first met Rosie a few years ago at a photography meet-up; I don't remember exactly which one, but I remember finding out that she's also a US Marine in addition to being a photographer and being SERIOUSLY impressed. And then I found out that she named their French bulldog Dobby, and I was totally sold!
- [Slow dance with me](https://abbygraceblog.com/slow-dance-with-me/) - In the car on the way home from DC, that song came on the radio. You turned it up ever so slightly, looking over at me with that tender smile of yours, your brown eyes crinkled at the edges, and said those words that always charm my heart: "This song reminds me of you." I
- [3 things to consider BEFORE naming your business](https://abbygraceblog.com/3-things-before-naming-business/) - Happy Photog Friday, friends! Something we've encountered twice now over the last few months is how very crucial it is to do research before naming a business. Your business' name has the ability to confer an enormous amount of meaning as your work & abilities become synonymous with the name. All I have to say is "Justin
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-228/) - Happy Monday from the Outer Banks! I'm here with some of my favorite girls for our annual United Girls getaway. The last couple of years we've done Charleston so this is our first time in North Carolina, and OBX is such a relaxing spot to be when you're simply looking for REST. And we took
- [Preventing a System Failure](https://abbygraceblog.com/preventing-hard-drive-failure/) - I've always heard that it's not a matter of IF your hard drive will fail, but WHEN. And when it comes to external hard drives, I've been pretty darn lucky- in the last seven years of wedding photography, I've never had one crash. That is, until last Tuesday. My hard drive slipped off my desk
- [The Loire Valley | Fine art film photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/loire-valley-film-photographs/) - I'd been dying to take a trip through the Loire Valley for years. Matt & I actually drove through and then stayed in Tours on our France road trip in September, but after seeing how very many chateaus still remained to be seen, I knew another trip needed to happen! When Katherine & I were
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-227/) - Ok. So we're exactly one week from the beginning of Spring, which means while it's technically still winter, one would think it would begin to warm up around now, yes? No. The forecast is calling for NINE INCHES of snow beginning tonight and lasting all day tomorrow. The rational side of me says I'm supposed to
- [The Gentle No](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-gentle-no/) - This is one of my favorite topics to teach on. I've had the privilege of giving my signature talk, The Gentle No, at UNITED Conference, The Event with Justin & Mary, Creative At Heart Conference, and more. It is, simply put, something that sets my heart on fire! And I realize that may sounds strange, that I'm passionate
- [French Basque Country | Fine Art Travel Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/french-basque-country-photographer/) - Fine art photographs from France's Basque Country, including Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Ascain, Biarritz, and Bayonne by French travel photographer Abby Grace
- [Ryan & Claire- a chic Georgetown engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/ryan-claire-a-chic-georgetown-engagement-session/) - He was her first and only online date. At the urging of her girlfriends, she agreed to give it a chance- ONE chance- and it just so happened that Ryan was the one she was matched up with for that one and only date. It turns out that one date was all he needed to
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-226/) - Happy Monday, my friends! This Virginia weather is giving me a bit of whiplash- it was nearly 70 last Wednesday, and then we woke up Thursday with a dusting of snow on the car. I DON'T GET IT. And now they're forecasting the cherry blossoms will bloom earlier than usual because of the insane temperatures,
- [How to handle an Uncle Bob (with grace!)](https://abbygraceblog.com/handling-uncle-bob/) - Ok, if you're a wedding photographer, you're likely already familiar with this term: "Uncle Bob" is the generic term given to a person at a wedding whose enthusiasm over taking photographs often makes it difficult for the professional photographer to do their job without interference. They're the person who shoots over your shoulder during family formals,
- [Lilly | Washington DC ballet photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-ballerina-photographer/) - I don't have many (if any) photos from my ballet days. I think maybe we have a couple backstage shots from Nutcracker, but none of me dancing. And I know it's not that big of a deal, but part of me is really sad that I won't have those visual memories to share with my
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-225/) - Happy Monday, friends! Things have been a little hit-or-miss over here on the blog for the last few weeks. I've been blogging for almost six years at this point and, to be honest, I think I needed a little bit of a break. There are more than 1100 published posts on my blog and I'm
- [Tips for traveling in Paris, France](https://abbygraceblog.com/tips-paris-travel/) - Top 5 tips for traveling in Paris, France by international wedding photographer Abby Grace.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-224/) - Bonjour, mes amis! I'm writing this from an airport in Paris, waiting to board the last leg of my trip today. I'm on my way to meet my business soulmate, Katherine Bignon, and her three littles in Ascain, France! See, with Katherine living in New York and me near DC, our planning sessions for the
- [Will & Catherine | DC Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-npg-anniversary-session/) - I first met Will & Catherine after the ladies of Southern Weddings reached out to me to photograph these two for SW's Southern Newlywed At Home series! And after just a couple of minute with the pair, they put me completely at ease. They're warm, welcoming, and absolutely adorable together, so photographing them in their own
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-223/) - Happy Monday, dear friends! It's been a while since my last Monday Mash-Up, and to be honest with you, it was kind of lovely to take a little break from regular blogging! We just finished up our most recent registration period of APWWL and that launch process can be CRAY. So I'll thank you for
- [Consistency: Give Your Couple Exactly What They Booked You For](https://abbygraceblog.com/tips-to-serve-wedding-photography-couples/) - It sure is SOME kind of privilege and joy to get to capture the most special day of a couple’s life together, isn’t it? And the cool-kid thing to do would be to pretend it was never a stressor for me. That it never freaked me out to have to turn around and deliver the
- [3 Lighting Tips you NEED to shoot a wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/lighting-for-wedding-photographers/) - Oh, hey there, Monday! You know, the day where as photographers we’re back-in-action on Insta, scrolling and getting beautiful inspiration from weddings in seaside vineyards… old historic cathedrals… or dare I say... France? Yes. Always France! Aaaaand it’s also the morning where -- as a budding wedding photographer -- I’d get a little green-eyed over what
- [New free educational series!](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-free-educational-series/) - I love teaching. Like, SO much. When I was little I thought I was going to be a teacher when I grew up, so in preparation for my future, I'd line up all my stuffed animals (and I had QUITE a few), pull up my blue plastic PlaySkool easel, and teach til my mom called me inside
- [An unusual Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-222/) - Hey friends! I know Monday/Tuesday Mash-Ups are normally pretty lighthearted and fun, but can we go a bit deeper today? We have several friends who are dealing with health struggles right now and I can't really muster up the gumption to write a whippy, comical blog post right now. It's not my intention to be a
- [Dane & Allyson | Stone Tower Winery Wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/stone-tower-winery-wedding-photo/) - A December wedding at Stone Tower Winery in Loudoun County, Virginia, with bridesmaids in Hayley Paige and navy and white accents shot on film.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-221/) - You know what I love about Mondays? That they're a fresh start to the week. All the stuff I didn't get done last week? I have five more days to try again! One of our big goals this year is to try and budget our time more wisely, starting with our weekly schedules- figuring out
- [Six Years](https://abbygraceblog.com/sixth-anniversary/) - Dear Matt, Can you believe it's been six years already? Six years since my dad walked me up the aisle, 2,190 days since I met you at the altar of the church where you grew up. You, in that suit from Men's Wearhouse; me in that dress from David's Bridal. A pair of white bridal
- [Tips for traveling in France](https://abbygraceblog.com/tips-for-traveling-in-france/) - If I could only visit one place for the rest of my life, it would undoubtedly be France. But I remember being VERY anxious leading up to Matt & I's first European trip together- I had no idea how to plan something like that! The concept of getting around in another country frightened me, and
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-220/) - Happy Tuesday, you guys!! I'll be honest with you, 2017 has been a liiiittle slower in starting than I'd have imagined. What began as a head cold last week morphed into a full-blown respiratory infection, and we spent a combined THREE hours at Patient First on New Year's Day trying to get antibiotics. I'll tell
- [Merry Christmas! We're out of the office!](https://abbygraceblog.com/merry-christmas-2016/) - We're decking the halls & trolling the ancient yuletide carol (what does that even mean?!) over here, which means we'll be out of the office for the next week! We wish you all the merriest Christmas and the happiest New Year, friends. This year has been the craziest one we've ever known, in the best
- [Photog Friday | A podcast interview!](https://abbygraceblog.com/podcast-interview/) - Matt & I LOVE podcasts! We got into listening to them a couple of years ago- I don't always retain very much from reading a blog post, but share it with me in an audio file? For some reason, those seems to resonate more with me. So I was SO excited when our friend Adam
- [Patrick & Katie- chic Daughters of the American Revolution wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/patrick-katie-chic-daughters-of-the-american-revolution-wedding/) - Preppy, classic blush wedding at the Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters in Washington, DC. Design by Events in the City
- [What should I see & do in Paris?](https://abbygraceblog.com/what-to-do-in-paris/) - It's a good thing I LOVE this question, because it's one I get on a regular basis! Friends & family (and sometimes folks I've never met!) know how much I love the City of Light, so when they find out they're heading to France, I'll get an email or a text: "What should we do?! What
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-219/) - Happy Mondaaaaay! You guys, there are only six days left til Christmas! This year, I'd really wanted to be PRESENT during the holiday season. What inevitably happens year after year is that I'll pack my schedule full in December, thinking I have more time than I actually do, and I'll find myself on December 23rd
- [Off-season plans](https://abbygraceblog.com/off-season-plans/) - Well friends, it is OFFICIALLY my off-season! Wedding photography can be somewhat of a strange cycle- things are crazy, crazy, crazy from April to November, sometimes December, and then? Almost nothing during the winter. Towards the beginning of March you start to get a bit of cabin fever, but for now, I'm grateful for the
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-218/) - Only 13 days til Christmas!! I thought starting today's blog post off with that fun reminder would be encouraging, but typing it out actually reminded me how much shopping I have left to do. Dangit. Well, better to realize it now than to wait til next Friday, right? Right. So really, I'm AHEAD of where
- [Steve & Kara | Old Town Alexandria anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/alexandria-virginia-anniversary/) - Anniversary portraits in Old Town Alexandria at sunset with fall colors, cobblestone streets and waterfront views by old-school chic photographer Abby Grace
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-217/) - Happy DECEMBER friends! Does anyone else feel like they say down to their desk in March, kept their head down and did some work, and then when you looked up, it was all of a sudden December 1st? Because that's sort of how I feel. I know everyone says the same thing this time of
- [Washington, DC ballet photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/washington-dc-ballet-photographer/) - Washington, DC ballet & ballerina portrait session at the Spanish Steps with nude pointe shoes and a Juliet blush pink dress
- [Daughters of the American Revolution Wedding Album](https://abbygraceblog.com/dar-wedding-album/) - A Japanese book cloth-covered, layflat, flushmount wedding album from a Daughter of the American Revolution wedding in Washington, DC.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-216/) - It is officially OKAY to play Christmas music now! Yes. I'm one of those die-hard "we don't play Christmas tunes til Black Friday" people, because my mother put the fear of God in me growing up. We were legitimately not allowed to play Christmas tunes until the day after Thanksgiving! Can we talk about the fact
- [A Black Friday steal!](https://abbygraceblog.com/black-friday-photographers/) - So, I realize you're probably in the middle of a Black Friday binge, so we'll make this short: we've got a SWEET deal waiting for you over on the Abby Grace Shop! Call me crazy, but sometimes, I think discounts are overrated. But free stuff? Free stuff is GOLDEN! So today through Cyber Monday at
- [Crock Pot Mulled Cider](https://abbygraceblog.com/crock-pot-mulled-cider/) - I know this has NOTHING to do with our usual repertoire of weddings, anniversaries, French travel and Harry Potter fandom. But tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and this is my FAVORITE thing to contribute to Matt's family feast! I'm not gifted in the culinary department at all. So when I found this recipe on Emeril four years
- [A new FREE course starts this week!](https://abbygraceblog.com/free-photography-business-course/) - Remember that show on VH-1 called "Best Week Ever"? Well, that's what THIS week is going to be!! Why? Because we're starting a new FREE mini-series this week, the Mid-Season Pick-Me-Up! It's June, which means the year is almost half over. And how many of you looked up from your desk on June 1st and thought
- [Photog Friday- My Squad](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-my-squad/) - This post has been a LONG time coming. Taylor Swift has her squad, Ellen DeGeneres has hers, and I have mine. These people (the ones below, not Taylor & Ellen) are a HUGE part of the reason that we've risen to the level we're at today, and I literally cannot do this without them! Earlier this
- [NEW Bride & Groom posing module for APWWLive!](https://abbygraceblog.com/wedding-photographer-posing/) - You guys remember when we launched A Practical Wedding Workshop LIVE back in January, right? After receiving countless emails asking when folks could sign up again, I'm so excited to tell you that registration is opening again for a limited time in just a few short days! And this time, it's even more amazing than
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-197/) - Goooood morning California! And to the rest of you, obviously, but to Santa Barbara especially. We left early Friday morning to head to LA for Steve & Kristin's engagement session and planned for a few extra days out west to visit friends and go see a Nationals game in Dodgers stadium tonight. Matt had never
- [Portraits of our pups by Jenn Heller Design Co.!](https://abbygraceblog.com/pet-portraits-by-jenn-heller/) - Custom watercolor portraits of our two German Shepherd mix dogs, Lily & Sirius. Portraits by artist Jenn Heller Design Co.
- [Pedro & Jessie | A Stone Tower Winery wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/stone-tower-winery-wedding/) - A blush + grey organic wedding at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, Virginia. Virginia vineyard wedding in Loudoun wine country with pastel florals.
- [Photog Friday- Cohesive branding, and my new paper suite!](https://abbygraceblog.com/cohesive-consistent-branding/) - Why it MATTERS that wedding photographers have cohesive, branded paper collateral for their packaging! Custom stationery suite by Nicole Anderson Paper Co
- [Sean & Emily | Georgetown engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/georgetown-engagement-photographer/) - I’m a wedding photographer, but I’m not passionate about photography. Don’t get me wrong- I love taking photographs. But I love PEOPLE even more. People like Sean & Emily. They’re the sort of couple who, just through the course of watching them interact throughout their engagement session, remind you of why you chose this career
- [Château de Chenonceau | French film photographs](https://abbygraceblog.com/chateau-chenonceau-photography/) - Fine art film photographs taken in Chenonceaux, France at Château de Chenonceau of the Renaissance artchitecture and French decor + gardens.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-215/) - It finally occurred to me over the weekend that Thanksgiving is this week. "Late much, Abby?" Yeah, I know. But that's what happens when your busy season runs right up to the holidays! Because it is officially THE HOLIDAY SEASON! Right?! I mean, don't get me wrong: I won't break the sacred Christmas music oath
- [Photog Friday | How to photograph your albums!](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-photograph-albums/) - Someone asked me a few weeks ago "why do you photography your albums?" And it was a legitimate question! Why photograph my own photographs? Well, it serves a couple of purposes! My album designer, Align, loves blogging the finished designs. But flipping through the JPG files of JUST the spreads isn't nearly as engaging as
- [Mandarin Oriental Hotel wedding portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/mandarin-oriental-hotel-wedding/) - Sometimes as a wedding photographer, I hear stories that sadden me- that folks got their wedding day images back and didn't like them. Or that the experience was so frustrating that it's made it hard for them to look back at their photographs with anything but regret. Often, years have passed between the wedding day
- [Surprise! A brand new website!](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-showit5-photography-website/) - Brand new photography website design for ShowIt 5 by Jeffrey Shipley of Tonic Site Shop, for high-end, Washington DC wedding photography Abby Grace,
- [Photog Friday: Outsourcing your editing!](https://abbygraceblog.com/outsourcing-photo-editing/) - Editing: the thing that keeps so many photographers behind a computer screen more than any other aspect of their jobs! At first, I couldn't have imagined handing my editing to someone else- "my editing is half of what makes my photos MINE!" And while that's somewhat true, it was also a sign of my inner control freak that I was
- [The Engagement Course is HERE!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-practical-engagement-course/) - Can I tell you guys a secret? For one of my first engagement sessions, back in 2010 (and before I had a smart phone), I DREW STICK FIGURES on Post-It notes of the poses I wanted to use throughout the session. I kept them in my pocket and tried to sneak a peek at those butter-yellow
- [Grandparents](https://abbygraceblog.com/grandparents/) - If you've ever seen a comment on my blog, Instagram or Facebook from "Jean," that's my Granny. And you probably HAVE seen those comments, because she leaves one for every blog post I write. My Granny is one of my biggest cheerleaders! Growing up, I was as close to my grandparents as most kids are-
- [Ian & Clara | Charlottesville wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/charlottesville-wedding-photographer-2/) - As much as I love the classic DC architecture and iconic venues that typify my work, I can never quite get over how stunning Charlottesville is! It's the perfect location for a wedding, and as soon as we pulled up to Keswick Hall, I could 100% understand why Ian & Clara chose it as the backdrop for
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-214/) - Happy Monday folks! Does anyone else keep waiting for life to slow down around them? I have one wedding left and it's not til December, so I keep thinking "YAY! Slow times ahead!" and then I forget that my calendar is still crazy for another few weeks. So to cope, Matt & I connected our
- [Photog Friday: Breaking down a ballerina photograph](https://abbygraceblog.com/film-ballerina-photographer/) - Washington, DC ballet & ballerina photographer Abby Grace. Film dance portraits by candle light at the Spanish Steps.
- [Joey & Julie | Capitol Hill engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/capitol-hill-engagement-session/) - Engagement portraits on Capitol Hill and at the US Supreme Court. Classic Washington, DC engagement session by Abby Grace Photography
- [Dan & Julie | Bright, classic DC wedding at The Fairmont](https://abbygraceblog.com/fairmont-dc-wedding/) - Classic Washington, DC at the Fairmont Georgetown. Portraits at the Lincoln Memorial, ceremony at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Design by Grit & Grace
- [Chris & Crystal | Lincoln Memorial Anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-anniversary-photographer/) - I've been looking forward to Chris & Crystal's session for a LONG time now. She emailed me almost a year ago to ask about anniversary portraits, knowing that the Army would soon be transferring them from out West to the beautiful state of Virginia. So we began to plan! And as soon as she said "tulle
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-213/) - It was late October of my kindergarten year, and I was SO excited about the fact that my teacher, Mrs. Francisco, was allowing us to wear our Halloween costumes to school! I probably reminded my mom an unnecessary number of times, and on the morning of the designated day, I jumped out of bed and
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-212/) - I'm nursing a pretty epic wedding hangover today, because that's what happens when you do two weddings in two days and forget to drink any water :). So pardon today's shorter-than-usual post! I'm also prepping for tomorrow's webinar, Make Booking Great Again, so needless to say, it's been a little nuts around the Springmann household
- [Photog Friday: Tracking bookings, and a new FREE class!](https://abbygraceblog.com/wedding-photography-booking-class/) - Every year for the last FOUR years, I've reached a point in the summer and become nervous. "Why haven't I booked anything new in the last few weeks?!" It causes panic and anxiety, and most of the time, there's NO REASON for it. Why? Because in reality, my wedding season tends to book up in chunks!
- [Dave & Elizabeth | Classic fall Boston engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/boston-wedding-photographer/) - Classic Boston engagement session in the fall at the Gardens, Common, and Acorn Street's cobblestone. Destination engagement photographer Abby Grace
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-211/) - Mondays are hard sometimes, y'all. Most of the time, I LOVE Mondays! Getting into the office to start in on the ideas that have been buzzing around my head for several days? It's the best! But today, I just sort of want to crawl back into bed and wait for Tuesday. It's not that I'm having
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-210/) - Iiiit's TUESDAY! And I didn't realize yesterday was Columbus Day until breakfast. That's one of the drawbacks to working for yourself from home- no boss to tell you to take off standard government holidays. And thus, you forget to take off said holiday, and end up working through a day off! But the good news
- [Photog Friday : Shooting backlit during golden hour](https://abbygraceblog.com/shooting-backlit-golden-hour/) - Oh golden hour, how I adore you! As photographers, we LOVE this time of day. No worries about unsightly shadows underneath your clients eyes, noses, or chins, because the sun is coming from the SIDE instead of from above! So just to make sure we're all on the same page, let's start with a loose definition:
- [Andrew & Kristen | Paris honeymoon photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-honeymoon-photographer/) - What are the odds of running into someone you know in another country? And not just in another country- in one of the world's MOST visited cities, at one of the most tourist-heavy attractions? Because that's what happened! Matt & I were spending our last full day in France at Versailles, since I'd missed a
- [Why "not yet" isn't the end | Travels toward a family](https://abbygraceblog.com/waiting/) - I've written and re-written this post in my head several times over, but never actually put it on paper or a screen. "Is it too personal? Am I showing too much of my heart? What will my couples think?" If you've been around the blog for a while, you know I've never shied away from
- [AJ & Cate | Taupe & merlot wedding at Morais Vineyard](https://abbygraceblog.com/morais-vineyard-wedding/) - Taupe + merlot fall wedding at Morais Vineyard, a Virginia winery. Burgundy dahlias, first look between the vines, and a glow stick exit.
- [Kevin & Erica | Middleburg, Virginia engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/middleburg-virginia-engagement/) - I know that pretty much any wedding photographer would say it, but I really and truly have the BEST job in the world. And my afternoon with Kevin & Erica did nothing but remind me of how LUCKY I am to be doing what I do. Their warmth draws you in, and their bliss leaves
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-209/) - Helloooo Monday! We're back in the country from our time in France, and as much as I miss waking up to the sounds of people jabbering in elegant French, it's pretty darn nice to be smothered by your pups with morning snuggles. But I do miss the coffee... and the bread... and the ambiance. Seriously, I
- [Lily | The Washington Ballet School](https://abbygraceblog.com/washington-ballet-photographer/) - I don't usually photograph young ballerinas- all my other sessions have been with either pre-professionals or ballerinas dancing during their time in college. But when I received Lily's email that she found my work on Pinterest, and ended with "I hope we can dance together!" along with a few photos of how absolutely gorgeous of
- [Kevin & Stephanie | DC Union Station wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-union-station-wedding/) - Earthy farm-to-table wedding at Washington DC's Union Station. Fruit-infused floral arrangements, BHLDN bride & bridesmaids, classic DC wedding
- [Jeremy & Kara | Virginia engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/virginia-engagement-photographer/) - It's the craziest thing, to know someone from the age of 7 years old, to dance alongside them for dozens of Nutcrackers and spring demonstrations, and then to see her engaged and blissfully happy! Kara & I were both at Reston Conservatory Ballet together, and I had no idea she'd bene following along with my
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-208/) - My out-of-office responder is on, I've yet to pack, and I'm running around like a mad person trying to finish all the little tasks that were supposed to be completed last Friday. It's official: we're leaving for France today! Would some say we're crazy to leave the country during the middle of wedding and engagement session season? Possibly.
- [TJ & Lexi | West Palm Beach, FL wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/west-palm-beach-fl-wedding/) - This day had been a LONG time coming. 890 days, to be exact. The military tends to be a little finicky about timing, so choosing a date with TJ's training & deployments alongside Lexi's school schedule proved to be tricky. But after a lot of patience (and a lot of long-distance planning), the day they'd
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-207/) - Happy Tuesday, blog friends! Let's start today off by having a serious conversation: Fall has not started yet. I know that's not a popular opinion. But listen! Autumn begins on September 22nd. And it's going to be GLORIOUS. But as a strong member of the "We Don't Listen To Christmas Music Until The Day After
- [Katherine Bignon Bridal | Couture bridal fashion shoot in Manhattan](https://abbygraceblog.com/katherine-bignon-bridal-2/) - Custom bridal couture by Katherine Bignon with heavy French & Manhattan influence. Fall 2015 bridal gown line in New York's Central Park & Bethesda Terrace
- [All new free webinar: Emailing Like A Boss!](https://abbygraceblog.com/free-email-webinar/) - Remember when you fell in love with your craft and you thought you yourself "as long as I excel at what I do, I could make a living off of this"? Well, that's partly true. But there's also this thing that nobody tells you at the beginning: Your email communication with clients, potential clients, and
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-206/) - This is a bit of a crazy week for us, you guys. I'll admit- I'm a little intimidated going into it! First up: a full day of filming tomorrow with Handspun Cinema for a SUPER fun project we'll be bringing you in just over a month! And then early Thursday morning, I'm flying down to
- [Photog Friday: Enabling Gmail's Canned Responses](https://abbygraceblog.com/enabling-gmail-canned-responses/) - I was thrilled to see how much you guys loved last week’s blog post on why you should utilize email templates! So this week, we’re following it up with the HOW: a quick tutorial on installing and using Canned Responses with your Gmail account in 4 easy steps! Canned Responses are not, by default, switched on
- [The Wine Glass & the MacBook Pro](https://abbygraceblog.com/grace/) - The story of the Macbook and the wine glass- learning to give grace to your spouse.
- [Happy birthday, Matt!](https://abbygraceblog.com/happy-birthday-matt/) - And now, for the next four months, we're the same age! Before I met you, I swore I'd never date anyone younger than me ever again. Then you came into the picture and I ate my words. Granted, it's only an 8-month difference, and then there's the fact that you've always been vastly more mature
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-204/) - Well, last week was AWESOME. We started off in Charleston and then drove the 40 minutes or so to Kiawah for Mark & Meredith's engagement session. And normally, I don't really care what kind of car we're driving, but when the rental company asks if you want to upgrade the blah Chevy you initially reserved
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-205/) - Happy Monday, friends! Today's awesome. Know why? Because I cleaned my office on Friday for a fun shoot/project with Kaitlyn Phipps, which means my desk is clutter-free this morning!! And I'm realizing what a huge difference that makes- if my office is a mess, it's likely going to mean I end up working from the
- [Mark & Meredith | Kiawah Island, SC engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/kiawah-sc-engagement-photographer/) - They'd been running in the same circles for years- throughout high school, during breaks at home from college. But somehow, it wasn't until after both of them had finished their bachelor degrees that they met. At the same spot one night, they both leaned over to a mutual friend asked with a nod in the
- [London, England | Fine art travel photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/london-fine-art-travel-photographer/) - Fine art film travel photographer in London, England- photos from Platform 9 3/4, 221 Baker Street, and St. Pancras International train station.
- [Photog Friday: My 5 year goals....from 2011](https://abbygraceblog.com/5-year-goals-from-2011/) - Ok, so I originally had something completely different on my blogging calendar for today. But after sharing this on my Instagram story on Wednesday and receiving an email asking me to blog it, I decided to change tracks! I was cleaning out my office earlier this week and stumbled across a list of goals I'd
- [Sean & Claudia | A National Museum of Women in the Arts wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/blush-purple-nmwa-dc-wedding/) - Blush pink & purple wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. Luxury floral decor by Sweet Root Village, design by Kelley Cannon.
- [For the bride- Your wedding day perfume](https://abbygraceblog.com/wedding-day-perfume/) - I LOVE photographing perfume bottles. Maybe it's because I remember being so fascinated with the delicate bottle of Tea Rose in my mom's bathroom growing up- I snuck spritzes of that scent more times than she probably realized (sorry, Mom!). But until recently, my problem was that I forgot to ask my brides for their signature
- [Photog Friday: Why I DON'T use flash for the ceremony](https://abbygraceblog.com/no-flash-ceremony-photography/) - Why I choose to photograph wedding ceremonies without artificial light.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-203/) - Well wouldja look at that? It's Monday again! And I'm having a serious case of dejá vu. I'm sitting in City Lights Coffee in Charleston, SC typing up a blog post & newsletter, which is exactly how I spent another Monday back in March when I was here for our girls' week! We've been traveling
- [Château de Versailles | Fine Art France Film Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/domaine-de-versailles-photographe/) - Château de Versailles in Paris, France with Petit Trianon, le Belvédère, Orangerie, and Hameau de la Reine. Fine art film photographer, photographe de voyager
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-202/) - "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Yep, it's Tuesday, and nope, yesterday wasn't a national holiday. I just didn't pre-blog my Monday Mash-Up before the Creative At Heart conference because I didn't plan ahead. Apologies, friends! We've been completely immersed in a world of business-changing conversations and dynamic speakers over the last
- [Photog Friday- That time my camera stopped working at a wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/wedding-camera-fail/) - It's one of every photographer's worst nightmares. You pick up your camera to start shooting, and for some reason, it stops working and you have NO idea why. Your mouth goes dry, pulse quickens, sweat breaks out on your forehead. "Oh crap, oh crap, OH $#*%!" That's exactly what happened to me several weeks ago!
- [Our new ride!](https://abbygraceblog.com/red-gmc-terrain/) - We'd been talking about buying a new-to-us car for a while now! As much as I love my blue hatchback, it's not exactly the perfect car to fit a bride & groom into if I ever need to shuttle them from one spot to another for portraits on the wedding day. Especially not if I
- [Pedro & Jessie | DC engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-engagement-photographer/) - Relaxed sunset engagement session in Washington DC's Lady Bird Johnson park off of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-201/) - You guys, it's currently 10:14am and I haven't checked my email since 3:30pm on Friday. THIS IS HUGE. I don't think I've ever gone that long without obsessing over my inbox! I can't believe how restful it was over the weekend to take an absolute break- I didn't open my laptop once. For a recovering
- [Photog Friday- What do I wear to weddings?](https://abbygraceblog.com/what-photographers-wear-to-weddings/) - Oooh I wish you guys could have been with me at the first few weddings I photographed. I did the “all black” thing, like most ninjas/vendors. (And when I say all black, I mean like... a black top and black pants, + black shoes, and a simple ponytail or braid). I thought that’s how I
- [James & Jess | Santa Barbara, California anniversary portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/santa-barbara-anniversary-photographer/) - Film anniversary session in Santa Barbara, California with James & Jess. Portraits by destination & international photographer Abby Grace.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-200/) - Today is a VERY special day, because it's the 200TH MONDAY MASH-UP POST!! Can you believe this series is four years old?! I can't! What was originally created as a filler series during the days when I blogged ever day, Monday-Friday has become my MOST-read post every week. I've considered giving MMU the axe several times over the
- [Sophie | Paris, France ballerina photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-france-dance-photographer/) - You know her. You've seen her before on my blog, or maybe you've caught her on my Instagram. Sophie was one of my first #abbygraceballerinas, and our first session was the one that really and truly made me feel like I'd found a thing I loved for me and me alone, and not because it
- [Rob & Alicia | Paris, France Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-anniversary-photographer/) - Classic, romantic Paris anniversary session at the Musée du Louvre and Palais Royale by international wedding photographer Abby Grace, photographe de mariage
- [Marty & Christine | DC engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-engagement-session/) - When one of your first emails from a bride mentions a sweet rescue dachshund named Phoebe, and includes plans for pierogies at their wedding reception, consider my attention captivated. And then when your initial Skype meeting to see if your a good fit lasts for almost two hours? Count me IN. These two are just plain
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-199/) - Well hellllO there, Tuesday! You snuck up on me there, didn't you? That's the disconcerting thing about working the day after a holiday- I never remember I'll have to work until I crawl into bed late at night on whatever holiday it is. Maybe because, as a kid, you got the days AROUND big holidays
- [Bryan + Rachel |DC Willard Intercontinental wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/willard-dc-wedding-photographer/) - Classic black tie wedding at the Willard Intercontinental in Washington, DC and Cathedral of St. Matthew. A-line ball gown and white florals
- [Steve & Kristin | Los Angeles engagement session at Manhattan Beach](https://abbygraceblog.com/los-angeles-engagement-session-manhattan-beach/) - Manhattan Beach engagement session at sunrise in Los Angeles, California. Destination wedding & engagement photographer Abby Grace.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-198/) - Goooooood morning, Vietnam! I just realized yesterday that my Spring season is over, which means we have a mini "off-season" for the next few weeks! So we have a few things that are definitely in order: 1) cleaning out our offices, 2) getting to work on a couple new educational ideas Matt &/or I have come
- [Lessons Learned: I say "no thank you" to a few thousand dollars.](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-i-say-no-thank-you-to-a-few-thousand-dollars/) - All of the photographers that I really love and look up to have one mantra in common: "Hold out for your ideal client." Justin and Mary drove the point home in their Live Chat, Katelyn James insisted upon it during her workshop. "Hold out for your ideal client." For them? It's a non-negotiable. Now if you're anything like me,
- [Dan & Julie- Southeast Washington DC engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/southeast-dc-engagement/) - These two! I love how EXCITED they are to simply be together. Dan & Julie met through mutual friends and, in their words, it was "intrigue at first sight," with love following shortly thereafter. He is absolutely smitten with her, and she comes alive when she's with him! Watching them together was the sort of thing
- [Mark & Diane | Ritz-Carlton Washington DC wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/ritz-carlton-dc-wedding/) - A classic Washington DC wedding at the Ritz-Carlton, coordination & design by A. Dominick Events & florals by Amaryllis, music by Elan Artists.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-196/) - I think my dog Lily is secretly manipulating us. See, I think she's connected the fact that if she gets sick and regurgitates her breakfast of kibble (which she's not in love with), that we'll be forced to feed her chicken and rice (which she LOVES) for a few days. So about once a month
- [Grant & Rachel | Ronald Reagan Building wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/reagan-building-wedding/) - Classic Washington DC wedding at the Ronald Reagan Building. Bridesmaids in blush, white peony bouquet by Edge flowers. Ruffled mermaid gown + Badgley Mischkas
- [From Paris with love | our portraits by David Abel](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-anniversary-session/) - Anniversary session by David Abel Photography in Paris, France at the Musée du Louvre and Île Saint-Louis. Photographe de mariage.
- [Photog Friday: Gallery organization](https://abbygraceblog.com/photo-gallery-organization/) - How to organize online galleries for wedding photography clients
- [Eric & Lindsey | Hotel Monaco wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/eric-lindsey-hotel-monaco-wedding/) - Classic wedding at Hotel Monaco Alexandria. Floral watercolor bridesmaid dresses, organic green and white florals.
- [Jon & Bridget - timeless DC wedding at Decatur House](https://abbygraceblog.com/timeless-dc-wedding-decatur-house/) - Washington DC wedding at Decatur House- classic bride in a peplum dress with a bird cage veil. Floral design by Holly Chapple, design by Engaging Affairs
- [Four Years!](https://abbygraceblog.com/four-years/) - Four years and three months ago, I was tired. Like, bone tired. I'd been building my business while working a full time corporate job for almost two years, and I was at a tipping point; I just couldn't do both anymore. We were in the parking lot at Wegmans when I had another meltdown- I was overwhelmed by how
- [John & Kristy | Capitol Hill proposal](https://abbygraceblog.com/john-kristy-capitol-hill-proposal/) - I can't imagine how it feels to be a guy getting ready to pop the question to his sweetheart. As a photographer, I get really nervous before proposals! So, if MY hands are trembling slightly in anticipation, how anxious must he be?! John contacted me about a month beforehand- he knew he'd found his girl,
- [Dane & Allyson | Alexandria engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/alexandria-engagement-photographer/) - I think, of all the traits it's important to possess in order to have a rich, long-lasting marriage, one of the MOST important is the ability to laugh together. Not AT one another, with one another. And these two do that spectacularly. They laugh often and emphatically, with one another, and at themselves as well. They just
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-195/) - Ok, so I don’t know what the weather’s like in Northern Virginia today, but we woke up this morning in Rhode Island to SUNSHINE!! You might be scratching your head as to why this is significant, so let me fill you in- it’s been raining and/or foggy at home for the last 2.5 weeks. And
- [Photog Friday: Common Second Shooter Mistakes](https://abbygraceblog.com/common-second-shooter-mistakes/) - So today's topic is a bit of a fun one! I spent my first year in the wedding industry as an apprentice- I lost count of how many weddings I second shot before taking on my own clients. I learned a lot while shooting for my mentor, and I also made a LOT of goofs.
- [Justin & Jillian | Maryland anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/maryland-anniversary-session/) - They've been together since they were teenagers. I loved hearing Jillian recount her memories of coming down the stairs in high school for lunch at seeing him waiting for her, and how his entire face would light up the moment he saw her. See, when you've been together from such a young age, you change
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-194/) - Iiiiiit's MONDAY! Are you pumped? Because I'm pumped. I'm also a little behind schedule, because Mondays after a wedding weekend are usually my day off, so this morning was not one of those mornings where I headed straight into my office. And I am totally ok with that! This weekend was a good one. Friday night
- [Photog Friday: Breaking down responsibilities at AGP HQ](https://abbygraceblog.com/husband-wife-photography-business/) - Breakdown of responsibilities in a husband + wife photography team. Working with your spouse is MUCH easier when you know who's responsible for what!
- [Judd & Caroline | Mellon Auditorium wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/mellon-auditorium-wedding-photographer/) - Luxury blue, green, white and gold wedding at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC with Engaging Affairs. Classic black tie city wedding.
- [Ian & Clara | Philadelphia engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/philadelphia-engagement-session/) - Classic engagement session in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Museum of Art.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-193/) - And just like that, a new week begins again. You know, I really love Mondays! When I was still at my corporate job, though, I can't say I felt the same. Sunday nights were difficult too! I hope the freedom of Mondays won't ever be lost on me- I get to wake up and choose what work
- [That time I thought my business was dying](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-in-business-hardship/) - Almost exactly one year ago, I was in the midst of a crisis. I didn't blog about it then for a couple of reasons: because I didn't want to look weak, and because at the time? I didn't feel like there was anything good that could come of writing about how miserable I was. There
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-189/) - Happy Monday, friends! I'm going to make this a pretty quick MMU because I'm running on about four hours of sleep right now, AND I have to jet in a few minutes for the airport to head to Dublin :). But mostly because I'm running on four hours of sleep :). Granted, I have had
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-192/) - So, I happened to see that today's post is Monday Mash-Up #192, which means I've been writing these posts every Monday for almost four years now. How is that even possible?! We'll have to do something special when we hit post #200 in a couple of months, considering this series was invented as a way
- [Photog Friday: Take business email off of your phone!](https://abbygraceblog.com/no-business-email-on-phone/) - Email used to be my DRUG. I was addicted to refreshing my inbox- I loved seeing those new messages pop up, no matter what they contained. And I didn't just love checking messages, I loved answering them too! But then my business began to grow, and quickly. I had more weddings to photograph and edit, more meetings,
- [David & Kristy | Paris anniversary portraits | Musée du Louvre & Île Saint-Louis](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-anniversary-photographer-louvre/) - A classic anniversary session in Paris, France at the Musée du Louvre and Île Saint-Louis shot on film with a Contax 645. Destination photographer Abby Grace
- [The IKEA frame wall](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-ikea-frame-wall/) - I'm going to start this off by giving credit where it's due: I was 100% inspired by David & Kristy Abel's wall of silver IKEA frames! You have to go see theirs, it's way better than mine. But after you're done goggling over their living room wall, come back here and we can get on with things.
- [Bryan & Rachel | London engagement photos at Westminster Bridge](https://abbygraceblog.com/london-engagement-westminster-bridge/) - Classic engagement session photos at Westminster Bridge, British Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. Destination wedding & engagement photographer
- [Will & Karie | Belle Haven wedding in Alexandria, VA](https://abbygraceblog.com/belle-haven-alexandria-wedding/) - Classic wedding at the Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, VA. A bride in Oscar de la Renta, a groom in Hugo Boss. Light blue accents and decor!
- [Sean & Kristen | Cherry Blossom Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-anniversary-session/) - I was SO excited to finally meet these two! Kristen and I first chatted almost three years ago, so this meeting's been coming on for a while. These two are incredibly sweet together- they have one of those quieter sort of loves. And that's not to say that they're both shy people, just that their
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-190/) - Happy Monday morning, friends! It's a good first day of the week here in the Springmann house, because it's the first Monday since Matt quit his job that we're both here- the first two, either I or both of us were in France. So this'll be our first full week together at home, and I'm pretty
- [Ryan & Claire's wedding album](https://abbygraceblog.com/four-seasons-georgetown-wedding/) - Classic blush + gold wedding album at the Four Seasons Georgetown hotel in Washington DC. Bride in Mira Zwillinger + Monique Lhuillier, groom in Ferragamo.
- [Photog Friday: How to get started with film](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-get-started-film-photography/) - My love affair with photography began with falling head over heels for analog photography- a college darkroom was all it took to get me hooked. But for those of you who don't have a background with film, it can be REALLY intimidating to get started! The fear of messing up could keep you from ever starting in
- [Mike & Jen | Four Seasons Georgetown wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/four-seasons-dc-wedding-photographer/) - A traditional Jewish wedding ceremony + classic black tie reception at the Four Seasons Georgetown in Washington DC with cherry blossom decor
- [Frames from Charleston, SC](https://abbygraceblog.com/charleston-film-photographer/) - Photographs from Charleston, SC shot on film with the Yashica 124. Fine art photographs from Magnolia Plantation and downtown historic Charleston
- [Photog Friday: Why Conferences Are Worth It](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-conferences/) - As a new or growing wedding photography business, you have a lot of expenses to consider- camera equipment, computers, software, website hosting, packaging supplies, the list goes on. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of different ways you could spend your money, and each mew purchase you consider has the potential to overwhelm you just a
- [Kevin & Stephanie | DC Cherry Blossom Engagement](https://abbygraceblog.com/cherry-blossom-engagement/) - An engagement session at the Washington DC cherry blossoms and pink magnolia trees around the tidal basin. Classic dc monument engagement photos.
- [That time I fangirled over Dean](https://abbygraceblog.com/winchester-brothers-supernatural/) - One girl's embarrassing story of how she fangirled over Jared Paladecki, Jake Abel, and Jensen Ackles. And got a photo out of it.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-188/) - So... I'm not the BEST scheduler. For example, I scheduled myself to be out of town four consecutive weeks in a row, followed by nine days in Europe (I left yesterday!). And what I also didn't take into consideration was the fact that Matt's first week working at home with me... was due to start
- [Happy Last Day, Matt!](https://abbygraceblog.com/happy-last-day-matt/) - Husband and wife photography business based in the Washington DC area. Matt's last day at his corporate job!
- [Mark & Diane | Meridian Hill Park engagement](https://abbygraceblog.com/meridian-hill-engagement/) - Engagement session at Meridian Hill Park with classic wedding photographer Abby Grace. Wedding this summer at the DC Ritz-Carlton with A Dominick Events.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-187/) - Happy Monday morning, you guys! This week is going to be an AMAZING one- not only is my wedding season kicking off on Saturday with a gorgeous fête at the Four Seasons in Georgetown (with Cheers Darling Events!), but then I leave for France on Sunday! This'll be a little shorter of a trip than
- [Photog Friday: Vendor Meals, the How & When](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-vendor-meals/) - Oooh the vendor meal! I could talk at length about why it's important to provide a meal for the photographers (and any vendor that's been working consistently all day), but we'll save that topic for a "Dear Bride" post sometime in the future! Today's post is for the PHOTOGRAPHER, and how to navigate the sometimes murky waters
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-186/) - It's another Creative At Heart Monday! I'm here in Annapolis with almost 100 other like-minded creatives, and it's only the morning of Day 2 and my brain is spinning on overdrive. I'm squirreled away in a corner typing my blog, so we'll make this short and sweet so that I can get back in and
- [United In Charleston- a girls' week getaway](https://abbygraceblog.com/united-in-charleston-getaway/) - A week in Charleston, South Caroline for a girls' week getaway. Charleston wedding photographers at Historic Magnolia Plantation
- [Steve & Kara's wedding album](https://abbygraceblog.com/classic-dc-wedding-photographer/) - You guys. Are these two not the cutest?! I knew it from their engagement session, but their wedding day was confirmation to the extreme. These two are so insanely crazy about one another that being around them is enough to make you believe in love. And I'm not saying that with any hint of hyperbole
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-185/) - Happy Monday morning, friends! After a crazy week + weekend (more on that below), I’m on my way to Charleston for a girls’ week with some of my most dear photog friends. I’ve been looking forward to this for so long! I missed last year’s getaway and so I was bound and determined to make
- [An unintentional week off](https://abbygraceblog.com/unintentional-week-off/) - Las Vegas, Nevada anniversary photographer with portraits at Red Rock Canyon.
- [See you at WPPI!](https://abbygraceblog.com/see-you-at-wppi/) - I cannot WAIT for next week! I'm leaving on Sunday for Las Vegas to spend a few days at the world's largest photography conference, and I'd LOVE to see you there. This is only the second time I've been, and while Vegas definitely isn't my typical scene, it's worth going just for all the industry
- [One becomes two | We're a husband + wife team!](https://abbygraceblog.com/were-a-husband-wife-team/) - It all started with a tough conversation in my friend Katelyn's living room last February. I was tired, burned out, and had hit a major plateau I couldn't seem to overcome. In short, I'd finally realized I couldn't do it all on my own anymore. I needed HELP. But where to find that sort of
- [A Harry Potter Baby Quilt!](https://abbygraceblog.com/harry-potter-baby-quilt/) - A red + gold Gryffindor baby quilt with Harry Potter-themed illustrations quilted throughout.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-184/) - Today's been a bit of a slow start for me, part of that being related to the fact that I'm moving slow as molasses today. Working out with your husband is no joke, but I have to admit- I love the feeling of sore muscles. We've been experimenting with high-intensity interval training, and as hard
- [Vince & Cassie's wedding album](https://abbygraceblog.com/creighton-farms-wedding-album/) - Romantic blush pink + ivory black tie wedding at Creighton Farms in Aldie, Virginia. Tented candlelit reception in Virginia horse country.
- [Photog Friday: Why [and when] I DO shoot film](https://abbygraceblog.com/why-i-shoot-film/) - Why and when I choose to photograph on film with my Contax 645 and a combination of Fuji 400H + Portra 400 film. Scans by Indie Film Lab.
- [Blizzard 2016 portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/blizzard-portraits/) - I think last month's blizzard was my favorite snowstorm in memory. Why? Because we have two sets of friends from church who live within walking distance, so rather than weathering the storm alone, we got to spend it holed up with friends! Board games and watercolor paints and chili in the crockpot, and a bottle
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-183/) - It feels like SPRING in northern Virginia this morning! There are birds chirping, the sun's shining, and almost all the snow from last month's blizzard is gone. There are still a few small piles here and there, but the sidewalks are clear for the first time in a month! I LOVE springtime. It's the most
- [Photog Friday: Why [and when] I don't shoot film](https://abbygraceblog.com/why-i-dont-shoot-film/) - An explanation of why I choose to shoot with a digital camera for weddings and engagements, instead of utilizing a film camera like the Contax 645.
- [Our Elopement-style DC Vow Renewal!](https://abbygraceblog.com/elopement-dc-vow-renewal/) - Washington DC elopement style vow renewal at The Mayflower DC, the Lincoln Memorial, and the DAR Constitution Hall. BHLDN Waterfall dress, Kate Spade charm heel
- [My top 5 influencers](https://abbygraceblog.com/my-top-5-influencers/) - Have you heard that quote, the one by Jim Rohn that says “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”? I think there’s truth to that. But I wanted to take it a step further for today’s post and talk about the five people who have INFLUENCED me the
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-182/) - Happy Tuesday friends! It's a good thing yesterday was a government holiday, because I achieved NOTHING except watching three movies from the couch while the snow and then subsequent freezing rain fell outside. Sometimes you just need a day to veg, right? Right. Also, for those of you who haven't seen Interstellar, don't bother. The ending made
- [Photog Friday: Part 2- What do you do in the "off-season?"](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-part-2-the-off-season/) - Maintenance & upkeep, growth opportunities, and personal work for wedding photographers in the off-season. Wedding photo education
- [A French-inspired styled wedding shoot | APWW November 2015](https://abbygraceblog.com/french-inspired-wedding-shoot/) - A soft, pastel French themed styled wedding shoot for a wedding photography workshop just outside of Washington, DC. Styled by Dear Sweetheart Events
- [Keith + Melanie | New York proposal at the Brooklyn Public Library](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-york-brooklyn-proposal-photographer/) - A surprise proposal at the Brooklyn Public Library in New York City, complete with a custom rose gold yellow sapphire, Harry Potter engagement ring
- [Photog Friday: Part 1- What do you do in the "off-season?"](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-part-1-off-season/) - Oooh the off-season. So intensely anticipated, and yet once it arrives, so many of us turn into Ricky Bobbys- "what do I do with my hands? I don't know what to do with my hands..." In the past, the off-season's been really difficult for me. Going from 60mph to ZERO is a hard stop, and if you're
- [Steep Cuts](https://abbygraceblog.com/steep-cuts/) - No, today's not about budgets. It's about a HAIRCUT! I know people get their hair cut all the time, but I average... like, two cuts a year. Having long hair, that was about as frequently as I needed to get to get the ends cleaned up! But this time, I decided to go for something
- [Jake & Abby's wedding album](https://abbygraceblog.com/heirloom-wedding-album/) - A wedding album from a marriage at Early Mountain Vineyard near Charlottesville, Virginia. Rustic elegant decor, Leather Craftsmen album.
- [Dear Professor Linkous](https://abbygraceblog.com/dear-professor-linkous/) - I wonder if you have any idea just how much you impacted me? It was March of 2009, the middle of the semester, and little did I know it, but I'd stumbled upon something that was potentially life-altering. I was in your Introduction to Dark Room Photography class, a class I'm sure you could teach
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-181/) - It's FEBRUARY! Which means January, aka the-month-that-feels-like-one-long-Monday, is over. We had a crazy productive January with the Make 2016 Challenge, the free webinar, and the release of A Practical Wedding Workshop Live! Registration closed on the 22nd, but today feels like the first day that I'm truly recovered from the stress/lack of sleep/work of it
- [David + Kaitlyn | Reston Town Center Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/reston-town-center-anniversary-session/) - One of the best aspects of knowing a couple for years is that you have the privilege of watching their love take on different form as their relationship grows and matures. I've known Kaitlyn since she was 7 or 8, when we both danced at the same ballet studio. Then at the start of my
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-180/) - Happy Monday, friends! Did you have an amazing weekend? Because I sure did! We had an EPIC blizzard hit on Friday and it snowed for 36 hours straight, which naturally made me run around the house like a sugar-filled five-year-old. We got 2.5 feet of SNOW! And our neighborhood still hasn't been plowed, which means the idea
- [Recap of Justin & Mary Present: The Event](https://abbygraceblog.com/justin-mary-present-the-event/) - Justin & Mary Present: The Event. A one-day educational conference for photographers with Katelyn James, Natalie Franke, Abby Grace, Ashley Scobey, Jenna Kutcher
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-179/) - This past week has felt like some weird sort of version of Freaky Friday. See, when Matt & I were first married, I was juggling both a corporate 8-5 and the nearly-full-time job of building Abby Grace Photography into a sustainable business. There was a lot of anxiety, stress, and exhaustion, and a lot of
- [Bryan & Rachel | DC Engagement Session at the Lincoln Memorial](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-engagement-lincoln-memorial/) - Classic Washington DC engagement session at the Lincoln Memorial. Modern elegant wedding photographer Abby Grace
- [Ethan's Pants: The Complete Collection](https://abbygraceblog.com/ethans-pants-complete-collection/) - A collection of what my second photographer wore to each wedding we shot together this year. From bow ties to colorful chinos, his wedding day style is clutch.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-178/) - Happy Monday, friends! Last week was, simply put, the best. The BEST! First we had The Event with Justin & Mary, and seven more of the industry's finest creatives. Then we had the most wonderfully lovely vow renewal the world has ever known on Thursday, to celebrate Matt & I's fifth anniversary! It was a total dream,
- [Five Years](https://abbygraceblog.com/five-years/) - Dear Matt, When I think back to where we both were five years ago, I can’t help but laugh a little at myself. I thought I knew what love was on January 8th, 2011, but I had no idea. I’ve told you before that if you asked me who was the luckier one when we
- [Things I'm loving lately: Align Album Design](https://abbygraceblog.com/things-im-loving-lately-align-album-design/) - You know that feeling when you find a crazy cool new shop (like Great Harvest Bread Company!) and you want to tell all your friends about it? Like "how on earth have people gone on with their lives for so long without knowing of this shop's existence??" That's how I feel about Align! I first
- [Lee & Danielle | Northern Virginia wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/virginia-wedding-photographer/) - There's nothing more fun than photographing the sister of a past bride! The King family was so warm in inviting me in to photograph Jason & Lindsay's wedding two summers ago, so when it came time for Danielle & Lee to tie the knot, I knew it was going to be a wonderful day! From a sweet
- [Coming this week: the Make 2016 Yours Challenge!](https://abbygraceblog.com/make-2016-yours-challenge/) - This is going to be the best week EVER! If you're part of our newsletter community, you know we've been working SO hard to get the A Practical Wedding Workshop LIVE ready to go for next week's release. But what you DIDN'T know was that we've also been working on a free video series to
- [Merry Christmas from the Springmanns!](https://abbygraceblog.com/merry-christmas-from-the-springmanns/) - Friends, I hope you know how grateful we are for you. For the fact that you keep coming back to the blog day after day, for your support when I've needed it, and your encouragement in our most recent adventures. Merry Christmas to you and your family, from me and mine! And a huge thank
- [Sean + Claudia | Falls Church engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/sean-claudia-falls-church-engagement-session/) - Remember these two from this post? I thought you might! We're back with their full engagement session, and I'm still asking myself how I get so lucky with couples as wonderful as these two are together. I think the way people treat their wedding photographer (and wedding vendors in general) says a lot about them as
- [Featured in Print: Washingtonian Bride & Groom!](https://abbygraceblog.com/washingtonian-bride-groom/) - Sometimes I'm afraid to share my dreams. There's this little voice that tells me "if you share that dream and then fail to accomplish it, everyone will know, and everyone will laugh at you." But the longer I'm in business and the more industry friends I make, the more I realize how wrong that voice is! Because
- [Mark & Emily | Sophisticated DC Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/sophisticated-dc-anniversary-session/) - Classic anniversary session portraits at the National Portrait Gallery portico and Grand Hall. Fine art DC film photographer
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-177/) - IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!! Is everyone else as excited as I am?! This is my favorite time of year because of all the hustle and bustle and cheer. Not everyone gets the "cheer" part (especially here in northern Virginia), but I just take that as inspiration to smile at as MANY people as possible. It'll occasionally totally
- [Craig + Lauren | A new home Anniversary Experience](https://abbygraceblog.com/in-home-anniversary-session/) - An anniversary session with two newlyweds in their new home, complete with Goldendoodles and a floral crown. Maryland anniversary photographer
- [Aaron + Shannon | Virginia Beach wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/aaron-shannon-virginia-beach-wedding/) - Former Miss New York Shannon marries her handsome Coast Guard sweetheart, Aaron. Sunset portraits, lavender accents, military wedding
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-176/) - Happy Monday, friends! It's funny- December is usually one of my quiet months, business-wise, but these last few weeks have ended up being some of my craziest of the year. In a good way, of course! I just wasn't expecting things to shake out this way. And so now, here we are, 11 days before
- [That time I forgot my camera](https://abbygraceblog.com/that-time-i-forgot-my-camera/) - Have you ever left the house in a rush, thinking you have everything you need, only to realize with a quickly-sinking stomach that you forgot something crucial? That happened to me on Friday, but fortunately it's something I can now laugh about...mostly. We were dashing out of the house to get to Alexandria for Sean &
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-175/) - Goooood morning Vietnam! I can tell this week's going to be a good one for a few reasons: 1) I'm spending a few days with my Granny & Pawpaw, which is always a good time. 2) Aaron & Shannon are getting married on Saturday!! It's going to be an absolutely beautiful day! And 3) it's
- [Photog Friday: If you ask for rain, be prepared with an umbrella](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-umbrella/) - For photographers looking to break into the high-end, luxury wedding market, make sure you're ready before the moment comes.
- [Creative at Heart Conference | Charleston, SC](https://abbygraceblog.com/creative-heart-conference-charleston/) - Recap of the Creative at Heart Conference in Charleston, Souther Carolina.
- [Russell & Kelsey's wedding album](https://abbygraceblog.com/breaux-vineyards-wedding-album/) - You guys will most definitely remember this couple and their stunning Breaux Vineyards wedding! It was the perfect day- rain was forecasted for the entire afternoon, but somehow it completely missed us. And instead of a downpour, we had an EPIC sunset! You'll have to view their blog post to see what I mean, but trust me.
- [Photog Friday- Are you charging enough for albums?](https://abbygraceblog.com/charging-for-wedding-albums/) - A look into how wedding photographers should price their albums. Wedding photography education
- [Things I'm loving lately: Pixifi](https://abbygraceblog.com/things-im-loving-lately-pixifi/) - The first time I'd heard of studio management software, I was barely in my first year of business. The thought of adding another monthly expense was unbearable to me, and besides, I was doing "just fine" with my current process of receiving contracts and checks in the mail. Who needed to complicate things further by
- [Free ebook: the Abby Grace Resource Manual!](https://abbygraceblog.com/free-ebook-resource-manual/) - The Abby Grace Resource Manual: a wedding photographer's guide to finding vendors, products, programs & more. Free education for photographers.
- [Mike & Jen | Kennedy Center engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/kennedy-center-engagement/) - In the midst of a hectic wedding season, I almost forgot how much I love pushing my own creativity. The first time I met Mike & Jen, Jen mentioned that her father is a photographer and has been taking photos for as long as she can remember. The kind of photographer who owns his own dark room, so
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-174/) - Can we talk about the fact that Thanksgiving is on Thursday? It's been warmer than usual around here, and I think I equate colder weather with the approaching holidays. So the fact that our first frost wasn't until this morning means I am in NO way, shape, or form ready for Thanksgiving. I was utterly
- [Will & Karie | Alexandria engagement session at home](https://abbygraceblog.com/belle-haven-alexandria-engagement/) - When I think of Will & Karie, I think big smiles, an enthusiasm for time spent together, and that warmth that comes with two people who are just plain comfortable together. That's why I LOVE that we did their engagement session at Karie's childhood home! No pretense, no desire to dress up their relationship in a
- [Eric & Lindsey | Alexandria engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/eric-lindsey-alexandria-engagement-session/) - Fall engagement session in Alexandria, Virginia with brilliant autumn foliage
- [Steve & Kara | Black tie wedding at the Fairfax](https://abbygraceblog.com/fairfax-embassy-row-wedding-photographer/) - Classic black tie Jewish wedding at the Fairfax Embassy Row in Washington DC. Portraits at Anderson House, ball gown wedding dress complete with fox fur wrap.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-173/) - Happy Monday! We're going to make this one a short mash-up, since I'm in Charleston for Creative At Heart (Round 3!). And when I say "I'm," I mean "WE!" Matt's here with me, and I'm having such a good time introducing him to all the incredible creatives I've spent last few years getting to know.
- [A Practical Wedding Workshop, November recap!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-practical-wedding-workshop-november-recap/) - Workshop for wedding photographers by Abby Grace, held outside of Washington DC in Northern Virginia. Includes full day of education and a full styled shoot
- [Alicia Ann | Head shots at Yale University](https://abbygraceblog.com/alicia-ann-head-shots-at-yale-university/) - I think I actually get more nervous about head shots for other photographers that I do about weddings! It's a huge compliment to be asked by another photographer to capture their new portraits, but I then tend to overthink everything- "what will they think about my posing technique? What about my editing? Oh my gosh, what if
- [Kevin & Arienne | Charlottesville wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/kevin-arienne-charlottesville-wedding-photographer/) - Blush + gold fall autumn wedding at Mt. Ida Farm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Deconstructed rustic bouquet, fine art photography
- [Photog Friday | Holding out for ideal work](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-hold-out-for-ideal-work/) - The concept of ideal clients and work, and why it's ok to hold out for them. Washington DC wedding photographer
- [Business with purpose: The Abby Grace Vision](https://abbygraceblog.com/vision-statement/) - Vision casting as a small photography business owner. Mission statement for creative business.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-172/) - My house didn't used to be the most terrifying on the block. Nope- before we brought Sirius home, Lily would only bark at the mailman & UPS guy. And sure, she'd growl at other people who had the audacity to move in the general vicinity of our street, but that's normal. But now, neighborhood kids
- [UNITED 2015 | Photography conference in Scottsdale, AZ](https://abbygraceblog.com/united-2015-photography-conference/) - For those of you who haven't ever heard of UNITED, it's AMAZING! It's a 2-3 day conference for photographers, hosted by ShowIt (the website company I use), and it's one of those game-changing sort of experiences. I always walk away with my world rocked in some way or another. I wasn't sure what to expect going into
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-171/) - In case you hadn't guessed it (and in the event that you hadn't already seen this Instagram), it's been a bit of a slow start for me today. We had an incredible time on Saturday photographing Kevin & Arie's wedding! I cannot WAIT to show you their day! But since I didn't get home until at 2am
- [AJ + Cate | Oatlands Plantation engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/oatlands-plantation-engagement/) - A classic couple's engagement session at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Virginia with their Yorkie Poo puppy Cooper. Classy Kate Spade style!
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-170/) - Helloooo friends!! I'm here at ShowIt UNITED in Scottsdale, Arizona, so I'll keep this brief. I had the joy of leading/teaching a shoot yesterday afternoon on photographing the First Look- we had such a good time! So, nothing much to report here yet except the fact that I only brought two pairs of socks, and
- [Photog Friday | A quick LightRoom trick!](https://abbygraceblog.com/quick-lightroom-trick/) - I'll be completely honest, I actually discovered this trick on accident! It's a small little thing that has ended up making editing even faster for me, and you guys know I loving finding ways to streamline my process! After culling in PhotoMechanic by flagging all of my "keepers" with 5 stars (using the #5 key
- [Matt & Colleen | US Naval Academy wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/us-naval-academy-wedding-photographer/) - Classic Navy wedding at the US Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis Maryland. Bride wore her grandmother's dress from the 1960's, reception at the Tidewater Inn.
- [Bill & Greta | Oxon Hill Manor Wedding Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/bill-greta-oxon-hill-manor-wedding-photographer/) - Intimate fall wedding at Oxon Hill Manor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Soft peach florals and outdoor bride & groom portraits.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-169/) - Sometimes, you wake up on a Monday morning and all you want to do is stuff your face with chocolate, read a good book, and snuggle up with your puppies. And then other Monday mornings, you get an email from your friend Alicia with a link to your Christmas card photos, and all is right
- [10 things you didn't know about Matt](https://abbygraceblog.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-matt/) - The last day of the work week is usually #FridayIntroductions over on Instagram, so let's stretch that to blog world, too! I've written about Matt more times than I can recall, but it's usually enumerating what a great husband he is. So aside from being familiar with the fact that he's a total charmer, most of you
- [November Workshop Preview!](https://abbygraceblog.com/november-workshop-preview/) - You guys! I'm getting SO EXCITED for the November APWW! We're assembling an amazing team for the styled shoot and I, for one, cannot wait to photograph it all. We sent the mood board out to our newsletter community last week and figured all you blog readers may want to see it as well! As
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-168/) - Happy Monday, friends! After what was supposed to be a rain-soaked weekend, it's awfully gorgeous and sunny outside! Did any actually experience the promise deluge + crazy winds we were promised? I shot on both Saturday & Sunday and only ever saw drizzles! Woo! How gorgeous is Greta?? She was such a stunning bride on
- [Kip & Liz | Decatur House wedding in downtown DC](https://abbygraceblog.com/decatur-house-wedding-photographer/) - Classic Washington DC brunch wedding at the White House's Decatur House. Blush bridesmaids, waffles for brunch, and portraits at Lafayette Square.
- [Jacob & Courtney's wedding album](https://abbygraceblog.com/luxury-wedding-album/) - Leather bound wedding album with flush mounted pages. Wedding at Hendry House in Arlington, Virginia
- [Love Everlasting- G + C's Omni Shoreham wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/love-everlasting-gary-clarisses-omni-shoreham-wedding/) - Their two worlds first crossed in a dorm room at UMD College Park. He recalls that he was watching soccer on TV, but she assures me it was actually The Notebook. It turns out the dorm wasn't done with them yet, and they shared another milestone in the stairwell- a first kiss. As the years
- [Grant & Rachel | Classic, sharp DC engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/classic-dc-engagement-apa/) - A chic, sophisticated engagement session in Washington DC at the American Pharmacists Association building and the Lincoln Memorial.
- [Vince & Cassie | Creighton Farms wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/creighton-farms-wedding-photographer/) - Elegant blush + white at Creighton Farms Private Golf Club in Aldie, Virginia. Tented wedding reception with chandeliers and kings table seating.
- [Bill & Greta | Washington DC engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/bill-greta-washington-dc-engagement-session/) - From her first email, I knew I was going to love these two! Why? you ask. Because Bill proposed to Greta on the Pont Neuf in Paris, and as if that's not magical enough, the Eiffel Tower lit up right after she said yes! He'd spent all day trying to figure out the perfect spot to
- [Ethan's Pants](https://abbygraceblog.com/ethans-pants/) - A look at the wedding day choices for male photographers. Stylish alternatives to all-black ensembles, complete with chinos, bow ties and tattoos.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-167/) - Happy Monday, friends! I had a bit of a late start this morning, but that was totally fine by me. The cooler weather is making snuggling up under our duvet that much more appealing, and seeing as Mondays after weddings are sort of a day off for me, I feel no qualms whatsoever about giving
- [Photog Friday: Attending the Walkthrough](https://abbygraceblog.com/attending-the-walkthrough/) - For wedding photographers: why you should think about attending the walk through at a venue!
- [Russell + Kelsey | Earthy winery wedding at Breaux Vineyards](https://abbygraceblog.com/breaux-vineyards-winery-wedding/) - Earthy, industrial winery wedding at Breaux Vineyards with loose florals and soft, romantic details. Florals by Sweet Root Village.
- [Aaron & Shannon | Washington DC engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/aaron-shannon-washington-dc-engagement-photographer/) - Their's is a whirlwind romance. They met in April at a party, and by July, they both just knew that this was it. Engaged by August with wedding plans for December, they both laugh over how fast it's all gone. But as someone who's husband proposed after six months of dating, I 100% understand the
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-166/) - Happy Monday, friends! I hope you had as amazing of a weekend as I did. Russell & Kelsey were married on Saturday at Breaux Vineyards with Ashlee Virginia and I was a little nervous going into it- the forecast was calling for nonstop rain allllll day. Somehow, though, we not only managed to avoid the rain, but we ended up
- [Photog Friday: Upcoming Teaching Gigs!](https://abbygraceblog.com/upcoming-teaching-gigs/) - I just changed the wreath on our front door to a fall-themed one. Which was kind of a bummer, because I'm pretty fond of the one I made for August! But with the change of door decor comes cooler weather and an excuse to make mulled cider again, so I'm totally on board with it.
- [Bobby & Lindsey | Alexandria Anniversary Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/bobby-lindsey-alexandria-anniversary-photographer/) - We've known these two for about a year now- they came to RCC one Sunday last fall and I remembered them by their cowboy boots- we loved them from the very beginning! Bobby has this warm, inviting personality that can put anyone at ease, and Lindsey is one of the wisest people I've ever met.
- [Photog Friday: My 5 Favorite Product Resources](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-my-5-favorite-product-resources/) - My top five favorite resources for albums, prints, stationery and more.
- [The J&M Lighting Guide to the rescue!](https://abbygraceblog.com/justin-mary-lighting-guide/) - The Lighting Guide by Justin & Mary is changing the way photographers approach wedding day off-camera flash. Essential education for wedding photographers!
- [Tyler & Megan | Middleburg Anniversary Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/middleburg-anniversary-photographer/) - An early morning, golden golden hour anniversary sesssion in Middleburg, Virginia's horse country. Open fields and tall grass, plus a majestic tree = MAGIC!
- [Dominic & Amanda- Washington DC Anniversary Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/washington-dc-anniversary-photographer-2/) - Five year anniversary portrait session in Washington, DC at the Lincoln Memorial.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-165/) - You guys. Tomorrow is SEPTEMBER 1ST. Which means two things: 1) it's time to hop on the Hogwarts Express, and 2) it's the unofficially official start of FALL! As much as I loved school as a kid, the fall season was always associated with the end of my freedom. But now that I'm all grown
- [Phil & Megan- Glen Echo, Maryland Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/maryland-anniversary-photographer/) - An anniversary session at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, Maryland.
- [Bridal fashion in Paris | Katherine Bignon Bridal](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-france-photographe-de-mariage/) - Katherine Elizabeth Bridal's new line of gowns and tulle skirts, photographed at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France. Bridal fashion for a French-loving bride.
- [For Photographers: Shooting in crowded spaces, part deux](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-shooting-in-crowded-spaces-part-deux/) - How to photograph a portrait session or wedding in crowded places. From Cherry Blossoms to Time Square!
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-164/) - Goooood Monday morning! It's been a little bit of a slow start over here- weekends away always seem to make it hard to get going for the work week! Matt's birthday was last weekend and he requested a weekend away for just the two of us before wedding season began, so we hopped in the car
- [Photog Friday: Organizing your LightRoom catalogues](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-organizing-your-lightroom-catalogues/) - Creating new Adobe LightRoom5 catalogues for each new event you photograph
- [Josh & Lauren | Amsterdam, Netherlands Anniversary Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/josh-lauren-amsterdam-netherlands-anniversary-photographer/) - Fine art anniversary session on film in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands complete with canals, flowers, the Rijksmuseum and bicycles as our backdrop.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-163/) - Good morning from Ocean City!! I'm here for a girls' weekend getaway (to celebrate our dear friend Natalie's birthday!), and it's reminding me just how good it is to occasionally get away from the office. And even moreso, how important fellowship is! As small business owners it's so easy to become an island unto yourself, but
- [Before we say "I do"- Jay & Meagan's rural Berryville e-session](https://abbygraceblog.com/before-we-say-i-do-jay-meagans-rural-berryville-e-session/)
- [Photog Friday: 5 Best apps for easy Instagramming](https://abbygraceblog.com/best-apps-for-easy-instagramming/) - Top five apps to make Instagram for photographers even easier. From scheduling to easy photo access, these are the best to maximize your Instagram strategy!
- [A Practical Wedding Workshop, August recap!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-practical-wedding-workshop-august-recap/) - A Practical Wedding Workshop is education for wedding photographers looking to up their wedding day game plan!
- [Matt & Betty | Paris, France Anniversary Photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/matt-betty-paris-france-anniversary-photographer/) - Fine art anniversary session on film in the heart of Paris, France, including Montmartre and Ile de la Cité.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-162/) - Iiiiit's MONDAY! This weekend was sort of weird- we have most of Saturday and all of Sunday completely off, no real social plans or appointments. So we spent a lot of time sitting around reading, which was AWESOME, and a potion of time cleaning around the house, which was less awesome. But on the plus
- [Photog Friday | Top 3 photo education blogs](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-top-3-photo-education-blogs/) - Top three picks for photography education blogs to follow, including Natalie Franke, Katelyn James & The Palm Shop.
- [TJ & Lexi- an Annapolis + US Naval Academy engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/annapolis-naval-academy-engagement/) - A winter time engagement session in the charming town of Annapolis + the campus of the United States Naval Academy
- [Sweet Wanderings Shop is LIVE!](https://abbygraceblog.com/sweet-wanderings-shop-is-live/) - AH! I've been eagerly anticipating this day ever since we decided for sure that we'd be opening a print shop! I know I'm a "one-person business" right now and the term "we" is probably throwing you all off- to explain, Matt's been doing ALL of the back-end work to get the shop up and running.
- [Steve & Kara | Georgetown engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/steve-kara-georgetown-engagement-photographer/) - A chic DC couple's engagement session in the street os Georgetown and along the Potomac, clad in a white tulle skirt for her and a navy blue suit for him.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-161/) - It's another Workshop day here at the Springmann home, and I am SO excited!! With every new group of photographers we welcome into our home, the more I get excited about my own clients- I LOVE sharing all that I've learned over the last five years and teaching lights my fire to go and create something beautiful! I know
- [Happy Birthday, Sirius!](https://abbygraceblog.com/happy-birthday-sirius/) - Truth be told, we don't actually know when his birthday is. He was a rescue, and when we adopted him in December, we were told he was two years old. But after working with our trainer in January/February, she estimated him to be more like 18 months. So I decided that July 31st was going
- [Announcing "Sweet Wanderings!"](https://abbygraceblog.com/announcing-sweet-wanderings/) - This is SUCH an exciting day, you guys!! Some of you have probably already guessed it, as I've been hinting over on Insta for a while now, but today's the day we FINALLY let you guys in on the secret! Without further ado, introducing...For all of you who guessed that we're opening up a print
- [Traveling solo- what I've learned](https://abbygraceblog.com/traveling-solo-what-ive-learned/) - Traveling alone teaches your far more about yourself than you'd think. Lessons learned from solo European travel!
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-160/) - One of the perks of a short trip overseas is that your body never really adjusts to the time change, so while that means you don't sleep much during your travel, it also means you don't have to deal with jetlag when you arrive home. WOO! Last week was absolutely incredible- I had four shoots in just over
- [Photog Friday: my top 3 lenses for weddings](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-my-top-3-lenses/) - Top three choices of lenses for wedding photographers. Examples of photos from each lens!
- [Previews from Paris](https://abbygraceblog.com/previews-from-paris/) - A styled wedding shoot at Île-de-Paris, a bridal shoot at Musée du Louvre, and an anniversary session in Montmartre.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-159/) - Happy Monday, friends! We'll make this post short & sweet- I have about 37 things to do before my flight leaves this afternoon, so I need to hop to it! Katherine Elizabeth dropped off 2 bridal gowns and 4 tulle skirts for me to shoot while in Paris, and holy cow you guys. These pieces
- [Photog Friday- Learning to ask the hard questions](https://abbygraceblog.com/maslow-hierarchy-photography/) - For photographers: we struggle with the basic functions of our business, but we're forgetting about the most important part, the WHY.
- [Six](https://abbygraceblog.com/six/) - Dear Matt, Can you believe it was six years ago that we officially became a couple? I'll never forget sitting in that movie theater with you, surrounded by 20 or so of our fellow Summer Project-ers, waiting for Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince to start at midnight. I'd told you you weren't allowed
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-158/) - Can you believe we've been doing Monday Mash-Ups for more than three years now? There've been so many occasions when I've considered scrapping the series, but something always holds me back. Maybe it's because it's a way to keep friends, family and blog readers up to date with what's going on in our lives, or maybe
- [Photog Friday - earning your first destination shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-book-destination-photography/) - Practical tips for photographers seeking destination photography opportunities; five steps toward booking your first travel shooting job!
- [Ryan & Claire | Four Seasons Georgetown wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/four-seasons-georgetown-wedding-photographer/) - An elegant gold and blush wedding at the Four Seasons Georgetown in Washington DC by wedding photographer Abby Grace
- [Edinburgh, Scotland| UK fine art film photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/edinburgh-scotland-uk-fine-art-film-photographer/) - Fine art film photographs from Edinburgh, Scotland from European destination & travel photographer Abby Grace.
- [Rome, Italy | Fine art film photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/rome-italy-fine-art-film-photographer/) - Fine art film photographs from travels in Rome, Italy. Vespas and homemade limoncello, Roman architecture and Italian culture.
- [Monday Mash-Up | The Abby Grace newsletter!](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-156/) - Newsletter for wedding photographers
- [Photog Friday | 7 steps for taking better instagrams](https://abbygraceblog.com/7-steps-for-better-instagrams/) - 7 solid tips for taking better Instagram images, for photographers and small business owners looking to improve their social media game.
- [Destination Weddings- Why you should bring a photographer with you!](https://abbygraceblog.com/destination-weddings-why-you-should-bring-a-photographer-with-you/) - For brides planning a destination wedding: 4 solid reasons why you should consider bringing a photographer from home!
- [Courtney | Upper West Side, New York fine art photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-york-film-photographer/) - Lifestyle portraits on film in New York's Upper West Side. Portraits of a poet on the campus of Columbia University in Manhattan.
- [Aix-en-Provence, Marseille & Cassis- fine art film photographer in France](https://abbygraceblog.com/aix-en-provence-marseille-cassis-france-fine-art-film-photographer/) - Destination and travel photographer in the South of France. Fine art film photographs from my international travels!
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-157/) - The sacrifice of small business ownership: short-term loss for long-term gain.
- [Paul & Suzanna | West Village, NYC anniversary photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-york-anniversary-photographer-west-village/) - New York City anniversary session in the West End by film Anniversary photographer Abby Grace
- [Matt & Colleen | USNA Annapolis engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/usna-annapolis-engagement-photographer/) - Classic US Naval Academy engagement session in Annapolis, MD by wedding photographer Abby Grace
- [For the bride- the wedding invitation](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-the-bride-the-wedding-invitation/) - Brides, this one is for you AND your stationer + calligrapher, if you have one! My brides will often send a wedding invitation to me in the mail, which I LOVE, but once it's been through the USPS system, it's often scuffed and sometimes a little dinged up. AKA it doesn't photograph very well after
- [Mike & Jill | National Museum of Women in the Arts wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/nmwa-wedding-photographer/) - While everyone else buzzed excitedly around the room, Jill was remarkably calm. Flashing that gorgeous smile of hers to everyone she spoke to, she was completely at peace that morning. She stepped into that stunning Pronovias frock she purchased in Portugal, slipped on those sapphire Kate Spade flats, opened a sweet gift from her groom, and
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-155/) - Happy Monday, friends! These last two days were a rare June weekend off, and it was amazing! During wedding season, Matt & I get really excited about any "spare" weekends, and with a quasi-rough week, I really needed the time away from my office. So we went to a movie at 10am on Saturday morning (heLLO
- [Photog Friday: 6 posing tips for engagement sessions](https://abbygraceblog.com/engagement-photography-posing-tips/) - Posing used to be my BIGGEST fear going into an engagement session- I'd panic, then freeze, and then try to covertly check my phone for that Pinterest board I'd created as a guide. And the more nervous I became, the less trust I was instilling in my brides and grooms. Trust is SO big when
- [Nick & Nicole | Annapolis, MD wedding at London Town](https://abbygraceblog.com/annapolis-wedding-photographer-london-town/) - This day was a long time coming. They'd just celebrated their 8th dating anniversary last month- together since high school, having weathered the ups and downs of attending colleges several states apart and the inevitable strife that comes with growing into one's own. But they grew together, which made the process that much easier. Rather than
- [Shawn & Ashley- Washington DC Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/washington-dc-anniversary-photographer/) - These two. If you've been hanging around the Abby Grace water cooler for any extended period of time, you'll remember them- Shawn & Ashley were actually my first engagement session EVER! Ashley was one of my roommates during senior year at Radford, and having the opportunity to watch her and Shawn's relationship as it takes on
- [Three years ago...](https://abbygraceblog.com/three-years-ago/) - ...I photographed a wedding when things finally CLICKED. The couple was Jamie & Abbeigh, and I knew from the moment I first met them that they were everything I wanted in an ideal Abby Grace couple- excited for their wedding, but even more excited to simply be husband & wife. He, a handsome USNA student-then-Marine-Corps-officer,
- [Photog Friday | That time I tried to be Jose Villa](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-that-time-i-tried-to-be-jose-villa/) - I'd taken the plunge in June of 2012 and bought the mother of all medium format film cameras, the Contax 645. I knew I loved film and 35mm just wasn't enough for me anymore, so I took a chance and purchased the Contax- I'd promised Matt if things didn't pan out and I never used
- [For the Bride- Bouquet Delivery](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-the-bride-bouquet-delivery/) - Bridal bouquets are my favorite, favorite "extra" component on a wedding day. You give me a beautiful couple who are crazy in love with each other, and add in a hand-tied bunch of floral-y goodness? Take my breath away, please and thank you. One of my favorite ways to incorporate the bouquet is in the
- [Patrick & Katie | sunkissed Alexandria engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/old-town-alexandria-engagement-photographer/) - Sophomore year at Virginia Tech was when it started. They attended a formal weekend together for greek life, and after a couple of months of a vague relationship status, things became officially official. Falling in love in southwest Virginia, especially in the context of a college campus, there's something so classic and almost magical about it; it's not
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-154/) - Hellooo Monday! It's nice to see your shining face again. I had this weekend off in the sense that I didn't photograph a wedding, but I DID spend all day Sunday working on a super awesome, yet-to-be-launched project! And just to put this out there, I'm not being vague just to be obnoxious- it's just
- [Photog Friday- Makeup essentials for wedding photographers](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-make-up-essentials-for-wedding-photographers/) - Gentlemen, I apologize. This post will probably be of zero interest to you! Ladies, I KNOW I'm not the only one who's looked in the mirror during a wedding reception and though to myself "how the heck did my eyeliner fall THAT far? I look like I got punched in the eye!" I'm a complete
- [Jake & Abby | Early Mountain Vineyards wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/early-mountain-vineyard-wedding-photographer/) - "Ad astra per alas porci," or "to the stars on the wings of a pig" (a pigasus!). It's a sentiment that was sprinkled throughout their wedding day, both an homage to Abby's favorite author John Steinbeck and a motif for their new marriage, meaning though we may be ill-equipped, we will shoot for the heavens
- [Kevin + Arienne- soft, pastel Middleburg engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/middleburg-wedding-photograher/) - Photographing these together was everything I love about my job, all rolled into one session- a groom who's utterly enchanted with his fiancée, a bride who fits so perfectly into her beloved's arms. So much laughter, so much! And to top things off, a ballet-pink tulle skirt by Katherine Elizabeth Bridal, and a floral crown by Holly
- [Let's be honest](https://abbygraceblog.com/lets-be-honest/) - The word "honest" is one I've had used to describe me lot lately, and at first, I wasn't sure that was a good thing. "Do they mean 'blunt?' Like that weird relative who always says exactly what's on their mind and makes everyone feel really awkward?" But I don't think that's what they mean; I was on
- [Photog Friday: What's in my bag, Anniversary Sessions edition](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-whats-in-my-bag-anniversary-sessions-edition/) - So in case you hadn't noticed, Fridays are now for photographers! My bestie Rebekah used to keep a series called Fotog Friday, but since retiring from the wedding photography world, she's generously bequeathed the series to me. Woo woo! It's been a while since I've done a What's In My Bag post, and I thought
- [Corey + Lyn- Stone Tower Winery wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/stone-tower-winery-wedding-photographer/) - This was a wedding that makes it difficult for me to find words to describe. I've known Lyn since we were both in elementary school, and I never once imagined that I'd be the one photographing her wedding day. And then on top of that, I never imagined Lyn would turn out to be one of my
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-153/) - You know those mornings when you get up and you have a well-thought out list of things to do, and then things keep happening that prevent you from getting around to your list until 2pm? That was all of last week for me. And yesterday, hence the fact that Tuesday Mash-Up is actually coming on
- [Photog Friday: Five mistakes [almost] every small business owner makes](https://abbygraceblog.com/mistakes-in-small-business/) - We've all heard those scary numbers before on the mortality rates of small business start-ups; according to the Small Business Administration, there's about a 50% success rate within the first 5 years, and only about 33% of all new business are still operating within the first 10 years. That's real info, and to me? That's scary.
- [Dan & Liz- a classic New England black tie affair at Yale University](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-england-wedding-photographer/) - It was the perfect day for a wedding. The perfect day to don a Vera Wang gown, gather up her coral charm peony bouquet, and meet her beloved beneath the gothic arches of the Branford Courtyard at Yale University. It was the perfect weather to stroll easily about the campus where they first met, to
- [Ryan & Natalie- a preppy navy + pink Virginia wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/preppy-navy-pink-virginia-wedding/) - One thing that struck me about Natalie was how absolute calm she was in the weeks leading up to their wedding- no stress, no anxiety, she was just excited. It's like that line from When Harry Met Sally; "when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life
- [For the bride- dress hangers](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-the-bride-dress-hangers/) - One thing that boggles my mind is how my brides spend hundreds, often thousands of dollars on their stunning wedding gown, only for the bridal salon to deliver on a plastic hanger. The same cheap, clear hangers you see polos and button-ups hanging on at a department store. It makes no sense to me! With every
- [Traveling solo- why I do it](https://abbygraceblog.com/traveling-solo-why-i-do-it/) - "I saw you're going to Italy again- that's so exciting! Is Matt coming with you?" "Nope! It's just me :)." And then the inevitable head-cocked-to-the-side-in-slight-confusion moment. "But...why?" It's a comPLETELY reasonable question. Matt is my best friend, my favorite travel partner-why wouldn't we go together? I think my own mother was confused the first time
- [Eric & Richelle- Paris, France anniversary session in St Germain-des-Prés](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-france-anniversary-photographer-st-germain-des-pres/) - You were probably expecting a Monday Mash-Up this morning, weren't you? I'm really sorry about this, but we're interrupting our regularly-scheduled program for something stunning :). I can't remember how I first stumbled on Richelle's Instagram feed, but I'm so glad I did. See, she and her sweet husband Eric were chasing a dream they'd
- [Photog Friday: What to pack when you're traveling](https://abbygraceblog.com/photog-friday-what-to-pack-when-youre-traveling/) - Recognize that whole "Photog Friday" name? I unabashedly lifted that from my sweet friend Rebekah Hoyt, who's no longer blogging for photographers. Don't worry! I got her blessing :). You guys know I love any excuse to explore somewhere new. And over the past few years, after having photographed in Vicenza, Venice, Rome, Marseille, Paris
- [Jane- springtime DC ballet portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-ballet-photographer/) - I was sitting in the airport in Vienna, Austria when I was finally able to look at my film scans from the lab. Aware that drawing attention to yourself as a foreigner isn't the smartest move, it took a lot of self-control to keep from squealing and dancing as I clicked through each new image.
- [Sophie- Paris, France ballerina photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/sophie-paris-france-ballerina-photographer/) - This gorgeous Parisian ballerina requires no introduction if you've seen our first and second shoots together. It's always a "well, duh we'll shoot!" if I'm in Europe, and Sophie never disappoints! She has the classic elegance of Coco Chanel, which I think is why I haven't gotten tired of photographing her in black, yet. It's
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-124/) - Good moooorning, Neverland! Hook is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I've been pining to watch it for weeks but we haven't been able to find it anywhere! Matt finally managed to track down a copy and we settled in on Friday night to watch it, and despite the fact that it's been 10-15
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-140/) - It's Monday again! Funny how that happens once a week, isn't it? This last week was weird, but in a good way. Since I'm less busy with editing right now, I'm finding myself with a lot more time to devote to the back-end of the business, which for me means writing oodles of blog posts!
- [Big Goals](https://abbygraceblog.com/big-goals/) - I had this list when I started my photography business, it was written on a series of 4-5 yellow Post-It notes, written in the confines of the office where I worked at the time. I had a list of what I'd deemed "attainable" goals, and then another list of what I referred to as my
- [New workshop dates announced!](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-workshop-dates-announced/) - That's right, dateS! In the past I've always just announced them one at a time, but I'm taking a leap of faith. Both iterations of A Practical Wedding Workshop that I've hosted in the past have sold out, so I'm taking a chance and am announcing TWO workshop dates to round out my 2015 APWW series!
- [William & Meg- a chic, preppy seaside wedding on Bald Head Island](https://abbygraceblog.com/william-meg-a-chic-preppy-seaside-wedding-on-bald-head-island/) - This is one of the most personal weddings I'll ever post here. Meg, my cousin, childhood confidant, fellow lover of Pixi Sticks, and the maid of honor at my own wedding, married her high school sweetheart William, and I could not be more thrilled for the two of them! Watching Meg with William, it was
- [Greg & Sarah- an Old Town Alexandria Anniversary Experience session](https://abbygraceblog.com/greg-sarah-an-old-town-alexandria-anniversary-experience-session/) - One of the biggest privileges in being a photographer is the opportunity to be there for the "big stuff" in my couples lives. And what I love so, so much about my Abby Grace Legacy Couples is that I get to document those "big things" multiple times! It feels like my business grows up alongside
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-151/) - Gooooooood morning Vietnam! And by "Vietnam," I mean "blogosphere!" Although I've heard Vietnam is quite nice this time of year, for what it's worth. This photo has nothing to do with Vietnam. It was taken in Aix-en-Provence, and it makes me hungry just looking at it. Charcuterie, brie + baguettes for the win! I'm back
- [Tuesdays Together, and the Rising Tide Society!](https://abbygraceblog.com/tuesdays-together-and-the-rising-tide-society/) - I’m what I’d like to call an optimistic realist, but you guys know that about me by now! I believe in accurately estimating one’s own potential, albeit positively so, and operating within that scope of possibility. That way I don’t end up crushingly disappointed when it turns out I’m not as amazing at something as
- [Zach + Lindsay- Chianti, Italy Anniversary Experience session](https://abbygraceblog.com/chianti-italy-photographer/) - Her email came a couple of months ago, asking about whether or not I'd be available for travel to Charleston, South Carolina for an anniversary session. And she signed off with a fun note- "If you're gone in Europe, I may just have to follow you over there!" Lol. NO BUT SERIOUSLY. And by some
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-150/) - Yeah, I don't have a good excuse as to why I didn't blog yesterday. No national holiday (in the US, at least), no sick day. The only explanation I can offer was that I was busy being utterly swept up in Paris' beautiful way of life, and that I'm not even a little bit sorry
- [Matt & Rebekah- DC Cherry Blossom Anniversary Experience](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-cherry-blossom-anniversary-photographer/) - I remember the first time I met Rebekah- we'd seen each other's work online and had decided to meet up for coffee, since we lived to close to one another. She was the first person to encourage me to make the leap to full-time, and for some reason, I felt like she believed in me.
- [Judd + Caroline- a DC cherry blossom engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-cherry-blossom-engagement/) - They both had this friend- you know the kind, the one who loves setting up their friends?- who was convinced they needed to meet. So after this friend emailed Judd to make sure he was available for a date, and convinced Caroline to meet Judd for drinks one night, the trap was set. Both living in different
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-149/) - Buongiorno, friends! Raise your hand you if had an amazing week, because I sure as heck did, too. I got a ton of work done, shot a beautiful Anniversary Session, got my film back from Jane's ballerina session, and left for Italy in a state of pretty much no stress! I mean, there's the usual stress
- [Why You Shouldn't Be Offended If I don't Take Your Travel Advice](https://abbygraceblog.com/destination-photography-advice/) - It was almost two years ago, and I was planning for James & Deanna's Surrey, UK wedding at the beautiful Gorse Hill. My dad, an avid traveler and lover of Europe (I am definitely my father's daughter!), was sharing with us all his favorite spots in London, Stamford, and Paris. "You have to do one of
- [Lee + Danielle- a Blacksburg, Virginia engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/lee-danielle-a-blacksburg-virginia-engagement-session/) - They've known each other for a long, long time- first memories include walking to math class together in sixth grade and awkward, stilted conversation. You know, that stage when guys and girls first start actually interacting instead of just pushing each other over on the playground? It didn't take very long to take a liking to one
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-148/) - Happy happy Monday, my friends! It's a GORGEOUS spring day outside- all the trees in northern Virginia are in bloom, and I'm having to exercise serious restraint not to run around singing at the top of my lungs. I mean, I do that pretty much all the time in my own house, but it's doing
- [Canvases on PASS!](https://abbygraceblog.com/canvases-on-pass/) - I hate selling. I HATE it. The feeling of trying to convince someone to part with their money, it always leaves me feeling like an oily, used car salesman. But there's a difference between "selling" and simply believing in the value of a product, service, etc. enough that other people can't help but see its value
- [about me](https://abbygraceblog.com/about-me/) - Abby Grace Photography is a Washington DC and northern Virginia wedding, engagement and portrait photographer. So this is the part where I’m supposed to tell you “I always knew I was going to be a photographer,” bla bla bla. I wish I'd always known- that would have made picking a major a heck of a lot
- [Creative @ Heart- March 2015 recap](https://abbygraceblog.com/creative-heart-march-2015-recap/) - Something you, dear reader, need to know about me: I hate cliché, and I hate "just fluff." Just Fluff is only good in two scenarios: 1) on a peanut butter sandwich, and 2) stuffed into a down comforter. Just Fluff has no place at a conference or workshop, and I promise to you that if
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-147/) - Let's be real, friends. I love Mondays, but this morning? I kind of just wanted to stay in bed and sleep. But when you have an almost-60-lb German Shepherd mix pup sitting on you (seriously- he plops down on my back) and whining for you to get up, sleeping in isn't really an option anymore.
- [How to make a good impression: other photographers, part 2](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-make-a-good-impression-other-photographers-part-2/) - If you haven't seen Part 1 of this two-part series, go back and read that HERE before going any further! It'll set the stage for what we're talking about today :). Last week we talked all about the why behind both sides of the "I really want to learn, someone please help me" dilemma. Today's post is
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-146/) - It's Tuesday! Which means I'm one day late with a Mash-Up post. But seeing as I was totally consumed with all the incredible conversations and life change that was going on at Creative @ Heart this past weekend, I'm ok with it. As the Emily Ley quote goes, "I will hold myself to a standard
- [How to make a good impression: other photographers, part 1](https://abbygraceblog.com/how-to-make-a-good-impression-other-photographers/) - It's something you hear a lot from new photographers: "I really want to second shoot, but I can't find anyone who will let me shoot with them," or "I really want to get to know that photographer I love, but I don't have $500-1000 to attend a workshop or conference right now." I hear you!
- [Springmann Vacation 2015!](https://abbygraceblog.com/springmann-vacation-2015/) - The winter blues are a real thing, people. And we were feeling them pretty strongly this past winter- it was just so cold all the time, with winds nasty enough to chap your skin until it cracked. Not fun. Not fun at all. During one especially nasty, wintery period, Matt proposed the idea of going south for
- [Creative @ Heart- it's almost time!](https://abbygraceblog.com/creative-heart-its-almost-time/) - Confession: I wasn't planning to blog today, but I logged onto Facebook and saw the sweetheart Amanda Hedgepeth had blogged about Creative and I realized- holy cow! It's THIS WEEKEND. I mean, I knew it was this weekend, but it hadn't really sunk in yet. For those of you who haven't heard of it, Creative @
- [For Photographers: My 5 Favorite Software/Programs](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-my-5-favorite-softwareprograms/) - Two weeks ago, I blogged about my Top 5 online resources for photographers- if you haven't read that one, check it out here! Today, I thought it'd be helpful for some of y'all to go over my Top 5 software/programs. Every photographer is different and has a unique set of tools that helps them do
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-145/) - Happy first Monday of Spring, sweet blog readers!! It snowed on the real first day of Spring last week here in Virginia, but then in true Commonwealth spirit, it was 60 degrees and sunny the following day. I myself am praying that the 60-and-sunny stuff sticks around, because as much as I love the beauty of
- [For Photographers: Making a Styled Shoot Happen](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-making-a-styled-shoot-happen/) - I will be the first to admit that I am NOT the best at this sort of thing. Ideas for styled shoots usually start as me dreaming this big huge dream, becoming overly excited and telling someone else about it, getting vendors together, picking a date... and then forgetting about it until the week before.
- [Fine Art Print Boxes](https://abbygraceblog.com/fine-art-print-boxes/) - There's this difficult balance, being a photographer who captures precious moments in my couples' lives: I know what my anniversary couples WANT, but then I also know what they're doing to NEED. They want their digital files, because psychologically speaking, it allows you to rest easy knowing you can print you images in the future. You
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-144/) - Guys, I'm REALLY excited that it's Monday! Why? Because it's supposed to get up to 60 degrees outside today!! I think Spring might finally be on her way, and I, for one, could not be more happy to see her! It's been a crazy long winter here in Virginia and I am ready for warm
- [For Photographers: The blogging calendar](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-the-blogging-calendar/) - I resisted the idea of a blogging calendar for a long time- I'm pretty sure it was due to laziness. Or maybe I just liked the thrill of getting up in the morning and NOT knowing what I was going to write about, and then spending an hour cudgeling my brain for a good topic.
- [For Photographers: My 5 Favorite Online Resources](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-my-5-favorite-online-resources/) - Over the past 5 years of being in business, I've developed quite the arsenal of go-to resources. A lot of those are physical products, like Leather Craftsmen or my Day Designer. But others are simply really, REALLY helpful online places that serve to make running my business easier than before. Here are my top online
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-139/) - Good MORNING from sunny Orlando! I'm sort of sad we missed the 8-12 inches of snow that fell last week, just because of how pretty I'm sure it was, but I've been sporting sundresses and short-sleeved tops these past few days, so I'm not all that sorry. It's been so wonderful to get away for a
- [Terry & Flo, Alan & Nicki- snow day anniversary sessions](https://abbygraceblog.com/snow-day-anniversary-sessions/) - Moving out to Sterling wasn't my first choice, but it was where we found a house, so Sterling is where we are. I wasn't thrilled about it at first, but the longer we're here, the more I love it. A lot of that has to do with the fact that two families from our church
- [Kam & Erin- a Williamsburg Anniversary Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/kam-erin-a-williamsburg-anniversary-session/) - I remember the first time Matt & I had to spend the night apart after we got married- I was still working my corporate job and I'd been sent to Lawton, OK for a Comms thing. We'd been married something like two months, and I thrilled at the chance to wake up and see him
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-143/) - Hey, remember that time last week when I hosted a workshop on a Monday and TOTALLY blanked on blogging? Yeah, me too. Sorry about that! I didn't realize I'd forgotten to blog until Monday night, and at that point, I was already sprawled on the couch with a glass of champagne, donning my best pair
- [The Shoot & Share Photo Contest: what I've learned from voting](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-shoot-share-photo-contest-what-ive-learned-from-voting/) - I'm not the only one who's literally had HOURS of my life sucked into voting am I? This thing is addicting! I think it's because it sort of feels like gambling- you never know when one of YOUR photos might pop up, so I keep telling myself "just one more round. Ok, two more. It'll
- [A Practical Wedding Workshop- February 2015](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-practical-wedding-workshop-february-2015/) - I'm quickly learning that for me, teaching workshops is as enjoyable as photographing anniversaries and weddings! Workshop days (and the days leading up to them) are crazy; tying up all the little details the night before, assembling furniture hastily purchased at Ikea so that attendees will have somewhere to sit for dinner, and whipping out
- [Everyone Loves A Classic: What's in my Kate Spade?](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-whats-in-my-kate-spade/) - You know the adage that a goldfish will only grow as large as its containing tank allows? Like a small bowl will yield a teeny fish, whereas a larger tank will result in bigger ones. That's kind of how I work with purses- the small the bag, the less stuff I carry. The larger the
- [Totally new blog layout and design!](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-blog-design-j-shipley-creative/) - I know you're probably thinking: a) NO DUH. And 2) it's about dang time! It's been almost two years since we've made any tweaks to my blog, and for the entire nearly-4 year existence of this blog, it's been the same basic layout. Different colors and fonts, headers and bio pages, but same functionality. And
- [Dear Bride, here's why you don't want those RAW files](https://abbygraceblog.com/dear-bride-heres-why-you-dont-want-those-raw-files/) - I'm going to attribute this question to The Knot. It's a request I'll receive maybe 2-3 times a year, and I know the request is coming from a good place- a bride thinks she's supposed to ask this question, and that's totally fine! I don't mind answering it one bit. Today I'm going to explain
- [For Photographers- an exercise in branding](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-an-exercise-in-branding/) - A few weeks ago my friend Camille, a fellow photog (and total branding connoisseur), asked if I'd be willing to be part of a branding book she's putting together for photographers. "Heck yeah!" I'd said. She told me she'd send over a few questions for me to answer, and then she'd also want me to
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-142/) - Happy happy Monday, my friends! It's getting to that point in winter where I'm starting to become a bit desperate for some warmth. It's 7 degrees outside this morning, and with yesterday's windchill, it was -15 when I took the dogs out for their morning walks. It was so cold that my scarf had frost
- [Pricing Structures; how less is more, and the Theory of Simplicity](https://abbygraceblog.com/wedding-photography-pricing/) - I'll start with a disclaimer- this is what I've found works best for me and the couples I serve! There are photographers who do things completely differently than me and it works well for them, and that's fantastic! But today, I'm delving into what I've found is best for my particular business model. Have you
- [Pursuing that flighty temptress: BALANCE](https://abbygraceblog.com/balance/) - That thing we all say we need more of, but can never seem to muster, amIright? One of the speakers at January's Creative At Heart (heeey, Bonnie!) spoke on this very subject, and I loved every second of her talk! As a small business owner, it's inevitable that I'm already going to struggle with balance-
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-141/) - Gooooood Monday morning! The fact that it's 38 degrees outside has me seriously pumped. It was 12 on Friday, and since I walk the dogs separately each morning, my fingers were painfully numb. Bring on the warmer weather! I'm never one to wish away entire seasons at a time, and I actually do love the winter!
- [For photographers: Why you NEED a legit contract](https://abbygraceblog.com/for-photographers-why-you-need-a-legit-contract/) - After teaching workshops and sitting with newer photographers during mentoring sessions, I've found that contracts are one of those things that people shrug off; "I'll get one later," or "I'm not charging enough money to need a contract," or "I don't have the money to buy a template right now." Guys, hear me out: no matter
- [Seven more things nobody tells you when you start out](https://abbygraceblog.com/seven-more-things-nobody-tells-you-when-you-start-out/) - I love the off-season. Now that I'm able to focus more intently on the business-y stuff (as opposed to editing, since sessions are a lot slower this time of year), I've spent the last few work days brainstorming and writing blog posts that I've been meaning to write for months! Last year, I wrote a
- [David & Kristy- a black tie, New Year's Eve Anniversary Experience](https://abbygraceblog.com/david-kristy-a-black-tie-new-years-eve-anniversary-experience/) - He pursues her, quietly but fiercely. They never stopped dating- not after he placed a diamond on her left ring finger, not after they promised forever in front of a wedding officiant, not after the birth of their sweet daughter; always dating, always pursuing, he never gives up the chase. He wouldn't tell her where
- [The 411 on Sparklers- making the most of a wedding exit!](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-411-on-sparklers-making-the-most-of-a-wedding-exit/) - I LOVE sparkler exits. They're my favorite way to send a bride & groom off in style, and any time one of my brides lets me know they're thinking of having one, the first words out of my mouth are always "DO IT!" They're the perfect way to end a wedding with a bang, and
- [Everyone Loves A Classic- #2 pencils](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-2-pencils/) - Specifically, the ones by Ticonderoga. Because there's nothing quite as good as a freshly sharpened, yellow-coated pencil with a full eraser, a blank page, and a head full of ideas. I like the elementary inspiration of it- it takes me back to a place where I wasn't bound by self-inflicted rules, by silly self-created boundaries
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-138/) - Monday Mash-Ups start to get a little bit dicey for me during the months of January-Marchish- it's when I'm not shooting much, so I have a couple choices: a) use a photo of my dogs, which will either make my audience say "aww!" or "eff, doesn't she ever talk about ANYTHING other than her animals?
- [Joe & Wendy- an intimate New York City elopement at High Line Park](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-york-city-elopement-at-high-line-park/) - She called me mid-November with a secret- she & Joe were engaged! But no one else knew. And no one else was going to know until after they tied the knot. "We were thinking... we want to elope in New York. And before I even met Joe, I knew that you would one day be
- [Zac & Kylie- wedding portraits at the National Portrait Gallery](https://abbygraceblog.com/zac-kylie-wedding-portraits-at-the-national-portrait-gallery/) - One of the first things Kylie told me that day was "we're both really, really awkward in front of the camera." I love it when my couples say that kind of thing at the beginning of a session- my response is always "challenge ACCEPTED." Because honestly, looking through their images, have you ever seen any
- [Introducing: Abby Grace Legacy Couples](https://abbygraceblog.com/introducing-abby-grace-legacy-couples/) - It started with one of my AGP Poster Couples, Phil & Megan. Megan's been around since the veeeery early days of Abby Grace Photography- back when I only had a blogsite, when I still watermarked my images, and when my hair was still above my shoulders. They were the first couple who I photographed for
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-14/) - Ahhh, Monday. We meet again. And with Lily waking us up earlier and earlier every morning, I can't pretend I'm as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as usual. But no worries! This week is going to ROCK! I'm leaving tomorrow for New Haven, CT, to attend Justin & Mary's Walk Through A Wedding workshop (WOOOOO!!!), and on
- [Aaand another 10 things you probably didn't know about me](https://abbygraceblog.com/aaand-another-10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-me/) - Hey friends! I'm in New Haven, CT right now at a workshop with Justin & Mary, so we'll keep things light today. I figured it was time for another installment of "Obscure tidbits of my life," yes? Yes! I went through a phase in second grade where I HATED picking out my clothes and getting
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-57/) - Well hellO there, Monday Morning! And may I say, you're looking quite lovely today. Spring looks rather dashing on you! It's week two of my six-week stretch and I'm feeling great. I'm technically supposed to take today off (at Matt's insistence, so that I don't burn out [he is SO awesome!]) because I forgot to
- [2013 wedding review!](https://abbygraceblog.com/2013-wedding-review/) - It's weird, sitting down to write these kinds of posts. Trying to sum up an entire year of shooting weddings in one pretty little blog entry, with one image per event. Each of my couples means the world to me, and knowing how much love, time, and effort went into every one of their days
- [Christa- a simple, classic ballerina session in the studio](https://abbygraceblog.com/dc-virginia-ballet-photographer/) - Things that I do not suggest doing: deciding the DAY BEFORE a shoot that you're going to "just make" your own 12 foot x 16 foot backdrop. The last time I photographing Christa in studio (remember that pas de deux session?), I did so without any backdrop- just the white cyc wall of the studio itself.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-137/) - I'm starting to love this morning routine I've created. After Bonnie's talk on balance at Creative At Heart, I realized my old morning routine was setting me up for workday failure and that something REALLY needed to change. So for the past week, I've been following a certain routine that begins at 7:30 (or earlier),
- [Creative @ Heart, Round 1](https://abbygraceblog.com/creative-heart-round-1/) - I'm still trying to work out what happened last week. I mean, I KNOW what happened- I attended a life-changing conference in Staunton, Virginia with 84 other creatives in the industry, and had my world totally rocked by the experience. But rocked HOW? It's still a little unclear. But every day the mist disperses and
- [Ryan & Kathleen- a wintry Virginia wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/ryan-kathleen-a-wintry-virginia-wedding/) - Kathleen doesn't strike me as the type to get teary about many things. But I love how wedding days are always, always the exception to that kind of rule. She was fine- calm and collected- until she looked at her mom, right after the wedding dress went on. And then again, as she walked into
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-136/) - Those who've been following along for a while now already know this, but sometimes I'll sit down to write a Monday Mash-Up post and comPLETELY blank on what happened over the last week of my life. So I do the natural thing and pull out my phone, open the Instagram app, and check what photos
- [Meet my 2014 interns!](https://abbygraceblog.com/meet-my-2014-interns/) - Wedding season is officially over! 2014 was a crazy, crazy year, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I've had the chance to shoot in some crazy beautiful locations with the best people in the world, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. Now that it's officially the off-season, though, it's time to
- [Happy 4th Anniversary, darling. ](https://abbygraceblog.com/happy-4th-anniversary-darling/) - Well, here we are on our fourth anniversary, and I find myself even more in awe of my husband than I was on our wedding day. If you'd asked me on January 8th, 2011 who was the luckier one, and if I'd answered honestly, I'd have said Matt was luckier. That I was a catch,
- [Ryan & Natalie- a Hoboken, New Jersey engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/ryan-natalie-a-hoboken-new-jersey-engagement-session/) - Oh, these two. Listening to them recount their love story as we walked the streets of Hoboken, Christmas lights aglow and shoppers bustling to and fro, it was everything I love about the holidays. They met at a tailgate last fall, and by the following morning, they were booking trips to come and visit one
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-135/) - And we're back! That break was exACTLY what I needed. I love my blog, and I LOVE writing! But sometimes it's nice to take a step away and just BE. Having the chance to spend the holidays with my family, without the worry of needing to publish posts, edit images for the blog, etc. My
- [Favorites from 2014: Personal Work](https://abbygraceblog.com/favorites-from-2014-personal-work/) - I sat down to create a "favorites" post for 2014 and ended up pulling WAY too many images for one post, so I decided to break it into two! Today's will feature all of my favorite personal work photographs- mainly ballerinas and travel :). And then in a week and a half, we'll do a
- [Merry Christmas!](https://abbygraceblog.com/merry-christmas/) - Well, it's 10:56 on Christmas Eve, and I'm typing a blog post while sipping a glass of pinor noir and binge watching episodes of The Walking Dead with Matt. And I finally turned on my Out-of-Office responder! Life is good, my friends. Life is good. Except for the whole... blogging-late-on-Christmas-Eve-when-I-should-be-dreaming-of-sugar-plums-and-stuff. But since I comPLETEly forgot
- [2014: Best [and Worst]  Practices](https://abbygraceblog.com/2014-best-and-worst-practices/) - This is about the time of year that you'll start seeing the "year end wrap-up" posts on photographers' blogs, and I am no exception to that! This particular post is one that's been a long time coming- I dubbed 2014 the "year of disorganization" early on, and it didn't get much better as the year
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-134/) - Happy Monday! Today's a very special kind of mash-up, because today, I'd like to introduce you to our newest addition to the family- Sirius! We found Sirius at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and I fell in love with his cock-eyed ears! The shelter wasn't able to tell us anything about his previous owners except
- [Vinnie & Maria- an Anniversary Experience session at Christmas](https://abbygraceblog.com/vinnie-maria-an-anniversary-experience-session-at-christmas/) - I know I say this a lot, but the couples I have the fortune of photographing are the best in the world. When I first met Vinnie and Maria, it was three years ago in a Starbucks in Sterling- they were newly engaged, she was finishing up her senior year at JMU, and he was
- [Joe & Wendy- a joy-filled, classic Richmond engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/joe-wendy-a-joy-filled-classic-richmond-engagement-session/) - I've known Wendy since I was seven years old. She and her family were at the same church where I grew up, and I distinctly remember Wendy being the one to teach me that if you slooowly add in the cheese mix to Kraft's Macaroni & Cheese, instead of just dumping it in all at
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-133/) - December's normally about the time that things slow down for me, but not this year! This year, December's my most insane month of 2014. I was in Louisiana last week for the Three Nails workshop, today I'm heading out for New York, and then Friday I'll be heading up to New York again, followed by
- [Haley- a wintry ballerina session in Washington DC](https://abbygraceblog.com/haley-a-wintry-ballerina-session-in-washington-dc/) - Today is the best kind of day- it’s my birthday! And I’m in Shreveport, Lousiana for the TNP workshop- it’s going to be two days full of learning and inspiration, and I can’t WAIT! And you guys know I’m wearing my favorite tulle skirt just to add an extra level of awesome :). Today is
- [Lou & Yvonne- an iconic Washington DC black tie wedding at the Omni Shoreham](https://abbygraceblog.com/iconic-dc-wedding-omni-shoreham/) - After having watched both her older sisters tie the knot years previously, it was finally Yvonne's turn. As she slipped into her Oscar de la Renta gown and her sisters fastened up the buttons, she seemed ready. She was all smiles, not a trace of anxiety- just a sense of assuredness that nothing could shake.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-132/) - Well hellO again, Monday! We meet again. And dang, it's good to see you. Why? Because this week is going to be AWESOME! I'm heading out on Wednesday for the Three Nails workshop with Hunter Leone in Shreveport, LA. I can't wait to be inspired by this guy- his work is crazy awesome. Totally different
- [New sample album!](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-sample-album/) - This book is waaay overdue- it's been two years since I've refreshed ANY of the printed work in my office! My work has matured quite a bit between 2012 and now, so it was definitely time for a new album to show off to my brides and grooms who come to meet with me. After
- [Top 3 investments I've made in my business](https://abbygraceblog.com/top-3-investments-ive-made-in-my-business/) - You know that whole adage "you have to spend money to make money?" Totally, TOTALLY true. I remember during my senior year at Radford, I somehow got it into my head that photography "is like a free profession! I mean, it's not like you have to PAY to take people's photos, after you've bought your
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-131/) - IT'S DECEMBER!!! My favorite month of the whooole year! Nevermind that it's almost 60 degrees outside, it's CHRISTMAS TIME! We picked out our tree yesterday and then spent the afternoon and evening decorating for the holidays with my niece- garland around the banister, ornaments on the tree, and Nutcrackers for daaaays. This is our first
- [Black Friday workshop registration: Go!](https://abbygraceblog.com/black-friday-workshop-registration-go/) - It's absolutely insane to me that there are people out shopping right now, folks who've been up and at 'em since midnight. We headed to the outlets last night and ended up with a few impulse buys- there's a new vaccuum cleaner and a new printer sitting in our foyer. Super sexy, try not to
- [Making mistakes and learning from them](https://abbygraceblog.com/making-mistakes-and-learning-from-them/) - This past March I sent myself on a two week trip to Europe. It was GLORIOUS, exactly the soul-refreshing kind of experience I needed. But I had to come up with a way to pay for it: Matt didn't mind me going, but we hadn't really budgeted for it so his response to my request
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-130/) - It's almost Thanksgiving! This is typically around the time of year that things begin to slow down for wedding photographers, but somehow, December will end up being my busiest month this year. I'm not complaining, though- I have two trips to New York scheduled for the week before Christmas, and everyone knows that Manhattan in
- [New workshop date!](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-workshop-date/) - Happy Friday, lovelies! Matt & I are gearing up for Friendsgiving tomorrow and I am STOKED. It's going to be slightly chaotic, but so wonderful- one thing Matt and I both feel strongly about is opening our home to host people- friends & family, workshops, small group, etc. So we're really excited to share a
- [Daniel, Ann & Ruthie- one family's story of adoption](https://abbygraceblog.com/family-portraits/) - The longer I've been in business, the more I've come to realize that it's not necessarily what I'm photographing, but the stories behind who and what I'm pointing my camera at that often determine how connected I am. For anyone who's ever asked me about family sessions, my standard answer is that I don't photograph them. Like EVER. I
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-129/) - As a dog owner, here's nothing that makes me feel worse than dropping Lily at the vet or kennel. She starts shaking once she figures out where we're going, and when I finally hand the leash over to whoever will be taking her back, she gives me this pleading look, like "you're leaving me here?? I thought
- [Chris, Leah & Crosby- a sweet, autumn-y first anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/chris-leah-crosby-a-sweet-autumn-y-first-anniversary-session/) - Not everyone gets as lucky as I did with my first corporate job. I was fortunate enough to work with a team of incredible people, people who were passionate about what they do, but also passionate about living LIFE to the fullest. Leah was my manager and office neighbor for my two years at NG,
- [Scott & Chelsea- a chic DC fine art Anniversary Experience Session](https://abbygraceblog.com/scott-chelsea-a-chic-dc-fine-art-anniversary-experience-session/) - The more Anniversary Experience sessions I shoot, the more significant they become to me. And most of the time, it's not due to some deep revelation I have on my own, but because of the interactions with my couples- the things they say about one another, the ways they describe their marriage, their unique love
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-128/) - Today is a very special Monday Mash-Up! Why? Watch this to find out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFwYsbbNi_Y&feature=youtu.be Yeah. Yesterday was awesome. After almost a year of anxiety, my little brother is finally home. We've been planning to surprise my parents since Seth arrived in Afghanistan, so to keep the secret that he's actually been State-side for two weeks
- [Nick & Kathryn- a classic fall manor wedding in Leesburg, Virginia](https://abbygraceblog.com/fall-wedding-leesburg-virginia/) - From the first few minutes of their engagement session, I learned just how much these two love to laugh. Whether that's with each other, at themselves, anything, it seems like they're always in the midst of having a good time whenever they're together! And when you bring two people together along with their best friends and closest
- [Eddie & Priyanka- a warm first anniversary session in Maryland](https://abbygraceblog.com/eddie-priyanka-a-warm-first-anniversary-session-in-maryland/) - We joked during their session last week about them being my first Legacy Couple- I've been lucky enough to photograph their proposal, engagement, wedding, now their first anniversary/maternity, and in December, we'll come together again to document the first little bit of their new daughter's life! Eddie & Priyanka have been, since the first day
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-127/) - It's November! I had this theory when I was a kid that the odd years passed more quickly than the even years, so '97, '99, '01 etc. were a blur. But now that I'm a bit older, it feels like EVERY year passes in a blur. And from listening to friends of mine with newborns,
- [Jacob & Courtney- an elegant fall wedding at Hendry House](https://abbygraceblog.com/hendry-house-wedding-arlington/) - Has there ever been this much laughter on a wedding day before? I doubt it. Jacob & Courtney are fun enough on their own, but when you added in their best friends and closest family, it was a day of joy from beginning to end. The phrase I kept hearing over and over was "He
- [Russell & Kelsey- a cozy Ashburn engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/russell-kelsey-a-cozy-ashburn-engagement-session/) - These two never stop smiling together! There was so much laughter during their engagement session, and things only got better the further we got into the evening. Russell & Kelsey have been together since her freshman year at USC, so there's this easiness with them- the kind of familiarity you'd find between best friends. You
- [LeeAnn- a sunrise ballerina session in DC](https://abbygraceblog.com/leeann-a-sunrise-ballerina-session-in-dc/) - What an incredible way to start off a Wednesday morning. I'm so lucky that LeeAnn was willing to get up before the sun for our session in DC because we had the entire Jefferson Memorial to ourselves (except for a few intrigued passing runners and bicyclists). I'm learning more and more that my ballerina portrait
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-126/) - Oi. I woke up this morning feeling as though I'd aged 60 years overnight. You'd think, after running a marathon, that it'd be the best sleep you'll ever have, right? Nope. Instead, you wake up every couple of hours with your hips aching, wondering why, for the hundredth time that weekend, you ever decided upon
- [Georgina- a New York City ballerina session in Central Park](https://abbygraceblog.com/georgina-a-new-york-city-ballerina-session-in-central-park/) - I've been hoping for a chance to shoot a ballerina session in New York ever since beginning my ballerina series last year, and when my most recent Manhattan travel date approached I knew this was the time to make it happen! Georgina and I both danced at Conservatory Ballet growing up, so when I learned
- [Neal & Sweta- a colorful fusion wedding at the Marriott](https://abbygraceblog.com/neal-sweta-a-colorful-fusion-wedding-at-the-marriott/) - She was as calm as could be on the morning of the wedding. Excited, but not anxious in the way you might expect someone to be on the morning of the biggest day of their life thus far. She was all smiles, flitting here and there making sure everyone else had what they needed. It
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-125/) - It's MONDAY again! Funny how that happens every week, isn't it? Yes. It was another awesomely busy week at Abby Grace headquarters, aka... my house. I'm just so dang lucky, you guys. This job that I do for a living, it's the best thing. Life-giving, energizing, and so, SO full of love! I had Scott
- [Lessons Learned: What to do when you're losing light FAST!](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-shooting-in-low-light/) - Alright, so I love New York City. Like, a LOT. It's my favorite city in the US, and any time I get an opportunity to shoot there I have to resist the urge to jump up and down squealing! Who am I kidding? I don't resist that urge- I EMBRACE IT. Anyways. So while New
- [Chris & Shan- New York City Anniversary Experience in Manhattan](https://abbygraceblog.com/chris-shan-new-york-city-anniversary-experience-in-manhattan/) - He remembered her from high school, despite the fact that they were in different grades. So that first night they formally met, the night she found him sitting on the counter in her parents' home in Army fatigues, unbeknownst to her? She was no stranger to him. They became best friends before they were anything
- [Nick & Nicole- an Annapolis engagement session on the Bay](https://abbygraceblog.com/nick-nicole-an-annapolis-engagement-session-on-the-bay/) - This particular engagement session has been seven years in the making. As high school sweethearts, Nick & Nicole have weathered quite a bit- four years of long-distance dating throughout college isn't for the faint of heart. But you can tell, just by watching them, that the passing years haven't done anything to dull the sparks-
- [Tim& Cristina- a chic black, white and gold wedding at the Carnegie Institution for Science](https://abbygraceblog.com/carnegie-institution-science-wedding/) - The term "love with abandon" comes to mind with Tim & Cristina- I lost count of the number of times he twirled her in her wedding gown during their first look. He couldn't take his eyes off of her- it's the way every girl dreams of being looked at, with the eyes of first love
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-123/) - Hellooooo! And happy Monday! I accidentally made my coffee uber strong this morning, so I'm pretty cracked out at the moment. The eyelid twitch has yet to set in, but I don't doubt it'sa comin' for me. So, this weekend. Where can I even begin? I photographed my first Indian/Nepalese wedding and it was one
- [Making time for sunset portraits on the wedding day!](https://abbygraceblog.com/making-time-for-sunset-portraits-on-the-wedding-day/) - I love First Looks. I really, really, really do! But one inherent flaw about the First Look is that it typically happens in the middle of the day, which most photographers would agree is the worst kind of natural light (unless it's cloudy. God bless cumulonimbus). The engagement session is awesome because we'll time that according to
- [Corey & Lyn- a sunrise engagement session at Virginia Tech](https://abbygraceblog.com/corey-lyn-a-sunrise-engagement-session-at-virginia-tech/) - Their love story began when she mentioned apologetics at a small group meeting that he also happened to attend. His ears perked up at the topic, intrigued by this strawberry blonde beauty who also happened to be working on her PhD at Tech. So they planned a time to talk further, and Corey, not knowing
- [Jake & Abby- a sunrise engagement session in Ocean City, Maryland](https://abbygraceblog.com/jake-abby-a-sunrise-engagement-session-in-ocean-city-maryland/) - They'd planned on meeting for drinks only, both bookending their nights with plans with other friends. "Just in case the date went poorly and we needed an excuse to get away," she recalled with a laugh. And yet, both Jake & Abby cancelled those after-drinks plans with friends; they'd enjoyed their meeting so much that
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-122/) - Gah. I've been attempting to write this blog post for several hours and keep getting distracted by the various windows open in Chrome- it's like "oh! A puppy!" every time I look at the URL bar. So I started this morning off at 4:30 am- we had our 20-miler today and I wanted to get
- [Lessons Learned: Avoiding burnout by having boundaries](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-avoiding-burnout-by-having-boundaries/) - There seems to be a pattern with wedding season that happens around the same time each year for me. See, there are ebbs and flows as the Spring turns into Summer, and as the Summer gives way to Fall. I tend to book most of my year's engagement sessions in May, September & October, due
- [Alexandra- a Washington DC ballerina session](https://abbygraceblog.com/alexandra-a-washington-dc-ballerina-session/) - I always arrive to ballerina sessions with a slightly elevated heart rate- these portraits are something I care so deeply about, a product of my very soul, and I get nervous that I'm going to come up short. But with dancers like Ali, all that fretting was pointless- I drove away from the Kennedy Center
- [Mike & Jill- a sunrise engagement session at the Jefferson Memorial](https://abbygraceblog.com/mike-jill-a-sunrise-engagement-session-at-the-jefferson-memorial/) - There was this thought that kept rolling over in my mind as the shutter clicked and the sun continued to climb through their engagement session- "He adores her." Not in the way that a woman adores chocolate, or a pup adores their favorite toy. No, I mean it in the dictionary definition- "to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; to honor."
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-121/) - Hello hello! I just Googled "interested ways to say 'hello'" to see if I could find anything more interesting to start off this MMU with, and the first thing that popped up was "what it do?" And that reminded me of the song "Grillz" from like...2005, because of the part where the guy says "What
- [Mike & Jeanmarie- a Charlottesville anniversary session at UVA](https://abbygraceblog.com/mike-jeanmarie-a-charlottesville-anniversary-session-at-uva/) - They met in Charlottesville thirty-some years ago- she'd knocked on the door of the fraternity house looking for a friend, and Mike answered the door instead. "He was really good-looking!" But he wasn't interested in a girlfriend at the time, what with school taking over his life. So they became friends. But after about a year,
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-120/) - Hellooooo wonderful blogging world! It's a beautiful Monday morning, and I've just finished up photographing the sweetest couple's sunrise engagement session on the beach. This is what I call "starting the week out right!" The only thing that would have made this morning better would have been waking up without feeling like I'd aged 40
- [A Practical Wedding Workshop recap!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-practical-wedding-workshop-recap/) - Monday's workshop was, to be quite simple, perfect. After all of the worrying and unnecessary anxiety, it couldn't have gone more smoothly! I was SO excited to host these 10 amazing photographers in our new home- part of why we chose the home we did was because it had more room to fill with people!
- [Kip & Liz- a preppy Georgetown engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/kip-liz-a-preppy-georgetown-engagement-session/) - The first time I met Liz was in the bridal suite of Rosemont Manor as her best friend, also named Liz (remember?) prepared for her wedding day. I remember at some point during Ware & Liz's reception one of the other bridesmaids whispering to me that Kip & Liz would likely be next, and wouldn't
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-119/) - ...on a Tuesday. Again. But that's what happens when you a plan a workshop for Monday and you forget about pre-blogging until about 15 minutes before attendees start arriving. Another thing I didn't do until shortly before the workshop began: ask our friend if she wouldn't mind hanging out with Lily for a few hours
- [New website portraits by Sarah Bradshaw!](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-website-portraits-by-sarah-bradshaw/) - This blog post is a total cop out, I'm just going to own that right now. I'd had something else planned for today but didn't write it ahead of time, and with A Practical Wedding Workshop happening on Monday, I'm running around with my hair on fire. So rather than write my original post, I'm
- [Dan & Sarah- a California wilderness destination wedding in Sequoia National Forest](https://abbygraceblog.com/dan-sarah-a-california-wilderness-destination-wedding-in-sequoia-national-forest/) - For those of you who've been following along on the blog for a while now, you'll recognize this bride and groom. It's funny, every time I've photographed these two it's always been a destination sort of thing- the surprise proposal in Jacksonville, their engagement session in Savannah, and now their wedding in the California High Sierras.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-118/) - Goooood morning, Vietnam! And by "Vietnam," I mean "interwebs." It's the Tuesday after Labor Day, which means it's the officially unofficial first day of fall. Nevermind that the high today in Virginia is supposed to be 93 with scattered thunderstorms (YESSS!!), it's the first day of school, which means summer is dead and gone until
- [Mike & Kayley- blue + white wedding elegance at the Army Navy Country Club](https://abbygraceblog.com/mike-kayley-blue-white-wedding-elegance-at-the-armynavy-country-club/) - Where to start with these two? I could go on and on about the way Mike looks at her- this rapturous gaze, like he's the luckiest man in the world. He couldn't take his eyes off her from their first look to their sparkler exit; it's the way every girl dreams of being looked at.
- [Everyone Loves A Classic- black & white everything](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-black-white-everything/) - I was going to title this "monochromatic color choices" when I realized that monochromatic means ONE color. And I most certainly don't enjoy wearing all black or all white, because then I'd look like a chess piece :). I'm wondering if my love of black & white clothing started with my days in elementary school
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-117/) - And now, back to our regularly-scheduled programming! Yeah, that whole "going a week without blogging" thing? Sorry about that... sort of. Dan & Sarah's wedding last weekend was out in the California wilderness (no, really- the area we were in is actually designated as wilderness), and the wifi + cell service out there was virtually
- [Jason & Lindsay- a classic Georgetown black tie wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/jason-lindsay-a-classic-georgetown-black-tie-wedding/) - I've never seen a family carry joy the way Jason & Lindsay's families did on their wedding day. It was this unanimous, infectious smile that donned the face of every bridesmaid, groomsman, sister, brother, mother and father. It was so obvious, so very crystal clear why these two decided on forever. He's more relaxed, more
- [Muesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-116/) - This post was supposed to happen yesterday, but due to our internet service being AWOL, it's coming today. Whoops! I left on Saturday morning from our home in Reston to shoot Mike & Kayley's wedding, and while I was working, Matt (and several of our awesomesauce church friends) moved us into the new place in
- [Jason & Kendra- a rural Maryland wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/jason-kendra-a-rural-maryland-wedding/) - July weddings can be risky- if it's not uncomfortably hot & humid, it's often raining. But on Jason & Kendra's wedding day, it was 78, partly sunny, and humidity-free- it was such a gift! The threat of rain wasn't enough to dampen Jason & Kendra's spirits, or the spirits of their friends and family as
- [Closing time!](https://abbygraceblog.com/closing-time/) - Remember that song? It was on NOW volume 2. I know because it was one of the first CDs I ever owned. But I digress. After 46 signatures (no joke, I kept tally), 23 days from offer letter to closing paperwork, and an hour at the title person's office, we are officially HOMEOWNERS! We walked
- [Terry & Flo- Virginia fine art anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/terry-flo-virginia-fine-art-anniversary-session/) - One of my favorite things about marriage is watching love stories take different shape as the years pass. As newlyweds, you can't imagine loving your spouse any more than you do on your wedding day. Then on your first anniversary, you've learned so much about each other that you wonder how you ever thought your
- [Quentin & Lindsay- a sweet, Southern wedding at Merriweather Manor](https://abbygraceblog.com/quentin-lindsay-a-sweet-southern-wedding-at-merriweather-manor/) - I think the bit I love best about Quentin & Lindsay is just how relaxed they both were- they were so focused on getting married, and so excited to celebrate with family, that everything else just sort of fell into place. The forecast called for the chance of rain, a piece of news that would
- [Monday Mash-up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-115/) - Before we jump into the usual awesomeness of MMU, does anyone have an effective means of removing spray paint from skin? I have "vintage white" all over my hands and it's coming off on my keyboard as I'm typing! I culled Saturday's wedding yesterday afternoon after a bout of painting, and my "5" key had
- [WE'RE BUYING A HOUSE!!](https://abbygraceblog.com/were-buying-a-house/) - Yeah, all those cryptic Tweets and "I wish I could say what's going on" hints I'd been dropping? This is what those were about! AHHH! Somebody PLEASE pinch me, because I still feel like I'm dreaming! Please excuse the quality of my iPhone photos in this post- I intentionally left my camera at home for
- [Lessons Learned: 5 tips for formatting images in a blog post](https://abbygraceblog.com/formatting-blog-post-images/) - I've learned a lot over the past three + years of blogging. How many photos are "too many," what dimensions work best, the subtle nuances that can determine whether a blog post is a success or failure. It can be complicated to explain WHY things work the way they do, but I'll try my best!
- [Travel dates for Anniversary Sessions!](https://abbygraceblog.com/travel-dates-for-anniversary-sessions/) - Hellooooo wonderful friends! You may (or may not) have noticed that the blog's been empty to far this week- you can thank my dear friend The Summer Cold for that. I've been consuming massive amounts of vitamin and several mugs of tea of the past couple of days, and frankly, just didn't feel up to
- [Having the audacity to ask to shoot around the world](https://abbygraceblog.com/having-the-audacity-to-ask-to-shoot-around-the-world/) - If you've ever stumbled upon this blog before today, chances are, you're familiar with the fact that Europe is my second love and that world travel inspires me to great and greater levels. If today's the first time you've ever read my blog, now you know: Europe is my second love and world travel inspires me
- [Registration for A Practical Wedding Workshop is LIVE! ](https://abbygraceblog.com/registration-for-a-practical-wedding-workshop-is-live/) - It's Thursday! And it's 10 am(ish), which means seats for A Practical Wedding Workshop on September 8th are officially on sale! This week has been a total rush for a number of different reasons (more on that soon, I promise), and I'm so excited to launch this most recent, re-vamped workshop! But less talk from
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-114/) - Hullo thar, Monday. I see you've decided to show your face again. Well, just know that I've got my eye on you. Don't make any sudden moves, k? K. I've got wanderlust, and I've got it bad. After my last adventure in Europe, I thought it would quell that insatiable desire to see more of
- [Paleo-friendly cold-brew iced coffee!](https://abbygraceblog.com/paleo-friendly-cold-brew-iced-coffee/) - I'm not usually one to rave about the taste of coffee- I prefer tea, when it comes to actually enjoyment of the thing itself, but I really do like the ritual of coffee. But then I tried cold-brew coffee last summer and it changed my view, at least on the "iced" side of things. Cold brew
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-113/) - Whew. What a weekend! Ours felt like a total roller coaster- up up up, then dooooown, then up again. Matt & I went driving on Friday as part of our date night and just happened to drive past this home in town that I've loved since childhood. There was a new "For Sale" sign out
- [Being bold and making serious changes](https://abbygraceblog.com/being-bold-and-making-serious-changes/) - That word- bold- it’s one I’ve heard a lot lately. A friend recently described me as such when it comes to my faith, someone else used it to describe the way I ask questions, and just yesterday my designer used it to describe my personality as a whole. That word just keeps cropping up. I
- [Announcing: A Practical Wedding Workshop!](https://abbygraceblog.com/announcing-a-practical-wedding-workshop/) - Eeee! I'm so excited for this! After taking some time to mull over last year's workshop, what worked, what fell on it's face, and what *could* work if tweaked, I'm excited to announce the second Abby Grace Workshop on Monday, September 8, 2014! When I first started shooting weddings, I didn't have a game plan. And I
- [Ryan & Kathleen- a cozy Georgetown engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/ryan-kathleen-a-cozy-georgetown-engagement-session/) - I remember the first time I met Ryan- it was my first day of high school and we were sitting in biology with Mrs. Kravitz, going over the syllabus and everyone trying not to appear like they're trying too hard. Apparently I stuck my tongue out at him in my newfound high school sophisticated-ness, and
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-112/) - One of the perks of working from home and being my own boss is that I get to set my own office/work hours. But being that I'm a sole employee and my "work calendar" also doubles as my personal life calendar, I typically forget to mark off things like government holidays. Like last week, I
- [Jason & Kendra- a Georgetown sunrise engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jason-kendra-a-georgetown-sunrise-engagement-session/) - These two are just so sweet together! Kendra & I have been chatting since last Spring but didn't get a chance to meet face-to-face until their engagement session last week; that was one long overdue hug! After less than two minutes of shooting, I just about fell in love with the pair of them. Jason
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-111/) - The theme for this week's MMU is "running + Paleo fails." I never want to be *that* person who constantly talks about diet and exercise, but I feel like this week calls for a bit of self-indulgence. Read on and you'll most likely agree. Lessons learned/things that transpired over the past week: I've lost track
- [Billy & Jenny- a sweet, colorful Maryland wedding at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club](https://abbygraceblog.com/chesapeake-bay-beach-club-wedding-photographer/) - Where to begin with these two? Their warm smiles say all you need to feel at ease with them, to feel invited in like family. Their love is palpable, making everything else around it feel all the more beautiful, all the more marvelous. Her piercing blue eyes, his sweet expression whenever his gaze falls on
- [Jacob & Courtney- a sun-drenched DC engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jacob-courtney-a-sun-drenched-dc-engagement-session/) - These two are the sort of couple I wish I could tote along with me to every beautiful place I've ever accidentally stumbled upon. Their easy way together makes any scene all the more incredible, and their love is such a joyful thing to behold! He's crazy about her, that much is evident from the
- [Life in the here and now](https://abbygraceblog.com/life-in-the-here-and-now/) - Confession: I didn't post a Monday Mash-Up yesterday because I was too busy sleeping in. Well, sleeping in after arriving back home from a 5:45 am sunrise session, but same jist! Every photographer's threshold for how many weddings they can realistically handle within a period of time is different- I've heard of some photos doing
- [Caleb & Christa- a pas de deux ballerina session](https://abbygraceblog.com/caleb-christa-a-pas-de-deux-ballerina-session/) - This is the stuff of my dreams. These two dancers, this location, the lighting, everything. Ever since beginning my ballerina series, I've been dreaming of photographing a pas de deux, or a pair of dancers together. Truthfully, I was nervous going into this session- so excited that I was finally having the chance to fulfill
- [Brian & Jessi- a sunrise anniversary session in Lexington, Virginia](https://abbygraceblog.com/lexington-virginia-anniversary-photographer/) - High school sweethearts have some of the best love stories. Why? Because their's is always one of victory. Against all odds, they made the difficult transition from high school to college, and from college to engaged to married life. Growing up along the way, likely enduring speculations from those on the outside that they wouldn't
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-110/) - Have you ever woken up in the middle of a dream, completely disoriented, and SURE that whatever you were just dreaming was real? That happened this morning- I woke up at 6 am and told Matt to make sure he was up in time for the folks from the Scotch distillery, since we had a
- [6 Myths that Brides + Grooms need to forget when it comes to your photography](https://abbygraceblog.com/wedding-photography-myths/) - There are a lot of things that go into planning a wedding, and when you have your bride- or groom-blinders on, it can sometimes be hard to see things without your wedding-tinted glasses making you freak out about seemingly insignificant details. I know, I did the same thing when we were planning our wedding! I
- [Zack & Ashleigh- a sweet summer wedding at Williamsburg Winery](https://abbygraceblog.com/zack-ashleigh-a-sweet-summer-wedding-at-williamsburg-winery/) - The word that comes to mind when I think of these two is "joy." Sheer, blissful, all-encompassing joy. It's evident on their faces, in their movements, in the manner they speak to one another. Just bliss. There's a happy little sigh that escapes her every time he kisses her- a "there's-nowhere-I'd-rather-be-than-here-with-you" sort of thing. And
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-109/) - Monday. We meet again. Normally, I LOVE Mondays. But I'm still currently trying to recover from this past weekend's wedding hangover, and all I really want to do is watch Harry Potter movies and nurse a cup of English Breakfast. But this week is a doozy, so it's back to work I go! This past
- [Michael & Mary- an Annapolis, MD anniversary session on film](https://abbygraceblog.com/michael-mary-an-annapolis-md-anniversary-session-on-film/) - Mary. She's one of those rare jewels, the kind of person whose zeal for life and everything it's brought her so far just draws you in- the most dazzling of smiles, an infectious laugh, and the ability to speak the truth with more love than most everyone around her. She encouraging, life-giving, and and oh
- [Avoiding the dreaded "Wedding Hangover"](https://abbygraceblog.com/avoiding-the-dreaded-wedding-hangover/) - If you're a wedding photographer, you know exactly what I'm talking about: you've spent the entire day before on your feet, running around photographing a gorgeous wedding day, and then morning comes. You open your eyes, wondering why on earth your spine feels like you slept with a barbell on your back. Sitting up, rubbing
- [Dan & Alex- an anniversary session in Charlotte, North Carolina](https://abbygraceblog.com/charlotte-north-carolina-anniversary-photographer/) - "That butterfly feeling in your stomach? I found myself feeling that around him, and I didn't know I could feel like that again." They met in Long Beach, California on a Summer Project, and somewhere throughout the weeks of living alongside each other (and about 60 other college kids from around the country), she fell
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-108/) - Happy Monday! This weekend's been a total whirlwind- from Reston to Williamsburg for a wedding, then back to Reston for about 18 hours, then down to Lexington, Virginia for an anniversary session this morning. As I write this I'm sitting in my hotel room all packed up and ready to hit the road back home,
- [Everyone Loves A Classic: the Ballerina Bun](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-the-ballerina-bun/) - I've been rocking the ballerina bun for years. Sure, not always in the same polished way that the fashion world's perfected over the last couple of years, but as an actual ballerina- I knew approximately 37 ways to tame ruthless hair into a bun that my ballet teacher, Mrs. Reddick herself, would be proud of.
- [Lou & Yvonne- a sunrise engagement session at the Jefferson Memorial](https://abbygraceblog.com/sunrise-engagement-jefferson-memorial/) - Washington DC. Not what one's mind would immediately jump to when thinking of "romantic spots," but this city has a peculiar ability to bring people together. Lou, originally from up north, came to DC at the suggestion of a buddy. Here for work, he joined a kickball league that played on the national mall to
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-107/) - This past week has been cah-RAZY! My beautiful cousin Meg married her sweetheart William on Bald Head Island in the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen this past weekend, and then we headed over to Charlotte, NC for an anniversary session this morning with our amazing friends Dan & Alex. And it turns out Matt
- [Jonathan & Lisa- a Washington, DC wedding at the Hotel Monaco](https://abbygraceblog.com/washington-dc-hotel-monaco-wedding/) - "We’re all a little weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness and call it love." There's so much laughter between these two. So many smiles, happy sighs, ear-to-ear-grins- they're just perfect together. As two self-proclaimed nerds, Lisa found
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-106/) - A big ol' Mrs. Doubtfire-style "hellooooo!" to you all! It's gorgeously sunny and I'm so excited for this week. Why? Because on Saturday, Meg & William are getting MARRIED! Woooo!! We're leaving Thursday to head down to Bald Head Island and I cannot wait for everything to get started. More than anything, I'm just so
- [Ireland on Film](https://abbygraceblog.com/ireland-on-film/) - You know what I love most about this country? Everything. The rolling green hills, the friendly people, the sweet smell of slightly fermented hay as you pass by fields of livestock. The gentle weather, the atmosphere of a small village pub, the Irish music performed nightly. Everything. I loved Ireland, and during my numerous walks
- [Neal & Sweta- a Middleburg engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/neal-sweta-a-middleburg-engagement-session/) - There's something about the first warm evening of the year. Maybe it's the looming prospect of summer, or the promise of lighter clothing and sundresses, but it's the sort of thing that makes you inexplicably giddy. Ready for adventure in the arms of the one you love, windows down and tousled hair blowing all around.
- [Dan & Liz- a classic New York City engagement session in Central Park](https://abbygraceblog.com/dan-liz-a-classic-new-york-city-engagement-session-in-central-park/) - It began at a little school called Yale. You know, that gorgeous campus nestled in New Haven Connecticut, the same place where they'll be saying their vows in a few weeks. "We dallied in love," Liz said with a smile as they walked hand-in-hand through Central Park. Never committing to anything during their time at
- [Dear Mom,](https://abbygraceblog.com/dear-mom/) - Our relationship's been somewhat atypical of your usual mother/daughter standards. Shortly after my sixth birthday, you fell ill. Really ill. I'll never forget Christmas of that year when you were so sick you couldn't roll over to sip your water, so I held the cup next to you with a straw so you wouldn't get
- [Paris, France on film- take 2!](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-on-film-take-2/) - My first Parisian experience last summer left me breathless, heartsick for more. The street vendors, the window displays, the history, everything. So when planning my latest European adventure and I realized how easy it'd be to add a stop in Paris, I went for it without hesitation. I wasn't sure what to expect, since my
- [Jose & Tina- a New York City anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jose-tina-a-new-york-city-anniversary-session/) - Tina has one of those smiles that lights up her entire face. That simple, effervescent joy that guarantees a good time had by all. And Jose is one who knows how to keep her smiling the most- I swear, I don't think I've ever photographed two people who were joy overjoyed to just BE with
- [Steven & Cara- a pastel Charlottesville wedding at the University of Virginia](https://abbygraceblog.com/charlottesville-wedding-photographer/) - It was, as Cara said, "Vusetti wedding, take 2." You see, Steven & Cara had already attended a wedding with a very similar group of people just three years ago when Cara's older sister & Steven's older brother were married. It's how they met, you see- Steven & Cara were both on their ways to
- [Monday Mash-Up... oy.](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-105/) - Well, today I was going to post all these fun little tidbits and quirks from our weekend, but then today turned out to be a bit of a doozy! First, let me set the scene for you: Matt's not a guy to complain if something isn't seriously bothering him. I mean, this is the guy
- [Venice, Italy on film](https://abbygraceblog.com/venice-italy-on-film/) - The best way I can think to describe Venice is with the words "utterly enchanting." Meandering the tiny alleys of Venice was an experience I will never, ever forget- each turn of the pavement brought more wonder than the next. Intricate Venetian masks, tiny bakeries, elegant bridges, classic Italian apartments with bright shutters thrown open.
- [Nick & Kathryn- Glen Echo Park engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/nick-kathryn-glen-echo-park-engagement-session/) - These two. So many smiles and laughs throughout their engagement session, I left with the biggest grin on my face! Nick & Kathryn chose Glen Echo for it's quirky, fun atmosphere, and I'd say it was the perfect location choice. The two high school sweethearts are so full of joie de vivre, and spending time
- [Heather on film- portraits at the Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland](https://abbygraceblog.com/cliffs-of-moher-county-clare-ireland/) - I believe in dreaming, dreaming BIG. So when you throw your dreams out to the universe, announce your intentions to the world, and something gets shouted back to you? You take it and run with it. A few months ago I'd blogged about wanting to return to Europe- it'd been such an inspirational experience for
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-104/) - Gooood morning! It's a Monday, the sun is shining, and the tree outside my office window is in full bloom. Life is good! I was awoken this morning by two cold, wet noses pressing into my face, which is also always a good start. We're puppysitting for my brother and sister-in-law's Beagle/Jack Russel mix for
- [Using Instagram as a business owner](https://abbygraceblog.com/using-instagram-as-a-business-owner/) - I love Instagram. It's easily the most-used app on my phone, and if IG were a person, we would have one of those "BFF" necklaces that splits in two. It's that serious. Instagram is, in my opinion, the best no-fuss way to share your images. There's none of the worry about "will this only show
- [A rustic Italian getaway- Vicenza, Italy on film](https://abbygraceblog.com/vicenza-italy/) - I don't even know how to put Italy into words. I don't think you CAN put it into words, that's the allure- a place so beautiful, so historically rich and yet still so relevant- you have to see it for yourself to truly understand. My latest Europe trip began in Vicenza, Italy where I was
- [Zack & Ashleigh- a classic Colonial Williamsburg engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/zack-ashleigh-classic-williamsburg-engagement/) - As a kid, I never understood my mom's fascination with Colonial Williamsburg. "It never changes! Why do we have to keep going back if it never changes??" we'd whine. But now that I'm a bit older, I think I finally get it- there's a subtle romanticism about the simplicity of a town that been frozen in
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-103/) - I remember as a kid my mom always used to recite this silly little poem whenever the trees started to come into bloom- "Spring has sprung, the grass has riz', oh how happy I is." One of those things you roll your eyes at as a kid, but I know sure as day that I'll
- [Mike & Jen- a sunrise anniversary session amongst wildflowers](https://abbygraceblog.com/mike-jen-reston-sunrise-anniversary-session/) - The way the light spilled onto the thousands of buttercups, scattered along the meadow floor, it was enough to take anyone's breath away. But then you add Mike & Jen into the equation, and everything else sort of falls away, and it's them that you can't peel your eyes away from, not the wildflowers. That
- [Jason & Lindsay- a sunrise DC cherry blossoms engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jason-lindsay-dc-engagement/) - After a long few months (mostly) off from shooting, my wedding & engagement season kicked off last week. And Jason & Lindsay were the PERFECT engagement session to get things started! The cherry blossoms had just started to reach full bloom over near the Capitol building, and though the morning chill was palpable, their session
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-102/) - You guys have seen Frozen, right? You know Olaf's song about Summer? That's how I feel right now, just about Spring instead! The weather this weekend was nothing short of heaven-sent, with sunny skies and warm temperatures. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom around Virginia and we had our first of many warm-weather bonfires
- [Sophie- a dramatic ballerina session at the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris, France](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-ballerina-session-sacre-coeur/) - God bless Twitter. About six weeks before my most recent trip to France, I Tweeted at Sophie to ask, if I came to Paris, would she be up for shooting again? Within three minutes I had an affirmative response, and within 10 minutes of that, we were on Skype excitedly planning our next shoot. She
- [Lessons Learned: adjusting White Balance in-camera to save time on editing](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-adjusting-white-balance-in-camera-to-save-time-on-editing/) - Throughout the past few years, one of the most valuable lessons I've learned is how to get my images as close to perfect as possible in-camera. It used to take me weeks to edit a wedding, which was due in part to my poor understanding of editing, but also to how much work each image
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-101/) - Ahh, nothing like waking up to a cold and rainy Monday back in Virginia. Honestly, I actually love these sorts of mornings- I'm sitting on the couch with Lily curled up next to me, I started my morning off with the best breakfast ever (see below) and some scripture reading, and the writing mood is
- [Six things nobody tells you when you start out](https://abbygraceblog.com/six-things-nobody-tells-you-when-you-start-out/) - Sometimes, I wish I could go back to the 2011 version of myself and give myself a mentoring session. Like, "here are all the difficulties you're going to encounter, but don't lose heart! Just give it some time, and before you know it, you'll be so much farther along than you'd ever dreamed." I was
- [Maggie- an old-world ballerina session in Vicenza, Italy](https://abbygraceblog.com/maggie-an-old-world-ballerina-session-in-vicenza-italy/) - While planning out my Europe trip over the past few months, I knew I wanted all of my shooting to be personally fulfilling. And since my two favorite forms of personal work are ballerina photography and travel photography, what better way to be fulfilled as an photographer than by capturing a dancer in Italy? I
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-100/) - Today is a very extra special Monday: it's the 100th Monday Mash-Uppost! Who woulda thunk that a series started out of sheer desperation to fill my blogging calendar would turn out to have such longevity? Well, hooray all the same :). I'm writing this post from Doolin, Ireland, sitting on my bed at a quaint
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-99/) - Gooood morning from Italy! I've been here for just over 36 hours and already, I'm in love. My sweet friend Sarah (remember her Kansas City wedding?) is a OST excellent tour guide, and we spent most of yesterday wandering the streets of Vicenza, getting lost for the sake of seeing life happen in this little
- [Everyone Loves A Classic: the iconic tulle skirt](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-the-iconic-tulle-skirt/) - I realized this may not actually be a "classic" by my usual standard, but hey. This is my series, and I do what I want. Plus, the A-line cut of this skirt has been around for decades and was really popular in the 50's, so there you go. Tulle skirts came into my life at
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-98/) - Welp, it's snowing again in Virginia. I won't say I mind it, because I think snow is just about the prettiest thing on earth, but it was a little jarring to go from sunbathing in Orlando yesterday afternoon to Matt picking me up at Reagan with snowflakes in my hair. But I'm embracing it, because
- [Life in the fast lane- UNITED 2014 and WPPI recap](https://abbygraceblog.com/life-in-the-fast-lane-united-2014-and-wppi-recap/) - Sometimes I have to stop, give myself a shake, and just reflect on how absolute blessed/lucky/fortunate I am to have this life that I do. My work has taken me all over the world, and though sometimes I do get a bit tired and wish for the peace of a week spent at home, I
- [Lukas & Suzy- a Las Vegas, Nevada anniversary session at Red Rock Canyon](https://abbygraceblog.com/las-vegas-anniversary-photographer/) - Every so often, there are people who flit into your life that make you wonder how you got by in the industry without knowing them before. Lukas & Suzy are like that. I met the Van Dykes last year at UNITED 2013, specifically while goofing around on the beach shooting with friends. And then there
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-97/) - Well it's about time for one of these again, isn't it? These last two weeks have been utter calamity (the good kind, y'know). First, I was in Santa Barbara for UNITED 2014, and then last week I traveled out to Las Vegas for my first WPPI experience! Both weeks were incredible, and the lack of
- [Hope- a sunrise fashion portrait shoot in Reston](https://abbygraceblog.com/hope-a-sunrise-fasion-portrait-shoot-in-reston/) - We met on the first day of the spring semester in a digital photography + communication class. I can't remember what was said, just that I liked her hair and her sharp personality. Hope is a firecracker, a go-getter, charismatic to the core, one of those people that make you wonder how you hadn't met
- [Michael & Katelyn- a Santa Barbara, California anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/michael-katelyn-a-santa-barbara-california-anniversary-session/) - You've heard the saying "a cobbler's children never have shoes," right? The same can be said for photographers. How often is it that we spend our days photographing other people's love stories, but completely forget to document our own? See, it's not just the photos that we need- it's that uninterrupted, unadulterated time together, holding
- [Sunshine, sand, and sweet relaxation.](https://abbygraceblog.com/sunshine-sand-and-sweet-relaxation-2/) - It's been pretty quiet over here on the blog so far this week, and that's been intentional. This California sunshine, the incredible community of photographers, and the chance to learn from some of the BEST in the industry is so delightful that I'm spending every possible moment soaking it all in, and as little time
- [Peace out, Reston!](https://abbygraceblog.com/peace-out-reston/) - I apologize in advance for this super hurried post- I'm running around with my hair on fire today, trying to get everything ready for my trip to Santa Barbara tomorrow. UNITED 2014 starts on Sunday and I'm SO excited to be overwhelmed again. Hugs, smiles, a lot of laughs, and a ton of learning. It's
- [Lessons Learned: how to photograph your next vacation](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-how-to-photograph-your-next-vacation/) - We've all done it: you go on an incredible getaway, you want to capture EVERY LITTLE DETAIL of every single thing you see and every person you meet along the way. And then you get home and find yourself uploading 1,000+ images to your computer, and you're so overwhelmed that you never even get around
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-96/) - Of all the projects I've tackled and tasks I've attempted as a small business owner, NOTHING is harder than trying to write a bio for yourself. I just spent 40 minutes writing 3-4 sentences about Abby Grace Photography for my Southern Wedding Blue Ribbon Vendor listing, and I must have written then deleted at least
- [Five Dates that require little to no planning!](https://abbygraceblog.com/five-dates-that-require-little-to-no-planning/) - Matt and I love date nights. Love them! We sometimes differ in the level of effort required for said dates, though- I love an excuse to dress up and go out somewhere where there's LOTS of people, whereas Matt is more of an introvert and likes quieter, less-involved evenings out. We're both homebodies at heart,
- [Dreaming bigger and going the distance](https://abbygraceblog.com/dreaming-bigger-and-going-the-distance/) - Right now I'm in the middle of what we in the biz refer as "the off-season." For the most part, from roughly January-March, my calendar is usually free of weddings and shoots, due to the sometimes-unpredictable weather (like today- 12+ inches of snow!). It's a time for dreaming, resting, and doing all the small, menial
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-95/) - Sometimes I wake up and stare at my computer screen for a full 30 minutes before coming up with what I want to write for my MMU post. Actually, scratch that, sometimes it's a full hour to hour and a half. I don't know why it's so difficult to get these started in the winter-
- [Anniversary sessions, and finding time to reconnect](https://abbygraceblog.com/anniversary-sessions-and-finding-time-to-reconnect/) - Matt & I's story is probably similar to that of nearly every other photographer's family- we went the first almost two years of marriage and only managed to take a grand total of something like four photos together, three of which were probably iPhone photos. After attending WTAW in June 2012, I realized just how
- [Calling all interns!](https://abbygraceblog.com/calling-all-interns/) - My method when it comes to additional shooters on a wedding day has changed a lot over the past few years. It used to be that I wouldn't even consider showing up to a wedding without a second shooter, but then my attitude swung more to the side of non-shooting assistants, rather than a designated
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-94/) - Can we all go ahead and agree that last night's Super Bowl may have been one of the least interesting games to date? I didn't have a real vested interest in either team; I was sort of pulling for the Broncos because I really like Peyton Manning, but the Seahawks had never won a Super
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-93/) - Have you ever had one of those weeks that makes you stare open-mouthed at how crazy the world can be sometimes? Yes? That was last week for me. Just pure ridiculousness. And right when you need it, you'll have a friend like Rebekah Hoyt who comes over just to keep you company as you spend
- [Everyone Loves a Classic: red Hunter rain boots](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-red-hunter-rain-boots/) - I've wanted a pair of glossy red rain boots for as long as I can remember, and this Christmas, Matt gave me a pair to call my own! It all started with my American Girl doll, Molly. Show of hands: how many of you all had one of those growing up? I know I'm not
- [Lessons Learned: File Organization](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-file-organization/) - I've never been someone you'd call "organized," which is strange considering my Type A(ish) personality. I love BEING organized, but sometimes, it's just so hard to get there! Having adult ADHD (and growing up in a family where we were ALL diagnosed), it's just been the norm- my parents' biggest battle with me growing up
- [Featured! ](https://abbygraceblog.com/featured-4/) - I know, I know- this isn't the most riveting kind of blog post in the world, but hey! I think it's worth celebrating whenever a blog or magazine editor deems my work worthy of publishing. So we'll trudge on through, and then I promise- tomorrow's post will be less "LOOK AT ALL THE AMAZING THINGS
- [Mark & Jessica- a Georgetown sunrise anniversary shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/mark-jessica-a-georgetown-sunrise-anniversary-shoot/) - The odds were most definitely in his favor that day in probability class. He saw her sitting a few seats away, those bright blue eyes and that curly red hair catching his attention, so he did what any college guy would do: he found her name on the attendance sheet as it was passed to
- [Shawn & Ashley- a special kind of love shoot at a corn maize](https://abbygraceblog.com/shawn-ashley-a-special-kind-of-love-shoot-at-a-corn-maize/) - Shawn & Ashley will always hold a special place in my heart. They've been together since Ashley's freshman year at Radford, and I'll NEVER forget that one Cru meeting when Shawn proposed by way of a game in front of the entire group of students. Ashley and I went on to room together our senior
- [Joel & Michelle | Paris, France anniversary session photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/joel-michelle-paris-france-anniversary-session-photographer/) - As I was ticking off days on my countdown to our Europe trip, I found myself really wishing I'd had an opportunity to schedule a shoot in Paris. France has been on my list of places I must visit since I was 14, and now that I'm a photographer, it's also been on my list
- [Phil & Megan- a sunrise anniversary session in Middleburg](https://abbygraceblog.com/phil-megan-a-sunrise-anniversary-session-in-middleburg/) - I remember the first time Megan and I met in person- it was during the first year I was taking weddings on my own, and I was still in the "is she going to like me? Dear Lord, PLEASE let her like me!" phase. I needn't have worried- Megan showed up to our meeting all
- [Zach & Lindsay- an early morning, rural anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/zach-lindsay-an-early-morning-rural-anniversary-session/) - I'd seen Lindsay's name pop up frequently through various photography forums for about a year before we actually got to meet, and from the warm, Southern feel of her blog, I felt like I already knew her when she showed up for the photographers' Q&A. She's the very definition of "sweet," through and through. From
- [Justin & Katie- a Middleburg anniversary shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/justin-katie-a-middleburg-anniversary-shoot/) - Anniversary sessions are quickly becoming the highlights of my week. I feel like, at some point, every couples needs to do one, if for no other reason than to have an excuse to get close and cuddle up for a morning. Anniversary shoots are an opportunity to fall in love all over again, to remember
- [Jeremy & Carrie- a rural Virginia anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jeremy-carrie-a-rural-virginia-anniversary-session/) - There's nothing that flatters me more, or makes me more nervous, than when another photographer asks me to shoot them. Noooo pressure, right? It'll just be someone with an extremely trained eye that I'm posing, photographing, and having look over the final product. But after last week's session with Jeremy & Carrie, I really could
- [Tyler & Ashley- an anniversary session in New York City](https://abbygraceblog.com/tyler-ashley-an-anniversary-session-in-new-york-city/) - I've come to believe that New York City is the most magical place on earth during the Christmas season. Well, to be honest, New York City is pretty magical during any time of year, but Christmas time is esPECIALLY enchanting. All those lights, the FAO Schwartz decked out in garland, the horse drawn carriages in
- [Mary Kate- a soft, romantic Washington DC ballerina session](https://abbygraceblog.com/mary-kate-a-soft-romantic-washington-dc-ballerina-session/) - Thank the Lord for Facebook. I complain about it being a time suck, but it's really been such a magnificent tool for staying in touch with friends from years past. Mary Kate and & I both danced at Conservatory Ballet when we were younger, and Mary Kate went on to major in dance at Butler.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-92/) - Happy Monday, folks! Can someone please explain this insane weather going around the US right now? Last week I saw Instagrams from my friends in Chicago of frozen doorhandles and thermostats reading -15 degrees F, and then Virginia had one of its coldest days on record, and then on Saturday it was 62 degrees. WHAT
- [Those "I can't believe that happened!" moments of 2013](https://abbygraceblog.com/those-i-cant-believe-that-happened-moments-of-2013/) - I was originally planning to combine this post with a "highlights reel" of my favorite images from last year, but as I started making my list of "I can't believe that happened" moments (henceforth to be referred to as "ICBTH"), the list was waaay too long to make into a double post. So you'll likely
- [Little miss Emerson- a newborn lifestyle session](https://abbygraceblog.com/little-miss-emerson-a-newborn-lifestyle-session/) - It's a strange sort of wonder, to watch a friend go from dating her soul mate to marrying him, to carrying their first child, to finally bringing that brand new life home cradled in her and her husband's arms. And yet somehow, it still feels so natural, because I've known for years now that Ashley
- [Three years](https://abbygraceblog.com/three-years/) - Dear Matt, Can you believe it was three whole years ago today that we locked eyes and promised each other forever? I know I say this a lot, but I'm still not sure how I tricked you into marrying me. But it' took a while for me to realize that's the case, that I'm the
- [Kristi- Virginia ballet photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/kristi-virginia-ballet-photographer/) - I guess I never thought of photography this way before, but I'm learning more and more that my images are teaching me a lot about myself- what I'm drawn to, what I treasure, things I hadn't consciously realized are engrained in who I am. While Matt & I were out and about in Paris this
- [Sophie- an elegant, classic ballerina session](https://abbygraceblog.com/sophie-an-elegant-classic-ballerina-session/) - As time passes, I'm becoming more and more of an advocate for personal work. Some of my biggest "aha" moments have come as a result of shooting for myself, and the more personal work I photograph, the more I understand myself as an artist, and the stronger my overall body of work inevitably becomes. After
- [Everyone Loves a Classic: umbrellas and trenchcoats](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-umbrellas-and-trenchcoats/) - Maybe it started with watching Mary Poppins over and over again as a child. Or maybe it was all those old black and white photos of people in New York City that I love happening upon. Or maybe it was Paris. I don't know. When I found wooden-handled umbrellas for sale, though, I bought them
- [Everyone Loves a Classic- the JCrew Schoolboy navy blazer](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-jcrew-blazer/) - Oh navy blue blazer, how I love you so, so much. Growing up, I quickly learned that a blazer is a necessity in any man's closet for business casual wear, and I LOVE that it's become more and more of a staple for women's fashion as well! I was first sucked into the idea of
- [Everyone Loves a Classic- the JCrew Pencil Skirt](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-the-jcrew-pencil-skirt/) - I remember my first shopping trip for "work clothes" during my senior year at Radford- Matt & I went to Macy's (because, being the fashion disaster I am, it was the only place I knew to go) and I brought armfuls of blazers, skirts, suits, and workdresses into the dressing room with me. And I
- [Everyone Loves a Classic- handwritten letters](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-handwritten-letters/) - I've always been a writer. English class was the best when were in the "creative writing" module, and call me a total dweeb, but I adored vocab lists. I loved being able to look back through my composition notebook, full of those 2-3 minute quick writes we'd do at the beginning of class, just pages and
- [Everyone Loves a Classic- date night at the movies](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-date-night-at-the-movies/) - Maybe it's cliché, I don't know. But my favorite dates are the ones that take me to a theater. As a kid in a family of five, going to the movies was a treat- we'd only go every once in a while, but when we did, my parents always made sure we did it right
- [Everyone Loves a Classic- Chanel perfume](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-chanel-perfume/) - I've never been a huge perfume wearer, but I have always been an admirer of elegant perfume bottles. It was on my list of "grown-up must-haves" as a little girl to obtain a bottle of perfume with an atomizer, and sure enough, I got one. Nevermind that I'm not crazy about the perfume inside, the
- [Everyone Loves a Classic: The Little Black Dress](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-the-little-black-dress/) - I remember discussing the issue of needing a little black dress with my old friend Maggie the summer after we graduated high school. "You have to have one," she'd told me, "it's a staple in every college girl's wardrobe!" So off I went to Target (because that was the only place I shopped for clothes
- [Everyone Loves a Classic- Pearls](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-pearls/) - My love of pearls was born the summer my dad and older brother, Ethan, took a month-long trek through Europe. Dad always brings home gifts from his international adventures, and to me he brought a pair of silver and pearl earrings he'd purchased at the Tower of London. They were simple, but they quickly became
- [Everyone Loves A Classic: New York City B&Ws](https://abbygraceblog.com/everyone-loves-a-classic-new-york-city-bws/) - Today marks the beginning of a new series! And since I’ve already planned out the first 29 installments, I’m pretty sure this one will last longer than the Wine Wednesday series :). A few months ago, I blogged about an epiphany I had regarding my style, branding, artistic leanings, etc. The realization that I’d been
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-91/) - It's the first MMU of 2014! And because today's the first Monday of the New Year, it kind of feels like today is the REAL start of 2014. This is the beginning of the "off-season" for me, as I won't shoot a wedding again until April, so I'm embarking on a TON of things I've
- [Land of the free because of the brave](https://abbygraceblog.com/land-of-the-free/) - Today was going to be a day where I posted about how wonderful 2013 was, and how very much I'm looking forward to 2014. But I believe in authenticity and doing away with pretense, so I can't write a post with a ton of exclamation points and smiley faces when in all reality, my heart
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-90/) - I think it may be due, in part, to the gloomy clouds bedecking the sky this morning, but I most definitely woke up with the post-holiday blues this morning. Christmas is my favorite time of year- all of my favorite people gathered together, yearly traditions and yummy treats, good times had by all. I think
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-89/) - IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!! I'm photographing one last session tthis afternoon and then I'm taking off for the next few days. It's gonna be awesome :). Sometimes I forget that I'm allowed to take vacation days even when I'm not on vacation, and since my wedding season is officially over, I'm going to spend time enjoying
- [Jeff & Tracy- Day After destination portrait session in Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico](https://abbygraceblog.com/jeff-tracy-day-after-session/) - I'll bet you guys were bummed after reaching the end of Jeff & Tracy's wedding post yesterday, weren't you? Fear not- it's time to feature their day-after session! You're welcome. Whenever traveling somewhere exotic and/or tropical for a wedding, I try to make sure to schedule in extra time for an additional portrait session, whether
- [Jeff & Tracy- a Caribbean destination wedding in Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico](https://abbygraceblog.com/jeff-tracy-a-caribbean-destination-wedding-in-isla-de-vieques-puerto-rico/) - This day was nine years in the making. A love story that began with a chance meeting, this day in one of the most beautiful places on earth was when everything finally came full circle. After nearly a decade together, Jeff & Tracy stood in front of their closest friends and family and promised each
- [Quentin & Lindsay- a Snickers Gap Christmas tree farm engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/quentin-lindsay-a-snickers-gap-christmas-tree-farm-engagement-session/) - They have that lighthearted kind of way of teasing each other, so they're always laughing, always smiling. He knows just what to say to bring that nose-crinkling grin to her face, and the way she laughs around him is infectious. Their story began with that quintessential kind of romance; a high school football player-meets-cheerleader story
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-88/) - This past weekend was our first "normal" one of the off-season, and it felt soooo good! We went to see the new Hobbit movie on Saturday morning, and then I spent the rest of the day hanging out with my mom, crafting and baking. I'm not a huge DIY-er, but sometimes it's just fun to
- [2013 Behind the Scenes goofs](https://abbygraceblog.com/2013-behind-the-scenes-goofs/) - Welp, the end of my 2013 wedding season is here. I photographed my last wedding this past weekend in Puerto Rico (talk about going out with a bang!), I've finished up engagement sessions, and I'm excited to start resting and recharging. The off-season is officially upon me! One of my favorite kind of posts that
- [Lessons Learned- perfecting the "selfie"](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-perfecting-the-selfie/) - Heads up, this is not a post on "how to take amazing photos of yourself with your iPhone that doesn't involve shooting your reflection in the mirror." Just wanted to clarify that before we move on :). One of the bummers of being a professional photographer is that when you're on vacation/traveling in a beautiful
- [Birthday!](https://abbygraceblog.com/birthday/) - Helloooo, awesome blog readers! Today is one my favorite days of the year, my birthday! Is it just me, or do birthdays seem pass in a sort of out-of-body-experience kind of way? Like the whole day ends up feeling like a dream? I always get really excited when Matt starts to ask me what I
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-87/) - Please excuse the extreme lateness of this post- I'm blogging from the air as we fly back from Puerto Rico! Today's been Crazy. Actually, the past five days have been crazy. From the extreme stress of delayed flights and wondering if we were going to make it to PR in time for the wedding weekend,
- [John & Emily- an elegant, cozy wedding at George Washington's River Farm](https://abbygraceblog.com/john-emily-an-elegant-cozy-wedding-at-george-washingtons-river-farm/) - It was a smile that never left his face, from the first time he laid eyes on her that morning to the last song that night. Joyful at the prospect of marrying one another, grateful to have all of their favorite people in one place, John & Emily were the epitome of bliss on their
- [Joe & Sarah- a proposal atop the Kennedy Center terrace](https://abbygraceblog.com/joe-sarah-a-proposal-atop-the-kennedy-center-terrace/) - I first met Sarah at the Q&A night back in March, and I could tell just from those first couple hours that she was something special. Adorable, hilarious and a bit of a firecracker, I remember liking her right away. So imagine my delight when her boyfriend Joe e-mailed me a few weeks ago to
- [Monday Mash-Up + Cyber Monday workshop seat sale!](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-86/) - Oh hey there, December- it's nice to see you again! December is my FAVORITE month of the year. Sure, part of it is because it's my birth month, and then there's Christmas (best holiday ever!), but it's also the fact that Christmas cheer is everywhere to found throughout the month! I'm one of those people
- [Ware & Liz- a timeless black tie affair at Rosemont Manor](https://abbygraceblog.com/ware-liz-a-timeless-black-tie-affair-at-rosemont-manor/) - There's that sense of anticipation on a wedding that's almost palpable- all of the preparations from the past year, all of the hustle and bustle of the morning, the waiting, it all points toward the moment when two lovers pledge their undying faithfulness to one another. For better or for worse, in sickness and in
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-85/) - Good morning, star shines! The world says "hello!" (Anyone know what movie that's from? And go!) It's the beginning of another week, but not just any week- it's THANKSGIVING week! Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday- I love the craziness of everyone knocking around the kitchen, the smell of turkey wafting through the air, and
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-84/) - I'm going to preface this with an apology- this is going to be the year's shortest blog post. Sorry! I'm on the West Coast for the next few days with a packed schedule full of friends and sunshine, so I have about three minutes to write :). As always, for your reading pleasure, lessons learned/events
- [Steven & Cara- a Georgetown sunrise engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/steven-cara-a-georgetown-sunrise-engagement-session/) - A college campus seems to be the perfect atmosphere in which to fall in love. And when that college campus happens to be one of the most beautiful on the East Coast, it's even more of an idyllic situation. Steven and Cara met in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia after their older siblings started
- [Kam & Erin- a Naval Academy wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/kam-erin-a-naval-academy-wedding/) - He noticed her on his first trip to the Naval Academy as a senior in high school- she was already a student at the Academy, and he spied her during orientation, taking note of how pretty he thought she was. Fast forward to a few years later and they both find themselves in the same
- [Shoot & Share November- You musn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling](https://abbygraceblog.com/shoot-share-november-2013/) - Every now and then, I forget that the sky is the limit when it comes to dreaming. Yes, there are limitations when it comes to things that I can ACTUALLY put into practice (i.e. I will never, no matter how hard I try, be a concert pianist), but daydreams? Those don't have a cap. Sure,
- [Jake & Ashley- a Baltimore, Maryland wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/jake-ashley-a-baltimore-maryland-wedding/) - Each of them, in their own right, aren't people I'd typically label as reserved. They're both relaxed, but enthusiastic at the same time, and yet their love is quiet. Never boisterous or attention-seeking, just calm and steady. It was a beautiful juxtaposition against the hustle and bustle of the Baltimore Harbor. People walking by, almost missing the
- [Tim & Cristina- a sweet Alexandria engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/tim-cristina-a-sweet-alexandria-engagement-session/) - They met during her first week on the job- he arrived to deliver her new computer, so naturally, she thought he was the IT guy... turns out he was kind of her boss. Once that was cleared up, though, the interest began to set in. Their first date took them out and about in DC
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-83/) - I will never understand Virginia weather. It was 75 and sunny on Friday and Saturday, but this morning's engagement session was a frigid 35 and cloudy. Don't get me wrong- I'm not begrudging Mother Nature her right to a chilly fall/winter, but dang. Can a girl get some consistency around here? These wild swings in
- [Jonathan & Lisa- a classic Georgetown engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jonathan-lisa-a-classic-georgetown-engagement-session/) - "What was the first thing you noticed about her?" "Her hair, definitely her hair. It's that nice, light blond color." She smiles, dropps her eyes and gave a laugh. "Lisa, what about you? What did you first notice about him?" "If I'm being honest, I swooned over his English accent!" Now it's his turn to
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-82/) - A big, huge Mrs. Doubtfire-style HELLOOOO to you all this morning! This past weekend was my breather window during the last big push pf wedding season, and I still somehow managed to cram three portrait sessions into it anyways. But hey, sleep is for the off-season, right? Know what else I was supposed to do
- [Registration is a go!](https://abbygraceblog.com/registration-goes-live/) - I woke up this morning with butterflies in my stomach- I'm so excited that registration is LIVE for my new Connection Mentoring Sessions (f0r more information on what these sessions are all about, click HERE). Something tells me these sessions are going to challenge and grow me just as much as they'll challenge and grow anyone
- [A letter to my sixteen-year-old self](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-letter-to-my-sixteen-year-old-self/) - Dear Abby, I know right now things aren't exactly easy. But take it from me, it's going to get easier. Just give it some time. You're in your junior year of high school, and you're beginning to learn just how badly it hurts when friends turn out to be something other than what you thought.
- [Chris & Leah- a Ceresville Mansion wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/chris-leah-a-ceresville-mansion-wedding/) - If you ever want to see someone's true character, catch them on their wedding day. When tensions are high and the timeline is tight, people revert to their core values, the markers that make up their character. For Leah, this meant a calm, collected demeanor- cool under pressure. Her brown eyes sparkled just a bit
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-81/) - Hellooo Monday Mash-Up readers! It's crazy to me that I've had this series going for over a year and a half now- we'll have to do something special when we hit the hundredth post or something. Monday Mash-Ups started out as a cop-out (I needed something else to fill my blogging calendar!), but it's my
- [Connection Mentoring Sessions!](https://abbygraceblog.com/connection-mentoring-sessions/) - The first few times I was approached with the request to mentor, my initial internal response was "with all due politeness, heck no." Not because there's anything wrong with mentoring, but I love large groups of people- I'm very much an extrovert, and the idea of spending three hours with someone I didn't know at
- [Shoot & Share- October meet-up](https://abbygraceblog.com/shoot-share-october-meet-up/) - One of the main reasons I decided to use ShowIt last year was for the COMMUNITY. I love that the ShowIt gurus have such a heart for gathering photographers with the intent of encouraging one another! This past January I realized it wasn't going to be practical to continue the trek down to Richmond every
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-80/) - Welp, this weekend was Awesome. That's right, with a capital A and everything. Exhausting, definitely, but over-the-top amazing in every way. I had the treat of second shooting on Saturday for Justin & Mary, and yesterday I had a wedding of my own, so I currently feel as though I've been run through a taffy
- [Dan & Sarah- a destination engagement session in Savannah](https://abbygraceblog.com/dan-sarah-a-destination-engagement-session-in-savannah/) - I think 2013 is my year. Both of my best friends are engaged and planning weddings for next May, meaning I've had the chance to photograph the engagements of my two favorite girlfriends! Photographing people close to me is so different- on the one hand, it's easier because I've known Sarah since freshman year of
- [Eddie & Priyanka- a secret garden wedding in Maryland](https://abbygraceblog.com/eddie-priyanka-a-secret-garden-wedding-in-maryland/) - He kept running through all of his lists in his head, sure there was something he'd missed. They'd spent so long planning this day and now that it was finally here, there was an overwhelming sense of anticipation. So many hours, days, weeks had been poured into making their wedding day one that reflected them
- [Owl Post](https://abbygraceblog.com/owl-post/) - The first time I met Eddie & Priyanka, I just KNEW I was going to love them. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I dare you to meet these two and not feel the same way- they're high school sweethearts, the best of friends, and they were just so EXCITED about their
- [Jake & Ashley- a Baltimore engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jake-ashley-a-baltimore-engagement-session/) - It's always fun, meeting my couples in person for the first time. Jake, Ashley & I had our first "meet-up" over Skype when we chatted to see if we were a good fit for each other, so their engagement session was the first time I physically got to meet them both. We had such a
- [Lessons Learned: Posing](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-posing/) - When I asked for feedback last week, one of the most popular responses was a request for posing advice. That totally blew my mind- I feel like posing is one of those things I'm NOT very good with! The more I shoot, the more comfortable I become with it, but it's definitely not something I'd
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-79/) - Hello there, bloggettes! Sorry this post is coming so late in the day- I had my first Skype mentoring session with a sweet photographer from Chicago this morning so I was running around trying to prep! You know the lateness is noticeable though when your husband texts you to ask if you're going to blog
- [Lessons Learned: Writer's block](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-writers-block/) - I've always been a writer- for a while, I thought I wanted to major in English in college. Become an author, you know, live novel to novel. But then I realized how much I hated the technical grammar side of things (who cares what a past participle is, anyways?), so that dream died. Fortunately, blogging
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-78/) - It's officially fall! < I'm pretty that's going to be the opening line of every blogger today. But I don't care, I'm so dang excited. Since autumn no longer means going back to school, I'm free to enjoy this season for all of its chilly goodness, and for me, that means hopefully starting the week
- [Lessons Learned: Working with wedding planners](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-working-with-wedding-planners/) - It's such a trip every time I think back on just how much I've learned over the past three wedding seasons. How I used to be terrified of even using my on-camera flash, but now I can light a reception with TWO flashes and not think twice about it. How I shot my first three
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-77/) - Remember that show on VHI "Best Week Ever"? I'm definitely having one of those, and it's only Monday! Yesterday I hopped on a train to head up to New York City for Mike & Kristin's engagement session, and from the first frame (no really- the very first shutter click!) it was incredible. I'm bursting at
- [Chris & Chrissy- a classic Leesburg wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/chris-chrissy-a-classic-leesburg-wedding/) - All morning long, during hair and make-up, laughing with her girlfriends and sipping mimosas, she was alright. "How do you feel? Do you need anything" "I'm totally fine!" It wasn't until it was time to don her iconic white gown that the nerves set in. Her hands shook ever so slightly as she dabbed on
- [Portraits with the lovely Kaitlyn Phipps Photography](https://abbygraceblog.com/kaitlyn-phipps-photography/) - I'm a firm believer that people come in and out of each other's lives for a reason. For me, my journey into wedding photography began when I emailed a mass of wedding photographers in the area to see how they got their start, and only one person gave me an answer that was more than
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-76/) - Hellooo blogosphere! I think there's something about the prospect of cooler months on the horizon that makes me feel more domestic- in the last two weeks, I've baked cobblers, canned my own peach jam, and experimented with an immersion blender for butternut squash soup. And there's a pot of ham hocks and beans simmering on
- [John & Emily- a downtown Chicago sunrise engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/john-emily-a-downtown-chicago-sunrise-engagement-session/) - Boston. That's where it all began. Well, technically it was Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the campus of Harvard. They were both there for graduate degrees in business, and after spending time together in section for various projects and study groups, John found himself wanting to spend a bit more time with Emily. Sans books, preferably just
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-75/) - Can we all agree that it's now officially fall? If September 1st doesn't mark the beginning of autumn, then surely the day after Labor Day does, right? Yes? Good. So ladies, feel free to start breaking out those boots, scarves and sweaters! Although, I'm not sure how much good it'll do it- the high today
- [July film](https://abbygraceblog.com/july-film/) - Phew! I barely made it through July with my New Year's Eve-resolution-mandated monthly film- I think I was perhaps trying to recover from the massive bill I received from all of the film I shot in Europe. I shot two rolls during my session with Thad & Rachel and waited six weeks to finally send
- [A Date With Abby Grace- recap](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-date-with-abby-grace-recap/) - Have you ever had a vision for something, this amazing elaborate "perfect world" kind of vision, and then whatever it was you were envisioning turns out completely differently? And yet, it still somehow manages to be BETTER than the version you originally cooked up in your imagination? That's kind of what happened with my first
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-74/) - It's Monday again! Isn't it weird how that happens something like once every seven days? Crazy. Matt & I have been battling with feeling nothing short of LAZY on weekends I don't have weddings, so this weekend we decided to shake things up a bit. I'm not really a "nature love" kind of person- I
- [T-minus 26 hours](https://abbygraceblog.com/t-minus-26-hours/) - This week has been cah-RAZY. The Date with Abby Grace photography workshop is tomorrow, so I've been running around like a crazy person trying to accomplish everything I was too intimidated to start a month and a half ago. But somehow, it's all worked out- I think my mind just works more efficiently under a
- [Brent & Lena- a rural southern Maryland wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/brent-lena-a-rural-southern-maryland-wedding/) - Rows and rows of corn fields bordered the dirt road leading up to the house where she was getting ready that morning. She'd glance out the windows every few minutes to see if the sky was going to deliver on its threat of rain, not really caring whether it did or not, it was just
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-73/) - Goooood morning interwebs! I hope your weekend was less hectic than mine was- anytime a weekend involves a Saturday trip to Ikea, you know you're in for a ride. It starts at the entrance, with dozens of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed shoppers pouring through the doors. Things are great as you peruse sofas and love seats,
- [Dear Matt,](https://abbygraceblog.com/dear-matt/) - I know I've said this a million times, but I'm still not sure how I tricked you into marrying me- we both know I got the better end of this deal. Remember when we got engaged and I made you promise you'd be the one to do the dishes because it's my least favorite chore
- [Taking 4 hours to write a blog post](https://abbygraceblog.com/taking-4-hours-to-write-a-blog-post/) - By now you guys have probably begun to understand that I love to talk. Love it, love it, love it. Before going into photographer meet-ups, I have to remind myself to shut up and LISTEN every once in a while, because every time there's even a slight lull in conversation, I feel like it's my
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-72/) - Helloooooo! Good morning, bloggettes, and happy happy Monday! I'll be honest, I woke up in a total funk today. Perhaps it was the strange dreams I was having about being forced to play in an orchestra without any sheet music, or the weird one I had about a rose-picking relay race, but that saying about
- [BlogStomp, and that time I realized I didn't need to spend 3 hours in PhotoShop](https://abbygraceblog.com/blogstomp/) - When it comes to computers, I'm about as much of a technological novice as is possible. I'm not a PhotoShop wizard, I have no idea what a "clipping mask" is, and when people start talking about RGB colorspace my eyes glaze over. When I started blogging, I knew I wanted to be able to "do
- [Making time](https://abbygraceblog.com/making-time/) - "We wear busy like a badge of honor." Mary Marantz is one of those people who speaks truth into my life each and every time I see her. The aforementioned quote was something she uttered at the What's Next Tour, and every so often I find that I need a reminder of it. We wear
- [Strawberry mint lemonade- my one domestic area of success](https://abbygraceblog.com/strawberry-mint-lemonade-my-one-domestic-area-of-success/) - I don't try to hide the fact that I'm not at all talented in the domestic department- decorating our home like a Pottery Barn catalogue? cooking up a sumptuous meal with organic, homegrown ingredients? heck, even managing to vaccuum on a regular basis? Fail, fail, fail. But if there's one thing I do well, it's
- [Paying it forward- I heart giveaways!](https://abbygraceblog.com/paying-it-forward-i-heart-giveaways/) - You know that saying "tis better to give than to receive?" It's SO true! I love giving gifts, surprising someone with something they weren't expecting. Like going into a restaurant and paying for someone's meal, then leaving before they can figure out whodunnit? That's the best feeling ever. So it only makes sense that, with
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-71/) - Let me be the first to congratulate Mother Nature on the absolute bang up of a job she's done these past couple of weeks. Typically, July/August in Virginia involves stifling temperatures and humidity so thick it'll fog your glasses. But as of late, we've had, dare I say, pleasant weather! And for a runner who's
- [Things I love- my Emily Ley Simplified Planner](https://abbygraceblog.com/things-i-love-my-emily-ley-simplified-planner/) - I'm disorganized. I always have been, and I'm afraid I always will be. It's not that I LIKE not knowing where I put this pair of earrings or that pair of running shoes, and it's not like I get a kick out of forgetting this doctor appointment or that coffee date with a friend, it's
- [Ware & Liz- a Charlottesville engagement session at the University of Virginia](https://abbygraceblog.com/ware-liz-a-charlottesville-engagement-session-at-the-university-of-virginia/) - Their relationship is one of those that brings to mind the term "quiet strength." Neither of them the boisterous or outgoing type, their love doesn't draw attention or seek to be recognized. And yet there's something that draws your attention anyways- maybe it's the way his hand drifts toward her waist to pull her in
- [Much needed time with friends](https://abbygraceblog.com/much-needed-time-with-friends/) - It's crazy how wedding season works itself out- before leaving my full-time desk job, I'd been expecting to be busy, busy, busy shooting weddings April-October without any time to breathe. But the way it's worked out the past two wedding seasons, I've had a nice break in the middle, during the hottest part of summer.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-70/) - This past weekend was one of those weekends that makes me really appreciate being a grown-up. I had an engagement session at UVA so Matt and I drove down together to stay with our friends Thomas & Natalie. I'd always thought, aside from the college, Charlottesville was a lackluster town, but I was SO wrong.
- [Paris on film](https://abbygraceblog.com/paris-on-film/) - Back when Matt and I were planning our trip, I'd thrown out the idea of going to Paris for a night. "When will we ever have a chance to do this again?" We'd already be next door in England, and I'd been dreaming of traveling to France since the age of 12. Maybe it was
- [Billy & Jenny- an Ocean City, Maryland sunrise engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/billy-jenny-an-ocean-city-maryland-sunrise-engagement-session/) - It took him three tries to get her to go on that first date- "I think she liked playing hard to get," he said with a smile. But as the saying goes, the third time's the charm and they finally found themselves out on that elusive date. And then another date... and another one. There
- [Travels in Stamford](https://abbygraceblog.com/travels-in-stamford/) - I am SO excited to share these with you guys today- Stamford is one of my all-time favorite places in the world and these film scans do way more justice than the last batch of images I took five years ago. Stamford is hundreds of years old, and the building facades you'll see are the
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-69/) - Alright, people. Let's talk about Netflix. I'm convinced this thing is the best/worst thing that's ever happened to me. Matt & I have never been the kind of people who sit around and watch TV, unless it's a Nationals, Redskins, or Cowboys game. Or the first season of Once Upon A Time (because really, anything
- [Travels in London and Hemel Hempstead](https://abbygraceblog.com/travels-in-london-and-hemel-hempstead/) - Last week I received one of the best emails a photographer can find in their inbox- "Your scans are ready!" WOOO! During out two week trip in Europe I made it my mission to shoot all of my personal work on film. Instead of carrying my mk3 with me through London, I brought [lugged] my
- [Tim & Lauren- an elegant pink & gray wedding at Trump National Golf Club](https://abbygraceblog.com/tim-lauren-wedding-trump-national/) - He stood waiting for her on a veranda overlooking the golf club, patient and calm. That seems to be a running theme with Tim- steadfast and easygoing, with that undercurrent off joy, excitement, bliss. It's part of what drew Lauren to him, the way he listens, really listens when she talks. As she walked toward
- [A Date with Abby Grace- the first ever AGP workshop!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-date-with-abby-grace-the-first-ever-agp-workshop/) - I think I've always been a teacher at heart- when I was five and we still lived in Orlando, instead of playing "house," I'd line all of my stuffed animals up at "desks" (cardboard boxes) and give them homework assignments. I considered changing my major in college from PR to education, and every time I've
- [Thad & Rachel- a sunrise inspiration session at Reston Town Center](https://abbygraceblog.com/thad-rachel-a-sunrise-inspiration-session-at-reston-town-center/) - Last Monday I shot my third annual "just for me" session- these get better and better every year! You can read a little more about these sessions HERE, but essentially I've taken a shining to doing one shoot a year as a chance for me to practice without the added pressure of a crunched wedding
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-68/) - Well, well, well. Monday, we meet again. ^ I don't actually have a problem with Mondays (I love them!), I've just been wanting to say that. This weekend was awesome, everything that I needed after a rough week- it was relaxing, encouraging, inspiring, and I even managed to slip some work in there without realizing
- [James & Deanna | A garden wedding at Gorse Hill in Surrey, England](https://abbygraceblog.com/james-deanna-uk-wedding-photographer/) - They bring out the best in each other- easy smiles, frequent laughter, a relaxed presence. Just watch them interact for a short minute or two and you'll get it, you'll understand why they chose forever together. The morning of their wedding dawned cool and misty in the English countryside, with threats of rain looming in
- [Dan & Sarah- A covert operation in Jacksonville, Florida](https://abbygraceblog.com/dan-sarah-a-covert-operation-in-jacksonville-florida/) - Sarah and I go way back to the first day on band camp (yes, folks- band camp) in 9th grade, and we've been through a lot together- homecomings, band drama, high school in general, the tumult of navigating relationships as a teenager. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding is one of the only people
- [Destination engagement sessions!](https://abbygraceblog.com/destination-engagement-sessions/) - So we've all heard of destination weddings, yes? I wrote a few months ago about why bringing a photographer WITH you to a destination is a better option that going with a resort photographer, but today I'm going to profess my undying love of destination engagement sessions. I've had the opportunity to shoot a few
- [Tyler & Ashley- an Ocean City, Maryland engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/tyler-ashley-an-ocean-city-maryland-engagement-session/) - It began in 2009 at a beach shack in Ocean City, MD on an adventure- a very special mission trip called "Summer Project." Tyler & Ashley lived alongside each other with 30 other college kids from around the US, spending their days working at hamburger shacks and water parks, and their evenings worshipping and serving
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-67/) - Today is the quickest Monday Mash-Up post ever. I've risen before 4:30 am two days in a row now and I'm in desperate need of some sleep, so please excuse this shorter-than-usual Monday Mash-Up! Today's a day for previews. Tim & Lauren were married on Friday in a beautiful, beautiful ceremony at Trump National Golf
- [My favorite wedding-day knick knack](https://abbygraceblog.com/my-favorite-wedding-day-knick-knack/) - I first happened upon this gem last year while at Ace Photo in Ashburn- I can't remember what I was in there to buy, but the guy who was ringing me up at the register was trying to sell me an additional piece of equipment I had no intention of purchasing. It was this small
- [Refreshing updates!](https://abbygraceblog.com/refreshing-updates/) - Almost exactly a year ago, we hit publish on my new ShowIt website and blog updates. I was SO excited about the gorgeous site, the clean, quirky design, and the chance to rebrand my business in a way that represented my personality! Well, six months later, during a heart-to-heart mentoring session with Mary, I came
- [Thankful.](https://abbygraceblog.com/thankful/) - Matt, this blog post is written to you. You've been my better half for nearly four years now, picking up where I leave off, perfectly in sync without missing a step. You know that I'm passionate and excited, but that when it comes down to the specific logistics of things like getting from point A
- [The latest Monday Mash-Up post ever](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-6-2/) - HellO my dear friends! It feels so good to be writing again from the US. We've had a whirlwind of a time these past two weeks in Europe and I'm so excited to share Matt & I's adventures with y'all once my film scans come in! I shot a little bit on my mk3, so
- [Finding rest in the English countryside](https://abbygraceblog.com/finding-rest-in-the-english-countryside/) - I'll never be a city girl. I won't pretend I'd be happy living on a farm (suburbia seems to be the perfect fit for me!), but the hustle and bustle of city life is just a bit too much for me. London was amazing for the couple of days we were there, but once Matt
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-66/) - Hellooooo! It's been so weird trying to keep up with the days of the week, but I guess that's pretty typical with any vacation, right? I woke up this morning and realized that, as it was Monday, I'd better get a move on with at least some sort of excuse for a post :). Matt
- [London in photographs](https://abbygraceblog.com/london-in-photographs/) - I'm going to have the strangest collection of images once we're home. Half the time I've been shooting on film, and the other half the time I've had my mk3 with me. I was hoping to put everything into an album once I'm done, and it'll end up being a mash of digital snapshots and
- [God Save the Queen- we're off to the UK!](https://abbygraceblog.com/god-save-the-queen-were-off-to-the-uk/) - It's June 18th and we're finally on our way to London! Matt & I have been SO excited to travel for James & Deanna's wedding on Saturday- Deanna and I have been emailing back and forth for over a year, planning the occasional Skype date, getting excited about their big day, and planning for their
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-65/) - Well. This Monday began.... differently. There's nothing like coming downstairs to fix your dog's breakfast, only to walk into the living room to see her peeing on the rug. WHAT?! I thought we got over this when she was 4 months old?? And then, upon cleaning up the spot of shame, I discovered that this
- [Charles & Jen- a Stevenson Ridge wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/charles-jen-a-stevenson-ridge-wedding/) - They have that quiet sort of romance- the kind that doesn't call attention to itself, never asking for people to look its way. Sort of like the sweet background music in The Holiday; lovely, romantic and kind. His steadfast demeanor, her kind and gentle nature, it's no wonder a relationship followed so soon after meeting
- [Feeling oh so incredibly loved](https://abbygraceblog.com/feeling-oh-so-incredibly-loved/) - I love our church. We came to Reston Community Church (RCC) last August and from the first Sunday, we knew it was the perfect fit for us. There's such genuine joy and a spirit of welcome in the air, and these people, our church friends, have become a second family to us. We know that
- [Weekend at Bernie's- a long overdue batch of film](https://abbygraceblog.com/weekend-at-bernies-a-long-overdue-batch-of-film/) - One of my New Year's resolutions was to shoot at least one roll of personal work on film every month. Fail. Fail fail fail. Part of it's been the fact that I keep my Contax in the closet, so I'm not constantly looking at it, and the other part is just plain fear of being
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-64/) - Welp, today's post is a wee bit late because I decided to sleep until 10:15. Before you judge me too harshly, I was originally up at 3:45 for a sunrise session, but due to the rain we ended up postponing and I decided to go back to bed rather than start my work day at
- [Tyler & Ashley- A rustic Lexington, Virginia mountaintop wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tyler-ashley-a-rustic-lexington-virginia-mountaintop-wedding/) - Isaiah 40:31- "...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Waiting has been a common motif in Tyler & Ashley's relationship. After meeting while on a beach missions trip in the
- [Frustrating technical difficulties](https://abbygraceblog.com/frustrating-technical-difficulties/) - Well, this was supposed to be the day I blog Tyler & Ashley's wedding, but BlogStomp keeps crashing every time I import images. Unfortunately it looks like I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to post the Herrinton wedding- not pleased. This one is definitely worth waiting for though, so check back tomorrow morning,
- [And yet another reason why I love PASS- prints!!](https://abbygraceblog.com/and-yet-another-reason-why-i-love-pass-prints/) - I've never really been one to embrace change readily- change usually means struggle, and call me crazy, but I don't like struggling. PASS, the system I use to deliver digital negatives to my clients, first made its debut in 2011, but being the headstrong individual that I was, I first just shrugged it off. My
- [That one time I stopped and smelled the roses](https://abbygraceblog.com/that-one-time-i-stopped-and-smelled-the-roses/) - It dawned on me as I was writing yesterday's Monday Mash-Up post how not only is 2013 flying by, but I'm letting it PASS me by. And that terrified me. I get frustrated when I hear things like "I just can't wait for it to be spring" in January because it feels like someone's wishing
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-63/) - Wello hellO there, June! It's a pleasure to see you again- it's been what, a year? Crazy how the time passes, isn't it? But really, guys. It's June, and 2013 is almost half way over. How does this happen?! I'm still getting used to writing the date with xx/xx/13 on checks. Before graduation college I
- [Gearing up for travel](https://abbygraceblog.com/gearing-up-for-travel/) - I'm starting to get nervous. Matt and I are leaving in 19 days to spend almost two weeks in England and Paris, and I'm starting to realize what such a huge chunk of time away is going to mean. I have NO idea what my blogging schedule's going to look like, we've actually not booked
- [William & Meg- a destination engagement session on Bald Head Island, part 2](https://abbygraceblog.com/william-meg-bald-head-island-part-2/) - One of the best parts of this past weekend at Bald Head was that I had the chance to shoot during TWO separate golden hours! We shot part 1 of William & Meg's session in the evening, and then rose early the next morning for my favorite part- shooting at dawn. We raced to the
- [William & Meg- a destination engagement session on Bald Head Island, part 1](https://abbygraceblog.com/william-meg-bald-head-island-part-1/) - It's always a different game when I photograph people close to me. It's both an advantage and a challenge- knowing someone for so long that you can't see them objectively. Meg and I are cousins, so we've literally known each other since birth. We spent weeks during the summer at the beach, shared week-long games
- [Tuesday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/tuesday-mash-up-2/) - Helloooooo bloggettes! It's the Tuesday after a long weekend and I'm feeling rested and relaxed. Matt & I spent this past weekend down at Bald Head Island with my cousin Meg & her fiancé William shooting their engagement session and hanging out poolside- it was heaven! I'd forgotten how much I love sipping a mudslide
- [Eddie & Priyanka- a rural Virginia engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/eddie-priyanka-rural-virginia-engagement-session/) - They've been together for a long time. Since high school, in fact- the proverbial "high school sweetheart" story that everyone secretly envies? Yep, they have it. They're best friends, soul mates, perfectly in-step and crazy in love. There was never really a question of "if" they'd be married, just more of a "when," and it
- [Chris & Chrissy- a dawn engagement session in Alexandria](https://abbygraceblog.com/chris-chrissy-a-dawn-engagement-session-in-alexandria/) - It's that end-of-summer, new-school-year-about-to-begin ride of emotions- you're bummed the long days of doing whatever you please are over, but you can't wait to get back down to school to see all your college friends. The groans of moving into a new apartment with new roommates, the joy of once again having daily access to
- [Charles & Jen- a Washington DC engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/charles-jen-a-washington-dc-engagement-session/) - Finding out that your job is sending you for a week-long class in Six Sigma isn't usually a cause for jubilation, but for Jen & Charles it quickly became a part of their love story. After learning that their mutual employer would be requiring them to sit through the same off-site course, Jen and a
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-62/) - Well hellO there, Monday! This weekend was AWESOME. Matt & I followed the game plan for Saturday and planned to do nothing- I'd forgotten how much fun it can be to have a lazy Saturday! The Reston Farmer's Market is only about half a mile from our neighborhood so we walked over on Saturday morning
- [4:00 am wake-ups](https://abbygraceblog.com/400-am-wake-ups/) - ....are so totally worth it. It seems to be engagement session season around here and I am SO pumped! That warm, buttery light that seems to have arrived with spring gets me jazzed, and though I may initially groan when my alarm goes off at 4:00, I've never once regretted getting up early for a
- [Greg & Jackie- a soft and sweet Leesburg, Virginia wedding at Merriweather Manor](https://abbygraceblog.com/leesburg-virginia-wedding-photograph/) - May 11th dawned, as the forecast had predicted, cloudy and overcast- those threatening skies we'd been promised looked none too inviting. But one of the things I love most about Greg & Jackie is how absolutely unfazed they were by any of it. Anyone else may have gone to pieces about a forecast of thunderstorms on their
- [Tell your dreams to the universe](https://abbygraceblog.com/tell-your-dreams-to-the-universe/) - I am a firm believer in putting my hopes and dreams out there for the world to see- the last few times I've done so, it's resulted in people coming alongside me to help me see those goals become a reality! So in the spirit of dreaming and dreaming BIG, I'm putting it all out
- [Lessons Learned: asking myself WHY?](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-asking-myself-why/) - One of the biggest mistakes I've made as a growing photographer is following other photographers' lead without asking myself whether or not it fits with me, my vision, and my business. I'd see other photographers doing fun/quirky/unique poses or stylizing details in creative ways, and I'd blindly imitate them without pausing to think over whether
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-61/) - I made it! It's May 13th and I'm still alive :). Prior to this past couple of months, I'd never photographed more than three consecutive wedding weekends. I've just finished up a six-week stretch and I feel great! Matt and I are taking the next couple of weekends off before hopping back into the season
- [Greg & Sarah- a Kansas City, Missouri wedding at The Roasterie](https://abbygraceblog.com/greg-sarah-a-kansas-city-missouri-wedding-at-the-roasterie/) - A love story that began in a Bible study and has since spanned the globe came full circle this past Saturday. With nearly 200 friends and family in attendance, Greg and Sarah made the commitment of a lifetime- to have and to hold, to love and to cherish. Greg's last name, "Humble," was more
- [Lessons Learned: Prepping for a wedding day](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-prepping-for-a-wedding-day/) - One thing I noticed right from the first wedding I shot by myself is that trying to prep everything the morning of leads to feeling utterly out of control for the rest of the day. I have no idea why, but any time I leave clearing cards and charging batteries until late the night before
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-60/) - Hellooooo! < This is how my dad and I greet each other over the phone. But not in a normal voice- it's in a "Robin-Williams-dressed-as-an-aged-Irish-woman" kind of voice. An aged Irish woman who's just smashed a pie into her own face. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go watch Mrs. Doubtfire. This
- [The ladies of ATrendy Wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-ladies-of-atrendy-wedding/) - Wedding planners and coordinators are some of my favorite people in the industry- they make wedding days flow so much more perfectly! As the photographer, when there isn't a planner present, the question of "what happens now?" usually falls to the photographer. I'd like to think I'm pretty efficient when it comes to photographing, but
- [Chris & Alyssa- an elegant + classic wedding at Mount Vernon](https://abbygraceblog.com/chris-alyssa-mount-vernon-wedding/) - When Alyssa graduated from Radford University, she had no idea what the next few months of her life would look like. The economy had recently taken a nosedive, meaning employment opportunities were thin on the ground. With a degree in Geography, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do, so after six months of frustration,
- [Chris & Alyssa- an Old Town Alexandria engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/chris-alyssa-an-old-town-alexandria-engagement-session/) - Sometimes I have to sit back and shake myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. That I get to do this, to be a storyteller through images, for people madly in love? It never ceases to thrill me. Chris & Alyssa found and booked me last April but were both deployed to Afghanistan soon after
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-59/) - You know what I love about Monday Mash-Ups? It's that I started them as a "I-really-need-filler-material-for-my-blog" series and yet they've become one of the most-read posts according to my blog stats. And that makes me happy. I love that I can make obscure references to Amanda Bynes movies and you guys all chime in with
- [Drew & Morgan- a Richmond, Virginia send-off love shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/drew-morgan-a-richmond-virginia-send-off-love-shoot/) - I have an incredibly soft spot in my heart for the military. My older brother is a Marine, my younger brother is a Soldier, my sister-in-law is an Airman, my grandfather was a Colonel in the Army, etc. etc. There's just something about a person in uniform that makes me want to drop whatever I'm
- [Josh & Lorinda- a cozy barn wedding in Frederick, Maryland](https://abbygraceblog.com/josh-lorinda-cozy-barn-wedding/) - At the heart of every solid marriage, there's an underlying theme of friendship. Friendship and service. The knowledge that your partner in life is someone who will both cherish you as their beloved and enjoy your company as a best friend does. Josh & Lorinda's first two years of acquaintance began just like that- as
- [Pictures that heal](https://abbygraceblog.com/pictures-that-heal/) - If I've learned anything watching my parents' marriage growing up, it's that love takes on many different forms. 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us that love is patient, kind, it doesn't envy, boast, rejoice at wrongdoing; it's not rude, arrogant, irritable or resentful, it doesn't insist on its own way. "Love bears all things, believes all
- [A preview!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-preview-2/) - Hey friends! Super short post today- I'm in Richmond for an e-session and a breakfast date with my sweet friend Kerith. Enjoy this fun preview until Drew & Morgan's full post next week :). Happy Tuesday!
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-58/) - Have any of you guys seen "She's The Man," that Amanda Bynes movie where she impersonates her brother to get on the soccer team? The headmaster of the school she's attending (also Tobias in Arrested Development) has this nerdy welcome song he sings to new students. And anytime someone says "Welcome, welcome!" I always want
- [The evils of my Facebook newsfeed](https://abbygraceblog.com/evils-of-facebook-newsfeed/) - Do you ever have one of those days when you put a lot of effort into your outfit, know you look adorable, and then meet up with a friend who looks 10x better and you know they barely tried at all? That's how it feels sometimes when I look at my Facebook newsfeed and see
- [Tim & Lauren- A DC Cherry Blossoms engagement session at dawn](https://abbygraceblog.com/tim-lauren-a-dc-cherry-blossoms-engagement-session-at-dawn/) - Their love story began, as so many of the best kinds do, on a summer vacation at the beach. He'd tagged along with a family friend to Lauren's family's beach home, and it was there that the sparks began to pop and fly. She remembers him really and truly listening when she spoke, engaging her
- [Lessons Learned: Shooting in crowded spaces](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-shooting-in-crowded-spaces/) - Sooner or later, unless you live in the country and never ever venture into anywhere humans congregate, every photographer is faced with the challenge of shooting in an area where there are a TON of people around. This sort of situation used to make me sweat profusely because I had no idea how to handle
- [Joe & Sara- A classic Washington DC Persian wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/joe-sara-a-classi-washington-dc-persian-wedding/) - The morning of April 6th dawned in the nation's Capital as clear, cool and breezy as Joe & Sara had dreamed. This particular day had been six years in the making, beginning during their days at the University of Maryland, surviving semesters abroad and graduation, and eventually resulting in the joining of two families. Sara's
- [A preview!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-preview/) - I swore to myself that I'd never shoot portraits at the Cherry Blossoms because of how insanely crowded it gets. Welp, I've photographed down at the Tidal Basin TWICE in the last five days, and I'm not the least bit sorry! The Blossoms are an incredible sight to behold- I can't believe it's taken me
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-56/) - Helloooooo MONDAY! I'm so glad you're here. You see, I shot this gorgeous wedding over the weekend and since I've vowed not to work on Sundays, I can't start editing and drooling over the images until today. And now the frenzy of editing can begin! Joe & Sara's wedding on Saturday was STUNNING. I'm having
- [Wedding season starts tomorrow!](https://abbygraceblog.com/wedding-season-starts-tomorrow/) - It's been lovely with the "break" I've had over the last couple of months- I've had time to get albums designed and ordered, taxes taken care of, my office a bit more organized, etc. And I'll admit it- I even had time to REST. There were weeks where I didn't work a full 40 hours,
- [Back at RU](https://abbygraceblog.com/back-at-ru/) - The first time I ever felt really OLD was the summer after I graduated when I found tiny lines under my eyes. I freaked out, went and bought anti-aging eye cream, and then eventually came to realize that I was being absurd. Being 25 and the "live out LOUD" kind of person that I am,
- [More lovely faces- Reston Community Church photo booth](https://abbygraceblog.com/more-lovely-faces-reston-community-church-photo-booth/) - Our Community Connections Director, miss Ally, approached me a few weeks ago about doing a photo booth on Easter Sunday. "That sounds AWESOME!" I told her, nevermind the fact that I'm a complete novice when it comes to off-camera lighting, and nevermind the fact that I didn't have any of the studio equipment necessary to
- [DVD Packaging](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-sound-of-music-scotch-tape-and-martha-stewart/) - A couple of weeks ago I blogged my process for creating the custom stationery I use with my clients. It got some really great reviews, so I've decided to share my DVD packaging as well! I just recently completed my DVDs, and I'm SO happy with how they turned out! I love going to the post
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-55/) - It's April 1st! My wedding season officially begins this Saturday and I could not be more excited- it's been two months since my last wedding and it's just enough time to give me butterflies for this coming weekend. It's funny how that happens- I've shot well over 30 weddings and yet I still get nervous
- [Fabulous Friday...Fotos?](https://abbygraceblog.com/fabulous-friday-fotos/) - I was going for the triple whammy of alliteration with that title but my creative juices ran out. Sorry I'm not sorry. I'm in Ocean City, Maryland this morning for Tyler & Ashley's engagement session- I am SO IN LOVE with sunrise portraits!! It's been way too long since my last dawn e-session and it
- [Easter Sunday](https://abbygraceblog.com/easter-sunday/) - I'm not really sure how to write this blog post, so I'm just going to cut straight to the point: you all are invited to Easter Sunday at my church! Easter is a day where people who may not have a regular church home feel a desire to attend (that was totally me in college),
- [Lessons Learned: Files don't organize themselves](https://abbygraceblog.com/lessons-learned-files-dont-organize-themselves/) - Firstly, I recognize that this may be one of the most boring blog posts ever. I'm just REALLY excited about my new organization! Secondly, thanks for excusing the late publishing time. I spent approximately 75 minutes on the Marine Corps Marathon site at noon hitting "refresh" like a crazy person, trying to get my dad
- [Jeff & Tracy- Georgetown engagement session](https://abbygraceblog.com/jeff-tracy-georgetown-engagement-session/) - She was home for winter break from JMU when she first spotted him. They were at a bar where Jeff was waiting to meet someone else, and as the minutes dragged on and the acquaintance never showed, Tracy helped fill the time as they were introduced and got to chatting. At the end of the
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-54/) - I clearly need to start checking the weather forecast more often. The only time I check it anymore is before an engagement session or wedding, so if I don't have either within the next few days, I'm clueless as to what the atmosphere will be treating us to. Last Monday I woke up to find
- [Friday musings](https://abbygraceblog.com/friday-musings/) - Hey friends! Today's blog post is a bit scattered- I'm in Charlotte, NC! Well, I'm technically in Fort Mill, SC, but it's right next to Charlotte. Kind of like I'm from "the DC area" but in reality, I live 30 minutes outside of DC in Virginia. My best friend/MOH/cousin/childhood confidant MEGAN! is getting married next
- [Minimizing chaos on your wedding day](https://abbygraceblog.com/minimizing-chaos/) - I met up with one of my April couples last week and one thing the bride Sara asked was "do you have any tips for making things flow more smoothly on the wedding day?" No one's ever asked me that before so I had to think about it for a bit. Our wedding day was
- [Welcome home, Jay!](https://abbygraceblog.com/welcome-home-jay/) - When Matt & I first found ourselves at Reston Community Church, one of the first things that stuck out to me was how genuinely welcoming everyone was. Not that artificial warmth when they forget your name by the following Sunday; we were meeting people who were legitimately excited that we'd come to worship with them,
- [Planning for your e-session!](https://abbygraceblog.com/planning-for-your-engagement-session/) - Last week I posted a little bit behind why engagement sessions are awesome (they really, really are!) and why I only shoot them with my wedding couples. My brides & grooms and I chat about e-sessions at the very first meeting so they can get EXCITED about theirs! I know that I'm a planner and
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-53/) - Alright, Virginia weather. We need to have a chat. It's March 18th and it's snowing outside. This is, simply put, no longer cute. March is about the time I begin to expect warmer weather, chirping birds, daffodils and sunshine. So, what I'm trying to say is, QUIT IT. Pardon that excursion into Debbie Downerville- now
- [Happy birthday, little brother!](https://abbygraceblog.com/happy-birthday-little-brother/) - Welp, today my little brother enters his mid-twenties. WEIRD. I don't remember a time without Seth, since we're only 15 months apart, but I remember that cherub-like little face without a problem. More often than not, he had a mushroom cut, or "surfer cut," as my mom referred to it, and he had the CUTEST
- [Engagement sessions- why they rock, and why you should probably do one with your photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/engagement-sessions-why-they-rock-and-why-you-should-probably-do-one-with-your-photographer/) - With wedding season fast approaching, I'm finding my calendar full of e-sessions. HOORAY! I la-la-love having this time with my couples before their wedding day. Because beautiful weather is just around the corner, I've been receiving more and more emails with requests from couples looking for JUST as engagement session- maybe because their wedding is
- [Santa Barbara, California on film](https://abbygraceblog.com/santa-barbara-california-on-film/) - I'm so sorry this blog post is coming so late today! I was up and out of the house early for a portrait session, hence the tardiness, but enough excuses. Let's get down to the nitty gritty (Nacho Libre, anyone?) So even though I decided this past fall to stop trying to make film work
- [A Night with Rebekah & Abby- the review!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-night-with-rebekah-abby-the-review/) - The idea for this entire shebang came as a result of a push. A push from where? you may ask. A push from the greatest and most heartfelt of pushers, Mary Marantz. We first talked about it at dinner after Matt and I'd anniversary shoot in New York City, and then she pushed me (along
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-52/) - Hooray! Today marks Monday Mash-Up post #52, meaning we've kept this series going strong for an entire year. As someone who tends to start strong then let things fall to the way side (*cough*Wine Wednesday*cough*), I'm pretty proud of myself. This past weekend was awesome! Friday evening played host to Rebekah & I's first Q&A
- [More lovely faces- miss Allie :)](https://abbygraceblog.com/more-lovely-faces-miss-allie/) - I'm not quite sure where to begin this one because Allie is SUCH a dynamic person, and trying to describe her in one paragraph is hard to do. But we'll try, shall we? I've known Allie since we were 13- we were best friends in 8th grade. It was the four of us- myself, Allie,
- [UNITED 2013- so much more than just a conference](https://abbygraceblog.com/united-2013-so-much-more-than-just-a-conference/) - When one of the ShowIt gurus approached me about UNITED 2013, I figured it'd be pretty similar to any other workshop I've attended, just with a lot more people. I assumed it'd be informative and educational, and that I'd probably meet a couple new friends. I figured I'd probably walk away with a few new
- [Calling all newlywed brides and grooms!](https://abbygraceblog.com/calling-all-newlywed-brides-and-grooms/) - This is supposedly the "off-season" for us wedding photographers- from December-Marchish, weddings tend to slow waaaaay down, giving us a chance to recharge our batteries, get ourselves organized, and a plethora of other tasks to while away the time. It's also a loooong break from shooting, meaning I have a chance to step back and
- [Personal work- why it matters](https://abbygraceblog.com/personal-work-why-it-matters/) - Like so many others, photography and I met in a dark room- it was the spring semester of 2009 and I needed a fine art credit (because somehow, an entire year majoring in music didn't count?), so I took Photo 101- an intro to dark room film photography. Somewhere throughout the semester, between the late
- [More Leather Craftsmen Albums!](https://abbygraceblog.com/more-leather-craftsmen-albums/) - I know you all are probably sick of hearing me talk about how much I love my album vendor, Leather Craftsmen, but I can't help it. They're just so wonderful! My two latest deliveries from LC have left me squealing with delight- everything's just so pretty! Plus, there's nothing like seeing your own work in
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-51/) - It's Monday! And let me be the first to apologize for that travesty of a week I had last week when it came to blogging. There was something so intoxicating about being away for several days in the California sun that made it really hard to come back inside, sit at a desk and write
- [Another California styled shoot preview](https://abbygraceblog.com/another-california-styled-shoot-preview/) - And the lamest blogger award goes to ME! No blog yesterday, and then failing to post today until 2:30 pm. Well, I'm on West Coast time as I write this, so it's really only 11:30. I'm on information overload right now- these past four days have far surpassed my expectations of what they would be.
- [California sunsets- a bridal preview](https://abbygraceblog.com/california-sunsets-a-bridal-preview/) - One of the amazing things about ShowIteers is their love to serve and bless each other. So what do we all do when we're together for 3 days in Santa Barbara? We organize shoots! The Four Seasons where we're all staying is across the street from the beach and I've been kicking myself for not
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-50/) - I'm in California! And now I'm completely in love. It's so sunny and so incredibly beautiful, so we can successfully add "shoot a wedding in Southern California" to my bucket list. Holy cow friends, I don't know how I'm ever going to leave. This week is going to be SO amazing- I'm not usually the
- [An unadulterated love of classics](https://abbygraceblog.com/an-unadulterated-love-of-classics/) - A couple of months ago I had a major breakthrough- I was finally able to push past the pretense of the style I thought I was supposed to have and embrace the style I actually love. Part of that breakthrough was realizing that my love of all things classic (Coca Cola in glass bottles, black
- [Styled Shoot: a punky Marie Antoinette-themed costume bridal shower](https://abbygraceblog.com/styled-shoot-a-punky-marie-antoinette-themed-costume-bridal-shower/) - One of the coolest parts of my job is that I'll occasionally have the opportunity to photograph something TOTALLY different than my normal repertoire. The Harry Potter wedding shoot, our Shel Silverstein wedding brain child, and now this piece of amazingness. In the past, all of the styled shoots I've photographed have been ones I've
- [You've got a friend in me](https://abbygraceblog.com/youve-got-a-friend-in-me/) - This is my friend Rebekah. I love her a lot. We met in December of 2011 after connecting via comments on each others blogs, and I'm so thankful for her! Rebekah is one of those people that cares, GENUINELY cares, and genuinely loves. She's an amazing photographer but an even better friend, and I count
- [Finding the time to make it BETTER](https://abbygraceblog.com/finding-the-time-to-make-it-better/) - During wedding season (roughly April-November), it becomes increasingly easy to make excuses for myself. "How can I possibly think about revamping my client experience when I have 437 other things to do right now?" So all of the non-urgent tasks get pushed to the "off-season," making this the time where I really have to sort
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-49/) - Friends, I'll be completely transparent with you- Monday Mash-Ups started as a total cop-out. My thought process went something like this: "I want to blog 5x a week, but I don't have enough content to be able to blog heavy-hitting/super informative posts that often. How about a FILLER post called Monday Mash-Up??" And yet every
- [Valentine's Day awesomeness](https://abbygraceblog.com/valentines-day-awesomeness/) - Matt & I aren't huge Valentine's Day consumers- he does such a good job of making me feel loved throughout the year that I don't really feel compelled to go all out on February 14th. That's not to say I don't appreciate a sweet note and a little gift, but we keep things pretty conservative
- [A night with Rebekah & Abby!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-night-with-rebekah-abby/) - Of all the times I've had the joy of hearing Mary Marantz speak, there's one particular notion that replays over and over in my mind- "we wait on a permission that's never going to come." By that, she meant that we often hold ourselves back from taking risks and trying new things because no one's
- [Floral & Bloom samples](https://abbygraceblog.com/floral-bloom-samples/) - You guys remember Rachel, right? The creator of THESE gorgeous bouquets? This girl is tal. en. ted. She has a GIFT when it comes to putting blooms together into stunning bouquets and arrangement, and it's always a joy to photograph her work! Rachel had an occasion to create a few samples for one of her
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-48/) - I think it's about time for someone to make a song about how awesome Monday is! We have the "Monday, Monday" song by The Mamas And The Papas, but it's not exactly a great source of encouragement when you're staring down the face of a new work week- "But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday
- [PASS galleries- the best thing since buttered toast](https://abbygraceblog.com/pass/) - The first time I'd ever heard about PASS was back in June 2011 when the ShowIt gurus hit up DC for a tour stop. I wasn't at the event, but I heard enough about it from other photographers to pique my interest. After asking around ("what is this PASS this??") I finally came to understand-
- [Cold mornings and hot cereal](https://abbygraceblog.com/cold-mornings-and-hot-cereal/) - I'm not sure what mornings looked like at your house growing up, but here's what a standard weekday began with in mine: My mom's alarm would go off, she'd walk into my brothers' rooms to rouse them, and since my room was in the basement, she'd call down in this singsong voice to wake me
- [David & Heather- an elegant US Naval Academy wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/david-heather-an-elegant-us-naval-academy-wedding/) - It's been a long, long-distance road for David & Heather. She's an Irish belle who was living in Chicago at the time, he's a North Dakota native who was a midshipman at the US Naval Academy when they met. Their entire relationship has been a whirlwind of plane tickets, long car rides and late night
- [Eddie & Priyanka- A Black Hill Park proposal!](https://abbygraceblog.com/eddie-priyanka-a-black-hill-park-proposal/) - Who would have thought that the penguin is one of the most romantic types of animals? There's a particular type of the arctic bird that, in order to propose to the penguin he wants as his life mate, will scour the beach in search of the perfect pebble. Round, just the right size, free from
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-47/) - Oh hullo, thar, Monday morning! It's nice to see you. I try to take it easy on Mondays after a wedding weekend but I don't think that'll happen today- I am WAY too excited to dive into the images from Saturday! David & Heather's day is definitely going to be one of my all-time favorites
- [California, here I come!](https://abbygraceblog.com/california-here-i-come/) - I've become used to seeing the updates, blog posts and Tweets from my friends at the WPPI convention each February, and each year I become steadily more jealous. For those of you who don't know, WPPI is "Wedding & Portrait Photographers International," and each year they host a huge convention/expo in Las Vegas for photographers
- [Confessions of a Fashion Fiasco](https://abbygraceblog.com/confessions-of-a-fashion-fiasco/) - I'm really thankful that I no longer work in a corporate office for a myriad of reasons, and one of the major-day-to-day reliefs of working from home is that I don't have to impress anyone with my outfits each day! Believe it or not, one of the most stressful parts for me of my old
- [Shooting family formals outside](https://abbygraceblog.com/shooting-family-formals-outside/) - I'll be completely honest with you guys- my method for shooting family formals was actually born out of an inability to use external lighting. During my year of second shooting with my mentor Mike, I saw that he used an off-camera flash inside the church for the post-ceremony formal photos. The flash was necessary because
- [SHARE-ing is caring](https://abbygraceblog.com/share-ing-is-caring/) - I wasn't part of "the biz" back during the days of secrecy, excruciating competition and eyeing other photographers with distaste. True, some of that most definitely still exists in the industry, but there's a newer, more refreshing mindset that's come out of the woodworks. One of sharing, of generosity, of teamwork and collaboration. Of the
- [The power of prints](https://abbygraceblog.com/the-power-of-prints/) - A while back, my sweet friend Natalie Franke wrote a blog post about prints. About the fact that our digital world has made it less and less urgent to print our images because the files can find a home on Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, etc. And as a photographer who spends so much time working on
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-46/) - I think, if I ever retire from wedding photography, I'm going to take up as job as a meteorologist. After watching our weathermen and women over the past few years, I've decided the only apparent requirements are a) the ability to gesture at a large map-aka-green-screen behind you, 2) a general idea of the approximate
- [Office hours & Time off](https://abbygraceblog.com/office-hours-time-off/) - I don't know where I got it into my head that I'm not allowed to take time off, but somewhere along the way, this became my mantra. Going on vacation? I better take my laptop and edit while I'm there! Going to my Granny's house for the weekend? Can't forget my external hard drives so
- [MythBusters: Wedding Photographer edition](https://abbygraceblog.com/mythbusters-wedding-photographer-edition/) - Us wedding photographers have heard it all too often- the casual remark about how we don't do much of anything except lavish our time away with brides and grooms at fancy parties, how easy our job must be, how we must get paid an awful lot for not doing very much. Those sorts of offhand
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-45/) - Goooood morning, Vietnam! I have ALWAYS wanted to wake up in a town/location with three syllables so that I could use that famous Robin Williams quote, but using my current location instead. Because it just doesn't have the same impact, nor would people get the reference, if I said "Goooooood morning, Reston!" See? It's just
- [Justin & Mary's "What's Next?" tour](https://abbygraceblog.com/justin-marys-whats-next-tour/) - Whoa. So yesterday was... completely unexpected. I mean, I KNEW Justin & Mary were going to rock out What's Next, but since I'd been at The Big Next and I religiously follow J&M's blog, I thought it'd probably cover some of the same topics previously discussed. I was not prepared to have my world utterly
- [A new sample album!](https://abbygraceblog.com/a-new-sample-album/) - Oh Leather Craftsmen, how I love thee. Your rich cover treatments and thick pages are pleasant to the touch. Your true-to-life prints and lifelike colors are a joy to my eyes. It's all I can do not to tackle the UPS man as he saunters to my door. I started using LC as soon as
- [Little Olivia- northern Virginia newborn portrait session](https://abbygraceblog.com/little-olivia-northern-virginia-newborn-portrait-session/) - I've started and deleted this post more times than I can count by now. Writing about a new little life is so DIFFERENT than writing about a couple's love story! Although, truth be told, I probably could write about Jeff & Ginny's love story, seeing as we all went to high school and college together.
- [Things I learned this year](https://abbygraceblog.com/things-i-learned-this-year/) - I wanted to wait until I was well shot of 2012 before writing a post about lessons I've taken away from the year, hence why this is coming SO far after New Year's. Last year, I didn't do any sort of "what worked, what didn't work?" post because I was too afraid to examine my
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-44/) - If I've ever been excited for a Monday to arrive, it's been this past weekend. You see, we've been in the process of moving for nearly two weeks now. Our new townhouse's lease began on January 1, but since I had a wedding on the first weekend in January, we weren't able to schedule our
- [Mike & Anna: a classic Front Royal, Virginia wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/mike-anna-a-classic-front-royal-virginia-wedding/) - They met in youth group- he can't remember their exact first meeting, just that she slowly started to fade into the forefront of his memories of times with their group of friends. Anna's sweet, quiet spirit drew his attention, and she found herself falling in love with his leadership, steadfast nature, and that he told
- [New Year's resolutions](https://abbygraceblog.com/new-years-resolutions/) - Alright, so last year's resolutions didn't end up going so well. I only sort of completed half of them- I did run the Marine Corps Marathon again, but I didn't do it in less than 4 hours, 30 minutes. I MOSTLY blogged five days a week, but there were a few times during the year
- [Matt's Turn - Our Story](https://abbygraceblog.com/matts-turn-our-story/) - As you may or may not know, today is Abby and I's anniversary. To celebrate our anniversary, I thought I would commandeer her blog for the day to tell my side of our story. It started off on a cool October night way back in 2008. I was down in Radford for a reunion of
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-43/) - It's my last Monday Mash-Up from our little apartment!! This coming Saturday is moving day, and since we'll be taking my entire office + the rest of our furniture over, I have approximately five days (including this one) left to work in our apartment. We started the onerous task of painting on New Year's Day
- [2012 weddings- a year in review!](https://abbygraceblog.com/2012-wedding-a-year-in-review/) - To say that 2012 was an insane year would be a complete understatement. 2012 ROCKED MY WORLD. Between finally finding my voice as a photographer to leaving my full-time desk job, I have enough blessings to fill a book. I remember around this time last year, I told myself "2012 is going to be my
- [Seamus & Alex: an elegant Belvedere Baltimore wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/seamus-alex-an-elegant-belvedere-baltimore-wedding/) - You know those kinds of pairings that just GO together? Like grilled cheese and tomato soup, a warm sandy beach and a good book, or a cold winter day and a mug of hot chocolate? That's Seamus and Alex; they were created with the other in mind. As the new Mr. & Mrs. say, they
- [Pardon the mess](https://abbygraceblog.com/pardon-the-mess/) - I wonder what it's like to have a peaceful January? Three years ago Matt & I got engaged, two years ago (almost) we got married, and last January we MOVED on our first anniversary. So in true chaotic fashion, we started a new lease yesterday at our new town house! We spent the morning at
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-42/) - One of the reasons I LOVE the Monday after a wedding is that I can finally sit down and dig into all the images from the weekend! I force myself to take Sunday off to spend with Matt, so on Monday morning I'm practically itching to get to my computer. This past weekend was no
- [Wine Wednesday (on a Friday)- bubbly for New Year's Eve!](https://abbygraceblog.com/wine-wednesday-on-a-friday-bubbly-for-new-years-eve/) - I know! I know. My blogging calendar has been WAY out of wack this week. I skipped Christmas day AND Boxing day, and then yesterday I posted twice (make sure you check out the second post, btw- you don't want to miss it!). And then today I'm blogging a Wine Wednesday post... and yet it's
- [Giveaway alert to the What's Next tour!](https://abbygraceblog.com/giveaway-alert-to-the-whats-next-tour/) - YOU GUYS. This is my favorite giveaway I've ever had the chance to do! EVER!! I occasionally do fun little giveaways with camera-shaped pencil sharpeners, film, and fun little knick knacks. But today's giveaway tops ALL of those! During Justin & Mary's The Big Next event on ShowIt Live last week, I must have been
- [More Lovely Faces- Blythe K Photography](https://abbygraceblog.com/more-lovely-faces-blythe-k-photography/) - This whole "working during the week of Christmas" thing is weird! Up until graduating from college, I'd always had a huge window of vacation during the holidays, so working during Christmas was a laughable idea. When I was still at my desk job, I always took the days surrounding Christmas off to spend with family.
- [Monday Mash-Up](https://abbygraceblog.com/monday-mash-up-41/) - IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!! I realize this week will be one of my slowest weeks, stats-wise, so content may also be relatively light, but hey! It's Christmas! I CAN promise y'all a Wine Wednesday post on Thursday that'll help in picking bubbly for New Year's, though :). But we're not talking about New Year's yet, because
- [Hey look! We're still here!](https://abbygraceblog.com/hey-look-were-still-here/) - Welp, looks like all that hype over the world ending today was all for naught. Dangit! I really like Chris Brown's "2012," does this mean I can't listen to it anymore? Matt managed to convince his boss to let them have casual Friday today because "if the world's going to end, we should at least
- [Ethan & Jessica- a Bald Head Island, NC  destination wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/ethan-jessica-a-bald-head-island-nc-wedding/) - It began at a bar. A bar in Monterey, California, to be exact. A bar that was crawling with service members from all different branches of the military, all of them in Monterey to learn at the Defense Language Institute. And he'd seen her before, most definitely. But he was afraid of putting himself out
- [Hello from New Haven!](https://abbygraceblog.com/hello-from-new-haven/) - You know those times when some sort of contest makes its rounds, and you realize there's probably no way anyone will even see your entry, much less PICK that entry as a winner, but you enter anyways because "what the heck, why not?" That was somewhere along my line of thought when I sent in

## Pages

- [Terms & Conditions](https://abbygraceblog.com/terms-and-conditions/) - Last Updated on 12/19/2018 By using this website, you agree to the following Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Please read them carefully before using this website. General Provisions This website is owned and operated by Abby Grace Photography, LLC, a Virginia company. Our principal place of business is located at 2465 Centreville Road, #J17-706, Herndon, VA 20171. You must be
- [Privacy Policy](https://abbygraceblog.com/privacy-policy/) - Last Updated on 12/19/2018 We at Abby Grace Photography, LLC respect your privacy. This Privacy Policy is designed to explain how we collect, use, share, and protect the personal information you provide to us when you access our website, purchase our goods or services, or engage with us on social media, as well as your own rights
- [ABOUT ABBY](https://abbygraceblog.com/about-abby/) - A big old Mrs. Doubtfire-style "hellloooooo dear!" to you! I'm Abby, a Washington DC-based Anniversary + Wedding Photographer for the old-school chic couple in love, and I'm so glad you're here. To tell you a little about me- I'm a Christian, a wife, a German Shepherd-mix puppy mom, a Harry Potter aficionado, a tulle skirt queen,
- [SAY HELLO](https://abbygraceblog.com/say-hello/) - I'm so thrilled that you've decided to get in contact! For all wedding inquiries, please head over to my website and fill out my contact form- it's a lot more fun than this one :). For any questions not pertaining to wedding/engagement photography, go ahead and fill out the form to the right or shoot me
- [FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS](https://abbygraceblog.com/faq/) - Q: What the heck is an e-session? A: An “e-session” is an engagement session. It’s easier to type out e-session 12 times in one email than tapping out e-n-g-a-g-e-m-e-n-t s-e-s-s-i-o-n over and over. I think I’ve really confused people who aren’t familiar with my blog though- some have asked if it’s an electronic Skype meeting
- [Weddings](https://abbygraceblog.com/weddings/) - Your wedding is a public proclamation of your love, adoration and trust for one another. You’re telling your spouse, your friends, your family, that you choose THIS person to spend and live your life with. This ultimate proclamation is one of the utmost beauty and power, and it deserves to be documented, to be remembered
- [E-Sessions](https://abbygraceblog.com/e-sessions/) - I believe that love is a powerful thing, an experience that rocks your world and changes your life. Love is worth shouting about! So call me up, and we’ll shout it loud and proud. Or, if you are of a meeker disposition, call me up, and we’ll quietly celebrate together, while we both know you’re

## Categories

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- [Panera](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/panera/)
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- [Merriweather Manor](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/merriweather-manor/)
- [light pink and blue wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/light-pink-and-blue-wedding/)
- [engagement](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/engagement/)
- [Thomas Jefferson Memorial](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/thomas-jefferson-memorial/)
- [Smithsonian Castle](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/smithsonian-castle/)
- [Old Town Alexandria](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/old-town-alexandria/)
- [Masonic Temple](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/masonic-temple/)
- [Bald Head Island engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/bald-head-island-engagement-photographer/)
- [Bald Head Island engagement](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/bald-head-island-engagement/)
- [rustic Virginia wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/rustic-virginia-wedding/)
- [Kodak Portra 800](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/kodak-portra-800/)
- [Stevenson Ridge wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/stevenson-ridge-wedding/)
- [Fredericksburg wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/fredericksburg-wedding-photographer/)
- [destination wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/destination-wedding/)
- [UK wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/uk-wedding-photographer/)
- [travel photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/travel-photographer/)
- [London](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/london/)
- [Britain](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/britain/)
- [England wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/england-wedding-photographer/)
- [Burghley House](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/burghley-house/)
- [Paris](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/paris/)
- [France](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/france/)
- [Paris wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/paris-wedding-photographer/)
- [France wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/france-wedding-photographer/)
- [Eiffel Tower](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/eiffel-tower/)
- [Notre Dame](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/notre-dame/)
- [Paris lifestyle photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/paris-lifestyle-photographer/)
- [destination engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/destination-engagement-photographer/)
- [Surrey wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/surrey-wedding/)
- [Gorse Hill](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/gorse-hill/)
- [English graden wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/english-graden-wedding/)
- [Everyone Loves a Classic](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/everyone-loves-a-classic/)
- [Claire Pettibone wedding gown](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/claire-pettibone-wedding-gown/)
- [seersucker suit](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/seersucker-suit/)
- [bow tie](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/bow-tie/)
- [workshop](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/workshop/)
- [Stamford](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/stamford/)
- [England](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/england/)
- [dawn](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/dawn/)
- [lifestyle photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/lifestyle-photographer/)
- [Pippin Hill wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/pippin-hill-wedding-photographer/)
- [Charlottesville wedding photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/charlottesville-wedding-photographer/)
- [Blue Mountain Brewery](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/blue-mountain-brewery/)
- [Charlottesville](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/charlottesville/)
- [Univsersity of Virginia](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/univsersity-of-virginia/)
- [Emily Ley Simplified Planner](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/emily-ley-simplified-planner/)
- [ballet](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/ballet/)
- [Virginia ballerina photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/virginia-ballerina-photographer/)
- [editing](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/editing/)
- [ballerina](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/ballerina/)
- [Chicago engagement photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/chicago-engagement-photographer/)
- [JCrew](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/jcrew/)
- [pencil skirt](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/pencil-skirt/)
- [NYC](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/nyc/)
- [anniversary session](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/anniversary-session/)
- [love shoot](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/love-shoot/)
- [posing advice](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/posing-advice/)
- [garden wedding](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/garden-wedding/)
- [Brookside gardens](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/brookside-gardens/)
- [Savannah](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/savannah/)
- [Georgetown](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/georgetown/)
- [pumpkin patch](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/pumpkin-patch/)
- [Académie Américaine de Danse de Paris](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/academie-americaine-de-danse-de-paris/)
- [navy blue](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/navy-blue/)
- [Shoot & Share](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/shoot-share/)
- [Annapolis](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/annapolis/)
- [black tie](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/black-tie/)
- [Kennedy Center](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/kennedy-center/)
- [Nutcracker](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/nutcracker/)
- [River Farm](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/river-farm/)
- [custom gown](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/custom-gown/)
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- [Vieques](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/vieques/)
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- [Ireland](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/ireland/)
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- [dance](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/dance/)
- [pointe](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/pointe/)
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- [photographer education](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/photographer-education/)
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- [DC ballet photographer](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/dc-ballet-photographer/)
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- [Hokies](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/hokies/)
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- [arabesque](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/arabesque/)
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- [Oscar de la Renta gown](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/oscar-de-la-renta-gown/)
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- [Union Station portraits](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/union-station-portraits/)
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- [photography interns](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/photography-interns/)
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- [creative heart conference](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/creative-heart-conference/)
- [wedding photography education](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/wedding-photography-education/)
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- [photography business resources](https://abbygraceblog.com/tag/photography-business-resources/)
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