Hello friends! This blog has been up on the shelf while businesses have grown and sessions + weddings have been photographed. Having a little break made me realize how much I do enjoy blogging work. So here we are — jumping back in the blogging saddle. Can’t wait to share so many special moments with you all!

While preparing for this wedding season I realized there are things I always need each weekend, and things that help me create my best work, as well as reward myself at the end of day. Clearly my equipment is esstential to work a wedding day, but after years of working through the best options for myself, I’ve finally found great things to help make my days functional and great to work through.

I have a double wedding weekend this holiday weekend so in preparing things I thought I would share some essentials that get me through the days!

1. Contax 645 + film. While this is equipment, my Contax 645 joins me for every wedding. It is my creative outlet and will always show me a different view. It makes me slow down and really take time to create each moment. I don’t get to sit down right afterwards and go through  my images. Instead, I trust myself, ship my film off, and wait. Let me tell you – that wait can seem so long BUT getting those film scans back is one of the best parts of each wedding for me. I love creating art with my contax.

2. Leather Hold Fast Gear. I wish I could make myself not carry two cameras on my person for a wedding day – at least for some of that day. I can’t, I just can’t. I love having two completely different perspectives to look through side by side. The only downside is carrying that weight for 10 hours. After trying many options, my hold Fast gear became my new best friend! I can be hands free when I need to be while still keeping my cameras on me and I don’t have to worry about one falling off. Their clips put my mind at ease! Thank you Hold Fast for an amazing system!

3. Energy. Yum! Y’all I am so hungry by the end of the wedding day + I need snacks during day. RXBARS have been so great this season for me. Much more healthy and they give me the energy I need.  If you are searching for something to throw in your bag try them – SO good (the blueberry is a fav!).

4 . Great Hair Ties. Who ever knew this would be so important?!  Well my hair changes about 103436 times during a wedding day. These great Paisley Ribbon soft hair ties and wonderful. No pulling hair out & everything stays in place(!!!) Not to mention they are cute on my wrists! I was lucky enough to snag these from the #v9launchparty and can’t wait to order more!

5. Reward. Because who doesn’t need some type of reward to come home to?! I was lucky enough snag the latest Magnolia Journal at Lowes yesterday, and am SO pumped to relax and read through that on Monday. Most of you know, but Ben and I also have a renovation company Saltbox Building Co, so we love finding new inspiration through magazines like Magnolia Journal, her articles are always so great & fun!

So what are some of your favorite things that get you through the work day? Do you have rewards? I’d love to hear them! Happy Friday Friends!!