It’s been a little while since I’ve posted anything personal so I thought I’d share a couple of recent photos of a Mommy/Daughter photo-shoot with my sweet Addison and Lillian. It seems like the days go by faster and faster as they get older. I’m so thankful photos have the power to freeze time forever! XOXO

P.S. It was extremely windy so excuse my crazy hair! Happy Monday!

Stuff to do in Vegas before I kick the bucket!

1. Ride the “Big Shot” on top of the Stratosphere Tower at the age of 10
2. Photograph a Vegas Destination Wedding 
3. Spend way too much money on candy at M&M’s World
4. Attend WPPI (Crossing my fingers for 2013)
5. Night Photography in Vegas
6. Watch the fountains at The Bellagio
7. Watch the Volcano at The Mirage 
8. See my first Cirque De Soleil Show
9. Shoot at The Neon Museum 
10. Win $1,000,000

Night photography is so much fun! All of these photos were taken without flash.

I actually had the opportunity to visit the real Trevi Fountain in Rome and I must say that the lighting is better on the fake one, not that I’m complaining about the real one.

Who knew a fountain could be so inspirational and moving?

I waited for about 20 minutes to watch the volcano go off! Totally worth the wait!

My first Cirque Du Soleil show was Mystere! It was sooooooo incredible and a total sensory overload. Too bad I couldn’t sneak my camera in.

To check out the Trash the Dress session at The Neon Museum >> CLICK HERE <<

Every single time I photograph a wedding, it never fails, the Daddy/Daughter dance gets me every time. I just can’t help but think that one day that will be Addison and Lillian dancing with their Dad at their big wedding one day. Just to imagine that for one single second, brings tears to my eyes. I watch how the Dads dancing with their daughters fight back the tears and when the song ends, I can tell they don’t want to let go. Time goes by so… fast which is why I’m so thankful we recently had our family pictures taken to freeze this time forever. They will only be little once! I am SO very blessed with an amazing husband and sweet little girls. Check out some of my favorites below…

Me, Lillian (2), Mark, Addison (5)

I met Mark in high school, he sat across from me at the lunch table. Isn’t he cute?  :)

Those hugs and kisses melt my heart!

Daddy’s little girls!

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Photographs taken by // Kendra Trevino

Photographs edited by // Ashley Lynn

Clothing // Gap

Make-up // Mac

Location // White Rock Lake Dallas, TX

This week over at iheartfaces the theme is Oh So Silly! One of the silliest people in my life is by far my little two year old Lillian Kate also known as Silly Lilly. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the nickname when she’s older.

 I was attempting to take some “artsy” photos of her with newspaper in the background and she decided to take the photo shoot in her own direction. All she really cared about was holding up this disguise. At this age, I’ll take what I can get.

Congrats to one of my recent bride and grooms, Ashley and Landon! Their rustic glam wedding was recently published on a wedding blog called The Lovely Find! What an honor for all of us! To check out the full feature you can click >> HERE <<

Hi friends! I am slowly but surely making changes and updates to the blog and website so hang in there… one of these days the project will be complete.

Onto the fun stuff… I recently had the opportunity to photograph a destination wedding in Las Vegas, NV while assisting and second shooting with Lyncca Harvey. Over 5 days we covered a TON of ground, took lots and lots of amazing photographs, and had a blast. Pat and Robert’s wedding ceremony took place at The Venetian followed by an amazing wedding reception just across the street at The Mirage. Pat and Robert planned for us to photograph their Trash the Dress session at a super unique location called The Neon Museum. This location is by far one of the most fun locations I have ever had the opportunity to shoot at thus far. It is so colorful and full of Vegas history! Pat and Robert totally rocked it out!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Blog is currently undergoing a new design! Please check back soon for new updates!

Much love…. Ash

Over my recent trip to Las Vegas and Thanksgiving break, I cracked open the pages of Today we are Rich by Tim Sanders and couldn’t put it down! This is a wonderful book for business owners, anyone who may have lost a loved one, anyone looking to build more confidence or just overall take your life to the next level. Who doesn’t want to take their life to the next level?

I think it’s one thing to just read a book and it’s another to actually soak up the knowledge and apply it to your life which is why I thought this would make for the perfect Motivational Monday post. For those of you who may have not heard of the book or are looking for something new to read… I will share Tim Sanders’ 7 main principles of total confidence as well as some of my favorite quotes directly from the book.

PRINCIPLE 1 // FEED YOUR MIND GOOD STUFF

Tim quotes Dr. Norman Vincent Peale from The Power of Positive Thinking: “What comes out of the mind is what you put in the mind. You must feed your mind like you feed your body.”

“The reason it is so important to feed your mind good stuff is that the resulting thoughts determine your success or failure, your happiness or misery, and most important, the circumstances of your life.”

“Avoid gossip the way you would the flu. It’s a socially acceptable form of pornography that is hurtful. Other people’s misfortunes should never be a source of entertainment.”

“Frenemies, town criers, and Chicken Littles are all poison to your outlook, so trim them from your social circle, your work, and your time online.”

PRINCIPLE 2 // MOVE THE CONVERSATION FORWARD

“Constant negative chatter from you can drain the energy and vitality out of others.”

“You need to eliminate “weak” words and phrases from your personal vocabulary.”

“In every conversation, you have a choice: Will it have a positive or a negative tone?”

“Believe in something bigger, something far more powerful than making money. Focus on helping others, which makes us oblivious to ourselves.”

PRINCIPLE 3 // EXERCISE YOUR GRATITUDE MUSCLE

“When it comes to finding reasons to be grateful-I think of them as avenues of appreciation-it helps to follow a practice I call the POET approach, which stands for People, Opportunities, Experiences, and Things.”

“When you begin to exercise gratefulness toward a “who” and not just appreciation for the “what,” you are extending gratitude fully.”

“Perhaps the ultimate benefit of gratitude is that it gives you the freedom to frame your entire life as an exciting adventure, regardless of your circumstances. If you have a grateful mind-set, you can turn your have-tos into get-tos.”

PRINCIPLE 4 // GIVE TO BE RICH

“One of the best ways to refresh your spirit is to give a sip of joy to someone in need.”

Tim quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Without a rich heart, wealth is an ugly begger.”

“Giving is like any other exercise: The more you do it, the better you get at it and the more you get out of it.”

PRINCIPLE 5 // PREPARE YOURSELF

Time quotes Napoleon Hill, “Successful men, in all callings, never stop acquiring specialized knowledge related to their major purpose, business, or profession.”

“Ten hours of getting smart will yield the same value creation as forty hours of busywork.”

“Book readers are leaders.”

PRINCIPLE 6 // BLANCE YOUR CONFIDENCE

Tim quotes Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, in The Power of Positive Thinking: ”The most powerful force in human nature is the spiritual-power technique taught in the Bible… faith in God, faith in other people, faith in yourself.”

“Confidence is never about you alone; rich confidence also includes believing in the power of we.”

“Leaders who don’t follow something bigger than themselves will eventually become drunk with a false sense of their own power.”

PRINCIPLE 7 // PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT

“I was raised to believe that if you can finish what you start and do what you say you are going to do, anything is possible.”

“Keep your promises. Fulfill your commitments.”

“Chew on promises before you spit them out.”

* All quotes directly from the book Today we are Rich by Tim Sanders and photos taken via instagram 

A lot of these principles really hit home with me because I was raised by a similar set of principles. In fact, I really think my Dad and Tim Sanders would hit it off great. I feel by reading this book it was a valuable investment in myself and overall really encourages me to strive to become an overall better human being in all areas of my life.

If you’ve read this book or are now inspired to read this book feel free to post feedback in the comment section. I’d love to hear how this book may have had an influence on your life!

For more information on the book visit: http://twar.com/

I recently set up a little photo-shoot play date with my good photographer friends Kendra and Marianne. I  got my make up done at MAC counter (holla) and got all dolled up for a little fun in Sundance Square located in the heart of Fort Worth. It’s been a long time since I’ve stepped in front of the camera all by myself. Let me tell you, it’s a strange feeling as I’m obviously the one that is normally behind the camera. Overall, it was an eye opener because I felt like I was in my own client’s shoes. As in, I didn’t know what to do or how to pose and even felt a bit awkward at times. I guess it’s just human nature.

I think the number one piece of advice I can give for anyone that is going to step in front of a camera out there or even my camera would be to just let it all go. Be happy from within. Stop worrying about those love handles, that extra few pounds, your nose being shaped weird, that zit on your forehead, your hair color not being right, your bra strap hanging out and/or any other insecurities you are carrying around. Just let it go my friends. Learn to love yourself and be comfortable in your own skin. Be yourself and most of all, have fun. I promise that just by letting go of insecurities and by trusting the photographer on the other side of the lens, you will gain a new sense of self love and confidence.

“Confidence is like rocket fuel.” – Tim Sanders

Click PLAY below to see the slideshow…

Eeek! I’m incredibly excited that Allison and David’s Dallas Engagement Session is featured on an amazing blog called modernly wed today! If you’re a modern bride looking for a little inspiration you should head on over HERE and check it out!

I can’t wait to photograph their wedding in April!