As a wedding gift, Ryan and I were given a book called The 5 Love Languages. It sat on my bookshelf for the first 3 years of our marriage before I finally picked it up and poured over its pages. If you and I have sat down over coffee in the last year, I've probably forced you to the take the online love language quiz. I can be a little obsessive, and for a good chunk of 2016 I was obsessed with passing on the messages written in this book.
I could talk for hours on this subject, but I'll save you the lengthy post about Acts of Service and Words of Encouragement and simply leave you with these thoughts:
1. I think everyone should read this book. And if you can't, take the quiz and google a quick synopsis.
2. Learning your love language is good not only for your relationship, but for your friendships as well. I can't tell you how much I've learned about my amazing girlfriends this year!
I wasn't entirely shocked to learn that my love language is Receiving Gifts. It sounds superficial and silly, but the roots are much deeper than that. A person who loves to receive gifts is someone who likes to know they are being thought of. They like gifts they can hold on to and look at as reminders of the affection that's felt for them. And naturally, people who love to receive gifts also love to GIVE them.
Learning this made me reflect on my 6 years as a wedding photographer. Since the very beginning I have loved any excuse to surprise my clients with a small token of appreciation, to send a little something in the mail, or to go above and beyond on a promise I made. And it makes me so excited to be sitting at the beginning of a new year, knowing that the majority of my couples have a wedding album included in their package. It's my favourite opportunity to CREATE and GIVE and send my clients off into their marriage with a physical reminder of their most perfect day.
I'll be sharing photos of their albums as they are made throughout the year, but for now, a few beautiful books that went out just before the holidays...
Jillian & Stuart's natural linen book is simple and beautiful, and shows off their bright, sunshiny portraits :)
Three different textures: one for the bride and groom, two for the parents.
Michelle and Andy's book was GIANT! They simply could not get the collection down to 30 favourites, so they opted for the 100 photo upgrade. Boom. That book weighed almost 30 pounds!
Kelly & Adam; my sweet sweet friends. I was lucky enough to sit beside Kelly as she flipped through the pages of this album. Seeing her re-live the day was so great <3
To my dearest clients who have trusted me as their wedding photographer -- thank you for yet another excuse to push myself creatively, to chase the business dreams that fire me up, and to give a gift that I hope you will treasure for years to come.
