Cocoa and Cozy | A Photo-Fam Christmas

It's been one crazy busy year, and I wasn't the only one who felt it. Nearly everyone I talked to was just worn out. 2013 was an amazing year, but whew, winter couldn't come soon enough! When photo-fam started telling me the little inklings of "oh my gosh long year," I knew this year's Christmas party should just be something cozy, very low-key, and just overall relaxing.

... thus Cocoa & Cozy was born! Donning the jammies (a big personal theme this season), everyone came decked out in their coziest to partake of the hot cocoa bar and tasty treats. Because it was just a continuing sign of this year with busyness, we were missing some of our beloved photo-fam, but we had a great time just hanging out, making snowflakes, and playing ridiculous cotton ball games.

Veronica and Heather dominated in the expert snowflake making game while we had some intense snowball scoopin' from everyone.

I honestly didn't take many photos this year, and I'm glad I didn't. It allowed me to really enjoy the moments with everyone and not have to worry about typical photographer worries of camera settings and lighting. 2014 is my year to enjoy more moments, in the moment.

But I did get some hilarious captures on my iPhone because the Snowball Scoop game was HILARIOUS.

Gingy Style : A Bit of Ivory Photo-Fam Christmas

For a few months, I had set in motion a gingerbread-inspired Christmas party, and whoa stuff changed. First, Pickles Barrington came into the picture. Second, Pickles broke her leg (thus turning 3-D Gingy House into a 2-D one on the wall). Third, Pickles was set on thwarting my Life-Size Gingerbread House construction (e.g., she had torn (literally) through my efforts THREE TIMES!).

Thankfully, I have some very understanding photo-fam who just laughed it off with me. Because let's be real. The "Gingerbread House" on my wall was a huge hot mess. Like paper was crumpled, tissue paper was ripped and incomplete... whew yikes. haha

But to take it to the sentimental level for a moment... Every time I host one of these events, it just makes me so, so, so very happy to know that I've made some amazing friends from my clients. They're not just brides or portrait clients... they're really my photo-fam. I run a low volume business for this very reason... if I'm pouring my heart, time, and energy into something, I want it to be meaningful and lasting. And heck yeah, if we want to laugh over boy shenanigans or chat about book genres, then heck yeah!

Congrats to Elaine (for "most special"), Heather (for funniest), and Jenn (for #1 Gingy), for winning the Gingy decorating contest! AND MEGA props to Stefani and Sarah for truly representing Gingy Style! These ladies even rocked out legit Christmas tree garland strands! ;)

Seriously... best people ever. Most creative and fun bunch. And I love them.






(I can't take credit for the Cheesemas Tree. Inspired by a Pinterest win, Elaine created this beauty!)












(Becky and Jenn are channeling summertime with their Gingy swimwear! ... did I mention that I do not like our winter this year?!)

Bridal Show Hilarity. (AKA "Don't let anyone associated with Bit of Ivory out of the house.")

One of the best things you HAVE to do when you're engaged is go to a bridal show. It's just the thing to do. To experience the craziness, crowdiness, and ridiculousness of fun. If you've never gone and are not a crowd person (like myself), prep yourself mentally, grab a girlfriend (don't subject the poor guys to this!!), and squeeze through the lines to get to the food samples and treats!

This year, the Bit of Ivory photo-fam took a field trip to the Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase at Norfolk Scope. Loaded up with water and snacks, Jenn (May 2012), Ashley (April 2012), and I piled into my car to meet the other photo-fam and walk around the colorful event.

The photos below will tell the story better, but let's just say there's a reason why we tend to gravitate towards each other... if we were stuck in a room with each other for days on end, we could probably survive on hilarity alone. Especially if there's a photo booth.

It'll be weird posting "non-pro photos" (i.e., photo booth and camera photos) on here, but they're sentimental to me... so they're going up here! Yeah! :D



[Basically, we're a mess. A hilarious mess.]


[Love my June brides!]


[This is basically the Ashley collage. Basically, she stalks me, so I stalk her. ;) ]




[Definitely my favorite picture of the whole day. And it basically made my life to find out there is very much an intentional Zoolander link to Blue Steel Lighting. WIN.]


[We pretty much became photo booth experts by the end of the day. And Jenn surely knows how to rock out the props. ;) ]


It was also awesome seeing all of my wedding vendor friends in action and mingling with everyone. Kinda made for all-around perfect day! :)

- Chelsea :)