Erica M Photography »

The Warnock Family wanted to do a quick shoot before Christmas so I headed over to their house. I love how personal and comforting shooting at your own home is. We brought out a oversized chair into the front yard for all the kids (and the cat!) to pile in! Feels like home :)

A13. My departing gate from Dallas going to Newark to visit my family for the Christmas holiday. Each time I fly I challenge myself to read as much as possible. This trip I’m hoping to make my way to the end of 3 books that I started months ago. They’re not even books for pleasure. They’re all business related. Still enjoyable for me, but also not amusing novels. I leave the job of amusing to the audio books I listen to while editing. Because I don’t make the time to read. Except when I’m on a plane. Or about to be on one. I’m interrupted by a women over the loud speaker offering in flight wireless laptop service. This was a first for me. And for a second I thought about it. Wanted it. Needed it. But did I? Temptation was eliminated when I came to the realization that I did not bring my laptop with me. For this very reason. To take a break. To catch up on my reading. To spend much cherished time with my family without the distraction of work. Our whole world is so computer oriented and I know it’s not long before our whole world is wireless. On one hand it’s in obvious ways wonderful. I love being able to access information and be connected with my clients and peers. But I’m afraid of constantly being online. I have to force myself to take a break from it. I need to remember to take these breaks not just while in transit. I have to walk away from the computer sometimes and take time to for myself. Not just to read. To reflect on myself, my relationships, and my business.

I moved to Texas a year ago come Friday and it’s been an amazing year in which things really just fell into place. I’m finally in the same location as the man I love and started a business that I love. For just those two reasons alone I feel so incredibly blessed. Though I usually shrug off the idea of even making New Years goals, this year I’m looking to take a little more control. Don’t get me wrong, I adapt to what life brings me. But I can’t completely leave my fate to the fates. At the beginning of this new year I’m taking some time to ask myself what I want for my life. I hope you do the same. And make what you want a reality.

And with that I wish you a happy, healthy, and productive new year!

Sydney and Aaron were married yesterday, so now I can show off Sydney’s gorgeous bridal portraits! She is beautiful inside and out. Each time I see her it’s as if we are old friends, and photographing her couldn’t be easier. And I looove her dress, her choice of champagne instead of traditional white, and just wait until you see the back ;) Surprise!

Sydney, you are strikingly beautiful. That is all.