Kelly Braman Photography Blog » Kelly Braman::Grand Rapids Vintage-Modern Wedding Photography-Grand Rapids-Chicago-Traverse City-MI

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Hi Guys!  I am just checking in to see how everyone is doing with your goals?  I have to admit…I was a bit “off” this week as my boys had 2 snow days! yes…you heard that right…TWO! lol  I actually love having them home, but they get a bit stir crazy so day 2 cleaned…doesn’t that sound fun?? 😉

 

Ok…so I woke up with Jack this morning at 6am. I really enjoy chatting with him in the morning and we goof around talk about the week ahead. He is such a great kid! I love being his mama. So when Jack left at 7am…instead of sneaking back into bed…and YES! That is what i would normally do…I started picking up everything that we didn’t get to the night before and made Charlie’s lunch, coffee and read my devotional!  :)It really started my day off on the right foot! I went to bed earlier than usual so I wasn’t tempted to climb back into my heated bed and even turned the bed off so it would be easier! LOL

I have kept my office tidy-er 😉 and have given myself grace when my jeans were snug this morning 😉 Work in progress…….work in progress…

Bummer that my belt on my treadmill has slipped and I need to find someone who can help with this…if anyone knows of someone in the Greenville area…let a sista know 😉

I was thinking about my no good awful day yesterday and went grocery shopping. I ran into a friend who had a ton on her plate…then as I was checking out…I noticed a friend from HS’s dad and his daughter who is mentally challenged leaving the store. His wife had passed away  a bit ago and now it is just the two of them. My heart dropped. I realized in that moment how truly blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for. We honestly do not know our future and I certainly do not want to spend my time sulking about minor things. I am really better than I used to be. I have wonderful friends who pick me up and a husband who constantly reminds me what’s important. God has truly been working on my heart over the years and it has been painful and a blessing! As women…I think it’s easy to see how much we have to do…how far we have to go…we always want to better ourselves, our family, our life…and I just want to take a moment to remind you:  YOU ARE DOING BETTER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE!

*I challenge you to send a note to a friend…text, email or hand written note is even better( but that is my “do better” thing again;) Just let someone special to you know how great they are doing at xyz. I think we have to encourage each other and lift each other up more often! It’s not a contest ladies…it’s about helping others to become all that God wants us to be! Cheers to loving and giving and helping and cheering each other on!!!!!!

 

On another note: Today is also Ash Wednesday. I do believe it is a great idea to give up something for Lent so I will decide what that will be today. I am leanding towards FB. I think that would be a great idea:)Is anyone else recognizing Ash Wednesday and Lent? I would love to hear your thoughts:)

 

ok…I think that’s enough for now. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday! I am leaving you with a picture of my puppykins. I was laughing in the kitchen this morning and my husband Micah said…Sully sure does make you happy, doesn’t he? We just love our baby dog.

*this is Sullivan Braman in my office. He is truly my shadow 😉

Kelly Braman Photography loves puppies

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Hi guys! Today I awoke to more snow than I have seen in quite awhile! My boys were pumped last night when school was called off the night before! That never happens so it was quite a treat sleeping in and getting a snuggle day with Jack and Charlie. Who am I kidding…Jack will not be snuggling,too cool for that,  but it will be fun to have them both home today!

 

I am shooting my 2nd winter wedding of 2013 tomorrow! Ever since I shot this adorable winter wedding 3 years ago…I receive so many winter inquiries! It sure is cold, but oh so beautiful!

 

I wanted to share my February Goals with you all! It is fun to see what your goals are and it also keeps me accountable! Now…that’s scary, but good! I am all about being my best self these days and it starts with a plan! Being a creative person…you all must know that this is not my first response, but very important! I am always on top of my business, but personal things like keeping my 30 pairs of jeans off the floor can be a bit of  a problem for me! Can I get a high five from any of you out there? I can’t be the only one? I have my skinny sizes, my normal sizes and my “bigger” sizes. This frustrates my husband to no end! LOL BUT! I am workin on it, ladies! Cheers to less clutter and keeping the jeans in the closet! ha

 

FEBRUARY GOALS:

1.pray more. like really pray. I try so hard to devote time in the morning to time with God …devotional and coffee in hand and I do so well… and then fall off the wagon. Anyone else? ok. I am committing to devotional time each morning after I send Jack off to school. I have an hour before Charlie gets up so there is no excuse:)I will let you all know how it is going. You can start this too! It starts my day off on the right foot and I feel so much stronger for having looked to God prior to my day.

 

*LOVING THIS DEVOTIONAL!

**there is also an app for this and I have the kids jesus calling. I have been implementing into our morning routine with my boys. check it out!

 

2. Clear the clutter. I am going to keep my desk area clutter free and neat and tidy! I have so many ideas that run through my head that it just becomes this crazy pile of sticky notes and doodles everywhere! A dear friend of mine says…Don’t put it down…Put it away! My new saying! Feel free to use it too! *wink

*I reference this blog quite a bit. Great resources and I know Andrea! Take a peek!

3.Purge the clothes! I honestly don’t wear 1/2 of them! My friend Heather is soo good at this and she always looks great! I am trying to implement staple pieces and less consumption to make myself feel better! This past year I have put on weight and that is never fun, but I am working on that too. It doesn’t mean I should run out and buy all new to make me feel better! 😉 Are any of you feelin me here? I am not alone in this, right??

Another great resource from Simple Organized Living.

4. Be more gentle to myself.  You may be asking…what do you mean? Well..I am gentle to people in my life, but forget to be more gentle to myself. I push myself (which can be good) but then there is that fine line of being too critical of ourselves. I am constantly thinking of how I can improve on ths and work on that. I am all about accomplishing goals and being your best self…but, I need to take one day at a time. Be in the moment with my family instead of trying to improve EVERYTHING in a day! ha So…i am going to make more time for the quiet. To committ to doing what God wants for my life. To stop trying to be everything to everyone.

proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

In all of your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

 

Welp…I think that is a great start to February. Will I accomplish all of them? Well..I think I am work in progress and I will do my best to commit to doing better:)But, the best part is…I am moving forward and have a plan:) I will check back in with you all! I would love to hear from you guys too! Don’t be shy! This can be a great way for us to be in this together! We can do it!

 

Also..I am going to “try” and post a photo 3x a week! Weekends are sacred so only during the week:) I hope you all come along on my journey! This is going to be fun!

 

 

soo..this is my office. I am keepin it real and showing you the mess I left on Micah’s side while I was cleaning my desk area 😉 I love IKEA, but they didn’t give me all of the parts for my little storage unit hence the top drawer missing and maybe just maybe I need some black and white prints of my family to complete the wall collage 😉 Ya think?? LOL  That will be on my MARCH goals! *wink

ps. the puppykins is an added bonus to my office. And yes…he is my shadow and sleeps under my desk while I work! I LOVE him!

 

Enjoy your Friday!!! I am prepping for my winter wedding tomorrow! If you would…say a little prayer I will be safe on the roads!

 

blessings,

kellyb.

 

 

 

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  • February 8, 2013 - 11:05 am

    Alen love - Love the post and the Office looks awesome!! A wise women once said “Don’t put it down, put it away”! 😉ReplyCancel

  • February 8, 2013 - 11:59 am

    Nikki Parris - I think I will always be a “work in progress” which I think is a good thing:) Love your goals for this month and good luck with them. Have a wonderful weekend <3.

    P.S. Your office is too cute!ReplyCancel

  • February 8, 2013 - 9:35 pm

    Holly - Love it Kellyb. My house is a gallery of your work, and you have empty frames.
    I’m with you on the goals, and I’m inspired now that you’ve posted them.ReplyCancel

  • February 10, 2013 - 8:53 pm

    Karyn May - I love you Kelly B!! And, I love you for always keeping things real!! Your post has motivated me to put some “real goals” in place! You are a true inspiration my friend and I’m one lucky girl to call you a true friend! You are Amazing and I love you!! xoxoReplyCancel

Meet Dave and Jess!  They were excited about a winter wedding and man oh man…did they get one! With Michigan experiencing multiple seasons in one week we honestly didn’t know what we would get in February 😉 We all awoke last Friday to a  fresh blanket of snow! Simply beautiful!

 

I met Dave and Jess just a few short weeks prior to their wedding. We held their session at a horse farm and we laughed and chatted amongst the friendly horses:)I could instantly tell how smitten these two were with each other!  Dave is quiet, yet friendly and such a gentlemen. It is so obvious how much he adores Jessica. Jess is sweet and sincere and together they are adorable together! I just love them!

 

Their wedding and reception was held at the Goei Center in Grand Rapids.  Beautfiul floral was provided by Eastern Floral. It was an honor to photograph them, their friends and family! Karyn was and always is just delightful to have along with me! The day was filled with faith and true love for everyone there. It was such a touching wedding and I loved being a witness to this kind of love.

 

Jess and Dave…suuuch a pleasure getting to know you both! You both have such a sweet spirit and I loved being a part of your wedding day! Enjoy your images! They are truly beautiful!

 

blessings,

kellyb.

 

 

Photography: Kelly Braman Photography

Venue: Goei Center

Floral: Eastern Floral

Wedding shoes: TOMS 

 

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  • February 7, 2013 - 9:04 pm

    Dee - This is such a pretty wedding! Love the details and her dress! You capture everything just perfect as always!ReplyCancel

  • February 13, 2013 - 7:46 pm

    Alesha - This is a sneak peak then I’m totally excited to see the entire collection. God’s perfect peace settled itself on this day and its’ captured in your photographs!!!ReplyCancel

  • February 14, 2013 - 9:31 am

    Nelson & Sandy Capestany - Jess and Dave,this was one of the most special weddings we have ever attended and we were very blessed by being there. May God bless on your marriage journey. The pictures are all beautiful.ReplyCancel

  • February 15, 2013 - 10:09 am

    Kim - What a beautiful bride! He’s not too bad either. :) Can’t wait to see all of the pics. The snow helped make these pictures amazing(even though it was freezing it was fun and so worth it)!ReplyCancel

  • March 1, 2013 - 8:14 pm

    laurie - What a joy to see my water gardening “buddy” all grown up and stepping out on a new journey with his new bride! Such a beautiful couple! I am so happy to see them both so in love and ready to share their lives together. May God bless them and pour abundant joy over them!

    Love to you both!

    xoxoReplyCancel

YAY! What a honor to be featured on The Every Girl : Forbes Top 10 Sites for Millennial Women and Forbes To 100 Sites Women 2102!! Wow! How sweet is that??

Rhi from Hey Gorgeous Events is so stinkin talented and I am always excited to work with her to bring her vision to life! So many great women made this shoot possible!  I will be blogging the whole series on February 14th with full details, but wanted you all to have a chance to jump on over to the Every Girl’s blog to check out this amazingly fun girlfriends Valentine’s Day shoot! I asked a past bride of  mine, Kelly to round up some of her gal pals and found myself wishing I was part of the party! 😉 Take a peek and check back on Valentine’s Day for the full post!

xoxo,

kellyb.

The Every Girl Forbes Top 100 Blogs for Women featuring Kelly Braman Photography

 

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I am so incredibly excited about being chosen for The Knot Best of Wedding’s 2013!  I have The.Best.Couples and feel so blessed to be a part of their stories!

 

Award for The Knot Best of Weddings Kelly Braman Photography

 

Excited for my 2013/2014 couples! I am almost completely booked for 2013 and taking inquiries for 2014:)

blessings,

kellyb.

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  • January 24, 2013 - 8:50 pm

    Dee - This is AWESOME and well deserved! Way to go, Kellyb!ReplyCancel

  • January 30, 2013 - 7:18 pm

    Rhiannon - I am so proud of you and all of your hard work and dedication to your business, craft and clients. Love you, Kel :)ReplyCancel