Meat and Sophie's 7th Birthday Party in Youngstown, Ohio

Seven years ago on this day, Meat and Sophie were born. I remember going to see them and the rest of their litter and just being so in love with every single wrinkle on their bodies. A few weeks after they were born, Lou sent me to pick out which pup we were going to adopt. I immediately fell in love with Soph and Lou was obsessed with Meat. I distinctly remember sending him tons of pictures of them and then deciding that we would take Meat because he really wanted him. Then Lou said, well let’s adopt them both, and my heart exploded. Ironically, it turns out that they were best friends in their litter - always cuddling and being close together. It’s like they knew, or we knew, or maybe we were all just meant to be a family together….

Shelby and Tyler's Winter Engagement Session at the Cinderella Bridge and Lanterman's Mill in Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, Ohio

You guys, 2018 was great on so many levels. Although I ended the year completely exhausted, my heart was so full with gratitude! I shot my record high number of weddings, got to become friends with seriously the coolest, most fun couples and even had the opportunity to live out a dream - travel to a beautiful place to photograph a wedding, which I was so lucky to go to Bar Harbor, Maine in September.

I rang in the new year wondering where 2019 would take me and how I would even begin to top last year. And then I photographed Shelby and Tyler’s engagement session…

Best of Mae B Photo Weddings 2018 and a Thank You to All of the Mae B Photo Couples

When I entered into the new year of 2018, I had such a momentum going and I couldn’t describe it. I instantly felt like the year was going to be the best in my career but also the most challenging. I never could’ve imaged just what that meant, but it truly was both absolutely wonderful and absolutely exhausting. Even with all of the challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I experienced the highest of highs and fulfilled some career goals that I am so thankful for. I felt the pressure of being a seasonal wedding photographer in Ohio, with an overflowing work schedule and never ending to do list. I learned from my shortcomings and truly value those experiences, even though it felt at times like I’d never see the light at the end of the tunnel….

Kaitlin and Brad's Harry Potter meets The Hobbit meets Game of Thrones Themed Wedding at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio

I’m not much of a traditionalist. I appreciate traditions at weddings and love the lineage and personalization that comes along with it. But there is just something about a non-traditional wedding that sets my creative soul on fire. I live for offbeat details. I love when my couples aren’t afraid to be different and customize their wedding to suit their needs to show who they are….