Holiday Treats

If you're like me, you enjoy the celebration of life especially during the holiday season! If you make hot chocolate (as seen above), it might as well be awesome right? I agree. Making a Christmas mess with friends and family is high on the to-do list these days. Tis the season ya'll!

small things GREAT LOVE - Creatives Dinner Launch

Back in November of 2015, Emily Sanders of Confete Events and I launched our very first creatives dinner for a special curated group we founded called small things, GREAT LOVE. The #stGLcommunity was born out of our love for camaraderie as we empower each other to thrive. We would love to think in a perfect world a wedding comes together instantaneously. But as wedding vendors, there are so many moving parts and we each play such an essential role in bringing the event itself to life. We all apply our creative gifts towards one common goal: giving our clients their dream wedding experience. Hence, we are the small things working together for the greatest of loves, a marriage. We are so blessed to serve where love and life are found!

Beth | Jackson, Mississippi Bridals

Hannah & Greg | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

The Sports Brat | Manhattan, New York Branding

Jess Ceresino is one of my favorite lifelong friends. Our dads played football together at Stanford back in the 70's, and years later here we are playing #GIRLBOSS in Central Park. I had the best birthday week playing in the big apple and photographing this babe! Cheers to us Jess and all that we have accomplished. I know Gordy and Chuck are so proud!

Check out her adorable sports blog here: www.thesportsbrat.com

Also, you can view her Ole Miss football visit here: http://thesportsbrat.com/my-epic-football-weekend/

Holiday Cover Shoot | Invitation Oxford

I am so honored to have photographed the cover for the holiday issue of Invitation Oxford Magazine! 

Alley and Connell | Oxford, Mississippi Wedding

Something like a dream! It was truly an honor to document Alley and Connell's celebration. Click on the link below to see some of my favorite moments. Congratulations newlyweds!

Emily & Shelby Jo | Oxford, Mississippi Lifestyle

Kristi & Jason | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."

Words can't express how beautiful tonight's engagement session was. Love and fall. Enough said!

Mary Ward & Ryan | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Natalie & Will | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Savvy Soiree | Oxford, Mississippi Branding

Josh & Michala | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Audrey & Tommy | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Lauren & Blake | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Ashley & Trent | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

My job is about visually telling real moments with real people. I love it so much it's almost painful - in the best way possible. Ashley and Trent are two people so perfectly made for each other and I am truly honored to capture moments like these and share love stories like theirs. A picture is literally worth a thousand words. These two have the engagement session to prove it! My heart is so full for them and their beautiful future that awaits. It is a privilege to be the girl behind the lens documenting celebrations and freezing moments in time otherwise lost forever. Cheers to you, Ashley and Trent! Thank you for welcoming me into your lives and sharing these special memories with me. I am so excited for this May wedding!

Camille & Dustin | New York City Anniversary

Swoon. New York City in the summer is gorgeous and I am so honored to have captured this special anniversary celebration for these two! Camille and I have known each other since 2007. I walked into chemistry lab freshman year of college, saw her smiling face looking up at me like "hey girl!", and it has been nothing but laughs and amazing memories ever since. She was the first friend I ever made in class upon my arrival to Ole Miss and we have been great friends ever since! She is beautiful inside and out and I am so happy she and Dustin found each other! We had so much fun exploring the streets of NYC and the Central Park beauty. Cheers to you Camille and Dustin! May your second year of marriage be even more amazing than the first! 

Lindsey & Richard | Oxford, Mississippi Wedding

Oh my goodness! I had the honor and privilege of photographing Lindsey and Richards gorgeous wedding. It was an amazing day and the two married at the St. John Catholic Church in Oxford. The heat was blazing and the sun was shining, but the light was perfect. Major props to everyone for putting up with those crazy temperatures! I absolutely adore these two and their precious families who are beyond incredible and made me feel like another daughter. The wedding party was HUGE and such a fun group. There is always one aspect of a wedding day that stands out from every other moment: the way the groom looks at his new bride is unlike anything else. Richard looks at Lindsey as if she is the most beautiful goddess he has ever set his eyes on, because she is! These two are without a doubt perfect for each other and their love shows just that. Congratulations Lindsey and Richard! I loved capturing this day in your lives!

Katie & Matt | Oxford, Mississippi Wedding

Katie and Matt. Two people who came into my life just four days before their wedding. FOUR! After their original photographer had backed out at the very last minute, I just so happened to be available and took them on without any hesitation. The Colorado dwellers flew in to meet with me and four days later they were married. It was a glorious day. I may have only known them for 96 hours but it sure felt like a lifetime. They welcomed me with open arms and were absolutely incredible to work with. Faison Anne assisted me in the 110 degree heat index that almost melted us all! But the temperature was no match for Katie and Matt, because they were the ones who melted our hearts. From sunrise to sunset, Faison and I spent the day capturing love, moments, and pure bliss. Katie and Matt are two people so deeply in love. Thank you both so much for sharing these special moments and memories with me!  

"Sips and Stems" Fall Editorial | Invitation Oxford Magazine

Ryan & Lucy | Manhattan, New York Lifestyle

The first day I arrived in New York City a few weeks ago, I was so honored to photograph these two sweet girls! I have know their mom, Maureen, ever since I was a little girl and it was truly so special to finally meet her little ones! So amazing how life comes full circle. It has always been a dream of mine to open my business up to the NYC market and what a way to begin this new chapter! We had so much fun exploring Central Park on a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon and I can't wait to get back to this beautiful and oh-so-inspiring city! Below, I am sharing some of my favorite moments from our shoot together. Enjoy the sister sweetness!

Jack & Hattie | Oxford, Mississippi Lifestyle

Abigail & Nathan | Oxford, Mississippi Wedding

Abigail and Nathan had the most beautiful wedding! Their retro style from top to bottom made my creativity run wild. I loved how intricate every detail was. Everything about this special day was authentic and I am so honored to have been a part of it!

Lindsey | Oxford, Mississippi Bridals

Abigail & Nathan | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Abigail and Nathan had quite the engagement session, two to be exact! When I first met with Abigail to start discussing her wedding vision, the first thing she said to me was, "Nathan and I are so Oxford. We love Oxford." I felt it was so important to demonstrate this passion they have for the town they love. Sunrise was all about casual interaction and comfort. Many thanks to our good friends at Bottle Tree Bakery and City Grocery for making this portion so much fun. Sunset was was all about romance and authenticity. Rooftops have become some of my absolute favorite shots and we were so lucky to get on the roof of the library for some incredible views we will never forget. Is this really my job? Working with couples like Abigail and Nathan fuel my creative fire! These two are amazing. Inside and out. I'm blessed to know them and to have photographed some of the most important moments of their lives. I'm all about a moment. And sometimes, it's the moment between the moment that speaks the loudest. Stay tuned for their gorgeous Oxford wedding coming to the blog next week! 

Annie & Thad | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Beth & Tyler | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

I feel so honored to photograph Beth and Tyler. Their love is so pure, so honest, and so gentle. After spending just the first ten minutes with them and observing how they interact, it was so apparent to see how perfect they are for each other - joyful, passionate, and full of life. Their willingness to follow my creative vision and experiment with fresh scenes made our sunset shoot together even more aglow. In all seriousness, we could not have wished for better golden light! My heart is so full for these two and I cannot wait to shoot this December wedding in Jackson!

Mason & Haley | Oxford, Mississippi Proposal

When Mason contacted me about shooting his sunset proposal to Haley on a Friday night in Oxford, I instantly knew it was going to be amazing. I could hardly wait. Proposals are unlike any other session. First you're excited for him, then you're excited because she has no idea, and then you're excited because you know you'll be right there capturing every candid moment. Sometimes I'm army crawling through bushes while other times I'm hiding under staircases down an alley. Maybe that makes it even more fun? Either way, after all is said and done, these couples feel like family to me. The excitement before, during and immediately after is like a rush you never want to let go of. I am so happy for these two. Here is a preview of their special evening and the beginning of their forever! 

Annie & Harry | Oxford, Mississippi Wedding

Southern Charm | Invitation Oxford Magazine

Photographed this cottage gem yesterday for Invitation Oxford Magazine! Love these pops of color and pastel accents. 

Home Sweet Home | Mountain View, California

California adventures give me endless joy. Thankful for the sunshine and the memories that were made on this Easter trip home!

Easter Portraits | Morgan Hill, California Lifestyle

In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter! I had so much fun spending Easter with my family and snapping portraits of these lifelong friends. Feeling so lucky to know and celebrate the amazing people I am lucky to work with.

Baby Cash | Oxford, Mississippi Lifestyle

George & Wren | Oxford, Mississippi Lifestyle

Fashion Issue | Invitation Oxford Magazine

It's been an overwhelmingly blessed and crazy busy year so far, and this is just the beginning! This week I worked with the ladies of Katherine Beck, Olive Juice Gifts, and Oxford Bridal in preparation for the annual fashion issue of Invitation Oxford Magazine, Oxford's premiere lifestyle publication. What a treat it is to spend work hours with people who make it so enjoyable and fun! 

Annie & Harry | Oxford, Mississippi Engagement

Winter Wonderland | Oxford, Mississippi Lifestyle

That time we were snowed in and loved every minute.

LESS WORK, MORE LIFE

My dear friend Megan, writer of Chasing Pradas and PR, inspired me to write this post. 

Finding a neutral balance between work life and personal life can be very challenging for career-driven women. It's easy to pour your heart and soul into work that feels like play, especially when it consumes you day in and day out. Though we may love what we do, our bodies and minds can only handle so much work, so much stress, and so much pressure. Avoiding the burnout by being proactive about balance and more efficient at work, will most definitely allow your "free time" to be stress free and actually enjoyable.

If you're like me, you think big and act fast. I'm not happy unless I'm doing five different things at once (my mother calls it thriving on chaos) and I'm an aggressively enterprising individual. The pro to my lifestyle: I'm extremely hard working and it shows. The con to my lifestyle: what is sleep? I am my toughest critic and because of this I am currently working on being a stronger cheerleader. After all, positive is everything.

Doing less is not about being lazy. Doing less is about focusing on quality rather than quantity. It's about getting off that hamster wheel of productivity, so that you can create something amazing rather than being overly busy and stressed. Please note: doing less takes courage. Most of us spend too much time multi-tasking and spreading ourselves too thin, then feel frustration at our lack of progress. You have to shed the idea of working harder and working more means being more productive. Instead, you have to think about the impact your work has on the world and more importantly, your life. You have to change the way you do things. Change is never easy, but I promise you that it's worth it. 

Keep it simple, but be intentional about it. Be a lover of life and choose to celebrate it every single day with the people you care about. Only take on what you have time for and give it all you got. Find the time to focus on what makes you happy and the rest takes care of itself, guaranteed.

Pressed Juicing

For those of you on the new year resolution "health kick", pressed juicing is my absolute favorite cleanse. Sure, juice diets have been around for years, but fresh pressed juicing is far from a diet. We normally associate greens with bitterness, so a mouthful of liquified vegetables may not sound too appealing. However, many green juices are blended with fruits (apple, pear, mango, etc.) and mix-ins (lime, coconut, ginger root, etc.) creating a rather exhilarating sensation for our taste buds.

Things to look out for: sugar and calories. If the word smoothie is anywhere on your bottle, put it down. We want fresh juice not a smoothie with unhealthy additives. Why? While your body may appreciate all the extra antioxidants and vitamins, it's very important to keep in mind that a surplus of carbs can wind up feeding your fat cells and defeating the purpose of enjoying fresh juice. Juicing is a great way to squeeze more produce into your nutrition intake for those of you hustlers always on the go like myself. Juicing is not meal replacement - it's healthy snacking. I am personally obsessed with the flavors and how fresh juice makes me feel. Can't get enough of these refreshing blends of bliss! 

Ole Miss Baseball | Oxford, Mississippi Commercial

I had the pleasure of working with Ole Miss Baseball during their winter camps. Here are just a few snaps - these guys know how to have  a good time! Work hard, play harder. Hotty Toddy!

One Year Anniversary

What a year! Reflecting on some of my favorite 2014 moments and memories. I am so unbelievably grateful for my dear friends and loving family who have been by my side since day one of the Eliza Kennard brand launch through thick and thin. Thank you to those I have been lucky to collaborate with so creatively. 

As Oscar de la Renta once said, "Things never happen on accident. They happen because you have a vision, you have a commitment, you have a dream." Well, cheers to visions, commitments, and dreams.  

This life is a beautiful journey! Thank you all for your support and for following along as I celebrate all of life's precious adventures. When you give the world the best you have, the best comes back to you. Let's welcome 2015 with love and hope! Keep dreaming BIG dreams…

Hue Oxford's Colorful Inspiration | Oxford, Mississippi

I had the pleasure of exploring Hue Oxford, a shop all about colorful and creative inspiration. Specializing in chalk and milk paints, Hue has everything you need to transform anything and everything. Whether you are shopping for some home decor accessories, need to revamp a piece of furniture for your home or want to have a girls night out party painting while enjoying some wine, Hue is your one stop shop. Check this creative studio out - you won't be disapointed!

Christmas in the BIG Apple | New York City

"I look out the window and I see the lights and the skyline and the people rushing around looking for action, love, and the worlds largest chocolate chip cookie, and my heart does a little dance." ~ Nore Ephron 

Reflecting on my holiday trip to the big apple today. I can't wait to be back in this inspirational mecca!

PUBLISHED: Mississippi Magazine

I have been collaborating with and managing Katherine Beck's social media for about a year now. I was thrilled and honored to have my photographs featured in Mississippi Magazine's 2015 Bridal Issue for KB's ad. Mary Katherine, owner of KB, has been amazing to work with and she has given me so much creative freedom. I am humbled by this opportunity and look forward to publishing the fun projects and creative features in the works! 

The Every Girl 30 Day Challenge - Bring it!

I used to hate the month of January. Literally - it has been my least favorite month for as long as I can remember. It wasn't until I launched my photography business last year (in the month of January) that everything changed. I saw January for what it really was: a fresh start. I thought about all of the reasons I used to dislike it so much. It's cold, Christmas is officially over, spring is really far away, it's cold, I've gained 10 pounds thanks to moms holiday cooking, my skin is desert dry, and did I mention it's cold? Aside from every negative thing we associate January with, there are so many positive counterparts. As cliche as it truly is, January gives us that push we've been avoiding: GO TO THE GYM. As the year ends and the holidays are upon us, it is the easiest solution to stop exercising and just "bottoms up" at every opportunity. Let's make a point to treat our bodies as the temples they are - giving them what they need and sweating out what they don't. When you look good, you feel good. January presents an overwhelming sensation of a "rebirth" or a "fresh start". January is the cleanse of all months. The ultimate detox. Out with the old, in with the new. Out with the bad, in with the good. Out with the negative, in with the positive. The energy you radiate is exactly what comes back to you. By sending out healthy and positive messages, you're giving the world the best you have and thats exactly what comes back to you. 

The Every Girl 30 Day Challenge is the perfect fresh start. It's not irrational or inconvenient. It's simple and effective. It's never too late - I encourage everyone to try this challenge! My favorite part of this challenge is you can select the best method that fits your life and current needs. I chose the 30 days of hydration challenge - 8oz of water a day for 30 days. Cheers to hydration, weight loss, and a brighter smile 2015!

image via: @elizakennard

lettering via: @jennakutcher

challenge via: @theeverygirl_

HAPPY NEW YEAR! #2015

Wishing you all the Happiest of New Years! So many changes are coming to Eliza Kennard this year and I am so excited to share them. Out with the old and in with the new! The website as well as this blog have both been redesigned - hope you are loving them as much as I am. I have lots of fun surprises coming to the brand all year long. Cheers loves!

images: via pinterest