Pursuit Fredericksburg & 2015 Goals

Last night I got to go to this meetup for christian photographers called "pursuit" it was so much fun and they have monthly meetings! I plan to blog every meeting, and hopefully next month I will get more pictures! In this months meeting it was all about goals! we talked about our personal and business goals for 2015! I had to really think, but I came up with 3 business related goals, and 2 personal goals!

My business related goals are to market better, blog more, and learn how to use photoshop better! Marketing is not my strong suit, in fact it is my weakest area in having a business! I would love to learn how to market better! I have been lacking in the blogging area, and when I have been blogging I feel like I am just typing something and posting it just to post it, I want to post some things that are worthy of reading and not just a waste of time to read! One thing that I am just now starting to learn is photoshop! I know crazy to think a photographer does not know photoshop, but truth be told, most photographers don't use photoshop! Most of us use other professional editing software! We use photoshop for touch ups and advertisements!

My Personal goals are to get fit and eat healthier! I know every year this is everyone's goals, but I really need to get on the ball! I am so out of shape I cant run .2 miles, no kidding! I need to start to exercise every day! Even if it is going on a bike ride, walk, run, or just exercises! I have never been a vary healthy eater, at least since I was younger! I eat basically everything bad! I am planning on eating no wheat, and just eating healthier all together!

I wanted to tell you a little more about the pursuit meeting! People cried, laughed, hugged, and had a great time! You might be thinking "What is Pursuit", well pursuit is a community of christian photographers who come together and have meetings, and just support each other! It is awesome and all the ladies are all supportive, especially of my age and everything! I was the youngest in the room, yet they treated me like one of them!

The first meeting was at Hope Taylor's Senior Styling Studio! It was BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to see all these ladies next month!

I also wanted to inform you about my new blogging schedule, as I stated above I do not like the content I am currently posting, I feel like it is repetitive, therefore I will only be blogging once a week! I am not sure what day it will just be random most likely! I will try to stick to either tuesday or thursday!

Thank you all for reading! If you have any questions you can comment them below or you can email me at madileighphotography@gmail.com! 

2014 Goals

I wanted to bring in the new year by telling you my goals for 2014, business and personal things.

Business

1. Blog more often- I was doing good blogging on tuesdays and thursdays, but I have been slacking these past few weeks! I would also like to try to make my blogs longer with less lists!
2. Giveaway more sessions- I love doing giveaways, giving back to the community is awesome! The problem is when people don't enter the giveaways! I am holding a giveaway not for 1,000 blog views!

Personal

1. Eat Healthier- This had been one of my number one new years resolutions for years! I know I don't eat the healthiest (not at all actually) and I eat what I want, but that needs to change! I am starting my "eat healthier" diet
2. Workout more- I love working out on treadmills and ellipticals, but I do not like running outside, it is one thing that I can't stand about working out!
3. Work Harder- I know this applies to a lot of things such as school and business! I can work harder at school to get better grades, yet I need to relax a little with photography and focus on my style!

Thank you guys for reading! I hope you all enjoyed, I will try to keep you updated maybe by doing bi-weekly posts on how it is going (I will post on every other saturday)

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns I would love to hear from you! You can email me at madileighphotography@gmail.com or comment below! I am doing a Q&A within the next few weeks, so send me questions!

P.S. I may or may not be working on sweetheart sessions for valentines day ;)

XOXO, Madi

Giveaway for 1,000 blog views

I am doing a giveaway since I have had 1,000 views on my blog! The giveaway includes:

2 Hour Photo shoot
2 Outfit Changes
2 Locations

The winner will be chosen on January 1^st 2015 at 8 PM. I will put all the names in a randomizer then announce it!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Repost this using #madileighphotography
2. Tag me
3. And in the comments say why you would like to win

*This photo is not mine and is complementary of #wordswag

Christmas Special

Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Random Acts of Kindness

My favorite thing about this time of year is doing things for people. I think it is so awesome when you go to a fast food place and pay for the people behind you as well. You know it makes their day, and hope they pass it along. I encourage you do this one day! It will make somebodys day!

My top 5 favorite things about christmas

1. Music- The music at christmas time is so merry! I have the same songs on repeat on my phone. 
2. Family- This is a great time for family to bond and be together! I just love being able to spend time with family on christmas morning. 
3. Food- Some of the yummiest food is on christmas day (besides thanksgiving of course) My mom makes the best Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwiches.
4. Church- I absolutely christmas church service!
5. Being thankful- This is also wonderful! We have time to reflect on all the things that we are grateful for. 

Not all about the gifts

As you all know christmas is not about the gifts it is about Jesus's birthday. Even though we always think about the gifts, stess about if its the right thing. Think about Jesus on Christmas day, instead of being wrapped around the christmas gifts.

My Favorite Christmas carols

So To be honest I am a kid at heart. Here are my favorite christmas carols.

• Santa Claus is coming to town
• Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer 
• Last December
• Jingle Bells
• Jingle Bell Rock
• Nuttin' for christmas
• All I want for christmas is my two front teeth
• Sleigh Ride
• Frosty the Snowman
• Here Comes Santa Claus
• This Christmas

My New Years Resolution

I have decided for my new years resolution, I want to drink no caffeine for 6 months. I also want to get in shape before July. I also plan to stay gluten free for the whole year (and beyond) If you are wandering why, I have Celiac Disease, and I can't eat wheat. You can see a whole blog post that I did a few months back

Top 5s of 2014

Movies
1 The Fault in our stars - This is such an inspirational movie, I could just watch it over and over again!
2 The best of me- This is probably my second move from this year (The Fault in Our stars being #1) it is so awesome, yet has one of those ending that you do not want happening, and truly wish that it didn't end that way, even though if it didn't end the way it did it would have been 10x worse of an ending (AKA I didn't like the ending)
3 Night Crawler- This is just an all around good movie!
4 Silver Linings Playbook- I know this technically did not come out this year, but I love it!
5 Frozen- i know this movie also did not come out this year, but it is my favorite disney movie of all time! I <3 Olaf!

TV Shows
1 19 Kids and Counting- I love this show, I don't know how Michelle does it, but she does. Jim Bob and Michelle talk to their kids in the most sweet and loving manner all the time, even if they are misbehaving! It is an inspirational show, it is my favorite show right now! (Netflix took all TLC shows off which really stinks, because I was in the middle of watching all the episodes from season 1)
2 Red Band Society- I love this show, the show just started this season. The producers are thinking about canceling it, and that would just be terrible. This is my favorite show right now!
3 Extreame Couponers- Some people go above and beyond on this show, and I personally love watching the holiday ones, they are very interesting!
4 Big Bang Theory- When I am in need of a laugh, I watch this show, it is so funny!
5 Greys Anatomy- I am not going to lie, I am a weakling for these medical shows, and I just LOVED Greys this year. I have started from season one on netflix 



I may or may not be doing more list blogs in the near future :)


I wanted to mention my all time favorite Christmas movie, ELF! I can literally watch ELF a thousand time!

Highlights of 2014

I dont know about you all but I LOVE looking back on the year and seeing all the amazing things that happened! I am going to tell you 3 highlights of 2014:

• My aunt cheryl coming in town- One of my favorite things from 2014 was when my Aunt Cheryl came to Fredericksburg and we went shopping, then we went to see my Uncle Steve and my cousins, I had a blast!
• Starting Madi Leigh Photography- I know this is really stereotypical but this was one of the biggest highlights of my year. 
• Getting my camera- I absolutely love my camera. Okay, it might not be the best camera ever, but it works and it does the job!

Announcements

1. I am in need of 2 senior models and 1 couple model!
2. The Winter Mini sessions end on January 31 2015

Thank you all for reading I hope you enjoyed, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns you can comment below or email me at madileighphotography@gmail.com!

XOXO Madi

Holiday Gift guide: The Teenage Girl

Hello everyone, I have decided that I am going to be doing a holiday gift guide. I will be doing several categories. This will be the only blogs that will be up for 2 weeks. This week I will be doing "the teenage girl" to help you find the perfect trending gift for your teen.

Movie Lover

1. The fault in our stars movie- I absolutely love this movie and I can watch it over and over again. This would be a perfect gift for someone who loves movies!
   You can purchase it here: The Fault in our stars: Amazon
2. Chocolate- Any teen will love this gift, but if you pair it with some fuzzy socks, a movie, and popcorn you will be set!
   You can purchase it here: Hershey Snack Size Chocolates: Walmart
3. Frozen- This has been one of the best disney movies that I have watched, and I know that almost all teenage girls love this movie.
   You can purchase it here: Frozen DVD: Walmart
4. Popcorn- This is a must have for a movie night!
   You can purchase it here: Movie Theater Butter Popcorn: Walmart
5. You could always get the person a gift card to the movies!

Athlete

1. Fit Bit- This bracelet tracks your sleep, and all sorts of different things. It is a bit on the pricier side. But the athlete in your life will love this.
   You can purchase it here: Fit Bit: Amazon
2. Yoga Mat- This is a classic, but necessary!
   You can purchase it here: Lilac Yoga Mat:Target

Beauty Lover

1. Naked on the run pallet- This is on my wish list it is an assortment of all sorts of different things. You can purchase it here: Naked on the Run: Sephora
2. Batiste Dry shampoo: I have not personally tried this, but I have heard that it is great! I definitely want to try it soon! You can purchase it here: Batiste Dry Shampoo: Ulta
3. Nyx Jumbo eye pencil in milk: I love this as an eye base, it makes the color on top pop!
   You can purchase it here: Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk: Ulta
4. Pink Sugar Perfume: I don't have the perfume but I have friends who rave about it. I have smelled it in the store and want it for sure.
   You can purchase it here: Pink Sugar Perfume: Ulta
5. You can really get away with anything from ulta or sephora, you also can't go wrong with a gift card. 

Tech Lover

1. Wild Flower Phone case- I have wanted one of these for the longest time, it is a very unique case that not a lot of people know about. You do unfortunately have to buy it from online, and it is not the cheapest phone case. It is very pretty though!
   You can purchase it here: Wildflower Phone Cases: Wildflower
2. Itunes gift card- If the teen you are buying for has an iphone, this would be a perfect gift for them! It is simple, but they can get games, music, tv shows, and movies, within one itunes gift card.
   You can buy these almost anywhere.
3. Ipad mini- This gift is a large gift, but I know most teenagers would absolutely love a ipad! It is not cheap, so you have to be willing to spend around $300 for it.
   You can purchase it here: Ipad mini 16 GB: Target
4. And almost anything tech related, headphones are another option, CDs, and all sorts of other things! 

There are many more ideas that you could get a teenage girl, this is just a list of things that are just good ideas! I hope you guys liked this blog! If you have any questions make sure to leave them below or email me at madileighphotography@gmail.com


XOXO
Madi

How to create a blog

Hi guys, I decided that I wanted to upload a blog day early, I will be on my regular schedule of blogging tuesday and thursday starting tomorrow. 

Several of my friends have mentioned creating a blog. I think it is a great idea! If you are wanting to start a blog here are some pointers!

1. Think of content before you start you blog- If you love fashion/beauty, photography, Do it yourself, or Just writing tips and tricks are all good things to blog about.
2. Make sure you blog is not offending anyone- If you have to second guess about a blog post being offensive, don't do it. Even it it is a great idea in your mind, it might be offensive to somebody else.
3. Make sure you upload consistently- This is something that I have struggled with. I have been trying to stay consistent, and uploading every tuesday and thursday! If you don't stay consistent you will not have many people follow your blog.
4. Make sure you are uploading content people want- This is also something that I know I don't do my best with. I know some of my blogs are things some people could care a less about, but some people love them! Everybody is different.
5. Upload different things- This goes with uploading different content, I try to blog a variety of things. At the end of very blog I say if you have any requests for blogs. That helps me learn what people want. This blog was actually a request.
6. Make sure you are not rambling- I do this sometimes, I am trying not to but I know I do. This is something to watch when you are blogging.
7. Make sure you want to blog- If this is something that you really want to do, then go for it but if you cant decide. Think about it. You can always create a blog later on.
8. Blog in advance- This is one of the biggest tips that I can give you, if you don't blog in advance you will be blogging the day that you are supposed to post! This is a must!

Thank you all for watching. If you create a blog let me know I would love to read it! If you have any requests for blogs let me know in the comments, on my email, or on social media.If you have any questions you can leave them below, or email them to me I would love to hear them!

Kennedy Family Photo Shoot

I everybody, I was supposed to do the holiday gift guide blog again today, but I felt like it wasnt long enough. I decided that I would put more into it and upload it on tuesday (promise). I also delivered the pictures from the Kennedy family photo shoot. Here are some of the pictures!

Look at the gorgeous Family!

These siblings are so cute!

Of course we had to take the "silly face" picture!

Such a photogenic family!

Riley is gorgeous!

Foster was so cute, and did the funniest faces!

See what I mean? They are such cute syblings!

Another "silly picture" this one is one of my favorites

You can't interfere with a man and his horse!

This is another one of my favorites!

I hope you all enjoyed. I had a blast at this photo shoot. If you have any questions or concerns you can email me at madileighphotography@gmail.com. Thank you all for reading

XOXO Madi