Honestly, Rowan was a (good!) surprise for us... so we didn't technically have one of those sit-down conversations about where we see our family in 3 years. We always pitched the idea of having a baby to each other, but we really weren't on a timeline. We always had something major going on. We never had our finances *quite* where we wanted them. Blah blah blah. So, we put off the conversation.

Lo and behold, I took a pregnancy test after having awful, stabbing stomach pains for over a week... and there it was. "Pregnant". Huge surprise, and we weren't quite sure what to do, but the whole surprise thing kinda works better for us anyway. In all honesty, I was sloppy about taking my birth control. Haha. But I know that if we decided on finally "trying" and it didn't work out right away, I would get crazy OCD about tracking fertility. I would probably have wound up feeling like a failure. So by letting things just happen, there was no stress at all.

If Jimmy and I had waited until we had all our ducks in a row... we still wouldn't have Rowan at this point because really, who EVER has it 100% together?! I'm happy the way it turned out. She is the biggest blessing in my life and our little family would not feel complete without her.

(I'm sorry - that was super long-winded!) ;)

Yes! Email me at info@erinpurchase.con and we will nail a date down :)

Easy. Rowie's uncle Mike P.! We miss you! Can't WAIT for November.

I always try and avoid shooting at that time because it's too dang hot AND bright. I usually schedule shoots around 6pm to avoid this. However, if you're stuck, try and find a tree to buffer out the brightness. Also, if a client is having a hard time opening their eyes, I'll tell then to close them and I will count to three. On three, they open them and I snap. This is also a great trick to use with kiddos. Honestly, I have a really hard time shooting in harsh light so I avoid it as much as possible so I'm definitely not the expert. But the above is what works for me. But I hope this helped! :)

I currently shoot with a Nikon D7000 and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I also have a 16-35 lens, but I only shoot with that on rare occasions. The 50mm 1.4 lens is definitely my go-to :)

I think the hardest thing to get used to is the off-hours that your husband works (especially if you yourself work a "normal" job throughout the week from 9-5). Sundays are my day off, but I get up at 6:30am to help set up our church at the school with Jimmy and get him whatever he needs for the service... so it's not necessarily a work-free day for me, but I enjoy serving Jimmy in that respect. Mondays are JImmy's day off... but I work. In that respect, it's hard because some days off aren't spent together, but we have a good rhythm and we both have off Wednesdays and 1/2 day Fridays (and sometimes Saturdays), so that works out.

The best thing about being a ministry wife is serving alongside your husband... and also serving your husband. Serving alongside your husband is great because you get to see God work so much in people's lives and you're more attuned to it, I think. Also, serving my husband is a joy because he's committed his life to serving the church... and I'm not gonna lie - sometimes following God's call is tough. But being the one to be able to comfort him, take care of him, and generally provide an "oasis" when ministry is tough is a joy of mine.

I see my role as a ministry wife as what I described above. I hold up Jimmy's hands, plain and simple. I provide him a place of rest. :)

Did that answer your question? lol :)

If you go to my website, www.erinpurchase.com, you'll find your answer under the Pricing/FAQ section. :)

Very busy. My manager was out last week and I have been playing catch up since she's returned. Lots of things going on with our new church, Crossway Church. I've also been doing lots of shoots, which has been fun! Busy busy busy.

At this point, Nikon!

I am constantly scanning thru blogs, magazines, and I'm always on the lookout for an obscure location while driving. Location isn't everything. It's connecting with the client and making them feel comfortable. When you (the photographer) and your client are both relaxed... magic happens!

Hollywood, Florida. :)

I would probably go to JC's. Her workshops always have SO MANY details to shoot and are also very uniquely themed. She's also been in the biz longer. I do love Jasmine, personality though :) If I wanted to go to a workshop for instructions on branding and social media, probably Jasmine. For shooting, probably JC.

1. I always seem to wear dresses on my days off.
2. I get super dorky when I'm happy.
3. I was born in Miami
4. I take 4 hours naps. Never only 2 hours. I try to avoid them because otherwise I waste my day.
5. I've never taken a photography class (not that that's impressive... I probably should one of these days lol)
6. My work life for my day job consists of arguing with insurance companies and billing for patients
7. I have bad posture
8. I still enjoy going to shows with my husband
9. My skin and hair change colors all the time. White, rosy, slightly tan? Blonde, strawberry blonde, light brown. Weird.
10. Not a fan of people who take themselves too seriously. Or people who have no versatility in their conversation - who talk about 1 subject ALL. THE. TIME.
11. I love the summer and the blazing heat. I love going to the beach and swimming in the ocean.
12. I could eat macaroni and cheese... probably every day.
13. My clothing style changes with the wind. If you can even call that "style". I buy cheap so I can buy a lot of different things.
14. I love lightweight scarves in the summer.
15. I'd like to know what I would look like with dark brown hair. Buuuut I'm too scared to dye it.

AND DONE.

Yes! I found two at Kohls. A purple ruffly cocktail dress and a white floral dress w/ grey, pink, and lilac floral patterns. Total cost: $40

How much did I SAVE with sales and all? ... $78 :)

Wake up late, have a ginormous bowl of berries for breakfast, hit the beach to get a little rosy and get an icee after. I would eat all my favorite foods, too.

I personally love light colors mixed light grey. Yellow and light grey. Fuschia and light grey. That's just me though. I'm definitely not stylish haha

Follower cause Lord knows I wouldn't survive in a jungle. I would cry and probably miss my family and my husband to be honest with you :'(

No one! :)

Hm let's see. Friday, I'm going to a rehearsal for a wedding. Saturday, I'm going to math class... then attending Dana and Chris's wedding. Sunday, I have church, a birthday party for my niece, and a photoshoot. Really busy weekend!

New gear for my camera. A new car. An iMac probably so I don't have to edit on a laptop's small screen.