THE GOOD STUFF | 2018 IN REVIEW | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

THE GOOD STUFF | 2018 IN REVIEW | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

2018 was all-around a good year. Every season has it’s trials and 2018 did not go without up’s and down’s. The following post focuses far more on the good times than the bad, so I start with a little disclaimer:

This is my highlight reel.

These are the things from last year that made me most proud and brought me the most joy. While I do my best to keep it real with you, I also believe that celebrating your goals is important. I appreciate you being along for this ride, cheering me on, and I look forward to another incredible year and making memories with you.

JANUARY

  • Made another trip to Universal Studios to practice wizardry.
  • The AKP Coastal Retreat welcomed our largest group, ever, in Destin, Florida.
  • Dave and I saw Waitress live.
  • AKP got a mailing list!
  • Featured on: Equally Wed, Let’s Bee Together, A Lowcountry Wedding

FEBRUARY

  • Received the Two Bright Lights Editor’s Choice Award for 2018.
  • #akpcouples – Amber + Carlos
  • Featured on: Wedding Colors

MARCH

  • Began sneaky work on creating my new brand and promo video segments.
  • Started working out with T25.
  • The AKP Jazzy Retreat hit New Orleans!
  • Visited NYC again,and got to see “Starry Night” in person.
  • Featured on: Glittery Bride, Confetti Daydreams, The Coordinated Bride, Washingtonian Weddings, The Wed Clique

APRIL

  • Amanda Summers Photography took photos for Dave and I at Jungle By The Falls (see below!)
  • #akpcouples: Kelly + Kyle, Whitney + Peter, Sarah + Jeff
  • Featured on: How They Asked, Sweetened & Romantic, Strictly Weddings, Bridesmaid Confession, Let’s Bee Together, The Wed Clique, Love & Lavender Weddings

MAY

  • Participated in the Big Fake Wedding: Baltimore.
  • Took second annual bestie trip to Asheville Glamping.
  • #akpcouples: Melissa + Mike, Megan + Jared
  • Featured on: Let’s Bee Together, The Vintage Herald, Black Nuptials, Contemporary Weddings, Offbeat Bride, A Princess Inspired, Style Verify, Aisle Memories

JUNE

  • Tried running, but did not love it.
  • More prmo video footage with Lee Russell Films.
  • #akpcouples: Brittany + Derek, Brigette + Don, Katie + Kurt, Amanda + Nick, Kristen + John
  • Featured on: Baltimore Bride, Let’s Bee Together, Southern Noir Weddings, A Princess Inspired, Bridesmaid Confession, How They Asked, Style Verify, Orange Blossom Bride, Wedding Chicks

JULY

  • Saw Taylor Swift LIVE, twice. In a row.
  • Traveled to Aruba!
  • Road tripped to NJ for Styled Shoots Across America with llamas.
  • Visited Raleigh NC to get creative.
  • #akpcouples: Lauren + Josh, Ashley + Shawn
  • Featured on: Big Day Made, Baltimore Bride, Here Comes The Guide, Pure Wow Weddings, Brides & Weddings Magazine, Palmetto State Weddings, Zola, Black Nuptials, Modern Weddings

AUGUST

  • We threw Urban Axes to celebrate Dave getting older.
  • Attended a 311 concert.
  • Brunched with B’more Babes.
  • Visited family in Orlando, FL.
  • #akpcouples: Kat + Jimmy
  • Featured on: Premier Weddings – Nashville, Glttery Bride, Big Day Made, Baltimore Bride, A Princess Inspired, Brides & Weddings Magazine

SEPTEMBER

  • Started 80 Day Obsession.
  • Celebrated our second wedding anniversary.
  • Welcomed Fall in #basic fashion.
  • #akpcouples: April + Vincent, Sara + Chen, Michelle + Aaron, Sam + Adam, Maddy + Patrick
  • Featured on: Offbeat Bride, Glittery Bride, Bridal Gush, Aisle Memories, Big Day Made, Modern Weddings

OCTOBER

  • Launched the NEW brand.
  • Hosted the AKP Farmhouse Retreat in Massanutten, VA.
  • #akpcouples: Susie + Tyler, Monica + Charles, Brittney + Adam, Shelby + Taylor, Jenna + Nolan
  • Featured on: Zola, Bustld, Bridal Gush, A Princess Inspired, Aisle Memories, Whimsically Wed, Let’s Bee Together, Charm City Wed, Big Day Made, Wedding Chicks

NOVEMBER

  • Voted!
  • Took a mini vacay to Nashville, TN.
  • Taught at the Hustle & Hearth workshop.
  • Received The Knot’s 2019 Best Of Weddings award.
  • #akpcouples: Sarah + EJ, Juliann + Matt
  • Featured on: How They Asked, Big Day Made. Whimsically Wed, Aisle Memories, Let’s Bee Together, Glittery Bride

DECEMBER

  • Holiday parties galore: Brightside Disco, Martinis + Mistletoe with Hello Addie and Shoptini, One Big Epic #5, Holiday Gal Pal Party, Urban Axes night out, and The Season of Becoming’s Vision Board event.
  • Turned 33 in screaming color.
  • FINISHED 80 Day Obsession.
  • Booked my 20th wedding for 2019!
  • Was named as one of Let’s Bee Together’s Top Ten Photographers of 2018.
  • Exceeded my goal of being published and/or featured 75 times in one year.
  • #akpcouples: Nicole + Shane, Karen + Tyler
  • Featured on: A Princess Inspired, Charm City Wed, Daily Dog Tag, Southern Celebrations Magazine, Aisle Memories, Oh Lovely Day, BAM Co-Create, Glittery Bride

If you’re still with me, THANK YOU!

Check back next week for 2018 Couples in Review! I’m going to dive deep into this year’s weddings, highlighting a few favorite images from each wedding. See you on Wedding Wednesday. <3

-Ash

 

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  1. Audrey

    January 4th, 2019 at 2:57 pm

    THAT is an awesome highlight reel, my friend. So glad I can add “Meet and hang with Ashton” as one of my 2018 highlights ;)

  2. ash10k

    January 4th, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    DITTO MISS AUDREY!

  3. Amber

    January 4th, 2019 at 5:31 pm

    I love that over half of your year included me somehow!!

  4. ash10k

    January 4th, 2019 at 6:37 pm

    Girl it made me SUPER happy to see how much we’ve got to see each other this year in review!

  5. Brittni

    January 4th, 2019 at 5:32 pm

    Congratulations with your amazing year! Great things, my friends!

  6. Tashamonique Puckey

    January 4th, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    Out of all the things you accomplished this year… meeting you was one of my favorites.

  7. Alison

    January 4th, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    Looks like you had an amazing year!!

  8. Lindsay Zilke

    January 4th, 2019 at 11:47 pm

    I would say you had a pretty AMAZING year my gorgeous friend!!! LOL at “I tried running, didn’t like it” LOVE YOU!!!! I know that 2019 will be even better!!!

  9. Raina

    January 5th, 2019 at 12:27 am

    “Tried running. Didn’t love it.” ????
    You totally crack me up! What an incredible year!! Can’t wait to see what heights you reach in 2019!

  10. Trish

    January 5th, 2019 at 1:31 am

    Giiiirrrlll!

    I AM SO PROUD OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR!

    2019 is going to be even BETTER!

  11. Shannon White

    January 5th, 2019 at 7:37 am

    Love your highlight reel! Glad I got to meet and work with you in 2018!

  12. Kathy Newsome

    January 5th, 2019 at 8:18 am

    Ashton, this is the best! What an amazing year! You rocked it!