Menu +

LAUNCH DAY + A GIVEAWAY! | The Refined AAP Brand

It is officially launch day!! I’m so excited for you to be here and can’t wait for you to peruse my newly renovated online space! My business did a lot of growing up this past year so it only made sense for my website to follow suit! I realized that to become the photographer that I really want to be I wouldn’t fit into the mold of my old website and although it was scary because I never really like change (even the good changes at first!), I’m so happy that we did it!…Krista did a phenomenal job of bringing my vision of simple elegance to life…I wanted a website that would share a powerful brand and story in an understated and sophisticated way. .

Elegant – “gracefully refined; polished; cleverly simple”

Ohh don’t you love that definition? I love that word refined. There’s something about it that goes deeper than what you see on the surface. I think it has an air of femininity and romance.

I wanted a website that would be clean, easy to navigate, and beautiful but subtle enough to direct attention at my work and at an underlying message. The best is yet to be A gorgeous wedding day is just the beginning of a lifelong commitment and I wanted a brand that would emphasize that. I’m so inspired by  weddings and absolutely love being a part of them, but I’m excited to now also focus on shooting anniversaries and vow renewals! The idea for this came after shooting an anniversary session for my dear friend, Ali, and her husband last fall in New York City. I was so inspired by getting to see their love for each other and for walking around and exploring together. I think it’s noticing all of the little moments where your just doing things that you love with your spouse that makes you fall deeper in love with them each day. I want to help give couples special experiences like that and beautiful images to look back on!

I’m so grateful for my sweet friend and incredible designer Krista who had the patience to work with me and revamp what we did last year to create something that I am proud of! Enough talking though…go ahead and check it out! I hope you love it! I’m so thankful for every one of you readers who support my dream and business! So to celebrate this incredibly happy occasion, I’m giving away a few of my favorite things! A $50 gift card to Anne Taylor Loft, A beautiful Wedding Vows Print from Lindsay Letters (to keep or gift to your favorite married couple!), and my favorite new Day Planner by Elle and Company Design (This thing is like an amazing mix between the Emily Ley and Martha Stewart Planners! And you have got to try the weekly menu planner!). To enter like this Facebook post and then use the form below for additional entries! The Giveaway will end on April 18th and I’ll announce the winner the following Monday! Thank you so much for visiting and for celebrating with me!! Happy Thursday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

filed in:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Krista A. Jones

    April 10th, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    I’m so excited for you Anna! You put SO much into this site and it truly highlights both your work and your overall style in an incredible way!

    Love you girl!

  2. Sarah Beth Tapanes

    April 10th, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Love the new look! It’s so gorgeous, classic, and timeless! Congratulations!!!! :) Just love your work!

  3. Regan Carter

    April 10th, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Oh my word, I LOVE IT!!! IT’S SO YOU!! Beyond anything I was expecting. Absolute perfection, girl!! So excited for you! Love love love. Seriously. Love it.

  4. Caroline Logan

    April 10th, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    OBSESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. Emily Cline

    April 10th, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    Oh my gosh!!! This is simply beautiful!!!! Congrats :)

  6. Michael and Carina

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    AMAZING SITE! I love it!!! We love it!! Timeless and beautiful, just like you! Weiter so, Annamarie! :)

  7. Jen Olmstead

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    Yes, this is totally it! So glad you were able to find the style and the design that speak to your brand so clearly. Props to you and to Krista!

  8. Gabrielle C

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    Stunning! “The best is yet to be..” Oh how perfect. :)

  9. Alison

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    I love it so much!!!!! It’s perfect!

  10. Kristin Partin

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    this is so timeless and beautiful, anna!

  11. Erin S.

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    Congratulations on the new brand launch! Beautiful! You seriously make me so jealous the way you are just rocketing up in your business!! :D

  12. Beth Hamilton

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Congrats on your rebrand! It looks awesome!!!

  13. Ali W

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Krista – your work is STUNNING. And Anna… a freaking billion hugs. I’m so so thrilled for your new brand. Such a sophisticated identity – I’d hire you to shoot my life time and time again. I’m so excited for your couples, past, present, and future!

  14. Maison

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    SO amazing, Annamarie!! WOW! I feel PRIVILEGED that Caleb + I had our pictures taken by you! Little did I know at the time how unbelievably talented you are + how truly INSPIRING your work is to a fellow photographer ;) Keep it up, lady!! Blessings :)

  15. Madison Short

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    I love it! It’s so classic + elegant, so YOU! Congratulations! <3

  16. Fallon

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    Wow! Gorgeous new concept. Very classy, elegant and clean. I love it!

  17. Sydni Jackson

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    congratulations!! it looks beautiful – so unique and you!

  18. Mandy

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    1. I am so proud of you! Looking at our 15 year old selves, I never would have thought this is where you would be right now! God does immeasurably more than we can ever imagine!

    2. I contemplate buying the Vows print EVERY day for the wedding!!

    3. Love you!

  19. Caitlin Gerres

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    Congrats on the new look! It’s beautiful!

  20. Terri

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    Congrats!!! This is simply beautiful!!!

  21. rachel

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!!!

  22. Dani White

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Love it! The new look displays your work very well! So light and romantic!

  23. Kim Broda

    April 10th, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Absolutely love the new look, it’s sophisticated and so classy!

  24. Holly

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    So exciting! I’m with you on simplicity! It’s hard to find something that just FITS, so I’m so glad you’ve found it!

  25. Katie Barber

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    the new site is beautiful! congratulations from a very proud AAP bride! :)

  26. Heather G

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Beautiful!

  27. Lauren Swann

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    This site is so beautifully you!!! Krista did a great job!! I absolutely love what you came up with and it’s been so fun watching you grow and refine your style!! Love you and your heart for your clients and other people!!! Xoxo!!

  28. Beth T.

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the new site Anna!! It’s beautiful and fits your style flawlessly! You and Krista make a great team :)

  29. Katie P Herndon

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    Lovely new website! I just love your style!

  30. erin

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    Love the new website! Looks great! I’d love to win any of those prizes!

  31. Brittney Hannon

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    I am so in love with your new look! It’s so elegant and timeless and completely fits your photographic style! Congrats on everything!

  32. Lauren Scheid

    April 10th, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    YAY!! It looks amazing :)

  33. Kristi McKeag

    April 10th, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Ahhhh!!! Annamarie!!! I LOVEEEE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new site!!! Absolutely gorgeous!! And I have been swooning over the new Elle & Co planners and the menu planner!! This thing would seriously change my life!!! Congrats again on such a stunning site!! xoxoxo

  34. Sara Q

    April 10th, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    YAY! Your new site is amaaazzzzinnnggg! So perfect for you, Love you!

  35. Sabrina

    April 10th, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Anna! It’s SO amazingly beautiful and so totally you. SO EXCITING!!! Congrats, friend!

  36. Samantha Wilde

    April 10th, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Love it!!!!!

  37. Alex Meyer

    April 10th, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    So beautiful! LOVE the initial image and quote! Well done ladies!

  38. Shannon Shaughnessy

    April 10th, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    Anna, your site is bea-u-ti-ful!!! It’s exactly what you said, refined and polished! So excited to see your new focus on anniversaries/vows in action!!

  39. Stephanie G

    April 10th, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Love it!! Now just to convince my hubby for an anniversary session!

  40. Ally Henderson

    April 10th, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    So classy! I seriously love it! I would love to grab some photos of Josh and I before we move to St. Louis this summer!

  41. Katie

    April 10th, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    Looks awesome!! Love the pink…congrats on the launch friend!!!

  42. Meredith

    April 10th, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    this is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to see how God uses this next chapter in your business – hooray for celebrating marriage :)

  43. Brooke Sands

    April 10th, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    Such a lovely site! Love the definition of elegant. Life is all about refining, not only things but our own lives and the lives as well. Fabulous job!!

  44. Christy Tyler

    April 10th, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Congratulations, love!!! It is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

  45. caroline

    April 10th, 2014 at 6:02 pm

    love the idea for anniversary sessions!

  46. Amanda Mae

    April 10th, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    I’m so excited and proud of you Anna!!!!!

  47. Iiz Griffith

    April 10th, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Anna,
    Congratulations! It has been a joy for me to see how your business has grown over the past year, how your style has developed and how your talent has exploded! :) your site is uniquely you and very elegant. Love you sweet friend!

  48. Amanda Everett

    April 10th, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    Anna!! I LOVE your new site, especially the “best is yet to be…” intro. everything looks sooo classy and very ‘you’ :)

  49. Katie

    April 10th, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    Gorgeous! I’m looking forward to seeing more beautifully refined shoots!

  50. Emma

    April 10th, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    Love that you worked so hard on *refining* your brand. It’s gorgeous.

  51. Tori Watson

    April 10th, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Yay! So happy to see how it all came together! :)

  52. Leah Baggett

    April 10th, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    So excited about his giveaway! I love your work!

  53. Stephanie Bailey

    April 10th, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    Love the new site!! And the new focus on anniversaries and all the fun that comes after I do!

  54. Lacoya {Hello Love Events}

    April 10th, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    Beautiful! I absolutely love everything – congratulations on your rebrand and blessings to you and your business!

  55. Brittany Claud

    April 10th, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    Anna! It’s more incredible than I imagined! Krista did such an amazing job!!! It’s so perfect for you and your business. I am so happy for you and all that you have accomplished and continue to accomplish and I am so happy to call you a friend! :)

  56. Erica Stanley

    April 10th, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    I just stumbled across your Facebook posting about the new launch and what a perfect timing! I am currently on the hunt for the perfect wedding photographer… Love you work i just stalked, so look for an email from me very soon! <3

  57. Allison

    April 11th, 2014 at 12:17 am

    Woo hoo! SO exciting! Congrats! I’m so proudddd :)

  58. Kim moody

    April 11th, 2014 at 1:35 am

    So proud of you!! Hope to see some great shots of the Nelson wedding on there!!

  59. Natalie

    April 11th, 2014 at 8:06 am

    I love the new look and vision you want to take your business! You take beautiful pictures!

  60. Annmarie Swift

    April 11th, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Oh, Annamarie! Your new branding and web presence is so stunning, much like your work and your heart! I’m so happy to know you, girl! Congratulations :)

  61. Kathryn Waldo

    April 11th, 2014 at 9:18 am

    This is beautiful!!

  62. Mia Bjerring

    April 11th, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    I love your new website and blog!! It is such an elegant and beautiful design and I love your new brand!! Congratulations on launching it! :)

  63. Kat

    April 11th, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    YAYYYYYY it’s beautiful!!!! It leaves me breathless & longing for a vow renewal :) xo!!!

  64. Chelsea Anderson

    April 11th, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    This is breathtaking, so classy, elegant and you. It’s been wonderful to watch you learn who you were always meant to be as a photographer. I am excited to continue to learn from you as you grow and mature even further!

  65. ahren

    April 11th, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    love this new design. Looks fantastic! Love ya!

  66. Sarah (Danaher) Bradshaw

    April 11th, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    I adore it!!!!

  67. Kelly Hughes

    April 12th, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Beautiful, and SO classic! Love it!

  68. Sami Orndorff

    April 13th, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    You photographed my BEAUTIFUL friend Emma’s wedding last summer —- loved your work then, and love it even MORE now with this beautiful new site :) Congrats on a successful year, and here’s to many more!

  69. Shelby

    April 13th, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    I love this!!!! I want my wedding to be simple, classic and elegant! yay!! :)

  70. Melissa Farmer

    April 14th, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    Wow, it is so refined and simple!! Your work and blog have grown so much & this new look shows it off wonderfully!! Best of luck in seeing the changes in results :)

  71. Tina

    April 15th, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Congratulations Anna!! The site is absolutely gorgeous. Krista did an amazing job! :)

  72. Nicole

    April 15th, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    This looks wonderful, it sounds exactly like the description you posted :)

  73. Melanie reilly

    April 15th, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    I LOVEEEE the new website. And my favorite part is the splash page. :) Such beautiful work highlighted in such a classy way!

  74. Dominique Coulter

    April 15th, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    You have created a beautiful space and brand that emulates sophistication… class… elegance. I love it! I also love seeing my best friend featured twice on your home page. Congrats lady on this next step in your business!

  75. Ellen Watson

    April 15th, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    Beautiful Site, love your work!

  76. Verlee Bishop

    April 15th, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Love love love this new website! So sophisticated, yet welcoming at the same time. I can’t wait to see where it takes you!

  77. Breanna McKendrick

    April 15th, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    This is gorgeous. I am happy and thrilled for you. Excited to see how this will change your business.
    xoxo, Breanna

  78. Laura Archer

    April 15th, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    It all looks so gorgeous!!! LOVE that you have an area for anniversaries… we love our images from our session!

  79. Taylor Schumann

    April 15th, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    This is just beautiful, girl! PURE class & elegance.

  80. Jessica

    April 16th, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    Love the new site! So excited to officially start working together :) I seriously can’t wait!

  81. Jill Powers

    April 18th, 2014 at 10:45 am

    LOVE everything about this!!

  82. Amy W.

    April 18th, 2014 at 10:45 am

    stunning! so beautiful!

  83. bekah

    April 18th, 2014 at 11:12 am

    I’m so excited for you!! I LOVE the REFINED brand!! It’s celebrates the beautiful gift of love and marriage and your sweet art so well.

  84. Lindsay

    April 18th, 2014 at 11:44 am

    LOVE this Annamarie!! Congratulations! This is definitely more “refined” but still you! Love it!

  85. Sarah Ryan

    April 18th, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Love the new website! It is beautiful and so is your work! I’m a Virginia girl so I’ve been a fan for a while :) Congrats! xo

  86. sherri lynn

    April 18th, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    your new site is beautiful! i love it! congrats!

  87. Heather

    April 18th, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    This site is so beautiful, clean and classic!

  88. Kelsey

    April 18th, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Gorgeous site and photos :) You’re so gifted!

  89. Lydia

    April 18th, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    Your new website is beautiful and communicates exactly the message and heart you wanted!

  90. Brooke

    April 18th, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    I have to admit, Anna Marie, that I loved your old design. I thought it was so cute! I was sad when I heard you were changing it. But I am HEAD OVER HEELS for your new look! This is so chic, refined, and so YOU. I love it!! It’s awesome – just like you!!

  91. Daniela Paz Galvez

    April 18th, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    It’s a beautiful job.
    I follow you from Chile, South America, and I love your work!!!!!!!!

  92. Kristin Hines

    April 18th, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    Annamarie! The website looks AH-mazing! I’m so in love with your re-brand. Congratulations on all your success.

    Love,
    Kristin H.

  93. Kathryn Grace

    April 18th, 2014 at 11:35 pm

    New to your site – but loving what I see! Beautiful work!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ON INSTAGRAM

follow along

@annamarie_akins

A glimpse into my daily life in Richmond, VA (and travels beyond) with my husband Ryan, our disobedient puppy Lexie, and the work, style and attempts at minimalism in between.