It feels so strange to say it, but hello 2020. I’m not one for resolutions, but I am an enneagram type one and INFJ, and to be honest, new year’s time and new decades and birthdays always bring up a lot of introspection, reflection, and anxiety over all of the goals I didn’t accomplish or ways I failed. I’m sure many of you share the same struggle. What a deadly personality combination!

Personal notes aside, at this time last year, almost to the day, I had my final day at my old day job as a marketing manager, and a week later embarked on the greatest adventure (other than my marriage) I’ve ever experienced: journeying through 26 states over 3.5 months with my husband and dog in our R-Pod. What a gift we gave ourselves after a really tough 2018 for us personally. I just recently made some photo books of our trip and it took four volumes to tell the story. From clogged toilets to beautiful vistas, the trip was a once in a lifetime experience that I’m glad we got to do.

This also means that I’m writing as a celebrate my first anniversary as a full time photographer/small business owner. Wow! In my wildest dreams, I don’t think I ever thought I’d make it here. When I graduated college back in 2013, I had no freaking idea what to do with myself other than get a job. So I did that and I tried to convince myself that I was a successful humanities major that “made it.” Ha! Do any of us really “make it”? In 2019, I was 10 years out of high school and I will tell you that in 2009 I never imagined that I could even own a business. In fact, I’m pretty sure I scoffed at anything “business” related. HA! But in 2017 when I decided to really do this, I let my determination, perseverance, and inability to let a goal fall to the wayside guide me here.

In 2019, I just had my most successful year of business. I don’t measure this in dollars or weddings shot or shutter count, but how I feel about the work I’m producing and where I am headed creatively and business-wise. This year I completely changed my business name, revamped my website, worked on upping my client experience, attended my first business workshop, and got better and better with every single session and wedding and edit. By the time December rolled around, I felt like I was finally hitting my stride and headed in the direction I had been seeking for so long.

I am still in awe that people hire me to tell their stories. I am still in awe that they invite me into their most vulnerable moments. I am still in awe that they trust me to be a part of their lives, however small that may be. All of their positive feedback and support always gives me the boost I need when I worry that I should quit or that this won’t last (if you have cure for self-doubt, let me know). They remind me that this job is important and that love is the most beautiful thing in the world. I truly adore working with people in love, no matter their age, because they make me believe that there’s still good in this dumpster fire we find ourselves in daily.

2020 looks a lot different than I thought it would, but I am excited to stretch my creativity even further and really put people at the center of my work. I want to push the documentary aspect of my work because as you’ll see below, those are my favorite images. I know you all print the formal photos, but the moments are why I do this job and why every single wedding and session is different, which I LOVE.

The photos below aren’t exhaustive, but I spent the day going through all of my images from last year and loved reliving every wedding day and every session over again. It was such a full year, but a fun year. There were so many more laughs than tears, and capturing that joy has been the greatest privilege and honor for me. Thank you all for your vulnerability and for sharing yourselves with me.