2016, I can say was the most challenging year I have faced in a long time. It was more so in my personal life than in my business life, but what do you do when life knocks you to your knees? You pray, and you keep moving forward. So on into 2017 we go! I’ll share with you what I’ve learned, what is going to change, and more throughout the blog. Part II will be going up next Wednesday. I just had so many good highlights to show you. I really hope you enjoy seeing the highlights as you scroll down.

The beginning of this year was almost like a dream. Everything had started coming together, and I was putting myself out there more with my work. (Please notice the progression of my images throughout the course of this year) 

Over the years I have been so back and fourth with my photography, and I finally put my foot down, and said this will be a full time career. Before 2016 I had actually put down my camera for several months. I had been tired, worn,  restless, and just ready to give up. I wasn’t happy with the quality of work I produced, but something kept drawing me back to photography. So in January I started really thinking about where I wanted to be, and what I wanted out of photography. I wanted to start out specializing in high school senior portraits.

Why high school senior photography? My senior year was not the best it could have been, and I really wasn’t happy with the images that I received. Around this time I found, Hope Taylor Photography, and started listening, and reading her educational material. Something about it just hit me, and it started making sense.

I want to create an unforgettable senior experience for all high school seniors who cross my path. As of right now, I still want to work towards that goal. I want them to leave me happier, than when they came.

I love the friendship Kelsey, and Hannah have. They were just so fun to work with. This was the first attempt at trying to put together a senior styled shoot at Cross Creek Country Club. I still had a lot to learn at this time.

I wanted to keep up with my shooting, and continue to get better so I asked Abby if she wouldn’t mind letting me take her portrait. We met up, grabbed something sweet from Starbucks, and we headed off to TangleWood Park on this beautiful, but very cold day.

When it first it spring, and started to get warm, I took a day at the park just for myself. There are many things I would love to openly share with you about this day, but for personal reasons I want to keep that to myself. Just trust me when I say it was a beautiful, warm day full of love, and laughter. Full of memories that I will always treasure.

I couldn’t resist capturing this little couple just enjoying a nice day. Are they not precious? 

I threw in this image of my sweet little pup, Rascal, because he wanted to be in a shot. I kept trying to practice outside, and he wanted to be near me. So I snagged this shot of him, and the tarp he kept dragging around. He’s part Retriever so he goes out, finds whatever he can, and throws it in our front yard. How cute is that little face?

As it started to get warmer, Abby Brady wanted to get head shots taken. I was so thrilled when she asked me to do them. She’s so fun, and bubbly, and loves theater. I’ve seen her perform, and I have to say she is really good. 🙂

Abby contacted me just a little later in the year, and asked me if I could do her senior portraits for her. Of course I said yes! Oh it was so much fun to work with her again.

This is when my style really started developing, and started to become more comfortable with editing. I wanted to go for more of a film style, and a darker edit. As I started to become more confident in the work I produced, my personal life took a little bit of a different turn. It was a hard road, for a few months, and I had days that just knocked me down to my knees. As the year as gone on, I have only gotten stronger, and better.

Stay tuned for Part II.

Love,