A Fresh Start.

Closing out 2022 felt like a blessing. It was a learning year, yet it still held a lot of beauty.

The fact that I was able to see 2023 begin made me know I wanted it to be a year of peace and chasing dreams. We are two months in and I feel I have held to that promise to myself.

This post will be a bit different than usual because there’s so much to catch up on.

I definitely want to share my last shoot for 2022 and my first for 2023. I got to close out the year by photographing sisters who are so remarkable to me. I’ve known their family for years now, and they have always exceeded any marker for kindness ever made. It was no surprise to me to find out they asked for donations to help someone in need rather than birthday presents for their quinceanera. They have such huge hearts and beautiful souls. It was an honor to photograph them for such a special time in their lives.

The first shoot for this year was a headshot shoot for the kind and talented Hannah Lansford. We had talked about doing headshots in 2019, but the timing never worked out. Well, two years later, we finally got to meet.

Last, but not least, I got to go back to Imaging USA. This photography conference has always been such an amazing way for me to get in the right headspace for my business as well as my life. I love that it is in January because it’s a time where we’re all still processing the previous year, but also hopeful for the one we just started.

My soul was so happy to see old friends, make new ones, go full nerd mode for all the classes, and be surrounded by all of the buzz from thousands of photographers who filled up the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. I got to meet my mentor from my first year of entering the Professional Photographers of America’s International Print Competition in 2021, and I got to meet Rosalind Guder. She was beyond kind, and it was so wonderful to meet someone who actually sees you, even though they just met you. She truly has a gift.

As I do each year I get to attend, I brought all of my ideas home for the new year; for the fresh start. I look forward to sharing what comes of them with you.