2018 in Review

2018 was an absolute whirlwind for me. I quit my day job in early January and started this business for real. I shot over a 100 jobs this year, and I am so so so thankful for all my wonderful clients, friends, vendors, and fellow photographers who have helped me along the way. I very literally could not have done it without you. While I can’t single everyone out, I truly thank all of you for trusting my vision in documenting your lives. I absolutely love what I do, and cannot wait for another year of creating beautiful images.

THE PEOPLE

This year I worked with 32 couples between weddings and elopements. I cannot express how thankful I am for these wonderful people that allowed me to be a part of their most important day. I couldn’t include everyone for attention span sake, but here’s a few special moments. Couple portraits are easily my favorite part of a couple’s wedding day. While the memory of day will eventually become a blur, the flower girl will cry, or something else will go astray, couple portraits frame how the couple remembers themselves for years to come.

THE PLACES

This year I traveled all over the Midwest for weddings. From southern rainy Iowa, to the beautiful Flint hills. I visited tiny rural townships, private homes, large churches, art musuems and gorgeous gardens. I could go on. Visiting unknown places is a very exciting aspect of my job. I’ve seen so many beautiful spots I would have never happened upon otherwise. This next year I’ll stretch that distance even further, throughout the Midwest. I’m always up to travel though. Seriously. Take me somewhere!

THE THINGS

Details details details. I think details are definitely the most underrated part of the wedding day, at least where photos are concerned. They are all the little pieces that will quickly be forgotten, but oh so important to document regardless. The minimalist in me always discourages over the top decor. My favorite wedding details to shoot are things of elegance, quality and meaning. I’ll want to hear every sentimental story behind all the items each couple holds so dear.

THE TIME HONORED TRADITIONS

Let’s be honest, I’m all about the non-traditional and was quite an anti-bride myself. However, I do appreciate wedding ceremonies and all the formality a wedding day entails. Whether the day includes a full Catholic mass or 5 minutes on a roof top, it’s cherished just the same. Here’s a few of my favorite photos of traditional wedding day happenings; the beautiful, the moving, and the hilarious.

THE POETIC IN-BETWEEN

These photos are the heart and soul of what I do. They are my favorite to capture because they are everything missed while caught up in the bliss of the day. There’s something so very human in the simplicity of these mundane moments; the out of focus, the barely there, the fleeting, the fragmented. They are the light and composition that allow me to tell a story that is unique to each couple.

THE STYLED COLLABORATIONS

I participated in 8 styled shoots this year, which is a ton. I met so many wonderful, talented vendors and fellow photographers. I’m very big into styled shoot participation because a) it’s fun, b) it’s free advertising, and c) it keeps your portfolio looking fresh from season to season. Vendors bring out all the creative stops at styled shoots, and I’m always eager to get to shoot and share their work. I love making friends and connections in the industry. I’ve even booked several weddings through vendor referrals, and have developed a short list of my own.

THE LOVERS

Engagements, Anniversaries, and Couples

I think the one really important thing I learned this year is that I am 100% a couple photographer. I could shoot couples in my sleep. Families and solo portraiture I have to stop and remind myself what to do next, but couples I almost never skip a beat. I always feel invigorated after these sessions because they allow me the time and freedom to experiment in ways I wouldn’t be able to on someone’s wedding day.

THE FAMILIES

Families, Children, and Pets

Shooting families and lifestyle sessions is always a nice change of pace for me. Shooting in this manner is what initially got my interested in photography. I would take my camera along to family dinners and on vacations only to have folders filed with no only the important, but all the little moments in between. Since becoming a professional I’ve learned I especially love working with dogs. In fact, most of my Christmas card sessions this year were couples with their dogs, rather than families. What can I say? I’m a huge sucker for animals. My five cats and dog can confirm this claim.

ADVENTURES LEFT UNSEEN

Personal, Travel, and Other Projects

This year marked a lot of personal firsts for me: first home, first close death in the family, first puppy, first year supporting myself on photography alone. I documented it all. I also took on several other projects that don’t have a definite place in my personal branding as a niche wedding photographer. I covered several events, including an art exhibition, and took head shots for several people including a folk singer.