This isn’t meant to be a “what I’ve done” post.  It’s not a list of accomplishments.  This is simply gratitude.  This year has been one of growth for me in more ways than just professionally.  I’ve had to, on a number of occasions over the past 360 + days, put on my “big girl pants” and hustle (sometimes fight) to make that growth; whether it be in my relationships with others, my spirituality, or figuring out the camera settings to make the image in my mind come to life.  There are no pictures of those moments.  But what’s the point of living if you aren’t always growing, learning more about yourself, challenging yourself, and contributing to the growth of those around you?  It’s that opportunity for forward progress that I’m full of gratitude for.

But since this is a blog post on a photographer’s website, I can’t overlook the obvious.  2016 has without a doubt been a year of professional growth.  I’m beyond grateful for the couples that trusted us with their day.

We served a record number of clients this year and I’m excited about it! I also helped create one of the images I’m most proud of in my career so far.

I look forward to 2017 with great anticipation, not only for the clients we’ll serve, or the personal photography projects on tap, but for travel, adventure, the grind, friends, family and of course, growth.  It’s so easy to want to skip past the work or the un-glamourous moments, right to the celebration, the accomplishment.  But my intent in 2017 is to get away from that mindset by embracing the hard work involved with growth of any kind.  It is, after all, what a good life is made of.