Looking back on 2023 with so much gratitude and joy! I want to thank all of my amazing clients for trusting me with creating your precious family memories. From silly faces to heartfelt embraces, these family portraits showcase the essence of love and connection I'm always striving to capture. Here's a look back at the top 100 favorite family portraits of 2023. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family's journey!
FIVE YEARS down! I am in awe that I have just completed 5 straight years of this 365 project. These images stir so many memories and emotions leaving my heart in a bit of a whirlwind... I couldn't continue this project without the gracious cooperation of my family, my friends and my neighbors. Thank you ALL for supporting and allowing me into your lives through my lens. May your new year bring beauty and memories that you will treasure.
THIS IS US! For years and years and years I've been meaning to make THIS happen. Finally, right before Christmas 2021 we had the whole crew together to create the "White" family portrait. We're missing my dad, but while I was editing I noticed Courtney holding the heart shaped Christmas ornament from one of his flannel shirts... I know he was with us
By January 1st, I hadn't totally decided if I wanted to commit to another year of picking up my camera EVERY. SINGLE. DAY yet I was having a hard time letting go. So I kept picking it up, waiting for the answer to come.
Now here I am 3 months into 2019 and realizing as I write this that I NEED this project in my life. Like meditation, accessing creativity soothes my soul. This project forces me to slow down, to see my children as the unique humans they are, to stay in the moment and to not rush life along. This project reminds me to appreciate the little things, to stay focused on what REALLY matters and to stay true to myself.
It is official. I completed the 365 Photo Challenge!
As I watch this slideshow from the past year, I can see how this visual journal was equal parts labor of love and necessary therapy. I learned quickly to keep my camera at arms length because the magic of childhood can show up and vanish in 10 seconds flat. But I also learned that potty training is exactly like love, you just can't hurry it. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into our version of parenthood, adventure, love and family.
This has been on my bucket list for 15+ years, so Im very excited to finally check it off! Instead of kicking myself for not doing this challenge sooner, I'm going to pat myself on the back and say "keep up the good work" - 2019 here I come.
What !!!??? How is it possible that 11 months have flown by?
This month was a true labor of love. As I inch closer and closer to my goal and the end of this project, I feel such gratitude that I've stuck with it. Each of these images bookends a memory, a conversation, a silly story/situation or sometimes just a mundane moment from our lives. I too have baby books stuffed in the closet. They are barely touched and mostly blank...Please, please, please let these images remind me of this amazing journey as my memory starts to fade and forget...
As I write this, there are 86 days left of this project. My toddlers have grown into little girls with big ideas, big words and big emotions. They are so full of love, creativity, silliness and drama, capturing it has been a joy and a struggle....
I'll admit, August kicked my butt! 10 Family portrait shoots, 9 Home Sweet Home selection sessions, Santa's Village, College Roommates, Birthday parties plus no school for F&P and a quick trip to Florida to see Dad. It was a struggle to pick up my camera to create personal images some days. I'm still happy to be doing this project, but there were 3 days where Savannah, my lighting assistant became my photo of the day and at least 5 self portraits due to laziness. Oh! and that crappy photo of the fish was with my iPhone (which I cringe to confess that I got up from bed because I'd totally forgotten to create something personal that day). Cheers to September and back to school, more mental space and cooler weather!
For the first time in 7 months I completely forgot create an intentional photo of the day specifically for this project! Fortunately, I did take a photo of my grocery list... so technically I guess it wasn't a complete fail. Still feeling happy to be capturing these precious moments.
Spring has sprung in so many ways! Cheers to me for completing 5 months of this project and still feeling inspired. I hope you enjoy viewing these images as much as I've enjoyed creating them. #365PhotoChallenge
