Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!! I cannot believe how time flies!! It has been a while since my last blog post, so I wanted to catch up with you all!
This last year has brought so many new experiences and opportunities to my door. Of course, with those same opportunities there are new faces and places. As I sit and contemplate my goals for this year I cannot help but think about where I was this time last year… I started 2016 off with a excitement, big dreams and lots of fear! I was armed with an upgraded camera, a supportive family, and blind ambition. Little did I truly know what God had in store for me.
In January, a good friend invited me to his venue, Red River Farms, for a Bridal Show with tons of vendors. I was so intimidated and so excited!!
Finally March arrived, me and my side kick and 2nd shooter (my sweet and talented mama) arrived with me, and we set up. I remember seeing a fellow photographer I had been watching and admiring and wanted to meet her, so my ever supportive mother said “Well, just go introduce yourself! She is a person same as you.” So I did! And oh my goodness what a blessing this woman has been! Christina Swanson with Saved By Grace Photography has been a cheerleader, truth speaker, and all around friend. She spoke truth and gave me the push I needed to get out of my own way. A truer mentor I have yet to meet. Having a supportive family is great and important, but finding a mentor in someone who will be honest and kind and has your best interests at heart is by far one of the most precious assets you can have. Christina challenged me to view myself as a professional. She took me under her wing and introduced me to a whole new world of photography. I just had to give a huge shout out to her today, because without her, I would not have had some of the super amazing experiences I have been blessed to have in 2016. She invited me to Vegas where I learned so much and met amazing people! She introduced me to Winnie Bruce Photography who I met at a workshop and in turn met many talented photographers.
I guess what I am trying to convey is that 2016 was a huge year for me personally and professionally. I never dreamed I would get to own my own business, stay at home with my babies, and spend time creating beautiful memories and keepsakes for my friends and family. I love meeting knew people, and this year I have met sooo many beautiful people. It has not been all sunshine and roses. I have had my fair share of bumps and bruises, but if I have learned anything it’s that when you take that leap of faith sometimes you hit a few ledges, sometimes you get caught on those ledges, and sometimes you have to jump again. It is all a journey - a beautiful and sometimes messy journey. Overcoming fears and anxieties can be paralyzing, but God, faith, and surrounding myself with christian people makes it so much easier.
So, this year I have a few “resolutions” or goals if you will. Of course, I have the popular ”get healthy and loose weight” resolution. I truly want to accomplish that goal this year, but in order to do that I have to have another resolution: to be FEARLESS. Fearless in the fact that I have the most powerful king on my side, Jesus Christ. I want to be fearless in how I love and serve others and fearless in my business by allowing my true passions to flow from every each session I get to be a part of. I choose to be fearless as a mother and wife, allowing God to mold my heart and spirit into what he has planned for me, and fearless as a christian in that my hope is not in this world but in God and that no matter who I meet that is the one thing they know with out a shadow of a doubt, I am a christian.
So, I challenge you to find a word or goal that will challenge you to be better in 2017! Please share your goals and resolutions with me! I love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
Again thank you for all your support and encouragement over the last year. I am truly blessed! I hope to be able to be a part of your family’s precious moments, whether big or small, over 2017. I love each of you and cherish the relationships this business has created for me with each of you.
Above are just a few of my favorite photos from 2016. It was so hard to just choose 3-4 to incorporate in the blog .
