[dropcap]I[/dropcap] have been spending some time the last few days reflecting on 2019. The year that I decided that I wanted to really chase my dreams full heartedly. The year that I said I wanted to be a wedding photographer. I look back on this year and all I can say is WOW!! So many dreams have come true!

I’m going to be really honest, I wasn’t quite sure how this year would go! Would anyone trust me to let me be there for them as their wedding photographer? Would the way that I believe a client experience should be resonate with potential couples? Was I good enough, relevant enough, young enough, smart enough, business savvy enough.. I feel truly blessed that all of those fears quickly dwindled with each couple asking me to join them on their wedding day this year!! And not only those couples, but also the 19 wonderful couples that have already asked me to join them on their journey in 2020!

This year was not without its challenges, tears and doubts. There are many things that had me thinking twice about my journey! BUT with each crossroad, I chose to push forward and believe that what I was offering was more than photography. I was showing up and loving on each of these sweet couples and many more. I was putting myself out there, admitting my fails, celebrating my wins and being unapologetically me!! And it seemed to resonate!

I had brides email me on the day that they got engaged to see if I would be available for their big day. I had bridesmaids from past weddings come to me to ask me to also be their wedding photographer. I was reminded about how I was showing up was creating a memorable experience for my couples. From brides texting me after their engagement session to tell me that their fiancé who usually hates pictures, actually had a good time. To bridesmaids stopping me at the end of the night and thanking me for helping to make sure that their best friend’s day ran smoothly. To clients turning into friends and reminding me that my why is about real connection!!! I feel so blessed to be a part of each of my couple’s journeys!

This year also brought a ton of personal accomplishments that made me realize that this is only the beginning of my journey. From having my first wedding with Laura and Cam being published in Charleston Weddings Magazine, to flying to Aruba for my first ever international shoot, and everything in between. This year has filled my heart with joy.

When I started this journey in 2017 as a stay at home mom, and people would ask me why this journey.. I would say “Because I need my life to mean something”! Each of my 34 couples over these 2 years have played a huge role in my life meaning something more.  And as you scroll down, you will see that I chose to start this post with Iphone selfies and sweaty end of the night shots with my brides and grooms. Why? Because to ME, these are the most important shots. All of the accomplishments, all of the accolades, all of the gorgeous professional pictures, but these are the moments I remember most. These are the memories I will look back on and remember the laughs, the tears, the hugs! Each of these smiling faces (and all the ones who I will get pictures with in 2020) have allowed me to follow my dream this year!! And as I sit here in tears and reflect on this year, I want to sincerely thank each of you for believing in me when I didn’t yet believe in myself! Take a stroll down 2019 with me as I say thank you to all of these couples and look back at the best of 2019!

“I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel!”~Maya Angelou