If you follow this blog at all, I keep mentioning that 2012 was a whirlwind. I hate to keep repeating myself (common occurrence, however), but ’tis true. For me, personally, it was so crazy because I was still figuring everything out. Everything. From how to work my camera to how to price my work to how to streamline my workflow to how I wanted to edit my images for my ‘signature’ look. As I also work full time in Corporate America 9-5p, all of this learning was crammed into nights and weekends.

I’ve had a lot of support along the way. Of course by family and friends, but you can only give so much weight to your mom and bff telling you you’re doing a great job. It just doesn’t count. But then something different started to happen. People who I didn’t know well, or know at all, started reaching out to me with words of encouragement and even for guidance. Having people ask me for my advice or ask if I would mentor them blew me away. When I got my first session inquiry via this blogsite from a Google search is really when things started to snowball. I was ecstatic. That’s when I knew that things were going to be different. What really hit home was when other photographers began asking me if I would capture moments of their own families. There truly is no bigger honor. Finally, being nominated as a Detroit maternity && newborn photographer for Metro Parent Magazine’s Pink + Blue issue made it real. Thank you to my clients who dropped my name — I am eternally grateful!

Taking this a step further, I entered the wedding arena this summer. When I first launched my blogsite, I specifically did not mention weddings as part of my repertoire. This does not mean I wasn’t asked, but for a long time, I declined. I knew I had so much to learn and I was not about to mess up a beautiful bride’s big day because I did not know how to manipulate my camera to get the results I wanted. That is what 2012 was about for me: practice, practice, practice. Then my wedding world shifted this summer once I began second shooting for the absolutely AHmazing Kristen of Kristen Taylor Photography. The amount of knowledge I have gained from working with her is insane. INSANE. I cannot tell you how incredible it was to be able to step aside when we had a moment to tell her I’m having trouble with x and have her show me how to work through the problem to get to the solution. Being able to make these modifications in real life situations is unparalleled to any knowledge you can read in a book or fumble through on your own. Kristen is who put me on the fast track and I’m SUPER excited to make a wedding photography related announcement next Spring. But for now, Kristen, all I can really say is thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

I’m super excited for all my beautiful {kgP} 2013 brides: Lindsay H, Lindsay Y, Christine, Michelle, Meghan, Christina, Sara, and Amanda. As I mentioned, I do not advertise that I shoot weddings, so these ladies reached out to me, generally as a referral from someone who worked with me on a lifestyle session. I’m beyond excited and am so honored that I will be alongside them on such a big day. 🙂

So, naturally this brings me to 2013. I feel there is always an overwhelming list of things I want to accomplish with {kgP} and never enough time, but that’s a lame excuse. Everyone feels that way. So, here are my main focuses for 2013:

• blog more consistently!
• finish up my {kgP} welcome packet to send to newly booked clients, which includes a contract for lifestyle sessions (!)
• book 10 more weddings; this is related to a future announcement 🙂
• turn around lifestyle galleries in 2 weeks in lieu of 4
• cull images upon import; to me, this is the most daunting task when it comes to editing! I’m already excited to see my images for the first time as I sift through them to find my faves for the sneak peeks! I’ve found that if I just suck it up and spend the time to do it upon import, it’s less of a task when I go to actually edit the sesh.
• generate sample lifestyle albums as a primary product focus for lifestyle sessions; including a discount when purchased up front upon booking
• find that whole work/life balance thing

There are a bazillion others (yes, that is a word) that I want to add to this list, but I’m going to cap it there and wrap this up. BUT, I shall leave you with this little gift that I bought for myself after a very accomplished 2012: my coveted David Yurman prasiolite albion ring. I’ve been eyeing this puppy for years now and decided it was time to reward myself. Gah! I love her. Thanks, ajy, for coming with! {♥}