Best of 2013 Collection

In the beginning of 2013 I wrote a blog post about what worked and what didn’t work during 2012. One of those thing that didn’t work was that my photography business wasn’t getting my utmost focus and attention. I was all over the place and made the “it will happen someday” excuse all the time. A few weeks later I wrote another blog post about a big decision I made to finally stop saying “someday” and take a leap of faith to take my photography business into full-time territory. I had no idea what to expect. I could have been going into the craziest year ever. But what actually happened is beyond me. God blessed that leap of faith and put people in the world who actually wanted to have their pictures taken by me. The awkward one. 😉 (no, really)

But for real, 2013 was MORE than I EVER could have imagined. Wait, that sounds familiar. Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” That verse pretty much sums up my year. I never would have thought I’d meet so many awesome, fun families and sweet, loving couples. Giving, trusting, funny, and adventurous are just a few words to describe the people I was so lucky to photograph this year.

Now we come to the pictures, some of my very favorites from 2013. These are the frames that capture my WHY perfectly. To remember the little things. The hand holds, the quick tickles, the “I’m feeling beautiful”, the thumbs up, the hearty laughs, the “I still love you after all these years”, and the smally-baby-toes. Some of these are pictures you’ve never seen before, so grab a coffee and a comfy chair and enjoy my Best of 2013 collection!

And now it’s time for some much-needed thank you’s!

Thank you to every family who sat, twirled, tickled, chased, pig-piled and smiled in front of my camera. You are beautiful and fun and adorable. All of you!

Thank you to all the gorgeous newly-married couples I had the privilege of photographing. Each ceremony, each reception was so unique and it’s all I can do to hope your photos bring you back to those special moments. 

Thank you to the many generous ladies in the industry who took me under your wings and invited me to shoot with you. You all taught me so much over the season. Especially how dedicated you have to be to shoot weddings when you’re 8 months pregnant (CARA! 😉 )

Thank you to the friends who brainstormed and collaborated (Taryn! Kelsey! Joy!). The faithful readers who commented. The family members who always encourage. And also, just for fun, thanks to the Post Office clerks who know my name, because I never knew stuff like that could happen. 🙂

And finally, thank you to all my 2014 couples who are already so fun to be around and laugh with. I can’t wait for next yearrrrrr!

Cue *get off the stage* music.

~ Stephanie