2011 was a year of great learning for me. This year was my busiest year ever and I am so thankful to all my amazing brides and grooms, parents, and kiddos who made it so successful. First of all, I have learned so much from the weddings that Jon and I photographed this year. There is someone for everyone, as they say, and the way two personalities blend together creates a love unlike any other. It was amazing to see these rare blends reflected on each wedding day and in the images we captured.
This same uniqueness was true in each family I photographed. Each had it's own flavor. The ingredients of each child and parent made each family unlike any other. From the little kid that was a "camera ham" and made my job a breeze, to the independent thinker that made me prove to him that I wanted him to have fun and that the cow puppet on my hand singing "The Wheels of the Bus" was, indeed, hilarious. Each one was so uniquely beautiful and a joy to photograph.
This year taught me that just like families and couples in love, everyone is different. Myself, Jon, our business is unlike anyone else's. In this era of a gazillion photographers it is easy to compare your work and style. It's easy to get sucked in and try to match Facebook and blog posts. To wonder if we need to be more quirky or less quirky or have better packaging, etc. Or to hear about photographers that send people their weddings in one week and feel like all of your clients secretly curse you everyday until they get their photos from you. That they think of you as a control freak and a snail of an editor.
I can't change who I am, but I can try to improve. In 2012, I will try to have a better work flow to get things done more quickly, I will take classes and challenge myself as an artist and bring my clients a fresh eye. I will step away from the computer that was seemingly surgically attached to my right hand this past year and take more time to spend with my little girl who will be facing the tween years way too soon. I will embrace my uniqueness as a person and photographer and try not to compare myself. Each day, I will try to be better than I was the day before. That is all any of us can do.
Happy New Year to you all! I wish you all the best in 2012. May we all be the best versions of ourselves in the coming year.
