While goal setting and dreaming of the awesomeness to come in 2015, I decided to define this coming year with one word. One word that encompasses my life and business goals. I thought back to this past year and what I felt I was missing or where I succeeded. The same word kept sticking out to me. CONNECTION. At times, the crazy, wonderful busy season here meant I lost connection with friends, family, my husband, my health or hobbies...but...it also brought new connections to clients turned friends and family. Time to reconnect on the trip of a lifetime with my love. Branding and marketing myself forced me to connect further with who I am and how I want people to get to know me. Funny that at 28, I am still learning who I am.

So this year, I want to connect all of those pieces that make up my life and my business, with a healthy, positive balance. Maybe that is why I was so drawn to my new logo. The triangles points all come together to connect.

In 2015, I am going to remember to take a deep breath, enjoy the today and now, not the tomorrow or yesterday because in the end what really matters is the connection.

What's your word?

Trying to write a page about yourself is one of the hardest things you can do. I rewrote that section of my website more than any other. Then I decided rather than try to write thoughtful paragraphs about myself, because lets face it, I am a lot of things but a writer is not one of them. I felt it was best to stick to what I know and create a list. I put it here so I don't bore you to death in the 'About Me' section. Think of it as a 'my favorite things list' but with a little extra whip.

1. I love shoes. All kinds, colors, stilettos, flats. Someday (fingers crossed) I will have the pleasure of wearing a pair of Manolo’s. Can you guess my favorite show?
2. In 2010, I married my high-school sweetheart. We had English class together during junior year. I had just cut my hair into the style we commonly refer to as the 'flip'. Apparently he was into it.
3. I have a golden retriever named Bo. He is my fur child.
4. I have never been further west than Kansas. When I do get to travel around the U.S., I plan to eat my way around the states. Lobster Fest in Maine, BBQ in Memphis, sushi and taco stands in Cali. I have already crossed off deep dish pizza, Philly cheese-steak, and Primanti’s samich.
5. I like lists. I make lists of my lists. Friends have mentioned I should be a wedding planner because I am organized and love weddings so much. I'm no David Tutera but I will keep pinning wedding things until I get carpal tunnel.
6. I own two Kitchen Aid mixers. And I don’t hate it. My family is a cookie baking nation and now I have one for batter and one for icing! You have to be prepared. Those cookie tables don’t make themselves.
7. I made it my mission to acquire a Starbucks gold card. Chris and I both love coffee. We own 1 Keurig, 1 Nespresso, 3 french presses, 1 Aeropress, and 1 Bialetti espresso maker.
8. My favorite season is fall. Which is fitting because I’m obsessed with pumpkin. Pumpkin patches, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, pumpkin candles, soaps, coffee creamer...you get the idea.
9. I studied abroad in Rome, Italy. Visited Barcelona, Paris, and various Italian cities. In September of 2014, Chris and I had our ‘honeymoon redo’ and went back to Venice, Rome, and Florence.
10. Peonies are my favorite flower with dahlias a close second. We inherited two peony bushes with our house. Once they bloom, I fill every milk glass bud vase I own and cover the house in them.
11. My first camera was my dad’s Minolta. I used only black and white film and learned to develop it in my high school's dark room class.
12. I photograph life + relationships. That is my single favorite thing about photography; relationships inspire me.

Content Appearance Post Separating image

Today, December 2nd, marks the two-year anniversary of starting my professional photography business. I always felt nervous taking that leap, to follow my “arrow.” What if I failed? “What if” are two words that cross my mind way too often. So instead, I took a chance on myself and started thinking ‘Why not?”. The last two years of business have shown me how important relationships are. That is my single favorite thing about photography; relationships inspire me. When I see you with your newborn at six days old, your soon-to-be-wife sharing laughs, your daughters telling secrets, or your son in his Letterman jacket. I am humbled to be included in your everyday, yet oh-so-life-changing moments because of our relationship.

Thank you all who have trusted me with your memories, your time, and who have supported me along the way! Cheers, to many more years of getting to do what I love.