Year in Review // 2014
I've been thinking a lot about what to write in this post for the past few days. This past year has been one of the books both personally and professionally. It's definitely one I'll never forget! I wanted to take the chance to recap this amazing year and recognize that I couldn't have done it without all of my amazing clients!
Events Covered this Year: 110
I can't believe that! Not only did I shoot more events this year than any other year, but I was able to do that even with moving my business THREE times this year due to all of my family's personal moves for my husband's schooling! I have to acknowledge that this is possible due to my clients having confidence in me to travel for their events as well as many clients between return clients. And I am truly grateful to all of you for that!
I have so many memorable moments from this year, but some of them have defined not only me as a photographer, but me as a person.
This year I was able to cover my first complete birth story. This included a maternity shoot, the birth story in the hospital, a Fresh48 session, and newborns. THANK YOU to Misty & Nate Call and baby Liam for having me capture your story. Having this opportunity renewed my passion for photography in an immense way. It enhanced my desire to focus on birth stories and lifestyle photography and truly capture the story of one of the most amazing journeys we go on as parents. I was also able to be there to capture some of the very first moments of baby Chase's life. We knew that Baby Chase would have a lot of complications after his birth, and it was a very emotional experience to be a part of. On my way to the hospital, I pleaded with Heavenly Father to help me be able to put my emotions aside and capture this sweet baby in a way that would please his parents. I'm pleased to say that Baby Chase is now doing great!
This year I also feel like I've grown in my abilities to help people FEEL emotion and share that in pictures. Because my clients are so willing to trust me and be vulnerable, I've been able to capture more REAL moments this year. I've been able to visit new parents in their homes and document some of the details of their daily lives with a new baby in lifestyle sessions. There are also a few shoots that I know people really allowed themselves to enjoy the experience, and trust that I could capture that emotion. They are some of my favorite pictures of the year!
So many of my clients this year have trusted me to get to their big days, even when I was traveling from across the country. Because I've moved so many times this year to accommodate my husband's school rotations, I was required to travel back and forth to Omaha. I'm happy to say I was ALWAYS on time and had great experiences traveling. Although it is really hard to leave my kids, I love getting back to Omaha to cover events. Thank you to all of my brides and grooms and families who have allowed me to travel to be with you!
The thing I love MOST this year is how much I've learned. I feel like this is my year of greatest improvement. I've gained a better understanding of lighting, posing, and incorporating more personal touches to my photography. My editing style has evolved, and I've learned so much more about photoshop. I look back at my pictures this year and truly feel like they are my best work yet!
This year was AMAZING, and I'm so excited for what I've learned, who I've worked with, and the opportunities I've had. THANK YOU again to all of my clients and those who have supported me this year! I am so excited for 2015 and what it holds for me. My family and I now know that we will be settling in for good in Cache Valley, and I'm excited to be able to settle my business and find my groove again. I can't wait to see what's in store for Dani Christensen Photography!