2009 in review - Part one
Friday, January 1, 2010 at 3:54PM | Posted by Emily I think everyone probably goes through a handful of really, really transformational years in their lifetime.
2009 was one of those years for me.
With all the happiness that has come with 2009, there has also been darkness.
At this time last year I was learning how to live alone - how to be alone - after being in a relationship with someone for over four years. Also, my family changed in a very difficult and painful way, and it's something we are all dealing with every day. No one died, no one is in a coma, we're all healthy - but our lives have changed and it's definitely been a hard transition.
But the most important parts of this year were the happy parts.
This April, I sat down with my boss at my day job and I gave my two weeks notice. I wasn't going to work anywhere else - I was going to work for myself.
When I was in college, I remember vividly one Halloween where some friends and I went to a fortune teller. The woman said a lot of very accurate things about me and my life (which was strange in and of itself), and then she told me that my purpose in life is joy. I was still at a point in my life where I was desperately searching to figure out who I was, but I knew I wasn't really all that happy, so having this stranger tell me that my purpose in life was to be joyful and share joy with others -- it shook me up. For some reason, it really, really upset me. To this day, I still get tearful thinking about it, probably because at the time the idea felt so foreign to me. I wasn't happy myself, so how could I possibly be a little joy machine for the world?
It makes sense now.
I really, truly love what I do. I love getting to know the people I work with and capturing them in all their happiness and love. Through my clients, my wonderful wonderful clients, I saw another side to love that I'd never really seen before. Love is so different for everyone, every person and every relationship interprets it differently. So every couple I worked with this year showed me another side to love.
There's really nothing like being a wedding photographer. For one day you are a part of two families, and you get to see them ride a rollercoaster of emotions and everyone looks beautiful because everyone is beautiful, and even if it's 100 degrees or even if it's 30 degrees, underneath the sweat or the shivers, everyone is happy.
This year has been intense.
On top of everything else that happened this year, I also lost 70 pounds. I ate better, went to some Weight Watchers meetings, but most importantly I sweated off a lot of stress and negativity at the gym. Sure, I've gained a few pounds back here over the holidays, but I know I have it in me now to finish what I started. If you have a significant amount of weight to lose and feel defeated, if you feel overwhelmed - you can do it. Start small. Set really small goals. You don't have to drink all the water and eat perfectly and work out 5 times a week straight out of the gate. Start small. Don't hate yourself if you eat a bunch of donuts one day, because you can't go back in time and change it and all that guilt and shame just makes it easier to eat more donuts. I could talk for days about this, so I'll stop here, but just know that if this paragraph resonates with you, you are not alone, and it is not impossible to lose a lot of weight, and it's ok to make mistakes along the way.
This is a very long introduction to the photos I'm about to share, but it felt necessary.
I took 96,366 photos in 2009, shot 22 weddings, and had roughly 60 portrait sessions. Here are some photos from some of the engagement & bridal sessions and weddings I shot last year. Photos from the portrait sessions will be posted sometime in the next few days.
This was my first year shooting weddings. If I could teleport around the world to hug all of the couples I worked with right now, I would. Thank you for trusting my vision and working with me, and thank you for being patient as I learned my way this year.
If you hired me to be a part of your wedding - thank you. If you hired me to take portraits of you, or your children, or your pets - thank you.
If you emailed me or clicked the 'like' button or commented on facebook - thank you.
If you told someone about me and the photos I make - thank you.
I can't thank you enough for all your love and support. I know how busy you all are, so even if you've never said a word but you keep coming back to look at what I've been doing, that really means the world to me.
Thank you, all of you. (Especially to my wonderfully supportive and patient boyfriend and parents/family who had to hear me talk nonstop about my business all year!! I love you guys!!)
2010? Bring it on.
Reader Comments (27)
What a great post and some wonderfull images! Congratulations on all that you have achieved! Best wishes for 2010!
Wow!!
Congrats on your 2009. I would never have guessed that this is your first year in business. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing
Great moments from 2009, keep it up for years to come...
2 things.
1. I read your story.. Congrats to you, and keep the momentum going through 2010 with all of your life accomplishments.
2. Your photography is rad, and now you'll be able to shift more focus into it, due to resolution in other key life areas.
Love it love it love it!!
What a transformational 2009 you had Emily, and you emerged from it as a clearly world class wedding photographer with an abundance of inspirational and moving imagery to share. And thanks for all of that sharing.
I have trouble with a lot wedding photography as I find it to be way too sentimental and affected. Yours is really something special and it's obvious you put your soul into it. PLEASE keep it up!
I think it's safe to say that taking the risk you did, and this being your first year (I didn't know that!), you completely blew it out of the water. Emily, you are such an inspiration and I have nothing but faith in you for the new year and for wedding seasons to come. Congrats on everything you do - you are def. doing something right - and beautifully well! :)
Sensational, Emily. Really. Love everything you wrote about, and the purpose of life being the experience of joy resonates so well with me.
Your photography alongside your words are of course breathtaking. I'm still not sure if I believe this was your first year in the wedding world. If by the time I croak I am shooting weddings at the level you do now, I will be complete.
The story of your 2009 is really astounding. You are truly a beautiful writer and photographer. Also, that first photo really just blows my mind. I love all of the others too, but just...that moment. Beautiful.
Beautiful! your work is gorgeous and your story about your year was very heartfelt. May you have nothing but happy moments in 2010!
First of all thanks to share this to all, I such a fan of your work, my wife and I started shooting weddings this year, a few, but before all of them we first check your photostream to inspire our self and remember to enjoy every moment, you really share that joy. Your work is amazing, nothing more to say that happy new year!! and continue sharing that amazing spirit through that wonderful eye.
P.D.
Sorry for my bad english
Emily so many beautiful images. This was my first year shooting weddings as well. I'm sure you feel as relieved as me to have gotten through it. I love the shot of the couple with their reflection in the water in front of them and the black and white shot of the bottom half of the bride wearing her gown is so classy and stunning.
thank you so much for sharing! i have really enjoyed stalking your blog over the last six months and you are a true inspiration to me. :) - faith
Emily, I could not pick a favorite! I love your work and it blows me away that that was your first year shooting weddings! You are AWESOME!!! You have some really classic images here. One could only be SO lucky to book you as their wedding photographer. I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for you. =)
Emily, you write really well. Keep it up, I'm sure your clients love getting an in depth look at who you are as a person.
Once upon a time, I too lost a lot of weight, 50 lbs to be exact. In 2009 I got hit by a car, couldn't walk and gained 10 of it back, so 2010 is the year I get rehabilitated enough to run again and take taht weight back off!
Thanks for such an inspiring post!
Amazing and beautiful images Emily, congrats on your growth in such a short time, and I wish you all the best for the future!!
Emily wow. What a great year! That third image is just killer. I hope my 2010 is as good as your 2009 was (image wise).
Wow, what a fantastic year 2009 was for you, Emily. There isn't an image in your post I don't adore, your passion for what you do comes through so clearly. Best wishes for 2010, I'm sure this year will surpass the last!
No Emily, thank you for being such an open and wonderful person that pursues her talents to the full potential and makes other people so happy doing it. Keep pushing forward because you have already achieved so much! Thanks for being so passionate about your work, it shows with every picture! Happy New Year!!! Best of luck =)
It certainly looks like you had an incredible year! Congratulations and best wishes for '10!
Emily, I can't believe this is your first year, you are so talented!!!
you are amazing. never forget that.
It may seem trite, but WOW! I certainly don't mean for it to! It's just I'm amazed, inspired, touched by your evocative images and your transformative year. Way to go, Emily!
I love all your candid wedding photos. You have talent shooting fleeting moments! Good job!
You are extremely talented! The pictures are amazing and the colors are so vibrant.
That horse photo still cracks me up. Here's to many more kickass years!