With 2017 being said & done, I wanted to do one last round up of my ultimate favorites from the year. I guess I just couldn’t let them go without an extravagant exit!
I spent the first 3 months in my home state of New Mexico. We had been living in Southern California for the previous 3 years & were preparing for our upcoming move to Okinawa, Japan. While in NM, I took a few paid sessions; but mostly, I worked with some life long friends & did some sessions that were just good for the creative soul. I traveled to a few locations that I had always wanted to shoot at, & spent a TON of time in the beautiful Sandia Mountains since I knew I’d be missing the mountains desperately while we are in Japan.
I made one final trip back to California to not only pack up the rest of our storage until, but also capture a surprise proposal for one of my photographer friends, Courtney, AND work with a little cutie who I had been working with since she was still in Mama’s belly.
After some hard see-you-latters to our families, friends, & my incredible clients, we made the longest journey of our lives to Okinawa, Japan & found ourselves in our new home for the next 3 years. After a few weeks of getting used to the time change (NOT easy with a one year old!), getting the keys & moving into our new home, & working my name into the community, I picked up my camera & got back to work. My FIRST client in Okinawa will always have a special place in my heart. And even though it was the sweetest, tiny newborn, my heart has a pretty big space filled with the joy I got out of his session <3
Then something pretty cool happened, Kristi messaged me. She was a photographer on the island and her family was set to PCS in just a few short weeks back to the states. I was blown away by her kindness & her excitement to work with me. She hired me for her own, final family session in Japan – a HUGE honor for me – & she began to send clients she could no longer fit in her schedule my direction – an ever bigger blessing! I am so unbelievably grateful to Kristi for helping me get back on my feet so quickly in a new country.
Since then, I have had some pretty spectacular sessions, met some incredible clients, & made some gorgeous images all in-between.
I worked with some STUNNING, loving couples. I captured some serious romance, giggles, & snuggles all over this beautiful island. Their love stories took me to scenic beaches, tropical jungles, sea-side caves, castle ruins, light houses… you name it, we did it!
It was the year of baby bumps for this photographer & I couldn’t have been more thrilled! I can’t WAIT to see more bumps in 2018 and even still meet some of these babies who are still cookin’ in Mama’s belly! Maternity sessions have quickly become one of my favorite things, EVER.
My tinniest clients of 2017 were by far the cutest – I wish I could have snuggled them for days! I’ve seen some of these little ones since their session and it amazes me to see how quickly they change & grow. Newborn sessions always hold a dear place in my heart because I know how truly important & everlasting these images will be to their parents & families. I had one set of parents this year tell me how good they felt watching me work with their precious baby as if he was my own. They just knew that he was in good hands with me. That was one of the best compliments I have ever received from a client & I want you all to know that I really DO care for your babies. Every time you place your infant in my arms, I promise to care for him or her as if they were my own newborn <3
Well, there they are. My round up of personal favorites from 2017. Thank you for reminiscing with me over such a fantastic year. I can’t wait to see & hopefully work with you in 2018!
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