I have been thinking about doing this post for awhile.  I want to tell you about how this started, and just say thank you so much to everyone for all of the support!  If you told me a few years ago that I would be a photographer (and a business owner!) I would have thought that was totally random!  Sure, I've always liked art, but I've never really been the artsy and creative type.  I've always loved taking pictures, but never thought to even make it a true hobby.  I love the subject of small business, but never thought I would run one!  I have always taken pictures, however.  Always wanted to be the one to capture the moment and save the memories.  Every party, wedding, family event, I had my camera and made it a goal to get a photo of at least every person there.  Without realizing it, I was capturing their existence in that moment in time and I think that's ultimately what I aim to do with every shoot.  I remember when I was 18 and one of my friends got married...I brought my camera, uploaded my pictures to Facebook, and was so excited when the bride made my photo her profile picture since she hadn't gotten her professional ones yet.  That excitement still rings true today haha!  It was like an accomplishment, and I wasn't really trying to accomplish anything; I just felt that I had done her a favor in providing her that photograph.  That's what it's all about!  Being able to give people something so priceless.  While I may not have known my future a few years ago - I get it now!  My purpose is to bless people, and photography is how I'm going to do it.  God put this on my heart for a reason.  

In 2011 I decided to bite the bullet and buy a "nice" camera since I had always wanted one.  I had a little extra money so I began researching and deciding what to get.  Once I had the camera, I wanted to know how to use it!  I'm the type that likes to read manuals so I can learn how things work and what all I can do with them.  This one seemed a bit more complicated so I opted for a class!  I began by taking a couple of classes with Indy Photo Coach and within a month was shooting in Manual mode.  At this point, I had also been following a couple of blogs regularly - Mandy Leonards Photography and Sarah Beth Photography.  I just loved looking at pretty pictures!  (I still do - they say to not follow other photographers' work so you don't compare, but I can't help it.  I also still follow several blogs).  I especially loved the newborns, and thought it looked like such fun, rewarding work.  Because I had a couple of cousins and friend that were pregnant, I began using them as models.  I knew that newborn safety was very important, and I wanted to to do it properly, so I took a newborn posing workshop with Jessica Vaughn Photography.  It was a bit premature, yes...I'm pretty sure the other girls there thought I was a little crazy since I wasn't really a photographer yet haha...but I just wanted to do everything the "right" way.  I tend to have fleeting passions, and knew this could be one of them.  I tried not to invest too much right away (haha) and just figured it was less than I spent on college, so even if it didn't work out, c'est la vie!  The good news is I'm still enjoying it and can't wait to see where it goes.  I'm still learning, still have so much to learn...still have shoots where I just can't get it right!  But it's a growing process and every small victory is a good one! 

So...now that you've read a little history behind this business.  I'm so excited to say that 2013 turned a profit!!  Yes, that means I have to pay taxes, but, I feel successful.  It might not be much, and if this doesn't continue to grow it won't be worth my time...but right now I don't care so much about my time, but more about enjoying the work while doing it and providing pictures for people.  And that's where this THANK YOU comes in.  To anyone that's even made it this far in this post!  To anyone that's "liked" my fan page or checked out my website...anyone that's taken a leap of faith and hired me, and even hired me again!  Especially to those that have recommended me to others...it all means so much to me! 

I was going to make this a separate entry from my "Best of 2013" but what's a post without pictures? ;)  So here you go...my awesome and beautiful clients!