Managed to make this not meandering ordeal so I actually completed it before the year’s end!
So let’s get to it shall we?
Trip to Savannah
The year started off with Colton and I celebrating TEN years of marriage. We marked the event with a slightly delayed excursion to Savannah (thank you 4 year old for ending our “no broken bones streak”). We basically just ate food and took pictures–having just about the best time you could imagine.
Read about the whole trip here
We Moved!
We closed on our new home a year to the day that I’m sharing this blog, but we didn’t physically move into the house until after our trip to Savannah. Actually, we moved in faster than we had planned because I got tired of carting myself and the kids back and forth to work on the house–multiple rooms had to have flooring installed, plus I wanted to repaint the entire thing. Are we done working on the place? No. Have I unpacked all the boxes? Also no.
Two Weddings Without Colton
Our assistant Ashley leveled up this year with being the second photographer for not one but two weddings. I think she did well in that wedding photography is largely a forged by fire situation, and she still wants to come back lol. We’ve done one wedding without her this year and I think that’s all I can tolerate.
Getting to photograph the wedding of a bridesmaid from a previous wedding its such a special treat, plus it becomes a reunion when you get to see the past bride! Brooke and Jackson’s wedding at Clark Gardens was so beautiful; plus I got to see past bride Alyson and future bride Alli–and their husband (and husband to be!) Dylan and Tyler.
I alluded to having a grand adventure when I went on a break this summer. The truly adventurous part for me wasn’t traveling with 3 kids solo to Utah and back (although that certainly kept me on my toes). Instead it was spending 5 weeks solo parenting the kids before that trip while Colton was working in the field.
Chateau Joli
Am I really gonna say no to a chance to host a styled shoot at a European inspired venue? Of course not. It was magical, the details were a dream and Destenee–a bridesmaid from Carly & Joshua’s wedding–was a fantastic model.
Dinosaur Valley
A big thank you to Jamie and Kendall for helping me check this off my wish list. Any time I’ve visited Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas, I think how amazing it would be for photos and it did not disappoint!
New
Service!!!
I told about a dozen people this at our last expo so I guess I might as well share it here. Colton got the video bug and we’re now offering videography as an add-on service for our brides!
Past Bride's Sister is now an R.A. Bride to!
Was a maid of honor, now a bride! We’re thrilled to be capturing Lauren and David’s wedding next year. It means the world when a bride’s family and friends come to us for their photography needs. And yes, these two are just as warm and sweet as they look in their session.
Studio Short Sessions
Did a complete change of pace for my short sessions this year! I made myself at home at Sol Studio in Mineral Wells, complete with a mini Christmas tree forest. It was lovely having a weather-controlled environment (of course the weather was beautiful that day though), plus a bathroom. Will I repeat it for next year? I don’t know, but I am thrilled with what we created this year.
I haven’t shared any of these on the blog so as to not spoil Christmas cards, but you CAN view Lauren’s stunning maternity session here
A Christmas Wedding to Wrap Things Up
I always look at the last wedding of the year differently, because it ends my “season” for me. And this was a good one–how could it not be with Christmas twinkle lights in my detail shots? Plus probably one of my favorite invitations ever.
This year has been a lot Dearies. I’ve had some major issues, leading to this being a year of listening to myself, and getting the help I need; plus making life adjustments to improve myself (even if it’s as annoying as not eating apples). I’m happy where things are going and look forward to the new year.
Until then, yours ever,
R. A.
