2015 was so so good to me. Honestly. I am really excited to see what 2016 brings. I had 3-4 births a month for an entire year in 2015. It isn’t easy, I’ll say that. It’s so hard, but so worth it. 2016 will bring changes from what I have learned in 2015 and I am excited to start implementing these changes to have an even more successful year. In 2015 I photographed a surrogacy, a home birth, two out of state births, countless c-sections, a few natural, visited the nicu often, volunteered with NILMDTS, I was chosen to travel to California to photograph foster children go to Disneyland (I’m pretty sure we left a few pieces of our heart in California that weekend), A few sets of twins, another out of state surrogacy, a few maternity sessions, a few gender reveal sessions, first birthdays and 5 days of mini sessions. I had TWO births in ONE day. Twice. I’ve missed a birth… or two. I’ve watched a baby take her last breath. I’ve been scared during a birth, I’ve left a birth shaken to my core. I have literally been invited into the lives of so many families, most with the most happiest days of their lives. While some are the saddest days of their lives. I am still blown away by the fact that I get be so involved with my clients. These photographs will forever hold an irreplaceable value. These will be your most prized possessions. You just never know when you will never have the chance to hold these memories tight. Life is too short. Don’t wait.
Back on track… I hired an assistant, purchased a custom made logo for fresh re-branding of my business and in the works of a small studio space in my home. Complete with a barn wood wall. I would say that blessed is an understatement.
In 2015 I have learned to say NO. It’s hard. I love my people and I hate to turn anyone away. BUT. In order to not burn myself and resent my job, I have finally learned to say no. So, in 2016 please don’t take it personally. I have set a number of sessions per month I will take on, including births. I am planning on taking on two sessions per month free of cost to those in need. I really do love to give my services as a gift to those I love, I wish I could make a living to provide for my family by just giving and helping. Unfortunately we all know that’s just not possible 😉
Personally this year, I have learned that LOVE IS a choice. You choose to love those around you regardless of their imperfections. Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. and then its amazing again. and in between the amazing and the awful, it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful. -L.R. Knost.
Anyway, thank you for 2015! Happy New Year.
