I just had to send out cards this year because I am SOOOOOO thankful for the amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year. I had an amazing time making beautiful pictures for all of these wonderful people. If you are one of those, reading this, then I have to say again thank you. You are the best. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas/Hanukkah/any other holiday you may celebrate and wish an equally awesome start to the new year. I wholeheartedly believe its going to be an amazing year. I Can’t Wait.

This quote by Dawna Markova (photographed with their wedding rings) totally inspired me as I am editing Jessie and Mike’s wedding images. They had it printed and framed by the guestbook at their reception in Pioneer Town, and it’s especially resonating with me today. I love what I do, and am loving it more and more everyday.That said, it took a lot of risk to get here. Lots of scary moves and decisions that defied logic and were straight from the gut of faith. Like leaving a great full time management job in the middle of a recession to be a freelance artist (what?!), moving 1,000 miles away from my hometown, entire family, and major support system, and turning down other job opportunities in order to commit full time to this crazy vision.

I didn’t start as a photographer because I was crazy about photography (though I did really enjoy the process). I started making pictures because I realized there were some things that got me all tingly inside and sometimes made me well up with tears. And these things drove me to figure out what I could give to the world instead of what I wanted to take from it. For me, those passions are– traveling and experiencing different people’s stories and culture, displaying beauty in the world, and helping people to feel wonderful and beautiful inside and out. Making gorgeous pictures for the amazing people I meet is my gift to do that. And I get to give that gift back every day, and that’s what has come of me following that ticking inside and taking those risks to make it happen. I say this primarily to acknowledge how utterly terrifying taking risks is, and remember how wonderful the outcome can be. I have spent a lot of the last 2 years doubting, and unsure, and freaked out that this wasn’t going to work out. But today I’m reflecting on the fact that some how it always does. Our fears are often so much worse than anything that actually happens. But the rewards for stepping out into the unknown and following that thing inside you that says “Be Strong and Courageous” despite what worry, doubt (and sometimes logic) say, are (in my experience) so SO sweet. So be strong and courageous, look honestly at what’s inside you to joyfully give to the world, and don’t be afraid to risk everything to give it. My super wise father in law always told Casey (and now it’s one of my personal mantras) “With every [risk/opportunity] there are always 2 options… you are either going to live, or you are going to die… and you’re probably not going to die.” holla

The only bummer of the weekend was that in the last few minutes of Saturday’s wedding, I managed to break my foot as I was running to get the last few shots of the night. Thankfully it was the last few minutes of the night, and I hobbled to my car and had a bit of a freak out session on the ride home. Once home – at nearly midnight some pretty spectacular photographer friends of mine (namely Emily Bell, Jay Eads, Mark Esary, and Jennie Borello) came to my rescue and helped set me up with another photographer (the amazing Jennie Borello) and an assistant to carry my bags (Mark!) for the next afternoon’s ceremony and reception – since I would be in a cast and couldn’t run to all angles as usual. I loved having Jennie there so much that I have vowed to not shoot another wedding without a second photographer! Having two photographers is such a bonus not only because you get multiple angles of the same thing, but it allows two sets of eyes and two creative brains to get a wide assortment of fun and creative shots. And of course, if anything were to happen to the lead photographer (like a broken foot, or worse, a broken camera!) then there is instant back up. So Sunday morning I drank lots of water, stocked up on ibuprofen, got an airsoft cast and bore my way through 10 hours as a crippled wedding photographer determined not to let my photos suffer because of my foot suffering. And miraculously it worked! I’m probably most proud of Evan and Amber’s wedding photo’s than any other wedding I’ve done. I personally thank a God who is full of provision, and friends who are full of kindness in times of need. I took a few days off after Sunday to rest my foot, and then, in our true style, hit the road again to travel all over Oregon as scheduled. Now I’m back in Corvallis until the end of the month to recover before shooting my last 2 weddings of the season, both of which I’m so excited for!

…at the Twin Oaks Garden Estate in San Marcos California. I can’t wait to see these two again, Milena in her bridal gown, and Aaron dawning the classic cool groom grin. I’m So Excited.