Here it is Kids – My reflection on the year that was… 2022!
I’m sitting here reflecting on the absolute whirlwind that was 2022. What. A. Year. There have been so many positives this year mixed in with some great personal sadness. From a business point of view I couldn’t be happier – 2022 has been the year I really went for it and I’m so excited for all of the wonderful things to come.
GETTING PERSONAL
This year there have been lots of ups and downs! Here are a few moments that have stood out:
- Axel started school! And he has been doing so well – he’s totally blown my socks off with how much progress he’s already made. He was also the most beautiful star in his nativity.
- Elijah is now in Year 3 – I know, woah, right?! He is our little sponge, soaking up so many facts and learning how to sew – I’m so proud of him. He’s also currently going through an autism diagnosis which has been a bit of a learning curve for us but now has made so many things make sense.
- As a family, the four of us discovered our love for camping this year. I never thought I’d enjoy it as much as I did, but we all had the best time. We went with my brothers and their partners and had lots of fun, ate awesome food, and had an adventure in the maize maze! We will definitely be making it a regular occurrence.
- Our family had some tragic losses this year. I lost two step-grandads and my rock and total legend, Grandma. I really struggled to come to terms with Grandma’s passing this year and it took me a good while to get my head around it and piece myself back together (I’m still working on it). She was such a huge part of my life and I have the best memories of her – her legend will live on.
BUCKET LIST UPDATE!
OK, so a couple of years ago, I wrote a photography bucket list and… this year I ticked one of them off!! Here’s the link to the blog in case you want a more detailed look CHECK OUT THE BUCKET LIST BLOG or you can see an overview below:
PHOTOGRAPH A BIRTH
PHOTOGRAPH AN ELOPEMENT
BEACH WEDDING
ROMANTIC COUPLE SHOOT IN A LAKE OR BODY OF WATER
PROPOSAL
HALLOWEEN WEDDING – Thank you Ashleigh and Dan! What a frickin’ awesome wedding! (See photo above for photo booth shenanigans and evidence of my huge flash diffuser!)
COUPLE SHOOT OR WEDDING UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
COLOURFUL COUPLE SHOOT
TATTOOED COUPLE SHOOT
SHOOT A WEDDING AT THE ASYLUM IN LONDON
THE BIZ
NEW HEADSHOTS
I got new headshots! Previously, all my headshots have been self portraits but this year I wanted something a bit more chilled out and natural. I also got Invisalign braces this year which have been a GAME CHANGER so I wanted some photos where I’m actually smiling! I was a bit ballsy and straight up asked Danielle and Martin at Fineshade Films if they fancied doing a headshot-swap as they hadn’t got any either.
We ended up having the most fun time taking pictures and just having a bit of a laugh. Though it did take a while for all of us to loosen up in front of the camera. I totally hated being on the other side at first, but in the end it wasn’t so bad. Definitely got a feel for how my clients can feel sometimes! It really made me appreciate how important an engagement shoot is before a wedding to get that trial run out of the way so it doesn’t feel so daunting on the wedding day.
WEDDINGS!
OK, enough about me – let’s talk weddings!! I have had the BEST year photographing the most AWESOME couples and making some friends for life. Katie and Paula were first up in January and it was so damn special – there were so many personal touches throughout the day and it was alllll about the love, of course! I have been to so many awesome venues this year and eaten a LOT of amazing food – huge shout out to Pizza Passione for some truly mouthwatering pizza at Amy and Tom’s gorgeous civil ceremony back in September. I couldn’t believe how good and melty that vegan cheese was!!
I’m so lucky to have photographed so many amazing weddings this year! I really do have the best couples. It’s a fact. It is never taken lightly when someone asks me to shoot their wedding – it’s the absolute highest honour and I pour every ounce of energy, skill and passion into every single wedding I shoot. I’ve done a lot of experimenting with ‘off-camera flash’ and night time photography this year and I think it’s really upped my game. I’ve also done A LOT of dancing and capturing utter mayhem (in the best possible way) on the dance floor!
Here are some of my favourite images from the year:
PHOTOSHOOTS
Something I will never take for granted is that I get to capture so many important times in people’s lives. I have LOVED doing so many amazing and different types of photoshoots!
- On a bit of a whim really, I just went for it and introduced my boudoir empowerment shoots for the ultimate in self worth and self confidence. These have been so much fun and I love helping women feel amazing about themselves and totally liberated.
- I have had so many newborn shoots this year. I know just how lucky I am to be able to capture these little bundles of joy. They are one of my favourites to photograph and they keep my broodiness at bay (I get all the squishy cuddles, then I go home and get a full night’s sleep – winning.)
- I have photographed countless families this year. Lots of these are returning clients and it really means the world that they put trust in me again and again to capture their family’s journey as the kids grow into proper little characters and young adults.
- I introduced ‘School Style Photos But Better’ as I didn’t want a wall of rubbish school photos with no personality. These went down a treat and I’ve already been asked if I’ll do them next year. Definitely.
- I’ve done a few Christmas photoshoots this year too. I love capturing the cozy loveliness of at-home Christmas shoots! All the colours come out so sparkly and vibrant on camera!
OTHER NOTEWORTHY THINGS THAT MADE 2022 PRETTY AWESOME:
- Me and one of my best friends planned the most epic Day of the Dead themed hen weekend
- I was a Master of Ceremonies at one of my oldest and best friend’s wedding in September
- I took the boys to the theatre twice and I just love seeing their faces light up at the action
- We also went to the beach twice.. super windy both times (England, eh.)
- I actually wrote some blog posts this year!
- I learnt how to make semi-decent looking reels on Instagram
- I had some brilliant mentoring that gave me a good kick up the bum to be even more myself in my business and branding
- I became confident in shooting with just prime lenses and fell in love with my 85mm lens
2022. a year reviewed.
There you have it. There have been swings and roundabouts, clouds and silver linings, good days and bad days, but on the whole this year has been alright. Not everyone who started the year with us made it out the other side, but the ones who did are healthy and happy and that’s something. I am proud of myself for making the leap into full time photography and pursuing my passion. I have loved working my socks off every day doing something that makes my heart sing. It has made me happier and more positive and is definitely the right decision for me and my family – which really is the ‘why’ I do anything I do. It’s all about those boys… all three of them. Bring on 2023!
