This whole year my challenge to myself has been to live purposefully. To be purposeful in how I spend time with those I love, to send letters frequently (snail mail is the way to my heart), to raise my children to be full of love and grace, and to focus on my business and the experience I wanted each client to have upon hiring me.

It’s been a year of change for me, but I am so happy to be where I am today. I am so thankful for each and everyone of you who have filled my year with joy and friendship.

Here are some crazy things that happened this year in a quick little list:

• I traveled a ton. I went to Austin, TX three times. We, obviously, went to Waco, TX to see the Magnolia Market and BSR Cable Park. My husband and I traveled to Denver, CO and Glenwood Springs, CO and we went to see my little brother graduate from A&M in College Station, TX.
• I shot TWO destination weddings! I am so pumped about that. I shot a wedding on a beach in Bonita Springs, FL and a lake wedding in Paducah, KY. Shoutout to my incredibly awesome brides that entrusted me to tell their love story in a different state. You guys, I love you.
• We celebrated my daughter’s second birthday and my son’s third birthday. Birthdays may not seem like a huge accomplishment, but we made it another year and I can’t begin to list all the things my kids did this year that were special. They are my world, and they are crazy and wonderful little people.
• Wedding photography became my full-time job. YASSSSS.
• I was blessed with getting to photograph my first and second lesbian wedding and my first Asian American wedding.
• We moved to Dallas.
• My brother got engaged to the most wonderful future sister-in-law I could have asked for.
• I finally got a tintype photo taken by Lumiere Tintype in Austin.
• I went to a wedding photography workshop, La Reverie, at the White Sparrow Barn in Quinlan, TX where I learned so so much and gained a whole bunch of confidence. Laylee and Steph, you guys did so awesome. I am incredibly thankful for your guidance.
• I found two photography communities that have provided me with sisterhood, photog friendships, and a spirit of community over competition. Babetown Collective and Rising Tide, you have been a source of endless inspiration.
• I went from blonde hair to blue hair and bangs. Whoop. Bucket list item.
• I began doing photography for this woman-built awesome apothecary company, Honey & Sage co.
• We got a new website, new business cards, new logo, and some new photography equipment.

Bring it on 2018, we are ready for you. Photos or it didn’t happen, right?