I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year (Although I'm a day late in posting this, because I took a well needed hiatus from social media over the past few weeks to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and was able to do the same)!
So, now that the sparkle of Christmas is over, the cookies have been eaten, and the new years ball has dropped, its time to get back to reality. It's a new year filled with new opportunities. I've taken some time over the past few days to reflect on 2017 and realized just how much of a blessing this past year has been to me. I started off the year not really knowing what direction I was going in or what was in store for me. I had taken a leap of faith and quit my 9-to-5 job to pursue my dream of being a full-time photographer. It was a scary transition but it was the BEST decision I have ever made in my life.
I was cleaning out my desk this past weekend and found an old journal that I had written my 2017 resolutions in. I couldn't help but smile while reading through it. Not only had I achieved my #1 resolution of shooting 10 weddings, but I more than doubled it and shot 27 weddings total in 2017. That's 27 amazing couples, fun wedding parties, and amazing days filled of love that I was able to capture. I am truly humbled by this and still in such awe that my dreams are finally coming true. My baby (aka my business) that I've nurtured and dedicated my life to for the past 6 1/2 years is growing and I feel like a proud mama.
As I went down my list of resolutions, I took out a pen and started checking them off. Nothing has never felt more gratifying! My #2 resolution was to plan a styled shoot with fellow wedding vendors. This is something that I've always wanted to do but never really had the guts or time (I used every excuse in the book) to make it happen. I finally worked up the courage to start planning my dream styled shoot. I reach out some fellow wedding vendors that I have been so blessed to meet this year (Pretty Little Vintage Co, Handmade Darling, Affections Flowers & Design, Doll Face Artistry by Ann Erny, Mary Tramacera-Farley of Tramacera's Trends, and Gavin Law Videography), found some awesome models (thanks Brianna and Duke!), and came up with a concept for the shoot. Everything came together a lot more smoothly than I ever imagined it would thanks to a killer team. I was so grateful to be able to check this resolution off of my list.
This year has been a whirlwind of opportunities and I have nothing but gratitude for them all. I've met some of the very best people this year that have encouraged me to go after my dreams. Not to mention I've had the support of my amazing family and fiance who have stuck by me and encouraged me through it all. I've always heard people say "Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." I never really believed this to be true until this year. I don't dread waking up for work anymore. I don't pray for the weekend to get here or countdown the minutes to when I can "clock-out". Instead, I've been having a blast doing what I love; meeting the best people; exploring new places; and capturing life. So, if there's one thing I've learned this year it's that there is no goal too big for this life. If you're passionate about something, go after it with all you've got. If I can do it, then you can too my friend.
My goal for 2018 is to face every opportunity with the same fearless-ness that I rode through 2017 on. I want to always keep growing, learning and being inspired. I already know that 2018 is going to be great because I've already decided that it will be. (not to mention I will be marrying me best friend!)
Grow. Learn. Inspire.
Xoxo,
Rebecca
