Happy New Year!! I’m beyond excited to see the start of a new year. I always am. I love fresh starts, clean slates, new beginnings…. especially this year because for the first time ever I’ve sat down and written up a goals list. According to the list.. this year is going to be big, huge, monstrous [and scarey!] ! David is a super duper goal oriented person and once he sets a goal.. he pushes through whatever is before him + not only checks the goal off the list.. but conquers it, blows it out of the water. This right brain, laid-back-to-the-max, whatever-happens-happens girl sees this as the biggest challenge life has to present. Even sitting down and writing one out is huge for me. Yikes!

This past year, I took a little bit of a break with my biz. For the first two years I worked + worked + worked + pushed myself further as a photographer and business woman to grow grow grow this business. Then over the last 12 months I feel like I just sat back, did what I loved [shot weddings] and reaped the benefits of all the hard work I did for the past 2 years.. and it was nice.. but I turned away more work than I actually took + my business just stayed the same as where I had left it. Now, I’m ready to take it further. I’m really excited about working hard and pushing myself further than I’ve ever pushed. I’ve already booked more weddings for this year than I shot all of last year. And that scares the CRAP out of me.. but I’m also very very excited to see where that takes me and my work.

Here are a few things I’m looking forward to in 2012:

1. We are turning our garage/small house on our property into a studio! Yay! We are completely transforming the building into a creative space to meet clients + shoot VERY LIMITED studio sessions [different than what you're used to.. so if you like families/children standing in a clump smiling at the camera, in matching outfits.. this is not for you]

2. I’m bringing on an intern from the UT photography program. THIS IS A GODSEND!! Yay!

3. I will be taking on Family/Senior Portraits/Boudoir sessions more frequently.. but only in seasons.. there will be several Family weekends or weeks dedicated to a certain type of session.. this will be the only times in the year I take sessions other than wedding so keep your eyes open for date announcements on this blog + the FB page [fb.com/knoxvillephotos]

4. I’m going to be blogging much much more than just my work… posts about photography, starting a photography business + photography/editing tips.. and things as I learn them [a creative is always learning + growing and I want to start sharing more of that process] .. if you have any questions regarding these things email me and I’ll work them into blog posts.

5. This year will be starting year 1 of a 5 year plan I have to reach my next dream. It’s a biggy and requires me to learn everything about this venture because I currently know NOTHING. I will be able to use what I do now in this new venture.. but it will takes lots of time, research and moola… for now.. this is a big fat secret and I will give more info as the year progresses. I am SO VERY excited about it!! I realize how frustrating this is [like vague Facebook updates about big life changes that folks must ask questions to inquire what is ACTUALLY going on <-- David and I laugh about this every time it happens].. I am totally that girl right now

Bring it on 2012!! If I can encourage you to do 1 THING this week.. it’s to sit and write out a list of goals for this year. It’s not too late. If you want to get really good at planning.. write out 4 steps to achieve each goal. I have a list of about 5-6 biz goals and 3-4 personal goals.. like being open to new friendships and making time for old ones + documenting my own life more with my camera. We have lots of adventures planned this year to make sure it’s a memorable one and I don’t want to forget a minute of it.

Here’s just one more look back at 2011 with some of my favorite images of the year… onto the next!

“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” – English Proverb

preparing for this blog post i trolled pinterest.com [my newest love, inspiration + time waster] to find the best quote to sum up the last month. in the midst of this last month i have experienced the true meaning of the word OVERWHELMED and the word GRACE. this october i booked more session than i’ve ever tried to squeeze into a 3 week time, gave unrealistic deadlines [because i think i'm super woman and time doesn't apply to me] and bought a new house, rented out our old one and was left without a home for 2 weeks during the busiest time of my 3 year old career. after a breakdown, lots of chocolate and wise + loving friends, family + a husband peeling me from the ceiling i was able to take a step back and see what was really going on. we were being blessed. truly + deeply blessed. surrounded by those we love, in the home of our friggin dreams, with a business that is busting at the seems… the tough times often give birth to the greatest blessings and the painful times can often lead to the greatest joy.. you just have to stop and look around at the opportunity you’re being given… switch your point of view. i look back on this last month and i don’t see the tears + sweat + panic.. i see the family that took us in and gave us a place to stay.. the comfort + kindness of an ever wise husband.. friends that crowded tightly around to encourage.. and some images that i am more proud of than i’ve ever been.. images that actually move me [something i've longed to experience for a while] + clients that are now friends. pressure really does produce perseverance and when you ask God to teach you to trust him… he will [it may not be pretty, but it's always always worth it].

One last quote to kick this point into memory..

“It’s not the happy people who are thankful.. it’s the thankful people that are happy”… [another pinterest gem].

Look around.. there is sooo much to be thankful for.
Here are a few of my very favorite shots from this October…. to see many more from each of these sessions visit

facebook.com/knoxvillephotos

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