This year FLEW by!  I feel like I blinked and we’re just 3 days away from the New Year.  It’s been a quick one, but it’s also been a great one.  Personally, I’ve grown by leaps and bounds.  Creatively, I’m rediscovering myself.  2025 was a year for getting back to my roots and undoing some damage that was done since 2020.  You see, over the past few years, I’ve changed my editing style a bit in order to “fit in” and, honestly, in hopes of attracting higher end weddings.  I joined an educational group in 2020 that had me questioning my unique style and they basically said if I wanted to book higher end weddings, I had to change my style.

Well… that ended up being awful advice.  I lost the very thing that made me so unique.  The thing that people loved about my work.  So, this year, I gradually started adjusting my editing style and I am back to creating images that are vibrant, full of life, and that just feel like “me”.  I feel like I’ve finally found my voice again and really can’t wait to see what next year has in store.  If there’s one piece of advice I could give aspiring photographers, it’s to always stay true to yourself.  Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to do things a certain way in order to get to where you want to be – especially if what you’re doing is working for you!  In a sea of sameness, utilize your uniqueness to stand out.  There is room for everyone and it’s way easier when you’re competing with yourself – and not with a million others.

I had the pleasure of shooting 17 weddings in 2025, along with 4 intimate weddings and 2 elopements.  I also second shot + assisted with a TON of amazing photographers this year – which is really my favorite thing to do!  I second shot/assisted with Samantha Jean Becker, Natasha Coyle, Demi Mabry, Anneliese Gabriele, Jamie Vinson, Christina McNeill, and Clay Austin – to name a few.  I feel so incredibly lucky to have had such amazing opportunities to work with some of the best in the industry.  I absolutely LOVE being able to help other photographers serve their own clients.

Networking and education are always a top priority for me – and this year, I got to meet + reconnect with some really amazing people.  In February, I attended the AMV Retreat in Morocco and it was definitely the highlight of my year.  Morocco has been on my bucket list for a while, but it was always a place I knew I wanted to travel to with someone – not solo.  So when the opportunity came up to travel there with a bunch of other photographers, I was 100% in!  It was SUCH an amazing experience and I hope I get to go back someday.  We shot at some of the most amazing venues in and around Marrakech – Palais Namaskar, Amanjena, and Be Agafay Desert Camp.  I went to Marrakech a few days early, before the retreat started, and spent some time exploring with my amazing friend Amy Mulder – and we got the authentic riad experience at the cutest place on the edge of town.  The hospitality, the culture, the architecture, the food… it was truly unbelievable.  I’m already dreaming up my next international adventure and can’t wait to see where 2026 takes me!

I also attended an In Trusted Company dinner in Chicago in April.  Over the years, I’ve met some great people in the wedding industry – and the people who run ITC are some of the best!  I had a great time meeting so many new friends and spending time in a city I absolutely love.  I’m still hoping to photograph my first wedding in Chicago, so if anyone knows someone looking for a wedding photographer… please keep me in mind!!

In July, I flew up to Nantucket to shoot alongside Christina McNeill and it was an incredible trip.  I was part of an amazing team of 4 and we had the most incredible weekend with the most amazing family.  I actually focused on social media content and video – and I learned how to shoot video for this weekend within 24 hours, thanks to YouTube and a very late night!  Thank you, Christina, for believing in me and pushing me outside of my comfort zone.  I am SUPER proud of myself for jumping in head first and doing something that absolutely terrified me – and I am SO happy you loved what I was able to accomplish in a short amount of time.  It was a really amazing experience that has me kind of itching to shoot more video in the future.  Maybe.  Check out the short video Christina created below!

Later in July, I went to Las Vegas to see the Backstreet Boys at The Sphere with my brother and niece.  We had the BEST time together!  After a few days in Vegas, my brother + niece flew home while I took a solo road trip to the Grand Canyon.  I’d never been and it was always on my bucket list, so I figured why not?!  I stayed right on the edge of the Canyon at El Tovar Hotel and it was honestly breathtaking.  It’s hard to even put into words how vast the Grand Canyon really is and the landscape is just beyond mesmerizing.  While there, I took a road trip to see Antelope Canyon and WOW!  I honestly cannot even believe I got to see all of this.  It was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

I have been awful about submitting my own work for publication.  To be honest, it seems almost impossible these days – so I’ve mainly given up.  Hopefully that will change in 2026, as I search for a social media manager, as well as someone who can handle submissions for me.  My perfectionism paralyzes me when it comes to sharing my own work – so that’s a huge goal of mine in the new year.  That being said, I had one amazing print feature in 2025 – Dawn + Joey’s wedding in the Summer 2025 Issue of Charleston Weddings Magazine.  It is always such a thrill to see my work in print and this day remains one of my all-time favorites.

As I say every year, but it’s so true.  I owe a lot of my success to my amazing team.  Truly, I couldn’t do it without all of the people behind the scenes who help me keep things running smoothly and efficiently – year after year.  My work wife and second shooter extraordinaire, Sloan, who consistently goes above and beyond for me + my clients.  It’s always SO reassuring when you’re shooting beside me and I don’t know what I’m going to do when you decide to retire.  THANK YOU for everything you do and for being an incredible friend, as well.

To my amazing private editor, Emily, who painstakingly goes over every single image with a fine tooth comb before I deliver images to my clients.  AI will never take your place in my business because I think it is SO important to have a human touch on everything.  You have given me the work-life balance I need and, for that, I am forever grateful.  I’d never be able to keep up with my workload without you working so diligently behind the scenes.

A huge thanks to my CPA, Elmo – who makes sure that all my financials and taxes are taken care of every year.  To my wonderful contract lawyer, Rebecca, who is always there to answer any legal questions that pop up along the way.  To all of my other second shooters + assistants who helped me serve my clients on their wedding days.  In 2025, that included Sam, Alyona, Katie, Jessica, Tayla, Jenn, and Lauren.  This business is more than just me and I’m so thankful for the wonderful team I have behind me.

And to the 23 fabulous couples who invited me into their lives to document their wedding day in 2025… thank you from the bottom of my heart.  2025 was beyond incredible and I can’t thank you all enough for trusting me with your memories.  It was such a pleasure and an honor to witness your love and capture the day for you and your families.  Truly, I can’t thank you enough.