I’ll tell you what friends. If you were to close your eyes and try to dream about me having one of my best 1/2 years ever, you’d probably be pretty accurately envisioning what January-June 2018 has looked like for me, for reals.

I’ll give you some real life examples:

• I opened my dream studio in January and I’m still like “Wha-wha-whaaaaaat? This place is mine!?” It’s strange and amazing. I’ve gotten to really explore and embrace my style as a lifestyle studio photographer AND if you follow me on Insta, you’ve probably seen that I’ve also fully embraced being a plant hoarder. I’m pretty much going for the world record for having the most plants in a photography studio. Go ahead, try to beat me. Or, just bring me another plant and wish me good luck.
• We’re building a total dream house. And again I’m like “Whose life is this, really??” It’s not done yet but we are seeing it take shape and it is an incredible feeling.
• I was completely shocked to learn I was Fort Worth Magazine’s Editors’ Pick for Best Photographer this year. Me. Little old silly me. Little old self-taught, started as a hobby (oh my gosh I used to take SUCH EMBARRASSINGLY BAD PHOTOS), never-dreamed-I’d-actually-be-here me. It’s surreal. Whose life is this, really??
• I went to my first ever photographer’s conference, called The Family Narrative. It was challenging, eye opening, mind altering and a little uncomfortable. Actually very uncomfortable but in a good way because it did exactly what I needed it to do – it allowed me to see lots of areas for improvement, it kicked me out of my comfort zone, way the heck out of my shell, out of a bit of a rut, and sent me home inspired and confident and ready to prove to myself that I could keep pushing myself to greater places.

And that’s just January-June so far. But it’s enough for you to understand why I have this to say: I am so thankful. I am thankful beyond words. For my family, for my friends, for my faith, for my amazing clients – those key things in my life that have all gotten me right here. I’m savoring this time and getting the absolute most of it because we all know life is up and down and can change tomorrow. But even if it does change tomorrow, I will always be thankful for this amazing time in my life. And for all of you!

Anyhow friends –  if I haven’t said thank you to YOU, then thank you. Thank you for being interested, thank you for pushing me, thank you for loving me, thank you for believing in me, thank you for spreading the word that I’m here and I have my camera and I want to take pictures of your family and your friends and your friends’ friends! Speaking of my friends – I am so thankful for these. I know, I know….it’s not even fair how photogenic they are, but they’re just as wonderful in person as they are in photos so you can’t really hate them for it. You can’t hate them period, because they’re just too good.