“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley
Anybody else feel like throwing their hands up and saying, "WOO-HOO! We did it!!" I know the change from 2020 to 2021 isn't really different, things are not magically better than they were, but it does feel good to flip the calendar. 2020 was a year where it felt never ending, as if we were all in the darkest timeline, a nightmare version of Groundhog's Day, and so it feels good to finally wake up to a new number on the calendar. That little new number reassures us that yes, time is moving forward. A new year brings hope and it brings courage. We've been through it and now we know how to push forward. We can hold on because we have before us days, weeks, months - blank on the calendar. An entire year where new things can happen. And after a time where so many of us stayed home we can now begin to hope for new and different things. Whenever it happens, whenever it is safer again, all of those experiences we have missed so much this past year will be sweeter because we have been without them for so long. And that thought, to me at least, is really encouraging.
This month was quieter than recent months and I welcomed the change of pace. I still had quite a few family portraits -- there were Christmas card sessions, extended families in town, a wedding, and there was even a visit from Santa! The Santa session was especially sweet to see. Distanced and outside but children were still able to give their list to the big guy. I love that look on a child's face when they meet Santa. Its a little bit of fear but usually a whole lot of glee too. Its not an expression that occurs very often so its nice to be able to capture it when it does!
By the end of December my schedule was relaxed enough I could spend time with my family and focus on being present with them. I was also free to get back to taking photos for myself! I celebrated a special birthday and though we had to forgo our normal trip out of state somewhere it was still really nice to get in the car, drive a ways out west and take pictures of whatever we saw. We went to Natural Bridge and then to Lexington. My favorite part of the trip was at about 3:00 pm that day the light had just started to get nice and golden, we found a beautiful field with a view of the mountains and we spent about 15-20 minutes silently photographing the environment together.
I'm usually someone who takes each day as it comes but this year I have to say I am really looking forward to what the year will bring in terms of photos and clients. I'm hoping for more weddings, more newborns and of course more special moments and sweet expressions to capture.
Later this month I will be launching a new portrait service so stay tuned for that! I know I've been teasing a few things about it over on Instagram and I promise I'll give the full details soon. What I can say is that it will be simple and focused so that the subject really shines. It will also be a limited offering so stay close to that 'contact me' button ;)