It's the day everyone around the world has waited for: the end of 2020.
Most of us look forward to setting goals, intentions, and resolutions into the New Year. This year, I'm feeling much more reflective instead on the past year. Keeping an open mind toward the unforeseen future of 2021, I'm hoping for new, exciting things but also knowing that fluidity and adaptation may be my words for this upcoming year.
2020 saw some of the darkest moments for family and loved ones. It shook us to our core in many ways and I found myself consistently saying I have to lean into the things I can control. It was a year that started out so hopeful and, despite all its twists and turns, ends that way as well.
Business-wise, I had both my highest of highs and lowest of lows. Once June hit and restrictions were lifted, families booked out in numbers like I've never had before. I had so many telling me how excited they were to have a reason to dress up, to go out somewhere, to make a day of their shoot.
I spent many evenings driving down the shore for record numbers of beach photo sessions in Ocean City, NJ, Avalon, and other shore points (yes, I'm already booking shoots for summer 2021 - click here to inquire and book your date!). Locally, around the Philly area, my calendar was filled up on both weekends and weeknights for a solid 6 months from June to December this year.
With the forced shut down that lasted a few months, I had to file for unemployment for the first time ever. And made me resolve to get creative, try new things, and continue to stay relevant.
I started my hand at boudoir early in the year and, while that has taken a pause, it's an area I'm looking to start back up again in the new year (again, click if you want info on when that will be starting again!).
2020 saw my family finally pull the trigger on a long-discussed move (new Bucks County family photographer here!) to a home that we adore, and while I'm still serving all the areas that I always have — Philly and the suburbs, the Main Line, and areas of NJ — I'm excited to expand and work with more local clients in Yardley, Newtown, and other Bucks county areas that I haven't served as often before.
This year, despite all of its downfalls, forced a lesson in resiliency that I didn’t know I needed. It’s cracked open new ways to search for the silver linings (hellooooooo family time), given me the pause I needed to reflect on how to best serve you as clients and friends. And from my perspective, I’ve also seen a shift. In the embrace of chaos, in clients’ abilities to laugh at their kids’ silly antics, and in the unhurried nature of shoots these days (because no one ever has anywhere to be!), you’ve given me beautiful faces and places to escape to this year. I am so looking forward to continuing to work with all your amazing families as we excitedly jump into 2021!
