Photography in 2018 has been a thrill. This was my first full year in business, and included six families, three couples, a Harry Potter event, and two charity events. I also formally registered as an LLC, which was incredibly cool. The DC Area Moms Blog listed me as a featured local photographer. I was able to explore local Arlington and Washington DC parks, City Center in summertime, cherry blossom beauties, the National Portrait Gallery, and a new-to-me section of the C&O Canal. I’ve joined a community of local photographers (and many across the country!) and found friends and mentors, one of which led me through my first wedding photography experience. But most of all, I've loved the client experience itself, knowing I have given others a gift in their photos.

If you’ve followed me on Instagram, you have seen snippets of my “why” for photography. The simplest answer? Joy. The joy I get in interacting with my clients and taking photos, and the joy I see in family’s faces that I’m able to capture. Each time I finish a session, I feel invigorated. I already have a sense of which photos will be my favorites and even some of my clients’ favorites, and start my initial edit work that day if possible.

With 2018 coming to a close, I wanted to take a chance to say: Thank You. You have made this so much fun. Past clients, upcoming clients, friends, family, followers, fellow photographers: thank you for helping make this an exciting, positive, educational year!

Through the holiday season and new year, I’ll be spending time with my family, with friends, with myself and my thoughts (and books!) and getting ready for 2019. You’ll be hearing from me more next year, too! There are some fun ideas bubbling that I’m eager to roll out. In the meantime, I am greatly looking forward to being woken by small voices saying, “Auntie Sarah!” on Christmas morning. It truly is the best feeling I’ve known!