wow. what a year. {a photography recap of 2009}

Looking back on this past year, I think it was one of the most exciting years of my life! This year has been full of fun and laughter, my first year in high school (woot!), starting my own business, getting my first SLR camera, interning with the amazing Kristen Leigh, meeting new friends, spending time with old friends, getting contacts, lovely vacations, precious time with family, and so much more! :D

{this picture sums up everything I want in my pictures: fresh, fun, colorful, bubbly, and joyful!}

This year has been huge for me in the photography area, and I wanted to share a little bit about the exciting photography things that happened this year! I am soo thankful for the followers of my blog, friends, and family that have taken the time to encourage me! You do not know how much the little encouragements have blessed me and I am so thankful for you all! God has been so kind to me this year!

Well lets start at the very beginning of the year... I really really wanted a SLR. I thought I would earn money for the camera in the summer and buy it in the fall. I didn't know how I would earn the money, I just knew I really wanted a camera.

In the spring I saw that a young and amazing photographer in my area, Kristen Leigh (now "Im Kristen",) was going to be having a internship. Kristen had taken my family's picture and I had followed her blog for some time. I was very excited when I saw the internship post, but knew it was totally out of the question for my to even apply because I only had a point and shoot camera.

Somehow the internship came up in a conversation with my mom; she thought I should do the internship but knew I didn't have a camera and could never earn up the money for one in time for the June internship. But very soon everything began to fall in place! After looking at several stores, we finally found a fairly good priced camera. Before I knew it I was the proud owner of my very own Nikon D60! I would have to pay off the debt, but I knew it was worth every penny.

{pc credit abby leigh photography}

Soon after buying my camera we took a vacation to the beach. I took so many pictures! Can I just say that the beach is the PERFECT place for pictures!

Soon after getting my camera, I applied for the Kristen Leigh internship. I did not think I would get in, but really hoped Kristen would choose me to intern with her. I waited for several weeks, and one day I found out I had been accepted! I was ecstatic! Interning with Kristen was one of the highlights of my summer and I learned incredibly much. She taught me everything I needed to know about running your very own business and helped me finally learn how to use manual.

The first day of the internship I was very nervous, but my nerves soon calmed down when I met the fellow interns. Being able to learn with 3 other girls (Anne, Noelle, and Kirsten) was so much fun. We spent 4 full days together learning from Kristen and having a total blast! Getting to know these girls was a total blessing and joy and I was even able to see two of them at a concert later in the fall.

Some shots from the internship! :)

Beautiful Lydia (she is also a very gifted photographer!)


mmm, love the light in this!


After the internship with Kristen, I felt that I had the information and practice to start my very own business. I doubted I would get many shoots, but thought it was worth a try. Soon after the internship I booked my very first party/family shoot. I was so nervous for my first shoot, but the Merryman's were such great models and I knew after the shoot that this was something I really loved doing! The pictures I took of the Merrymans are still some of my favorites!



Soon I did my first children/baby shoot with the adorable Zach and Anna! :D





Then in the summer, on another vacation, I did my parent's reunion group picture! It is the biggest group of people I have taken pictures of so far!



In the late summer and early fall I began to do children/family shoots. My goal was to get about 2 or 3 shoots, but little did I know that I would be able to do many more then I had ever hoped! I LOVED taking pictures of families and little kids, and to be able to capture the precious moments. After all the shoots, I grew to love photographer more and more...Much thanks to all my clients!

Thinking about this past year I feel overwhemingly blessed and thankful. Little did I know at the beginning of the year that I would get so many chances to improve my photography and be able to start my own business. God has truly been faithful to me this year! I am looking forward to this next year, and the new shoots I will be able to do!

oh and if you have read this far thanks for bearing with my long post! lol!


Stay tuned to hear about some exciting things coming up in 2010! :D