09 in Review

I have met so many fantastic people this year through my job. I have photographed 14 wedding, many engagements, family's & other events. 

It comes and goes faster and faster each year. This year has been interesting I guess would be the word, fun & exciting in one way or another. 



On the other side I have encountered some not so amazing issues with people not paying and canceling last minute for weddings and other events this year. A lot of it has to do with the economy. Even though it has effected me badly financially it has also helped me for the future to change up my contracts and make sure I am more set for events and possible problems in the future.

My year started out at my friends Brad and Jaye's house celebrating New Years

Also bring in the new year I received a message from someone I have known for 14 years this year, Madison. Madison & her longtime boyfriend at the time, Austin were engaged. On September 12th they were married on the rainiest day of the year at Quartz Mountain Resort.

On January 3, I had the privilege of shooting my friends Brian & Wendy's Wedding. My first wedding of 2009! Wendy did a great job planning and I was able to get some fun, new photos. It was a great weekend to get caught up with friends & be able to be apart of their wedding day!

Nebraska Adventure, my friend JT & new friend Becky (Mr. & Mrs. Zahradnik) were married on March 14. I made the drive up there with my dad, Shari & Sara. I was very glad I was able to go. Great time spending time with friends and making time to be there for people you care about, that’s what its all about for sure. It was a great trip & came back with my brother & Reid.

My most exciting news of the year came to me in March I received an e-mail from my cousin that lives in New York City, I saw them last year at our other cousins wedding and they asked me to come to NYC to photography a Bat Mitzvah! Which most of you that know know this was like my dream. I went the first week in June. Well, the dream came true and above and beyond! I have never had more fun in my life! Every second of being there was like being in a dream. I was there 9 days and I did it all. Regis & Kelly Show, I was able to shake Kelly Ripa's hand!

The View, I won a years supply of Downy & was able to take a picture with Sherri Shepherd.

I went to the David Letterman Show & the hottest woman in the world Sandra Bullock was on the show, two Broadway shows, tours. Taxis, Buses, Trains. I did it all. I wore that city out. I walked everywhere during the day, I wanted to see every single building.

This may sound so corny but it was for sure my happy place.
The Bat Mitzvah was also so amazing to photograph. It was a very cool event to be apart of and it was off of the beach.

My cousins house was also very close to the beach and it was amazing. I love the beach. One day my cousins, Lori & Stacey, took me out on their boat, the most relaxing and beautiful experience. I am so grateful to them for allow me to stay with them & taking me and picking me up from the train each day, I had some late nights with going to shows and they were always there to pick me up!

August,
August was a big month for me. After I came back from New York City in June it was like the economy caught up in Oklahoma. I had so many weddings canceled. I had over 20 weddings booked before I had left and thus you see I only shot 15 this year. It was like all of a sudden people were canceling, not paying, etc. Several canceled last minute and it put me in a really tight spot, a few did cancel their wedding but a few were just having 'a family friend' photograph to save money. At the end of August it caught up to me and I decided to cancel my lease at my apartment I had lived at for 3 1/2 years and move in with my Mom & Mike. It was really hard for me, mainly 'embarrassing' because I had lived on my own for 4 1/2 years pushing forward in my business but it was something that I knew I had to do before I was to deep in. It does still aggravate me some that this happened and people canceled not even thinking I had told other people no but in the long hall it has put me in a better place now and have now set my business up a little better for bigger and better things in the future. Also a big thanks to my friend Karlyn for helping me get my contract set in stone so I do not get put in that position again.
Thanks also to my Mom & Mike for letting me be 'in the way' for a few months so I could make sure I got back on my feet.
Most people, to my knowledge, didn't know I had move I kinda tried to keep it on the down low exception of a few friend and family that helped me move & a few family members who decided to tell others haha. Even though I realize with all the other awful things that are happening to other people, this is very minimal, it has helped me grow as a person and as a photography business.

I also have realize this year that I LOVE live music. I went to several concerts through the year.

David Cook at the Diamond Ballroom above & David Cook at the Casino in Shawnee bellow.

David Archuleta Concert at the Diamond Ball Room.

& Daughtry.


Only 1 of them did I get my professional camera in but for some reason being at a concert is an awesome rush. I for sure will be going to a lot more concerts in the future.


My friends Ryan & Daniella got married in August at one of my favorite venues I have ever photographed a wedding at! The Farmers Market, Downtown OKC. It was beautiful and it was so great to me around friends and go to all their wedding events!






My friend Keith, actually moved back to Western OK to get his masters but PRAISE THE LORD, got a job back in Oklahoma City & will be moving back after the first of the year! He was also in a play in Clinton, OK and I went to see him in the play. He did an awesome job. He had about 15-20 minutes maybe more in the play by himself and when it was over I said Keith, lets move to New York and you be on Broadway.

My friend Renee finished her student teaching for Special Education & interviewed for a few jobs and received one of the first ones she interviewed for in Yukon as a Special Ed Teacher!

My friend Brittany, got engaged to Brandon. They are getting married next year!



My friend Lucas, got engaged to Kourtney. I finally got to meet Kourtney when I did their engagement pictures and can't wait to photography their wedding in 2011.





My friends Mandrae & Karissa had her baby, Anissa Beth Collins. She is adorable. I hope to meet her soon.


My friend Zach, He graduated from HS in May at Washita Heights and it was really awesome to see him watch across the stage. When I was a senior in HS he was in a class I taught. I also was able to take his senior pictures. He is a great person and great friend.




Last year my friends Zak & Katrina had their baby girl Parker Grace, she turned 1 in November and I finally got to meet her in September. She is so cute and I love her so much I wish they lived next door so could see her grown up everyday!




This year I also was able to make some new friends with some of my clients I have had. It is always great to make new friends & they have become some of the best!


THESE PICS ARE JUST RANDOM THROUGH THE YEAR, BIRTHDAY, OTHER BIRTHDAYS, ETC.


ME SEAN AND DAD


ME & BRITTANY


BRANDI ME AND TONY





CELEBRATING MOMS BIRTHDAY





RENEE BRITTANY ME


KEITH ME DANIELLA AND RYAN DINNER OUTING


ME TYLER AND BROOK @ THEIR WEDDING


ME AND ABI AT THE STATE FAIR


ME AND TARA (TOD LEFT BEFORE WE ALL GOT A PICTURE TOGETHER)


JASON AND KERRIS WEDDING..


ME MA AND MIKE



ME TAYLOR RENEE AND KASON SOME MORE OF MY FAVORITE KIDS


THANKSGIVING ME AND SEAN



THANKSGIVING MOM MIKE ME SEAN


EATING OUT FOR MY BIRTHDAY



HALLOWEEN PARTY AT BRANDI AND TONYS




EASTER AT SEANS PLACE


MY BROTHA


SEAN AND MOM MY TWO FAVORITE PEOPLE

2010 I am going to try to do one of these each month hahaha so I can put more pics of everything. Great year hard to believe it is over.