Happy new year (a tad belated)! It’s been a while since I last blogged, I’ve been enjoying some downtime and netflix and weekends sleeping in. But I’m excited to get back at it again. My mind has been busy lately reflecting on this past year, the whole insanely awesome ride. Last January I was a girl working a 9-5 office job, dreaming of a life beyond my cubicle. And in just a couple months I’ll be turning in my badge, and diving on into to the world of self-employment. A full-time wedding photographer and girl boss entrepreneur. Ready to share my journey of beautiful weddings and couples! It takes a lot for me to be proud of myself, but this year I built a successful brand and business from the ground up, while working full time. I’m literally typing these words and wondering if I’m in a dream. Don’t wake me!

I never would have predicted that this first year with a camera would already have taken me so many incredible places with so many incredible couples. That I’d max out my number of weddings for 2018 and be able to say “so long” to the corporate world. But as much as it oftentimes feels like a blur and that it happened over night, it didn’t. Looking back at all the in-between moments, it took major grit and determination and stamina. There were days I literally broke down to my husband, feeling so guilty that I didn’t make enough time in the week for him. Wrapped up in emails and editing and being home but not really “home.” Spending your first year of marriage starting a business isn’t exactly the most romantic way to enjoy newlywed bliss. But it definitely made us stronger, and I have been shown time and time again just how incredibly lucky I am to have someone so patient and supportive, who’d shake me out of any self-doubt that crept in. Although the lows were pretty low, the highs were incredibly freaking high. Just two weeks ago, all the successes of this past year came and hit me as I was inside Barnes and Noble. As usual I went to the magazine rack and picked up a few wedding magazines. I began flipping through but this time it was work I recognized. I was seeing my own work – printed in Wisconsin Bride Magazine. It still baffles me. This year was filled with so many incredible moments, rolling in this new year just wouldn’t be right without taking a moment to pause and look back at 2017 and thank ALL my amazing couples who helped share a part in my beginning!

So here’s a little recap of my favorite images from each session, in chronological order! I tried narrowing down to one photo, but you’ll see that wasn’t working too well 😉

 

ROMANTIC FOREST WEDDING INSPIRATIONAL SHOOT COLLAB at BURLAP & BELLS

See the full feature on Wisconsin Bride here.

 

 

WHIMSY ALPACA BRIDAL INSPIRATION – AMAZING GRACE ALPACA FARMS

Full blog post here.

 

BECCA + SETH

 

JULIA + ADAM

 

 

ALEX + CODY

 

 

LIZ + BRYAN – LOVELY LAKESIDE WEDDING – HEIDEL HOUSE

 

BRITTNEY + JACK

 

CHELSIE + TOM

 

JAY + RAE

 

SHAYLA + BRONSON

 

AMY + ANDREW

 

AMBER + CHRIS

 

ALEX + CODY – COZY WINTER WEDDING – YMCA CAMP ALEXANDER

(in early stages of editing, check back soon for the full blog reveal!)

 

2017, you were oh so magical!! But I have a feeling 2018 will be the year to beat. Between road trippin’ it to the Pacific Northwest with my husband, having the honor of capturing **16** weddings, and navigating the unknown territory of full-time entrepreneurship. 2018 is going to be FILLED with exciting new adventures! I am READY!!!

Thanks for following along!

xo

Meghan