Wow, 2011 is almost over?! Where did it go? I’ve seen a few of my favorite photogs posting their ‘best of’ shots of this past year and it has been fun to look at. I set out to do one of my own and it is a daunting task to go back and choose favorites. I limited myself to one (or 2) per session and I tried my best to choose shots I haven’t already blogged (but they are often my favorites!).
As I started browsing, in no particular order, trying to decide it it was worth the hours of searching – I caught myself laughing out loud before falling apart into tears. Each photo was a memory for me. I am in the business of making memories for other people and truth-be-told I have a personal attachment to each one. So, here they are. The are rarely the most technically accurate portraits, seldom the ones my clients choose for their “big print,” hardly ever the fan favorite – but they are the ones that speak to me and I’m hoping they will to you too.
Without further adieu, in random order (with watermarks placed in awkward spots since I batch edited them), here is my best of 2011…
There were sleeping babies…
There were fun announcements…
genuine moments with real families
…babies that were in mom’s belly last year, turned into toddles this year.
There was happiness so great it lifts you for days
and sadness that brought me to my knees…
There was a lot of watching babies grow…
and sweet sleeping babies.
A little waiting …
a lot of smiles…
and a few tears of joy.
More babies growing…
First steps to daddy!
Then the early morning homecoming where 17 Marines will not go home… and a few hours later I learned my own husband would deploy.
This little girl became my daughter’s best friend.
And this baby waited his whole life to meet his daddy…
The most peaceful of births happened at home…
6 month olds…
…turned into 1 year olds.
There were many “see-you-laters”
balanced by many “welcome home’s”
did I mention sleeping babies…
I’ll never forget praying after hearing about the tornado that destroyed this families home and rejoicing as I followed their amazing recovery.
I know there are many that I missed, but there you have it – a year full of life, love, joy, laughter, tears…
I wish all of you more love and light in every moment,
Jill