There’s something about the cold weather that brings out the best… and worst in us. It can transform a landscape into the moody day you see above, and it can turn me into a wreck as I get stuck backing out of the driveway before heading to the wedding. I know, a little dramatic – but ask Matt, I was not happy and taking it out on him. I was prepared, however, and arrived in Nunda with my silver boots ready to tromp through the snow and shoot anything. Shoot I did, (a camera not a gun) until my little fingers froze and I could not click the shutter any longer. Honestly though, Molly and Joe had a wonderful wedding, and it really was gorgeous as you can see. We took some breaks to warm up and really, I think it was worth it to be outside. I love to get a sense of location in pictures.

So hear we are in 2010, my first wedding of the new year, and this is just the beginning. Honestly, I’m looking forward to all of the weddings I will be at in 2010, both documenting and celebrating with friends. I’m so excited for the reunion/celebration in June with my college friends at Laura + Travis’s big day. I’ll also be traveling throughout Virginia, Michigan, New York and Florida (so far) to document weddings, but I’m pretty sure there are a few other states in my future. Being in my third year of wedding photography I still get excited about each day but I’m so much more confident than when I started. It’s actually kind of fun to look back on where I started and see where I’m at now. In fact, why don’t we look back – here’s an image from June 2007 and Ryan and Allie’s wedding – one of my first! What’s crazy is I’m going to be shooting Kaity and Mike’s wedding this February – and she’s Ryan’s sister. I’ve come full circle on that one.

As I continue to look back, the main differences between then and now are really equipment and experience. Like most people who start out, I had the basics. One camera body and one lens. Seriously, that’s what I used at first as I slowly upgraded to where I am now, with multiple lenses, two flashes and two camera bodies. Of course, equipment wouldn’t be anything without the experience. Shooting in all kinds of locations and light with a variety of people has challenged me to document things in new ways while staying true to my style in each situation.

It’s fun to think about the past but I can’t wait to plan for the future and be inspired this weekend learning from and being around photographers at Imaging USA! Conferences always are challenging and I’ve never been to Nashville so win-win. I head down to Tennessee this weekend and will have the wonderful opportunity of reconnecting with the very talented Manda Townsend of Townsend Photographers as well as my favorite second shooter Kaylan Buteyn. I will have to take my flip and hopefully document a fun video or two to share. There will be lots of fabulous photographers there as well – most of whom I don’t know, so here’s to making new friends in 2010!