Some years as an artist I have a clear vision of what I want…this year was not at all like that.

I write these posts for myself to do some reflecting on my year and all that has passed. It has always made me happy to share my photography with others, so rather than just go over these images myself, there is something very satisfying about posting them publicly and sharing all I’ve been up to this year. I also love comparing my Year Review posts and how I’ve changed. This year was my most surprising year yet. I put a very tight cap on the amount of weddings I shot and often found myself torn between many interests, not entirely sure what I wanted to pursue with full steam ahead.

As many know, this fall I accepted a teaching position at Georgian College in their Digital Photography and Imaging (DPAI) program. I could write a full post about that opportunity (and probably should) but what is so crazy about teaching is that I always have wanted to teach but never thought it would be now. The opportunity completely blew me away and also put a bit of a turn in the road as I was offered the position in June and started in September. I had this strange gut feeling last year not to book a lot of weddings for 2015 and when this position opened for me, I knew why. God has always lined things up in my life in a way that can make absolutely no sense at all until suddenly it all makes complete sense and I am left in wonder at the way things weave together. Teaching was amazing. It gave me a whole new outlook on, well, teaching…but also business. I hope my students learned a lot but I am willing to bet I learned more.

My clients this year have been across the board and absolutely wonderful. The handful of weddings we shot were beautiful and the couples were so fun and enjoyable to work with. We shot annual and bi-annual (here’s looking at you Kelsey) portrait sessions for our faithful clients and loved catching up with them and their growing families. I was honored to have images featured in the Globe and Mail, and to meet the photography needs of some really great companies. This year I also had my first images printed on product packaging that will be on a product sold in stores. I covered some great events…from corporate parties to Colin James live in concert. This is my 6th season as a full-timer and as the years pass, I become more and more intentional with what I book and the goals I set. I try to always stay challenged and inspired and aim to build a team that supports me and has similar goals for themselves. I want to especially thank and honour my amazing team of shooters, helpers, and my co-op student – thanks Scott, Magna, Katherine, Nathan, and Brooke for a great year!

So rather than a certain theme or vision, my year was kind of all over the place. I shot anything that interested me and didn’t really restrict the type of work I did, but instead booked work I knew would provide a chance to learn something new. I also shot a ton with my iPhone, which I have mixed feelings about. I love the quote “the best camera is the one in your hand.” My iPhone has brought me back to a much more simple love for photography. When all the bells and whistles are stripped away, I love to take photos and document what I see. That’s really it. I only have one iPhone shot in this post though…to see more of my casual day to day, follow me on Instagram :)

In conclusion, if someone had of asked me 5 years ago to take a picture of what I thought my life would look like in 2015, this would not in ANY way have been my guess.

However, here it is…and I am thankful.