2017 was both an incredibly rewarding and also incredibly challenging year for me personally and professionally. To sum up the year in a few words and photos will require a brevity that I am not accustomed to, but I will certainly try.
In 2017 our family welcomed our beautiful son, Alex, into the world. He is so incredible, I don't even know where to begin - He's sweet, funny, he loves a good joke and loves to laugh. I feel instinctively that he has a big, beautiful heart. We are already great friends. Don't get me wrong, he's a little stinker on a regular basis, so rest assured he's not perfect! But he's lovely and I feel so blessed to have him in my life.
Our older son, Elliott, became a big brother, and my husband and I became the parents of a moody, yet lovable, "three-nager". It was so neat to watch him growing from a toddler into a preschooler and, after an incredibly difficult year for us all, it is wonderful to see him really blossom into his new role of big brother. He is so smart and interesting. It's hard to believe he's almost 4! I can't believe I get to have these 2 sweet kids in my life!
We took a wonderful trip to Prince Edward Island where we visited, played, swam in the ocean, and I had the opportunity to work with some amazing clients and do work I am extremely proud of.
My beloved grandmother, who was suffering from dementia for the past several years, finally left this world peacefully on Remembrance Day. Fitting, as she was a War Bride and WWII played such a monumental role in her life.
And finally, my husband's father received a terminal cancer diagnosis in August and we just lost him a few days ago. Interesting that last year started with birth and this year started with death.
I feel so, so lucky to have worked with so many fantastic clients who trusted me to photograph the important moments in their lives. It is a huge privilege to get to do what I do. Believe me when I say I don't take it for granted.
My vision of who I want to be as an artist, photographer and business owner strengthened this year, culminating in the (near) completion (we just need to do the flooring and tie up a few loose ends) of my home studio, a project that has taken years to come to fruition. Being able to work in there is an actual dream come true for me. I'm so thankful to my husband, family and friends for their help in making it happen. The first few shoots have been dreamy, and I look forward to working in there more this year.
I started experimenting with making short films, which has been fun, challenging and extremely rewarding. It's a beautiful thing to deliver, and I'm not ashamed to say that in that instance it makes me really happy to hear that I've made my clients cry (happy tears, of course).
I'd also like to thank the amazing photographers I had the opportunity to work with last year with their wedding clients. Some of these images are from their weddings that I got to be the second photographer on. Jen Steele Photography, Rivkah Photography, KGoodPhoto, and Tegan McMartin Photography - thank you again for the opportunity to work with you. You're amazing at what you do!
Finally, I'd like to thank you. For reading my blog. For liking my posts on social media. For believing in me. For the kind words and encouragement. For hiring me to document your life. I continue to be grateful for you.
So, without further ado, here is my Best of 2017! Please keep in mind that I have almost certainly missed something - if it's from your session, please forgive me - we're still grieving the loss of my father-in-law over here and I had limited time to put this together... but it felt important for me to at least try to make this, as incomplete as it is. As they say, "done is better than perfect".
Enjoy!
:) jules
