2011 brings new things

It's a new year, and with that many of us take time to contemplate the changes that need to come in our lives. Changes that will help us to be better people, both internally and externally. I have set my goals for 2011 already, but what I really want to talk to you about is 2010.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that 2010 was really a year of discovery for me. I had the yearning inside of me to figure out who I was as a photographer, and where I wanted to take my business and my art (my heart). I wanted to find value in what I was doing, I wanted to be challenged, I wanted to feel alive. Because of this I took on some new challenges. I opened studio space. I looked at partnering up with another photographer. I attended WPPI, a photography convention, in Las Vegas early on in the year. I went to photography user group meetings, networked with other photographers at meetups, I took small business courses online, and heart courses online, and went to two different photography workshops to better my skills and learn to listen with my heart. I read books, I bought and sold equipment. I tried new things, new approaches, and I furthered my knowledge of the camera, of light, and of my heart. 2010 also happened to be a really successful year with many new clients and many repeat clients. I set my dates out in July for the fall, and filled up through the end of the year in July! Needless to say, it's been a very, very busy year.

And I learned.

And I learned, and I learned, and I learned. It's truly magnificent that when you go searching for something, you find answers. And it took me a year to find my answers. But really longer, because this entire photography-inspired journey has been one of growth and learning. One of success and failure. And I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I have been for the experiences I have had. For the people I have met. The stories I've heard. So many of YOU have directly changed me and my approach to life. I am forever blessed because of that.

While I started 2010 thinking I would grow my business, expand, hire on employees, I have left 2010 realizing that I need to do just the opposite. And this is so bittersweet to say, but I have decided that for now, my place is at home with my family, focusing on the people in my life that mean the most. And with that, my official Joanna Taylor Photography business will be retiring. For now. For how long, I do not know. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the support I have received from so many of you. Blog comments, emails, inspiration in so many different ways. My heart has been so deeply touched, it has changed. More than anything else, I have learned that although we are different, unique people, we are the same. This human connection that ties us together is a beautiful, wonderful thing. If we hold to that goodness, and see that goodness in one another, our lives will be forever improved. And so will the lives of those around us.

I will continue to work on personal artistic projects, and I hope to share them here. One of my own projects that has been dear to my heart is highlighted below. I worked on this months ago. My thanks to Mallory and Josh for modeling for me. A beautiful couple, so much in love. Thank you for putting your wedding gear back on, and traveling out in the heat to the Salt Flats, just so I could try out some new things.

Of course, if you want to find me, I'd love to have you join in at my new blog, Creating Better Habits.

And with that, I will say good-bye, but not really...I will be around, and I hope you will too. xoxo