2016: A Year in Review (+ a few bloopers!) - Boston Family Photographer

It’s almost time for New Year’s Eve, which means it’s also time to take a step back and reflect on the past year!

After hustling through my first complete full-time year in 2015, my new year’s resolution for 2016 was to have more of a personal life. SO, in addition to running the business, I also planned a wedding and a honeymoon as well! It was simultaneously the most joyful year and the most stressful year, all at the same time — is that even possible?? Every time after coming back from vacation, I found myself scrambling to get caught up with work. I think my health was proof of that — when I drafted this post in mid-December, I was sick for the fourth time in the last three months. YIKES!

I think the main flaw in my 2016 resolution is that I thought that “having a personal life” could be fulfilled simply by planning more personal things. After all, planning is my jam! But sadly, I forgot to leave time to just BE. Even our honeymoon was fast-paced, covering 7 different cities in 3 weeks! As much fun as we had, I forgot that actually, E & I are the most content when we’re just chilling in our PJs, binge-watching Netflix, and eating $7 takeout food. So, while I will never forget the grand adventures we had in 2016, I’m excited for a quieter life in 2017. We have planned exactly ZERO trips, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about that. It’s time to lay low, be a little boring, work hard, and enjoy the simple things.

On the work side of things — thank you to ALL of the wonderful clients who made my job so much fun!! In addition to the new clients who joined the KLP family this year, it’s been such a treat to see past clients return for updated family photos. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly kids grow and change, and I promise to never take for granted the privilege of documenting these special years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to peek into your lives.

NOW, it’s finally time for the year in review video!

This is my FAVORITE annual tradition because it makes me stop, pause, and reflect on all of the amazing people that I’ve had the chance to document in the last year. It’s such a gift to take a step back from this crazy life and see the beauty of the BIG picture, not just all of the little moments that comprise it. In the big picture, I don’t see flyaway hairs or closed eyes. I see truly beautiful, shining faces. I see compassion and joy. And that is such an important reminder of why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

This video includes two images from every 2016 session that I have permission to share (one of my favorite images, and one blooper if I could find one!) There are some hilarious outtakes in there this year — enjoy!