A year in review....there's so much to say about the year 2023.
2023 was without a doubt the hardest year of my life. So how is it that the hardest year of my life also brought me to a place where I experienced the most peace? I will not say it was the best year of my life, not even close. I experienced a level of evil and darkness that I hope never to experience again. However, the level of peace I feel ending this year is greater than the years I would consider to be the best years of my life. Ending this year could have ended so differently. There are some people I would like to thank as I complete a year in review for 2023.
At the start of 2023, I was not in a good place. I left an almost 10-year marriage that turned abusive in the end. I had absolutely no money. Nothing was in my name so that meant I had no car. It was slow season in the photography world, so no job. I had 3 kids and rent that I couldn’t afford. I was living in Wyoming at the time, which meant job opportunities were limited. I applied for every job possible, even for a pooper scooper position only to be told I was overqualified. I had a paralegal degree but offices either didn’t like my 5-year gap of being a stay-at-home mom or were not willing to accept that I needed a flexible schedule. Being a victim of domestic violence, I had to appear in court hearings, investigations, etc. Many employers did not want to mess with that. To make things even harder, my husband at the time passed away. How do I work during a time like this but also….how can I afford not to???
Thankfully I found a part-time job that was willing to work with my schedule. It still wasn’t enough to pay the rent, but it was at least something. I could feel my business slipping away from me. Something I desperately did not want to lose.
I tried to give myself space to process this horrible trauma all the while trying to survive with 3 kids. I knew that if I was not careful this amount of pain and betrayal would consume me. I knew if I stayed where I was, struggling to make ends meet the way that I was, I would lose the battle. I knew I needed to figure out a way to get somewhere that brought me peace and safety. A place that would allow my business to flourish. So, I did just about one of the craziest things you could do as a single parent. I moved to a state where I knew no one, had no work lined up, and where the cost of living was high. Insane right??? Or….genius?? Thankfully it happened to be the best decision I have ever made. I’m not saying it was easy or still is easy. Good things do not come easily.
While living in Colorado I have been able to heal, to do the work to find me again. I have been able to find peace. I have not only been able to pick my business back up and run with it, but I can start more businesses (yes plural. 2024 is going to be something else). I want to thank all my clients, followers, and supporters. To my past clients thank you. Thank you for continuing to believe in me during my darkest hour. I will never be able to express just how much that has meant to me (especially without crying). So many of you reached out with kind words and encouraged me along the way. To me new clients I gained in Colorado, thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on a photographer/videographer no one in the area knew. Thank you for seeing my work and seeing value in it. That level of faith was often my anchor to keep pushing.
In 2023 I traveled to 5 different states to capture weddings & elopements. I got to see 2 new national parks. Some of the most breathtaking views. And I met some amazing people.
I am grateful to you all and am so incredibly honored to help capture your stories. Here are some beautiful moments from 2023:
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