My words less than frequent this blogsite. I save it for the images. I feel they speak for themselves- all of them. Another year comes and goes all to quickly and once again, like every year, I personally find myself in the midst of a swift January, in catch up mode. Catch up from what, you ask? I find myself pondering this too, as the year has been a complete success as far as the holiday season and beyond: cards, gifts, prints, orders, etc. and with it all completed now, I still find myself mentally playing catch up. You see, as a photographer, the years end comes so fast you care only about the task at hand complete and fill orders by clients holiday deadlines. Very Blessed I tell ya, every year this little ol’ company that’s branded with that little ol’ crown grows. Bigger.  But alas, on these bitter {50 degree} cold January days  at the studio I still feel a bit overwhelmed with what the New  Year holds. It’s me, it’s in me- that feeling. I want to grow more, I want to learn more, be better, get better, rock 2013 as I did 2012 all in super high maintenance mode- But better. All while needing a “detox” week or two in January. Right? Makes no sense. So the past couple  “get back in my zone” days and even a week or so, my mind races. What can I do? What can I do better? What can I offer? How will I grow? Will I grow?- both the company and myself as a person.  Nonsense. Of course WE will.

The Recap: 2012. Many times we set New Years resolutions for ourselves and sometimes secretly for others. But the big kicker is DOING. Doing for ourselves. Something I have wanted  “to do” from the existence of “Bliss” is a recap. So I did it. Seems like a no brainer and a no biggie. Ha! You come and do it. And picking faves- right. Your brain is toast after. WHY? Because, what I realized while clicking through every session of twenty twelve is that THIS recap was just the “get back in my zone” motivation and inspiration that I NEEDED. I say this with every ounce of raw truth, after every Holiday Season, I hit a wall, a brick wall, a perfectly distressed brick wall. Its a fact, every year AFTER the holiday hustle and bustle. If you are any part creative you know it can’t be forced, it just comes, naturally. And when it’s gone for a bit you crave it. As I continue the task at hand and continue the quest for a “recap”, all of your beautiful images, our images, speak volumes to me- just as they are.  I love them. Every single one. Even the ones you ”hate”. Yeah, that’s a strong word, so let’s work on not using that one in 2013 or 14 or 15 or ever. I stand behind MY quote. “The camera loves you, when you love who you are.” The end.

My point behind this ever so truthful yet rambling blog post about the year to come from Miss Bliss herself is that, maybe it’s not always about changing all the time. Quiet possibly it’s about being steady, solid, firm and focused on what you do. Because you do it well. Reflection is good. Growth is better. Acceptance is amazing.  Finding yourself is the best yet. Staying that way is the best ever. You tend to want to change, to out do, to keep up, to hurry up and be better. As I reflect and re-energize for the upcoming year I am feeling excited for unknown, happy for the growth, a little sad to see all the “bliss kiddos” grow another year- some of which I have photographed since birth. But most importantly, I am open. Open to the intentions I have set for myself as a photographer and as a businesswoman. This past year has been so amazing and the images just as amazing. The stories we have told have been beautiful and I am looking forward to the next chapter. The goals I have set, the “to do’s” I have jotted down, some may come and some may go, I may or may not reach all of them, I may surpass them. But regardless, I am open to all of it. I started this little ol’ crown branded company with the goal to just pay for my camera and a single lens. As I reflect, sitting in this beautiful space any “artist” would love to frequent, I am reminded that “none of any of this” would have become a reality if it weren’t for you and your belief in me. Not just as a photographer, but a person and we all know I take every bit of my work personally. I wouldn’t have it any other way. As you watch the “recap” of Bliss Boutique Photography 2012 with images in absolutely no particular order, let every frame be a reminder of just how truly blessed we really are. I can’t believe how many memories I have archived for families. It’s makes me  shake my head in a humbling disbelief. The smiles, the tears, the hugs, the feet, the shoes, the laughs, the not looking at you looks, the perfect, the not so perfect- it’s all perfect. Turn it up, let the lyrics speak to you and let every image draw you in. Prepare yourself for a tear or two and a little screen blur,  mine does every time. It’s been an amazing journey thus far and I have no words to express how full my heart is that I was able to work with all of you and capture all of these breath taking moments. I look forward to 2013 and all that it holds…so let’s get this show on the road already!

From the bottom of my heart, this years love is here to last.

Thank you, Miss Bliss