Here we are. It's New Year's Eve and I've spent the week going through my work from the year to see how far I've come. I have to say, 2016 has been a real ride. I've progressed so much in my knowledge of posing, composing, handling the pressure and responsibility of capturing the story of 12-hour weddings, working with clients young and old (and also canine), to running a business. The amount of support and encouragement I have received from so many people has been absolutely phenomenal, and I cannot begin to thank you enough.

I really like to make bullet-pointed lists, so here's a rundown of my key moments this year.

January- Krispy Kreme opened in Lincoln and I realized that Dunkin Donuts actually are better.
February- Made new photographer friends
March- Made more new photographer friends
April- Made more friends and did more photoshoots
May- Second shot my first wedding with the amazing Ben Ramos in Omaha. Literally, this dude is the bessssst.
June- my second wedding to photograph but first one in charge! I also got to go to South Dakota, a state I've always wanted to visit, see Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and visit Carhenge in Nebraska on the drive back (shout out to my roadtrip partner Steven).
July- two weddings, one in Minnesota and one in good old Lincoln, Nebraska.
August- my turning point. August held a lot of good things for me, one of which was going to a photo workshop in Lake Tahoe. As you may have read in a previous blog, this was a huge leap for me both professionally and personally. AUGUST WAS AMAZING. I also got to visit my grandparents and several friends I haven't seen since high school in San Francisco and Oregon (basically my favorite place on Earth).
September- A bit of a blur of photoshoots and friend time, PLUS finalizing my new logo.
October- spent the month visiting extended family in Cyprus with my momma (also took many pictures because apparently, I'm REALLY out of practice with my landscape photography). It was on the way back from Cyprus that I got to explore Munich, Germany on my own during a 20-hour layover. I've traveled quite a lot on my own, both in the U.S. and abroad, but this was a hugggge boost for my travel self-esteem. Also, Munich is beautiful.
November- went to my cousin's wedding in Boise as a guest and shot another wedding in Minnesota (and now I'm slowly falling in love with that state).
December- More photoshoots and learning and growing and filled with milestones like buying my first Christmas tree and hosting my first photowalk.

Sprinkled in here I also went to my first concerts this year: Tori Kelly, Us the Duo, Allen Stone, and Hannah Huston (Midwest love!).

In addition to my photography, I've been working 35-40 hours a week at Gallup, and this post would not be complete without a shoutout to that amazing place to work. My managers and coworkers are some of my biggest cheerleaders in my photography. It's only because of the flexibility of that job that allowed me to do as much as I have this year to further my photography business. One day I won't be there at all (don't worry, they all know it) but I know I've gained friends for a lifetime there. It makes me so happy.

Thank you all for believing in me as I continue realizing not only my dreams, but the dreams I believe God has given me. I've had to lean a lot on God this year (as I should every year) and learned that I STILL need to learn to ask for help when I need it. The faith to follow where God is leading and keep Him first in my life. Trust is something I'm so vocal about having, but often lack myself. I have wonderful friends and family in my life that are so loving and understanding. They won't give up on me, and I'll never give up on them. Find those people in your own lives and give them your all.

Here's a quick little overview of my year. Some of my favorite images, in no particular order. Thank you to every single person I've worked with this year; you've has trusted in my creative vision, and personal experience to bring you memories of very personal and special moments. YOU are the reason I love this and can do this. Thank you, thank you, thank you more than you know.

May you bring a bit of light and love into every life you touch in 2017.

<3 Elena