Woohoohooooo! These two are probably the goofiest couple I've photographed so far, and I loved every minute of it. We had a cookie picnic, slid down dusty embankments, and slipped on icy ponds...
Winter Wonderland Engagement
Back in December, I shot Kaitlin and Michael's engagement pictures just after our first real snow this winter. I had such fun with them, and can't wait to be a part of their wedding this summer!
And quite the year it was . . .
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
Summer Love
Lizzy and Dayton met while they worked at Target. His blue eyes and flashy white smile caught her eye while his humorous booming voice could be heard across the store. Each time Dayton drifted by the fitting room where Lizzy worked, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She knew she would fall for this wonderful man with the high and tight military hair cut.
A photographer herself, Lizzy ensured there were plenty of beautiful details for me to capture on their wedding day. The camo garters, special hankies, delicate perfume bottles, shoes, the flowers--everything was perfect! It was a true day of celebration; a day full of love and laughter right in the heart of Glencoe.
Side note: I'm slowly falling in love with Minnesota.
Evelyn | Newborn Cutie
This weekend I got to do a couple of amazing things.
- Visit my family in Idaho
- Go to my cousin's wedding as a guest, not the photographer
- See all my little cousins
- MEET my tiny, adorable, brand new little cousin Evelyn
Robyn | Portraits
Happy Birthday, Robyn! This strong yogi came to me with a gift certificate for a photoshoot from her sweet friend. The desire to encourage the women around us and show them how strong and beautiful they are should be something that we never try to suppress or hide. The whole point of this shoot was to have fun and make some beautiful images of an amazing lady. I think we accomplished that!
Fun Fact: Robyn strained her ankle a few days before and had been wearing a boot to keep it steady as it healed. We did the entire shoot sans boot, because she's just that tough. She also ran a half marathon two days later. Don't try to stop a woman who has her mind made up!
OWN IT WORKSHOP 2016
It's been almost three months since I attended the OWN IT workshop in Lake Tahoe, but it feels like yesterday. Never have I had such a refreshing and affirming time in the company of so many like-minded creatives.