Year-end is typically a time for reflection for me where I get to look back and everything that happened and prepare for the new year’s goals and aspirations. 2021 has been an amazing year despite the state of the world and I am elated to look back at my 2021 portraits and see all the amazing people who came through my door. Yes, I have a door now.
After the first year of the COVID 19 Pandemic things started opening back up and with the help of vaccines was able to be more comfortable working with clients indoors again. And I felt clients were more comfortable doing more as we all waded through the ever-changing conditions and limitations. Little did I know that I would be welcoming clients into my own space.
In March, a fellow photographer friend, James Hardman, reached out about looking at a studio space and the possibility of sharing a space. This was on my list of things to work towards but wasn’t anticipating it for at least another year or so. Things have their way of being put in front of us that is hard to deny are meant to be. Needless to say, we jumped on the studio space in the Old Port and created a welcoming space for our clients and a great place to work. Side note, I worked at Life is good in Portland which is only a couple blocks away so it was like I was coming home. I love the energy in the city.
The new location brought with it a surge of new clients and amazing opportunities. Amazing musicians, friends, and entrepreneurs have come through the door. I feel my 2021 portraits have jumped leaps and bounds in that I am in a space that is more conducive to how I work and I can use it to my advantage in terms of lighting and such.
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This year also brought with it new energy and appreciation for me, specifically as I appear in images. I plan to do a lot more self-portraits in 2022. You all seem to love my face, at least according to my Instagram top 9 photos of 2021.
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Other highlights include a new hand-painted background from Fine Art Backdrops. Made by Ashley, an amazing artist, and small business owner. It is the olive green background in the image above. I was also selected to be an ambassador for 17hats, a customer management platform system that I have used since I started my business in 2015. I absolutely wouldn’t be where I am today without that. Knowing now that I thrive off processes and systems and having the ability to automate a bunch of my tasks in that platform has given me more time with my clients, which I love.
The growth that comes along with being an entrepreneur can be very personal and not just in business terms. I have learned so much about who I am and what drives me since I have started my business. Lots of ups and downs but I wouldn’t change it for the world. One of those things is the desire to connect with people one-on-one and hear about what they are passionate about.
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With all that has happened this year, I am eternally grateful for all the amazing people who were brave enough to step in front of the camera to have their portraits made. It can be an uncomfortable experience and why I work at the connection more with clients rather than just point a camera and snap away. There is a relationship that needs to be earned so that the best side of you can come forward. That is my ultimate goal with any portraits session.
With that, I would like to present to you the 2021 portraits, year in review. Featuring every client, and some of myself and the studio, as a reflection on the amazing year 2021 turned out to be.
