Anxious, yet exhilirating. If I had to describe how I felt the majority of 2015 I think it would be anxious. I was anxious for my dreams to become a reality in going full time. I was anxious about the lack of time I had to have a life, and seriously struggled with work life balance. Working a full time job as photo-editor for a commercial studio (although I loved my job) was draining me to zero every day. It was nearly impossible to come home from 8 hours of photo editing at work to do another 8 hours at home of my own work..I was desperate for a breathe of fresh air and I hustled like CRAZY to be able to quit my job and go full time by the end of 2016.

I think we all get caught up in making goals and resolutions for January every year and we often forget to look to the year past and see what we actually accomplished and all the fun adventures we did go on! (that’s a 2016 goal- to be more grateful for things as they’re happening rather than always trying to climb the next mountain….sit and enjoy the view for a while!)

But here they are.. My 2015 Accomplishments:

1. As mentioned above, I went full time in my business!!! At the end of October I pulled the plug on the daily 9-5 as a photo editor and became my own boss. The biggest struggle has been a lack of a social work atmosphere. Working alone in your pajamas everyday definitely comes with its’ struggles.
2. I shot 14 of my own weddings in 2015 and 14 as a second shooter. 
3. I booked my goal (and then some) for 2016 weddings. Still in shock.
4. I attended and traveled to workshops in Scottsdale: Arizona, Charleston South Carolina, and Ireland. They were all life-altering in some way shape or for and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to learn from so many incredible business owners.
5. I took a leap of faith to lead the North Jersey Tuesdays Together group as a local leader for the Rising Tide Society. (Stay tuned for a post on this next Monday!)
6. I traveled and adventured to Norway, Denmark, Florida, Colorado. From fjords to mountaintops to white sand beaches it was an incredible year for adventure.
7. I had my first guest speaking debut speaking for my local Vernon Camera Club discussing “Visual Storytelling: The Art of Lifestyle Storytelling”. Sweaty palms definitely occurred. 
8. I connected with so many incredible local entrepreneurs that I’m so thrilled to call friends now.
9. I joined an academy for wedding photographers to continue my education daily to better myself, and my client’s experience with me.
10. I booked 2 weddings for 2016 at a bucket list venue for me: Crystal Springs Resort.
11. I learned Off Camera Flash and used it for every wedding this year and learned how to do nightshots! Definitely prefer daylight but I learned something new! =)

And this is probably the first time I’ve sat and reflected on these accomplishments and I think that is so important. It’s so easy to forget where we started and think that we’re not improving but really we’ve come so far! 

But onto 2016…if I had to pick one word to describe 2016 and what I want it to be I would say intentional.

If I had to pick four huge goals for 2016 it would be this:

1. I want to be intentional in not only my business, but my weekend adventures, my time with family and friends and my personal time. I want to surround myself with positive, motivating, and uplifting people who push my to be a better business owner, better friend, better person. And 
2. Collect Moments, Not Things. I want to say yes to every adventure I can. I want to declutter my life and collect adventures and memories that will be with me forever. I have always been more fulfilled by relationships and memories with friends than material things.
3. Have Less, Travel More. A little similar to the one above, but I want to make two big trips and two little trips this year! (And every year following). I am so inspired by culture and experiencing new people, I was completely infected with the travel bug after studying abroad in Copenhagen. Sigh. 
4. Launch a website and a kickstarter for my next adventure, starting a lifestyle magazine focused on living a life of meaning, celebrating moments and artists, and creating a beautiful legacy. It has been on my heart for such a long time to start and I hope you will follow along when the journey begins.
5. Host a photography workshop! There, said it! AH! We shall see… it’s out in the world now!

I hope you all take time to reflect on everything you’ve done in 2015 and strive to make 2016 even better. Cheers to growth, loving what you do, and being intentional with everything you do.