these posts always seem to come at the most hectic (this should be my slow time, right?!) time of year and every year i question whether they’re worth the stress. but then i look back at the fact that i started these in 2009 (here are posts from 2010, 2011 and 2012) and find myself SO thankful that i took the time to put them together. the digital world takes a lot of flack from print enthusiasts, but the fact of the matter is that any form of matter can fail. photos can fade or burn, hard drives can blow up, whatever. i guess what i’m trying to say, is that whether you print your photos (which i HIGHLY suggest doing) or upload them to your computer (BACK THEM UP!), take the time to do something (ANYTHING) with them.

this wedding season was a different one for me. not that i didn’t take my role as wedding photographer seriously before, but this year was different. this year it was putting the clothes on my back. on march 1 of this past year, i left my full time, stable job to pursue this little (read: HUGE) venture full time. to say i haven’t looked back, or that it’s changed the way i shoot and view weddings, or that it’s made me a better photographer are insulting understatements. it has lit a fire in me that i’ve been so pleased to watch burn.

i don’t like to mention numbers much here because it so easily comes off as boastful. so at the risk of sounding like a brat, i shot 21 weddings this year. there, i said it. 21. that means i also had the opportunity to become friends with 42 truly amazing people, which is what makes endlessly happy. i have them to thank for the new stability in my life that is being a full time photographer, something i won’t forget and am forever grateful.

i hope you enjoy what i feel are my 49 (yeah, couldn’t quite hit 50) best wedding photos of the year. cheers to 2013, i can’t wait to see what 2014 brings!

this head table took my breath away. i loved that it was in the middle of the room. i loved that it was on the floor (not raised, thus separating them from the rest of their guests). i loved the flowers (by keith bauer). not surprisingly, it reminded me a little of my own head table.