oh my, my, my…

twenty-thirteen :: the year started with me over-reacting and wanting to throw it all away. taking down my photography website and being “done”. i felt overwhelmed, conflicted, and completely creatively burned. i was close to wanting nothing to do with it. so we pulled the reins in. i took barely any new clients. i spent energy making a physical office for my photography so i could close the door and not acknowledge it. we hung wall-paper, set up a new desk, painted… and still i wanted barely anything new.  but the year went along. and i began to feel little energy coming back after each shoot. i started feeling creatively inspired again by new ventures, and by seeing returning clients come back i hadn’t seen in a year. the faithful group that makes me feel valued as a photographer. and the year went on. the office became used and messy quickly. the shoots started piling up. i hired an assistant. i photographed many…  i created over a thousand holiday cards. i created thousands and thousands of images. and oh my. what a year. from despair to abundance. i thought it would be interesting for my own sake to look back at some of the shoots i did. and started pulling images, without over-analyzing. and i watched as the year progressed how full it became.  now if by the end of this post you feel like you’re gonna explode, my apologies. but that is sometimes how i feel. a little bit exploding with the abundance of photos, but also exploding with gratitude at the beauty, the relationships, the love i photograph.  please allow some music to accompany the journey (you’ll need it). some lively music (added above).  ”many days, fell away with nothing to show… the walls kept tumbling down… but if you close your eyes, doesn’t it almost feel like nothing changed at all… like you’ve been here before.  now i’m beginning to be an optimist about this.  now i’m beginning to be an optimist about this.”

so here we go. between one and a small handful from each photoshoot this year… separated by season.

tired and inspired all in the same breath.

14 comments

Laura - January 3, 2014 - 6:37 am

Your work is the best I’ve ever seen. Do not despair!

Megan - January 3, 2014 - 7:52 am

I am so glad you didn’t stop doing photography. Your work inspires me to experiment more with my own photography. I hope one day you will be able to photograph my family.

Jenny - January 3, 2014 - 9:57 am

I adore your work and the spirit it captures. I can see you in each of your photos, as well as the love and emotions of all your subjects. Amazing! This is the kind of social work you were meant to do! I admire you tremendously.

Rebekah - January 3, 2014 - 3:32 pm

Wow wow wow!!! This truly is what you were created to do – you’re simply the best there is Stacy! So glad you didn’t take it all down friend you capture heaven on earth! XO

Gramma - January 4, 2014 - 2:49 pm

Through foggy eyes, I figured it out -> eyes fill with tears to keep full hearts from bursting.

Carrie - January 5, 2014 - 5:00 pm

So glad you didn’t quite! Sometimes you just need A breather in life…I feel that often about work and the things I do to serve others. Petite breaks always do the trick! You are so gifted my friend!!! I really enjoyed seeing what you’ve been up to this year. Love you pal! :)

Carrie - January 5, 2014 - 5:03 pm

Beautiful friend…so obviously what you are gifted for! Thank you for showing us what you were up to this past year! It was a delight to see your work! :) Love you friend!!!

kristina - January 5, 2014 - 6:53 pm

seriously ridiculous, oh, just stop it, I can’t handle so much gorgeousness!!!!!!!!

Amanda - January 5, 2014 - 9:58 pm

You. Are. Amazing. —What an incredible gift you have!

amy - January 6, 2014 - 5:08 am

stacy, i was just thinking the other day how much you have grown and improved since shooting us picking oranges in the woodward’s backyard. you have the unique ability to make the viewer feel intimately connected with your subject. this is truly what you were meant to do!!! xoxo amy

jaana - January 9, 2014 - 2:48 pm

i think all photographers go through those feeling at some point. Good thing you kept going! great stuff :)

flor - January 10, 2014 - 10:09 pm

oh I’m so glad you decided to hang in there. your work
is truly such a gift and a blessing. hope you are doing well and hope you had a wonderful holiday <3

Tahnee - January 12, 2014 - 1:01 pm

Oh Stacy, I am SO happy you pushed through and kept going. To lose your beautiful images from my screen would be a CRIME!!! You must smile to the point of tears when you scroll through this post – from where you started to where you ended. Looks as though that little office was just what the doctor ordered. So looking forward to watching your journey this year xx

Milina - February 12, 2014 - 4:36 pm

Incredibly inspiring Stacy. You have a true gift. There is just so much beautiful emotion in these images. xo

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