It’s that time. Can hardly believe it myself, but it’s time to hibernate for a few weeks!! Never have I ever this past year taken off two whole weeks!! Starting now {well, after I meet up with the big ‘ole Jones Family and photograph sweet 6 month old Kensington today!!} I am officially “signing off” until January 2nd!! Crazy.
So, as I was planning on writing this post I was looking back on 2010. Gosh, not sure I have enough words in me to write an entire post about how truly Thankful I am for what this year has done for me personally. I have met some of the most amazing, grateful, happy, sweet, joyous, beautiful {inside and out} people ever. Some I have known for a long time, some I have just met. But, all I do consider now to be lifetime friends of mine. You trusted that I could capture memories of you and your loved ones. And, I believe for the most part I didn’t let one single person down. {I hope!!}. You welcomed me into your homes, your hearts and allowed me to see the real you. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I can’t imagine my life without photography. Being able to witness and capture new love, first love, unconditional love, happiness, tears, laughter, joys, growth….LIFE…..with and for all of you is such a blessing. I think we are all meant to BE someone and DO something. And, with all of my being I believe this is what I was meant to do. I love being able to show families what I see. What I feel when I am around them. I love being able to show LOVE in a photograph. Gosh, we all feel it. We all need it. Everybody wants to love. Everybody wants to be loved!
I look back and think about some of the most amazing moments of my year. Watching some of my favorite couples say “I Do”, being there when a sweet baby came into the world, photographing a newborn and capturing a big ‘ole smile come across their sweet face, watching some of my first year baby’s take their first steps, photographing a maternity session for a couple expecting their first child and watching families just be. Getting published on Ashley’s Bride Guide was definitely a huge moment for me and going to the mailbox this holiday season and opening up a handful of cards with SRP images all over them. Makes my heart so completely full. This is just a glimpse into my year. So many wonderful things, so many amazing families and so many awesome sessions.
And, putting my sessions to the side. I have also been so blessed to meet some of the most amazing photographers who not only have been encouraging mentors, but have become some of my closest friends. Without their support I know I would not be where I am today. One person clearly stands out for me this year and that is Sarah B Gilliam. If you read my blog or are a friend of mine you will NOT be surprised with that statement one bit. She has been a constant for me. If ever I have a question, concern or just want some feedback she is the one I call. She pushes me, encourages me, strengthens me as a photographer. We should all be so lucky to have a mentor and friend like her when we are taking the leap to BE something. Not enough Thank You’s in the world to pay back what she has done for me and continues to do to this day. Lots of LOVE to you friend. Lots of LOVE.
So, with all of that said and some unsaid because it’s definitely time for me to “check out” I want to WISH all of you and yours a magical Holiday. Filled with so much laughter, lots of love and memories that will last a lifetime. I HOPE I see some familiar faces next year and I HOPE I meet lots of new ones. Here’s to making 2011 GREAT!!
All my love + X’s + O’s, Sara E. Rose
P.S. — December 18th – January 1st I’m hibernating. If you send me an email during that time please give me a little bit to respond. I am gonna be busy spending all of my time with the three I love the most and won’t be eager to check emails like I normally do. You understand, don’t ya!! Thanks for your patience while I eat, rest, relax and love on the ones I love to love!
