2012 was an amazing year for me–personally and professionally! Not only did I marry my love of 11 years, but I also got a new (dream!) job as an Assistant Professor of English at Oakton Community College.

However, because of these wonderful things and because of my attempt to find that thing called balance, 2012 was also the year that my photography business had to change a bit. There was a time when I was shooting 30+ weddings a year in Chicago. Now, I’m cutting back significantly. I can’t give up photography completely because, the truth is, I still really love it. So, I’m shooting fewer weddings (like 10-12 a year) and focusing more on the couples whose lives I get to be a part of. This year has proven that this is a change for the better. Not only do I get to be more selective about the weddings I do shoot–meaning I get to work with the very best and kindest and creative couples–but I also have more energy and time to devote to the clients I do work with. I’ve been able to fall back in love with wedding photography all over again. As a result, I think I’m doing my best work yet!

Also, because I’m refining my business focus, I’ve decided that something had to go. And, because it was the most stress logistically, that something is my boudoir marathons. However, I’ll be happy to refer any of my clients to other local photographers who are doing wonderful boudoir work! From here on out, though, I will no longer be offering boudoir photography services. I’ll now be focusing on clients who–for the most part–keep their clothes on.

All of this said, I’m still behind the camera enough to keep me–and my many loyal clients–happy! I’m shooting couples that are engaged, couples that are getting married, and couples that are expecting their first baby. I’m shooting babies and toddlers and big kids. I’m shooting families that I’ve seen grow for years. I’m shooting quartets and brides and bellies, and I’m doing it all at a pace that allows me to honor my clients and my career.

So, here’s a look back at some of my favorite photography moments of 2012! And thank you to all of the wonderful clients you see in these pictures, all of whom make it impossible for me to give up photography for good. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives, and thank you for being a part of mine!

Happy 2013, everyone! It’s going to be a good one.

I’ve had a couple of exciting publications and features here lately, and I wanted to share. Check out the spring issue of The Knot magazine for a feature on Ashley and Sunil’s Wedding!

Then one of my favorite new wedding magazines–Smitten–featured Courtney and Erik’s wedding on their blog. LOVE the way they organized the photos–beautiful!

Always happy and thankful to have my work featured!

This past year, I’ve been really lucky! I’ve had shoots featured in such awesome publications as Style Unveiled (twice!), Elizabeth Anne Designs, Eco-Beautiful Weddings, and Aisle Candy. I’ve used Two Bright Lights–an amazing resource for vendors–to submit to all of these publications.

I’m still no expert on publication, and I have several publication goals that I’ve yet to meet. However, after having obsessively checked wedding websites, blogs, and magazines for years, I have a pretty good idea of what editors are looking for when they are considering whether or not to publish your photos (for photographers) or your events (for clients). So, maybe these tips will help you, too!

To create a submission on TBL, you have to first make an inspiration board. Brides, especially, are usually familiar with these! An inspiration board is collection of images that tell a story. That story could be what you want your wedding day to look like. Or, for photographers like myself, that story could be what message your photographs are communicating–how and why they belong together. I’ve realized that it’s helpful to think about what your inspiration board will look like before you ever begin the shoot. In other words, rather than sorting through a bunch of photos that may or may not fit together, why not make sure that what you’re doing (whether it is planning a photoshoot or an event) will be visually cohesive before you even start? This is probably the best tip I can give to my clients who are in the beginning stages of planning their wedding. The truth is, whatever makes a big visual impact for an editor will also make a big visual impact for your guests, too!

Here are the inspiration boards that got these shoots published. As you can see, they create a story. That story can revolve around a theme, a color, or an aesthetic. The bottom line is that they look like they belong together; they look like someone thought about how they’d connect to each other. If you’re a photographer or a couple hoping to get your photographs published, make sure you’re photos do the same!