The Best Moments of 2020: A Photo Essay
I could go on and on about how awful 2020 was. But if I’ve learned anything about myself this year, it’s that I am forever an optimist.
My Goals for 2020
At the beginning of the year I set out with a list of goals that were tied to my years core values (read about it here!), and man, was this ever the year to start that tradition. I could go on and on about how awful 2020 was. But if I’ve learned anything about myself this year, it’s that I am forever an optimist. I will always see the good in every situation, and strive to understand it’s beauty. Some might think it’s a coping mechanism, a way to stay in denial about reality - myself included. Now I realize it’s so much bigger than that. Each and every one of us chooses how we face hard times, and we all have our own strength to bring to the table. My strength is seeing the beauty in every situation, no matter how small or everyday it may be. It’s not only what has kept my sane, but in times where sadness is pervasive, they are the moments to treasure the most.
My goal in 2020 became very simple: see the beauty everywhere, in every moment. So today, I look back on some of those beautiful moments and share them with you, because this is what I’m made to do.
Bright Spots in 2020
The Best Laugh - Kori
As much as I love this format, there are some things you just can’t capture with a photograph. Kori’s laugh is one of them. The best way I can describe it: Think of a child’s carefree laughter, amplify it by like a thousand, throw in some wild energy, and that’s Kori’s laugh. I was so fortunate to photograph Kori and her family again this winter, and hearing that laugh and frolicking in the snow with this family is exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Best Quiet Moment - Mavis and Andrew’s Wedding Portraits
One of my favorite places to photograph in Vermont is in the Northeast Kingdom, and Mavis and Andrew’s small backyard wedding on the family farm did not disappoint. We snuck away from the cocktails and the amazing Jasper Hill cheeses to photograph a few couples portraits, and we quickly found so many magical places. To pick just one is nearly impossible, but this image at the pond with the ceremony spot in the background taking in the moment together, will forever be one of my favorites.
The Best Lesson - I'm not that introverted
I was always the person who would cancel plans, look for a reason to not to go out and leave the house. I always assumed this was because I was an introvert at heart. While I’m sure that is still pretty true, it’s taken a pandemic to teach me that I still need people. I am thrilled at the fact I can stay home when I need to, but I’ve also learned that not having the choice is so, so hard. I miss my friends, I miss my family. Zoom has been a blessing, but it’s still hard. I cannot wait to get out again and let the hidden extrovert in me shine, I think she’s getting restless.
The Best Read - Why Fish Don't Exist
Way, way, way long ago, I wanted to be a writer. We’re talking like pre-fourth grade. If that had stayed my passion, I really, really hope I could have been half the writer that Lulu Miller is in Why Fish Don’t Exist. Her voice so resonated with mine, the way she questions the world we live in, what we take as fact, how she stays curious about everything. Plus what she writes about is so relevant in so many ways. If you’re looking for a good read to start 2021 with, this is your guy.
The Best Candid Moment - Jill and Jeremy flying toy airplanes
Back in the NEK (I tell you, magical things happen here) at Jill and Jeremy’s small wedding on Lake Willoughby, and as party favor they brought along little toy airplanes you can wind up and toss to fly. This little moment right as the sun was setting of those two sending their planes over the small reception was such a beautiful moment to witness.
The Best Editor - Crystal
This was the year I realized I can’t run this business alone, and thank God I have Crystal for that. She is the genius behind my wedding photography edits, the one that takes my vision and literally makes it happen. I cannot sing enough praises about this girl, but I will forever supply her with coffee and all the headshots she can handle as a token of my love for her.
The Best Surprise - Bennett and Julia Proposal
I’m a total sucker for surprise proposals, and Bennett’s proposal to Julia was one of the best. We planned a little walk by Lake Champlain with their dog Bernie on what was the coldest day in November ever, and that view was the absolute best.
The Best Cheerleaders - Tuesday Night Club
I hit lots of ruts this year with staying motivated, so joining a weekly group of other business women seemed like a good idea to help light the fire under my butt. I am SO glad I made that choice -Julia has the most inspiring pep talks, and a chance to get to know and understand other people and where they struggle and thrive helped me get out of my own head about all the things I wasn’t doing. I’m so, so grateful for the opportunity to watch all these ladies grow and thrive next year.
All of these ladies and their local businesses are amazing and you should seriously check out what they have to offer :-)
The Best Christmas Card - Gabby and Nate
Our yearly tradition of making fun and unique Christmas cards is still going strong, and this year’s was definitely one of my favorites. Goal for next year: set up a mini session to bring Gabby’s vision to the people.
The Best Ceremony - Sabrina and Kyla
Everything about Sabrina and Kyla’s elopement was the stuff of my dreams, but my personal highlight was when the local Yorkie decided he belonged on stage with the couple.
One important note: he’s not their dog.
The Best Pups - All of Them
As each of these people will tell you, they now have so many photos of their dogs from our sessions - probably more than anything else. Because if your dog is anywhere nearby during a session, we will take time to photograph them. Always.
The Best “Aha” Moment - I Can Do This
I have one memory when talking to a couple about replanning their wedding - I was so focused on the logistics of rescheduling, that when they were asking questions about how the photography of the day itself would go, how to plan and time their day, I was answering their questions basically without thinking. Things like “oh yeah we’ll put in lots of buffer time so we don’t have to stress about that” and “we’ll plan on doing portraits at this time of day so it’ll fit in and be easy”. At the end of the call, they made a point to tell me how much I had reassured them, how much less stress they felt about getting married. And what was weird about it? I didn’t realize I was even doing that. I realized I’ve got enough experience under my belt that I know how to handle an answer most every situation without needing to think about it. And that confidence has an effect on my clients, they feel calm and reassured that I’m taking care of them. That moment blew me away - It’s what I’ve been striving for for so long, and having that moment come so unexpectedly. Well, that’s beyond anything I could have hoped for this year.
My Goal for 2021
Like I said earlier, last year I focused my goals around my core values. But what is my core value for 2021? As much as I want to believe that the hard moments from 2020 won’t continue into the new year, reality doesn’t work that way - there will still be unrest from the election, hardships with getting vaccines to everyone, and so many other concerns we may not even know yet.
So this year, my focus will be on one single core value: joy. My goal is to find and bring joy into everything I do, from my photography to everyday life. Real, unfiltered, full-throated joy, that goes beyond happiness and goes into something much, much deeper. To stay focused, I’ll be asking myself this question every day: “What can I do to bring joy into this world?” and strive to achieve it. That joy can be focused on others, but real joy benefits everyone, myself included.
I hope the new year allows you and the ones you love to find joy. Thank you for being here, and I can’t wait to find joy with you in 2021.
<3 Mo
