Despite every late night comedy show joking about how 2016 was the worst year ever, I think 2016 was one of my BEST years ever. I don’t know what those guys are talking about, but 2016 was awesome for me. To recap, here are some of the best parts of MY year:

• I GOT MARRIED
• I changed my name and (legally) started and finished the paperwork for my new business
• I worked with more amazing couples and seniors than ever
• I found a community of likeminded business owners in groups such as Rising Tide Society, Mastin Labs, Katelyn James, and Turn it Up
• I invested in some amazing software and organizational tools that will help me behind the scenes in 2017

The list could go on and on, because it was seriously an awesome year. I complied my favorite moments into this Best of 2016 post to look back at 2016 one more time before moving on to what is shaping up to be a great year as well.

Miranda’s senior session at Brushy Creek was one of my favorites, not only because of the amazing scenery at this Cedar Park location, but because of her natural smile and fun personality.

 

Rebecca & Thomas are some of my favorites, and I’m so excited to photograph their wedding in April. Their engagement session made the list for obvious reasons – they were so photogenic together and were willing to let me capture their signature dance moves. Despite being a Red Raider, I also loved photographing them on UT’s campus – it’s too pretty not to love.

 

This August, I photographed the wedding of Eric & Andrea, some friends who went to Texas Tech with my husband and I. I loved being a part of their day, and I loved the red and black decorations, which included plenty of roses.

 

Kayla & Jared’s fashionable clothing choices for their engagement session makes the list. I loved everything Kayla wore, including this dress, which if I remember right was from Target (aka my second home).

 

Matt and I went to Grenada (in the Caribbean) this summer for our honeymoon and man, that island is pretty. This shot was taking from inside a van while on a tour of the island. Could you imagine living in this house with this view?

 

Heather & Jared’s engagement session was one of the most FUN shoots I’ve ever had. Their happiness was contagious and we laughed the whole time. Plus, Heather is a huge wildflower fan (like me!) and was willing to lay down in a beautiful bluebonnet field.

 

Becca’s senior photos at the Zilker Botanical Garden makes the list as one of my favorite senior sessions and one of my favorite locations to ever shoot at. Austinites – if you haven’t spent an afternoon here (when the weather is nice), you gotta do it!

 

Summer’s senior photos on South Congress kicked off my senior photos for 2016 back in March, and as you can see, she killed it.

 

Downtown Georgetown + the San Gabriel River is one of the best places around for portraits, and it was a great pick for Krystyn & Casey’s engagement photos. I loved the water and tree line on this shot, so it’s on the list!

 

Sometimes a wedding day can be crazy, but Sarah was so good about letting the stress of the day disappear in her photos and made taking a bridal portraits in the middle of the day really peaceful and fun!

 

Baylee’s senior session at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock was the first introduction to this cool location. I loved using this wood fence and old red barn in the background for these shots. I definitely want to go back to this spot again. Who’s with me?

 

Katie & Chase’s engagement photos were also taken at Old Settler’s Park. I thought they did such a great job coordinating their outfits, and I loved the way they looked hanging out near the big, old trees in the park.

 

And I’ll end with this fun shot of Amber & Steven.

 

Ok, 2017. I’m ready for you.