I admit that last year I did not write my annual end of the year post. It’s not that 2013 didn’t have some truly amazing moments, but I also had a lot of awful things happen to me in 2013. These things happened towards the half end of the year and I just wasn’t feeling up to sharing about my year. But with that being said, some really incredible things did take place in 2013 as well. I traveled to Greece, which is now one of my absolute favorite places in the world and I am planning to go back next summer. It was beyond magical and definitely a highlight of 2013. I also purchased my very first house which I am completely OBSESSED with and more grateful for than you could imagine. I have been in it now for a year and I cannot stop thanking God for the huge blessing of living in my dream house. I also hired a new employee in 2013 who has turned out to be the absolute best thing for my business and team. Emily is such a blessing from God and I am so grateful for her every single day. She has a very bright future and I am just so lucky she came into my life.
2014 was definitely a wonderful fresh start for me after dealing with the hardships I faced in 2013. I made a lot of great decisions for my life in 2014 and have never been happier. My business grew a lot in 2014 and I also trained Emily to take over shooting boudoir at The Boudoir Vixen. She has learned SO unbelievably quick and being able to pass that torch has been one of life’s greatest blessings for me. It has allowed me to be able to focus on bettering the business in other areas. It has given me the time to do other things that I have been wanting to work on. And it has also allowed me to focus on a brand new business that I have been working on for the past year and a half. (More on that in 2015!) In 2014, I added a new addition to my fur baby family. Sushi, my Scottish fold kitten has been an additional joy in this past year. I originally got him so that Mischa (my black lab) could have a friend but he has truly turned into so much more than that. I traveled to England, Paris, NYC and California this year. Some for work, some for play. All in all, I loved this year.
As always, I want to say thank you to each and every one of our clients in 2014. You have all been amazing and I would not be who I am without you. Thank you for your constant support and love. I am so grateful for every single one of you. And I look forward to meeting all of our clients in 2015.
As I say in every single one of these posts, never stop living your dream. Never stop fighting for the absolute best life you can have. Dreams do come true if you work super hard for them and if you have a great and positive outlook on life. Seriously, a great attitude and perspective will take you SO far in life. I know this for a fact. No matter what happens or who tries to tear you down, don’t let them. Be strong, be courageous. There is so much beauty in life and SO much to live for.
If you would like to read a very real post I wrote on my personal blog at the end of last year, click here.
Happy New Year!
xo
Courtney
To read 2009’s end of the year post, click here.
To read 2010’s end of the year post, click here.
To read 2011’s end of the year post, click here.
To read 2012’s end of the year post, click here.
PS. Stay tuned for January 12th of next year. I have some seriously HUGE news to share with you guys about some big changes that will be happening in my life. Can’t wait!
Me and my little team on Emily’s wedding day earlier this year:
These two are the cutest! So in love which makes my job so much easier. It was such a joy photographing these lovebirds and they both did so great on their outfits. Both of their selections are timeless, classic looks that never go out of style.
Hair/Makeup by the team of Brandi Zito.
Jill and Matt are the cutest!!! I am obsessed with these two and how into each other they are. I mean, seriously they LOVE each other and I adore it. I couldn’t stop smiling their entire day. The kind of love they share just makes you all warm and fuzzy inside. You can’t help but feel happy around this couple.
Their wedding was held at their home which I just LOVE. It made it so personal and sweet. I really enjoyed every moment.
Jill and Matt: Words could never tell you how truly grateful I am for all of your support and trust in me. I am forever thankful. Never stop loving each other and going on adventures!! xo
Hair/Makeup by Brandi Zito.
They opted for a First Look, which is always an enormously great decision.
They each exchanged gifts, which included earrings, binoculars, a pocket watch and an AMAZING boudoir album photographed by yours truly at The Boudoir Vixen. ; )
Yeah, I think he loved his gifts.
It is always such an honor to photograph other photographers. When Corine asked me to shoot her boudoir photos, I was thrilled. She booked our largest package AND personal shopper option and just let me do my thing with her. We had an entire day with her and she looks so stunning in all of her photos. She decided that she wanted to do a shoot with her and Beebe when she gave him his album. I loved the idea. They stay super busy with their beautiful family and successful photography business. So I was very excited for them to take a lil time away from both and do something for just them. Like a really fun date. Again, I was super flattered they chose me to photograph these moments. Corine and Beebe are truly some of the coolest people I have ever worked with. They completely just let me do whatever I want, which is always when my best work shines through. They also are SO into each other and so in love and that just makes me so happy. It was so fun hanging out with them.
Hair/makeup by Brandi Zito. Boudoir photos shot at The Boudoir Vixen.
Corine + Beebe: I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Thank you again so much for everything. B, I expect to receive that Christmas card you showed me. Haha
I think he liked his album. ; )
I met Trey over 10 years ago. We worked together and have remained friends ever since. When he and Whitney asked me to be their photographer, I was truly thrilled. They are seriously two of the nicest and kindest people you will ever meet. When they told me they were going to have an intimate wedding in Napa with only a few close friends and family, I was beyond excited. Intimate weddings are so lovely – there is truly something so special about them. I knew their day would be so sweet, and it was. From beginning to end, I completely loved every moment. They have a 4year old daughter and she was included in so many moments, which made it even more sentimental and beautiful. I have never seen Trey happier, he was smiling all day. I could go on and on, but I am going to let the photos tell the story.
Whitney, Trey and Rowan: THANK YOU!!! I will always cherish your day and memories. I am so grateful you chose me to be a part of it. Never stop loving each other.
Hair/makeup by Brandi Zito.
So the day began…
Whitney and Trey decided to see each other right before the ceremony and it was so beautiful.
Seriously, I can’t deal with how cute they are.
So much love and happiness.
After allowing them a few minutes alone, we had Trey turn his back again and Rowan had her very own First Look with her daddy. It was seriously the cutest thing. Just look at that face.
I love them!!
Whitney, you are STUNNING. Seriously.
Love this. Trey helping his two girls.
No lie, I get emotional every time I look at their photos.
Then the ceremony began.
They read their own special vows to each other. It was so beautiful and quite emotional.
Rowan was asked to join them during the exchanging of rings.
Obsessed.
Sighhhh.
I made them climb this ridiculously steep hill to get to this spot. I love that they were down for literally whatever I asked of them. And I am so glad because I love the next few shots.
The rest of the evening was spent having so much fun with their friends and family. It was a night to remember forever.