Being thankful, grateful, for what we have is such an important piece of our happiness and joy in my opinion. I am by no means as good at expressing my gratitude, and always having an attitude of gratitude (should THAT be a new hashtag?! I’m on it!), as I would like to be. But I do truly believe that when I think about the good things and show that #attitudeofgratitude (see what I did there?) to those around me, it can help me focus on the joy and positivity of life.  And life is so so SO full of joy! That’s why it is one of my branding words, and one of the words I hold so closely to my heart in terms of what I want to be and convey as a person.  And that joy often springs from my gratitude to my family and friends, to God for loving me and helping me through this life, and as I want to write about today, for this business!

I could spend a full week…a full month!…writing about my gratefulness for what has happened with JGP over the last few years.  About what I never dreamed about, and never would have dared ask permission for.  But this business has allowed me to dream, and I am just so so grateful, now at Thanksgiving and all year around. But I know I don’t say it enough.  I am truly so thankful for all of the seniors, families and couples that choose me, out of everyone, out of a city FULL of amazing photographers, to document their lives for them.  And I will share my thoughts towards the seniors and families one day. But for today I want to focus quickly on the couples, since that is the piece of my business that has really expanded this year and that I am really focusing on.

Photographing weddings, being the person trusted on one of the most important, and certainly most highly documented, day of a couple’s life, is a huge deal to me.  Such a big deal that when JGP started, I had no clue if I would even dare adventure into weddings…because of the pressure! You get ONE shot, ONE time to get it right. Beyond just the fear of equipment and cards and batteries and all of those pieces, the pictures have to be FANTASTIC…because every single couple that gets married deserves that! The absolute best, the absolute best preservation of their details and memories and hearts.  And I wasn’t sure I wanted that pressure, or that I could handle it. But half a day into shadowing on my first wedding, I knew I was hooked. The hustle and bustle felt familiar; sort of like directing all of those musicals I had been directing for years.  I knew I could find the moments, I knew I could trust my eye. I just absolutely loved it all.

These 14 couples, and 2 more in December, chose me.  Small, one of a million, stay at home mom/choir director ME to capture their most treasured day and their most treasured loved ones.  Lindsey and DJ, Heather and Mike, Laura and Craig, Laura and Tim, Sam and Drew, Allie and Max, Meghan and Matt, Shawn and Luke, Amy and Andy, Katie and Jaron, Rachel and Matthieu, Lisa and Mike, Heidi and Alyssa, Emily and Spencer, Amy and Seth, Jennifer and Craig. I cannot get through the list without tears in my eyes.  It is such an enormous honor.  I am so SO so incredibly grateful to each of you for choosing and trusting me.  For allowing me that close of a view into that most important day.  I love you all, am SO excited for all of you celebrating your first holiday season MARRIED, and a huge cheerleader for your marriages!!  THANK YOU thank you thank you!!!  Michael and I are incredibly grateful to you each, and your faces will be etched into my heart forever!!

Want to share your #attitudeofgratitude even after November’s thankfulness is over? Join me!!