Hello 2014! Can you believe today is the start of a new year? A few years back as I looked to the future, the year 2014 was the year that I thought we’d all be living like the Jetsons. I checked this morning and my car wasn’t able to fly so maybe it’s next year!

What’s even crazier is how fast 2013 flew by. It was such a great year for me! Entering into the new year in 2013, I was just starting up my photographer business. I had spent all of 2012 learning and becoming familiar with my camera and shooting settings. I had done practice shoots with a handful of friends and family in 2012 but hadn’t really done a true session. In January, I decided that it was time to finally take a leap of faith and go after the one thing that I’ve always been passionate about. In late January, I purchased my website. By February, my website launched and I was officially Jenna Marie Photography. So many fears and reservations ran through my head – Can I do it? Will I be any good? What if people hate me? What if I fail?

Last year this time, I set a goal for my photography business that in 2013 I wanted to have one photo session with someone that I don’t directly know. Sitting here today and looking back at my first year of amazing clients, I am elated to say that over half of my clients were people that I wasn’t directly connected to. Many of these people came from referrals from existing clients, which is just so humbling and amazing to have that support from friends and family [thank you]! I even had a handful of clients reach out to me who found me of all places on Pinterest! That was probably the coolest moment of my year :) Well that and shooting my first wedding after only being a true photographer for 7 months!

In 2013, I learned so many things both about myself and about my photography business. I went from considering myself to a hobbyist with a camera who loves photography to a true photographer. I explored and discovered the type of photographer I want to become! I  constantly looked for ways to improve myself from doing photography workshops with nationally known portrait/lifestyle photographers to staying up until the early morning hours reading advice blogs to shadowing gorgeous photographers who I idolize! A year later, I see myself as a stronger photographer and can’t wait to see where I am at the end of 2014!

I’m just so humbled and amazed by all my clients turned friends who put their faith in me this year to capture such special times in their lives. I am so honored to be part of your lives and hope that each and every one of you will cherish the photos for years to come! Here’s a look at some of my sessions from 2013 <3

Thank you so much to all my amazing clients, and I look forward to an amazing 2014!