WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN, LOCA?
Trust me when I say, 2024 was insane.
From starting the year off as a newlywed, to downright seasonal depression at its best, 2024 is happily in the past and this is what I have to say to that: BYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEE!
Let’s count it down:
January - started off with a wedding with my boo, met another photographer who’s become a good friend! Also went to my first ever styled shoot and met a bunch of other talented photographers! (females FTW!)
February - second shot for my boo and brought along other said photographer! I stepped down at work because the hospital job was too stressful and not worth the money anymore.
March - photographed a wonderful fundraiser and also an Easter event with a venue.
April - went to a bachelorette party for my bestie Jess, photographed my sister’s maternity session.
This is where the SHIT hit the fan:
May - went to yet ANOTHER styled shoot (I’d become obsessed at this point) and went to Chicago in the same day. Had my sister’s baby shower the day after a double header wedding weekend. In total, there were four weddings; my uncle died the day after one of my weddings, the day before the shower.
June - photographed two more weddings, one where I thought I was going to pass out from the heat/humidity. (this is also why I’m happy to say my summer isn’t jam packed with weddings; I can’t always hang with the heat!) Another one of my uncle’s passes away unexpectedly. Finally took FMLA at work.
July - My second nephew was born and I was able to do his pictures the day after. My aunt passes away two days after my nephew’s birth. (thankfully we’re done with the death at this point.)
August - Prepped my condo for rent with my realtor. Second shot with the videographers from my wedding (goals, lol). I FINALLY WENT TO DAYSHIFT PRN AT WORK AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
September - THE MONTH OF SESSIONS lol this entire month was FILLED with engagement sessions and other fun things that I wouldn’t have it any other way. The most hectic month next to May. I got to second shoot with Brianna again, of course. This month was especially fun but holy shit was it stressful, lol. FUN. But stressful.
October - two more weddings with Brianna, and two more of my own that were just so fun! One was planned almost a year in advance and one was planned within weeks of the wedding. This was the wedding where I had the groomsmen/Best Man try and photograph alongside me and I had to stand up for myself and tell him not to. lol
November - One last wedding with Brianna that was just out of control, lol. I got to second shoot for another photographer that I had met waaaay back in January, and this was a great wedding to second at! It was super last minute and so worth it! And this is also when my seasonal depression kicks in. Yaaaaaaay *eyeroll*
December - Did anyone say to get down with the SICKNESS? December was tough; I had hosted mine and my husband’s joined birthday party and shortly after that, I got super sick. I never want to go back to that time. My 35th birthday was pretty cool, and I did my first ever self-portrait! My goal is to do them at least once or twice a year with different themes. And then I got sick again and couldn't photograph my final wedding of the season because I didn’t want to stay sick or get anyone at that wedding sick. I WAS SO SAD. lol
SO. MUCH. FUN. I suggest everyone to do a birthday session.
So if you’re wondering where I’ve been when I’ve gone MIA all of a sudden, that summer was why. And there were more sessions in between all that madness! lol Not to say I’m ungrateful for the business that came my way this year, but omg. I. was. not. ready. Once I had a second to actually breathe, it all just kinda hit me. I was extremely depressed in December (the seasonal depression doesn’t help), and thankfully things are turning around.
So when I tell you I had a rough year, this is what I’m referring to, lol. The only way to cope with this shit is to laugh. Not because it’s funny, it’s just that it was so surreal that it was like, “WTF” all summer. There was zero control. I’m not asking for any empathy or sympathy or anything like that, but it’s been fucking crazy and I feel like some may not understand what it’s been like. This is my only way to get it out and to find some kind of closure, if at all. It’s so hard to put into words and I’ll never understand why it had to happen this way, but maybe this was a wakeup call for not only myself, but my other family members as well. We only have one body, and it’s our jobs to take care of them.
My NYE resolution: take better care of me and my body. Learn to say no when it’s better for me. SLOW. DOWN. Take more videos and pictures of those that I love!
“They say, don’t be edgy. But I don’t think I know any other way.” - the office
2025 has started off strong with a less stressed Dana. lol Why? I’m slowing down at the hospital job and only putting myself on the schedule maybe once a week. I was spoiled; I used to work 3 days a week (the hospital job) and now I’m at 5 (Bella and hospital combined. And did you know it’s at the same location? YUP!! You heard that right!) on top of my own photography business! It’s just too much! The hospital job isn’t my passion, and it doesn’t fill my cup like photography does. So with that being said, my goal is to make it to 10 years of service with the hospital and consider leaving entirely and focus on me and my business.
To end this blog post on a good note, I have to give it to my husband; he’s been absolutely amazing throughout everything that went on last year. And quite honestly, I think he was just as in shock as I was whenever there would be negative news to share. He never fails to comfort me when I’m absolutely down in the shittiest of dumps, or supporting me in every way possible when it comes to my life with photography. He truly has helped me navigate this business to make it to what it is today, and I truly can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done. To the smallest of things like photographing me without asking, or carrying my things to my car when I’m in a hurry to a session or wedding, he’s the fucking best. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us; I know it’s going to be amazing. I truly have found the best person to spend my life with. Thank you for being the biggest rock to my treacherous storms. I love you so much.
Isn’t he just the sexiest man alive? My heart swoons for him.
