12 Favorite Things of the Year: A Look Back at 2024
As the year draws to a close, I always love taking a moment to reflect on the highlights that made this year so special. Running a business is so much more than just taking photos—it's about capturing memories, building relationships, and celebrating milestones with amazing clients. While I’m grateful for the incredible marketing team who helps me behind the scenes, this year- end blog is one that I write myself. It allows me to relive some of my favorite moments and share them with you, my clients, whether you're a longtime friend or someone who just joined me on this journey.
So, here’s my list of 12 Favorite Things from 2024—moments I’ll treasure and remember for years to come.
1. The Coldest Elopement Ever
When I say it was the coldest day of the year, I truly mean it. Do you remember that insane cold snap in January? Well, this couple had their hearts set on a particular date in a particular location. I don’t think we anticipated this outdoor elopement to take place with freezing temperatures. The location was breathtaking, but the chill was unreal. I have to admit, I’ve never worn a touque to a wedding before! To keep the bride warm, I even brought along a battery-operated hand warmer for her bouquet. It was a simple, intimate ceremony that I’m so glad I had the privilege to document. I hope they look back on these photos with warm thoughts, because I certainly will!
2. Cherry Blossom Sessions
Springtime in the Vancouver area is something to behold, and it’s one of my favorite times of year to capture families. This year, I had the pleasure of working with a beautiful family around Port Moody City Hall. The soft, airy backdrop of the cherry blossoms added the perfect touch to this session, and the joy of spring was all around us. It reminded me why I love what I do!
3. Engagement Sessions: Building Connections Before the Big Day
Engagement sessions are about so much more than just capturing beautiful photos—they're about creating a meaningful connection with the couple. It's an opportunity to get to know each other, share laughs, and start the journey toward the wedding day together.
This year, I had the privilege of photographing some truly wonderful engagement sessions, and each one was unique in its own way. A big part of what makes these sessions special is the setting. Choosing a location that’s different from the wedding venue gives us a chance to explore new landscapes and create diverse memories. The location can set the tone for the entire shoot.
Timing also plays a huge role- golden hour light adds a dreamy quality to the photos that’s hard to replicate. But, beyond the technical details, what really makes these sessions memorable is the couple's energy. The couples I worked with this year were so easygoing, and their excitement for the wedding was palpable. Their connection to each other was clear, and that made every shot feel authentic and personal.
Engagement sessions aren’t just about the photos themselves—they’re about building trust, forming a rapport, and making sure that the couple feels comfortable and confident in front of the camera. It's a chance to laugh, be creative, and make memories together before the big day. And when the wedding day arrives, that bond is already there, making the photos that much more meaningful.
4. Spring Minis at the Woodstone Cottage
As many of you know, I’ve been passionate about encouraging women to be in photos, especially moms. This year’s Spring Minis at the Woodstone Cottage were all about celebrating the love between mothers and their children. It wasn’t just about taking a picture; it was about capturing the connection, the joy, and sometimes the chaos, of motherhood. I’m so grateful for the families that participated in these sessions. And yes, Dad was welcome to jump in for a few shots too!
5. Milestones & Moments
Life is full of big and small moments, and I was honored to capture one of the happiest little guys I know this year. I’ve worked with this beautiful family for years. When their son got his new prosthetic, I knew I needed to capture this. Watching him embrace this next step in his life with such joy was truly inspiring. I can’t wait to see where life takes him next! The sky is the limit.
6. Graduation: The Start of the Next Chapter
Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, a time to start reaching for your dreams. Whether it's high school or university, I absolutely love capturing this exciting stage in people's lives. For some, it's the first step toward a dream career—like becoming a firefighter. For others, it’s about honoring family traditions, like reenacting a photo with your mom’s beloved VW Bug from her own grad. Graduation photos are a perfect blend of reflecting on where you’ve been and looking forward to the future. It’s a moment to celebrate all the hard work and excitement that comes with turning the page to the next big adventure.
7. Newborns: A Change of Pace
This year, I shifted from mostly studio sessions to more Lifestyle Sessions in clients’ homes. There’s something so organic and beautiful about capturing the intimate moments of a family welcoming a newborn. It’s not always perfect or posed, but that’s what makes it real. The joy, the chaos, the love—it’s all there, and I feel so honored to document these fleeting moments in the comfort of my clients’ homes.
8. Extended Family Sessions: Priceless Moments
I had the pleasure of working with so many extended families this year. Sometimes, it’s been years since relatives have gathered together, and I get to capture those priceless moments of connection. This December, even though it's typically a quieter month, I ended up booking 8 large family sessions—showing me just how important these gatherings are. Capturing these moments is exactly why I started this business.
9. School Photos: A New Approach
This year, I tried something a little different with school photos. Instead of the traditional school portrait setup, I welcomed students into my studio, where they could relax and warm up in their own time. The result? Authentic, fun photos that captured their personalities far better than the usual stiff school portraits. I can’t wait to do even more of this next year!
10. Wedding: The Atmospheric Rain Wedding
One of my biggest weddings of the year took place on a rainy October day. Now, I’m not talking about a drizzle—I’m talking about atmospheric rain. While this meant we couldn’t take photos on the golf course like we planned, the rain gave us an amazing opportunity: we had the entire clubhouse to ourselves. The couple got to share a quiet “First Look” moment, and we got creative with some stunning covered outdoor locations. Sometimes, the rain truly does bring good luck!
11. Fall Photos: The Search for the Perfect Location
Fall is always one of my busiest seasons, and finding the perfect location is key. This year, I returned to one of my favorites: Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. The colors, the light, the atmosphere—everything was perfect for capturing family memories. I’m always looking for new spots, but this one never disappoints!
12. Christmas Minis: Chaos and Fun
Christmas Minis are a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 39 families, over 3.5 weekends—there was a lot of singing, coaxing, a few tears, and tons of laughter. One of my favorite things this year was when families took advantage of the “cousin cross-over” sessions, where families would do their photos, then cousins would pop in for a quick 15-minute session, and then off to the next family. It was chaotic, but so much fun!
Bonus Favorite Thing: My Family
And of course, my family is always my number one favorite thing. Since my husband retired, he has truly become the backbone of our household, taking care of everything from laundry to grocery shopping, pep talks to back rubs. I couldn’t do this at the level I do without him. This year, our immediate family Christmas will be a few days late, but it’s worth the wait. I’m counting down the days until I can put the computer away for a bit and soak in some sunshine with my husband.
As I reflect on everything this year, I want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you who trusted me to capture your memories. Whether it was a wedding, family portrait, or a milestone moment, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your life. Here’s to more memories, more photos, and more stories in 2025!
Closing Thoughts
No matter what your year has looked like, I hope you've found moments of joy, connection, and love. You are all incredibly important to me, and one of the greatest gifts of my job is getting to know each of you. Thank you for trusting me to document your special moments and celebrate with you.
And yes, I practice what I preach! Every few years, we hire a photographer to capture our family memories. A huge thank you to Third Ricardo Photography for always making our sessions so fun and memorable.
