2015 in the Rear View Mirror

"Don't let the process drain you. Don't let rules or money or the will of others push you so far down that you forget what you are here for. Remember why you started what you started all those years ago. You love what you love for a reason because it drives you. It makes you feel alive and that spirit is contagious, it's electrifying, it's the realest thing there is and the closest you're ever going to get to channeling angels or capturing the essence of a universe beyond it's lightning, it's fire, it's passion and truth. It's a kiss between two strangers that changes everything forever. Now go out and sing it from the rooftops my friend, my brother, my sister, my child. Light the sky with your words so loud and powerful that every last everyone joins hands and weeps tears of joy right along with you." - Dallas Clayton

This was a momentous year for our family and business. This was the year we jumped. Nate left the corporate world on his 34th birthday and we let go of 60 hour work weeks, commuting in rush hour traffic, weekends apart, and nearly single parenting.

We learned again why we are each other’s best partner. We are still learning that unique and somewhat mystifying balance of working like a crazy person and finding time to renew.

My heart swells with gratitude when I think of how many wonderful people we have been able to work with this year. You (yes, I am talking about you!) are our success. From those of you who have been with us from the start to all the new members of the Taylor’d Photography family, we say thank you. You have given us so much and we are humbled and honored to work with you.

I have a feeling that 2016 is going to be another great year, but 2015 will always remind me that some risks are worth taking.

Sentimental Art

Our memories are pieced together with photographs. Kind of like a quilt. A small moment we remember is echoed in the photographs we hold in our hands. The lace detail of your grandmother's wedding veil. A silly smile shared between brother and sister. How your daughter looked after losing her first tooth. These are the sentimental memories that are worth framing. 

The trouble with memories is they are fleeting things. Sometimes they become difficult to pin down. Our photographs anchor our memories in our minds. Watching my grandmother slip into dementia has lead me to think about my own memories and their inevitable expiration date. I have decided to save my memories with photographs. I know it may be grim to think about, but when I slip away from this Earth I want my children to sit together and enjoy the photographs from our life together. Not flip through a Facebook album. Instead, to hold and touch tangible items.

When Nate started his big accounting job I knew it would mean long hours apart, longer than we had ever done before. We kind of love each other - a lot - so I was worried how the job would affect our family. As a gift I printed a photograph of Nate and Melody for him to keep at work. I had forgotten about the print until Nate brought it home with him after saying goodbye to the long hours of a public accountant. He told me that on some days, the really rough days, that print sitting on his desk was the encouragement he needed to continue on. That print was sentimental to Nate because it reminded him of his purpose. 

All of these thoughts and experiences have led to making a few changes in our photography business. We are happy to now offer artful photo products to our clients. We have selected items that will stand the test of time so that photographs, and memories, can be passed on to new generations. We believe in sustainability, which is why our photo products are not only of the highest professional quality but are also made from natural and green materials. 

I hope you will stop and take a quiet moment to think on how you are preserving your memories. Do not leave them sitting on a hard drive. Bring them into your home through sentimental art.

In memory of Greatpa Bill. December 18 1919 - June 18 2015.

Recent Happenings

Here's a brief snippet of some fun things that happened over the last two months.

Cima Women's Healthcare

Earlier this month, Nate and I hung 8 black and white canvases in the new Cima Women's Healthcare office. The new office had no decor and the canvases now make the office so much more inviting. I collaborated with Dr. Hice-Garza and Dr. Crawford in selecting images that portrayed the many stages of womanhood that they care for. We selected images of mothers and daughters, babies and pregnant bellies, and happy families. We decided on a calming black and white image for each of the exam rooms and color images for the halls and lobby. The metallic canvases have just enough of a pearl finish to really stand out. This is how images were meant to live -- printed flawlessly and on the wall for enjoyment. I am so happy to have my artwork displayed throughout their office. You might want to stop by to check it out!

The Las Cruces Bulletin's Perfect Southwest Weddings Guide

Guess who is on the cover of the 2015 edition of The Bulletin's Perfect Southwest Weddings guide? Gabe and Vanessa! Flip through the issue and you will find several other Taylor'd Photography couples featured. Oscar and Rebecca, Koriel and Katelyn, Ivan and Laura, James and Erin, Travis and Kati, Joseph and Justina, Andrew and Cassandra, and Kevin and Diana can all be found in this special publication from the Bulletin.

David Salcido interviewed me and asked for my thoughts on the importance of hiring a professional photographer for your wedding. Here's one of my quotes from the article that sums up pretty much my whole philosophy behind wedding photography, "The cake will be eaten and forgotten. The flowers will die and be thrown away. The only thing that you will have after your wedding -- to remember it, to share with your children and grandchildren -- are your photos. That should be a priority and you wouldn't trust that to just anybody."

Besides the quality of images a professional photographer will create, another major advantage of hiring a professional photographer for your wedding are the photo products available to you through your photographer. As a consumer you have access to only a limited number of "consumer grade" products. It may be quick and easy to order a photo book from Shutterfly but it will never compare to the quality and longevity of a hand crafted professional album. I love seeing clients at my wedding consultations get giddy with excitement as they flip through the albums I offer and start to dream up what their wedding will look like on the pages of their own album. There really is no comparison to anything else available to nonprofessionals. I want my clients to cherish their wedding memories and the best way to do that is to print them artfully and not simply leave my care with JUST a USB of digital images.

You can read the whole article and flip through The Bulletin's wedding guide here.