End of the Year Reflections - 2015: Flexibility

On the eve of 2016, I want to start off this post by thanking everyone who were a part of this photography journey. 2015 was quite a ride and it wouldn't have been possible without your help. To all my clients who gave me the opportunity to take part in your special day, thank you. To everyone who referred my services to others, thank you so much. And a big thank you to my team of hard-working assistants: Suzi, Zoe, and Gloria. Even if you're simply a fan of photography and have checked out my work, I truly appreciate it.As I reflect on this past year, the biggest takeaway I've obtained is flexibility. Photography has stretched me in 2015. From a creative and endurance standpoint, the projects have made me grow in the area of being more flexible with taking images.Flexibility with creativity: Before each shoot, I have to mentally ask myself, "How can I make these photos different than my past shoot?" Or more importantly, the question is, "How can I shoot in a way that fits this specific client?" Every single project is different. Personality, location, attire, time of the day, and other factors all play into how I want to capture the pictures. As I've been blessed with more gigs in 2015, I find myself composing images in different ways, shooting from new perspectives/angles, and guiding the client's interactions with new methods. Ultimately, the images need to fit the taste of the client. With the diversity of people I've worked with, I found myself constantly expanding my creative styles of capturing a picture.Flexibility with endurance: On a related note, having more projects require a certain level of physical and mental endurance. In 2015, I've had the opportunities to shoot in parks, meadows, beaches, country clubs, and other cool places. Some days were really cold, while others had my dress shirt damp from the blazing temperature. 2015 provided a few weekends of shooting back-to-back weddings as well. All in all, I had to be flexible in enduring the variable conditions. I love it. The challenge is quite exciting.What a year. From 90 degrees humid heat to 40 degrees and pouring rain. From the rustic vibe of a barn to the beautiful greenery of an intimate garden. As great as it has been, I'm definitely looking forward to 2016. Happy new year!