2023.
What a year! This year coming to an end is bittersweet.
2023 was full of so many highs but was also accompanied with plenty of lows.
I grew so much behind the camera, and within my small business.
I battled my health for over half the year- but am proud to say I refused to let it slow me down.
There is proof of that in the numbers.
As of December 31, 2023, Captured Moments Photography has...
1,017 followers on our Facebook Page.
579 members in our Facebook VIP group.
As of December 31, 2023, Captured Moments Photography
delivered 291 albums, totaling 16,974 images delivered.
I'm starting this new year with a fresh mindset. I am excited to officially have my website launched, and I am so pumped to begin blogging and sharing some of my photography adventures.
Read on for...
- The Irony of my First and Last Session of the Year
- 2023 Recap in Pictures
- Introducing Captured Moments Photography + Studio
The Irony of my First & Last Session of the Year
First Session:
January 31, 2023 I went to Piedmont Medical Center to capture my very first Fresh 48 session for Amber and Khalil. I met this sweet couple during my Christmas Tree Farm Minis. We did some maternity shots for her. I reached out to Amber before her baby girl was born offering to do this session for free if she was okay with me using them for advertisement. I wanted so badly to get into newborn photography.
Kalani Kae was (still is) the most precious baby girl! (So excited to do her cake smash session in just a few weeks too! Stay tuned for that blog post.)
Last Session:
December 30, 2023, I met Ashley and Randy out at Kings Mountain State Park for their maternity session. The rain ruined our session a few weeks ago. Thankfully we were able to get it rescheduled. It was a chilly evening- but the shots turned out so good! She is absolutely glowing. I also have to tell you- she is 38 weeks pregnant in this picture. I messaged her before our session to make sure she was up for the walking that comes along with a session out at Kings Mountain. Of course, at this point I think she would be good with walking baby boy out. I will be photographing her Fresh 48 once he makes his arrival. So excited!
The ironic part of these sessions? That beautiful baby girl on the left, is the gorgeous Mama-to-be on the right's niece. Ashley's sister, Amber, connected us. I am so honored to continuing capturing such special moments for this family.
One of the most special parts of this "job" is my connections with my clients. They truly do become like family! So honored to be a part of their stories.
2023 | R E C A P
The initial plan was to do a collage of 12 photos that were my favorites for the year.
Well... in typical Ashley fashion - I couldn't narrow it down to just 12.
I decided to highlight my favorite genres of photography this year.
They say magic happens when you go outside of your comfort zone, and I am proof of that.
Things I'm Most Proud of from 2023:
- My growth in Newborn photography.
- My understanding of light, and how to use it properly in outdoor settings.
- My returning customers. Seriously, one of the biggest compliments my clients can give me is returning for another session.
CAPTURED MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY & STUDIO
2024 is already starting off with a BANG for us! I am so proud, and excited to announce that Captured Moments Photography, will now be known as Captured Moments Photography & Studio. Throughout the month of December, I battled so many mishaps with weather, leaving me no choice but to cancel so many sessions. This was frustrating for both me and my customers. I put so much time and planning into my sessions, so to have to cancel due to rain 4x- made me sad to say the least.
I want to offer more and sticking to just outdoor settings wasn't going to allow that. I began looking around for studio space but couldn't find what I wanted. SO... I decided just to do it myself. I am so excited to share this journey of designing my own studio with y'all! Sneak peeks of the "before" below! I have so many things planned for this space. If you aren't already, be sure to join my VIP Group. I will be doing some Grand Opening sales, and celebrations in a few weeks!
