Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

Today is January 1, 2013 and I’m still alive.  If you’re reading this, so are you.

And so are billions of other people.  That’s right, eleven days after the world was supposed to end, we’re still here.  Thankfully the Mayans were wrong.

Now that we are in the days of 2013, I want to take this opportunity to look back on the great things that spawned from last year and led me to today.  It’s been said that you don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.  Well, here’s a photographic review of my favorite 2012 moments:

My sister moved to Austin to live with me.  There’s nothing better than having family here, especially considering how close we are!  I love her to pieces and she’s a great assistant!

During the summer, I went to The Serengeti Resort in Boerne, TX.  It was a very small piece of Africa in the Midwest, and now, I’m totally prepared to go on a real African safari…kinda.

I attended my first classic modern car show, The Lonestar Roundup, in April.  I’m a fan of vintage modern and these cars were very well restored.  Of course, my camera was in tow.

My sister and I became the owners of a cute Lab, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund mix puppy this year.  I named her Tokina (after the brand of camera lenses) and she’s so amazing!

I saw the Luminarium exhibit in downtown Austin.  Because it was such a long line, I didn’t go in, but I thought it looked really cool outside The Long Center.

Two thousand and twelve was also a year of change.

I took a leap of faith in June and quit my job teaching algebra after six years to be a full time portrait photographer…

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…I cut my hair really short (It was time for a change.  If I thought I would still look cute bald headed, I probably would have shaved my head.)…

…and I started The Starling Life blog.

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Even though I haven’t published very many posts, it has been a very interesting and creative outlet for me so far.

Now, here’s a look back at a few of the wonderful people I had the opportunity to photograph in 2012!

Last night, I said goodbye to 2012.  Personally and professionally, 2012 was a great year that was not without its share of challenges.  I’m grateful for the growth I’ve had and the risks I’ve taken.

Today is the first day of 2013 and I have no New Year’s resolutions.  I have 365 days to challenge myself to do things I’ve never done and open myself up to great experiences.  While I’m unsure of what the future holds, I’m really excited about all that lies ahead!  Aren’t you?

Happy New Year!