Big Dreams for 23

This year is the year I turn 23. It almost seems like an insignificant year when you compare it to the birthdays of 16, 18, 20, 21, and even 22 thanks to Taylor Swift. But as I’ve gotten older, my dreams have only grown with me. At 18, it was the thought of beginning a photography business. At 19, October marked the first wedding I photographed. 21 and I had accomplished my dream of my first out of state wedding.

Now at 23, I’m amazed at the opportunities I’ve had. International weddings, niching into a business that focuses on the western lifestyle and the most amazing cowboyin’ weddings, and working with brands and ranches I LOVE…it’s all pretty incredible.

And yet, it still doesn’t feel like enough. Isn’t that funny, the way that works? You can be achieving your wildest dreams and after the high of the win wears off your left feeling like something is still missing - like there’s some higher bar to achieve. Truthfully, I’m not sure anyone ever completely feels like they’ve made it. I think that feeling is fleeting, sometimes found in the quiet moments and other times found in the joy and excitement of new successes. But in a way, there’s beauty in never really feeling like we’ve made it. It means that we’re still growing, we’re still dreaming, and we’re still doing.

So for year 23, here’s a few my dreams (because I’m an avid believer in speaking the desires of our heart into existence + trusting the Lord will provide what He knows is good for me).

  1. Capturing more moments for my western couples — I always have and always will adore photographing love stories. As I’ve niched down and begun to reach my ideal audience, I dream of the shoots that will be on my books one day. A horse pack-trip elopement, a couple running through fields with wild horses, the most western glam Hotel Drover wedding, cowboy couples maternity sessions - you name it and I’ve probably dreamt it

  2. Plenty more adventures around the Grand Tetons — I can never get enough of that place, and truthfully I’d die a happy woman if I got to photograph there at least once a year. Maybe a Jackson Hole specific package is in order? You tell me!

  3. A house — Lord knows how badly T and I want a space of our own. Apartment life is not it y’all haha. I dream of the day I can decorate my own space without worrying about if it is renter friendly or not. Not to mention the absolute peace I would have over having my own office space lol.

  4. Launching my podcast — I literally bought the podcast mic on prime day LAST YEAR. I have a whole list of episode ideas in my notes app. I just need to…ya know…do it.

  5. Working with more western brands that I love — I had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to work for Ariat this year, which is mind blowing to me. Little Hailey in her first pair of cowboy boots - which did happen to be Aria’s - would be so proud. Some bucket list brands are Boot Barn, Tecovas, and Pro Hats.

  6. Host another retreat — hosting South Mountain Co.’s first retreat in the Tetons this past summer was everything a girl could dream of. A gorgeous place with the best women, beautiful stylized shoots, and the most fun excursions - what more could a girl ask for? Some ideas we’re throwing around this year are the Oregon coast, and Joshua Tree!

  7. Joy in simplicity — every year, this dream remains the same. I always hope to grow in my thankfulness and contentment in seasons that are simple, and maybe even less than I expect. It’s so easy to get frustrated when things don’t go the way I would like them to go, and I want to find peace in times like that.

If you’ve read this far, I want to encourage you to dream big dreams, and go after them with full force. No dream is too big or small, and you can absolutely achieve what you set your mind to. If I can go from thinking I was going to be a nurse, to now running my own business and traveling the world, you can do anything.

Here’s to another year of growth and joy. Here’s to 23.

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