It’s been about 3 years since I’ve written a blog post, and somehow, I’ve managed to use the word “busy” as my excuse.

2022 was an exceptional year. Spending countless days in the office – envisioning all the brides, mothers, and boss babes who were captured on my evenings and weekends had landed me with questions.

“Was I happy? Was it worth the time?”

Since January and February have been my down-time months, I’ve come to realize that much of my 2022 was spent behind the camera.

Now don’t get me wrong. Working hard on my business has been my absolute passion and dream. I've had long nights. Countless bookings of landing my "dream clients." Finding new & creative ways to excel further in my education. I've seen fathers tear up as they see a “first-look” with their daughters, watched mothers beam while holding their newborns, and seen female entrepreneurs ‘rise to the occasion’ in their businesses. Getting to travel to places like Daytona as well as New York City had me wanting to pinch myself a few times.

I’ll admit that age has led to some newer discoveries. Since turning 30… and quite frankly, the months leading up to it… my priorities have changed.

Time is an asset. I’ve started to see it as an advantage rather than as a setback. Minimizing my apartment, working out about 3-4 times a week, and taking Sundays off has been imperative for my health, and well, my creativity.

It’s all in the name of love.

Outside of my comfort zone.

I've found "busy" as a way to believe that I am killing it in my business and even in life. I don't know about you, but I would like to start debunking that idea. 

Magic happens when YOU get to decide that something's gotta give. That's when real growth begins. When you try, falter, fail, and "figure it out." When you stumble and then succeed. When you decide, if you’re willing, to learn and discover so that YOU know your best interests at heart. If you venture outside of your comfort zone, you’ll have beautiful moments that lead you to build trust in yourself again.

Yes, especially that.

I want to be able to breathe and rest more this year. Find the discomfort where the comfort really lies. If anyone resonates with overworking, you'll resonate with this. Now for those of you who find discomfort in getting the 'hard things' done, I'm going to ask the same questions to you: What's holding you back? What's keeping you from setting a new course of action?

Find the time to figure those two questions out.

The photo that’s featured on this post is a bride who’s embracing her mother before going to the altar. This photo reminds me of the way we may be scared or nervous to embrace change.

That same embrace also shows an eagerness to see what’s in store.

Magic happens when you don’t give up.

Don't give up on yourself. Take the time to really figure out how you want your life to go. Even if you're old and gray...  you can continue learning how to handle your goals with grit and grace. Be humble and willing to learn new things. Be brave enough to lay your past experiences down and embrace something new that will benefit you in the long haul.

I'm officially challenging you to forge a new path. Whatever that looks like.

It's time to start choosing yourself.

Sending you love & light,

Nina