I don’t know how it happened.  One day I am child, the next I’m graduating high school, suddenly I’m walking down the aisle and the next moment I’m a mother of two.  Now. I’m. 29?  What?  How did I get here?  It’s so cliche.  I’ve heard it a million times: Your life will pass you by in the blink of an eye.  This very thing causes me to shudder.  I want to cherish every moment.  Taste every bite.  Feel every emotion.  Hear the laughter.  See every smile.  Smell the flowers.  Years from now I want to be able to look back and remember my life and know that I lived it.  That I really lived it.

In honor of the first of the last days of my twenties, I decided to make a list of Resolutions.  I know, I know.  People do this sort of this at the beginning of a New Year- which is exactly why I am doing it.  :)  This is MY New Year.  :)  My year of determination.  My year of motivation.  My year of inspiration.  My year of innovation.  My year.

So, to help keep me on track and accountable, here is my bucket list, if you will, of what I want to accomplish before my thirtieth birthday.  :)

~Attend WPPI– an annual photog conference that occurs in Vegas.  Thousands of photographers gather every year for this event and there are thousands more who only dream of ever attending.  I have always been the dreamer.  But in my 29th year of life, I will be there.

~Have my photography published in a Bridal Magazine or Blog.  Part of this goal has been accomplished, as I was published on OneWed this past year- which was amazing!!  I’m hoping to have a few more weddings showcased this year on OneWed and/or Style Me Pretty and/or The Knot.  :)  It’s a HUGE goal for me!

~Make my mark in the photography industry.  I intend to do this by further developing my brand, continuing to educate myself, continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone and continuing to grow as a photographer and a human being.  I am so inspired by other photographers, but I never want to be a copycat.  I never want to settle.  I don’t ever want to feel comfortable because I don’t ever want to be lazy when it comes to my craft.  I want to carve out my own place in this industry and I want it to be unique, fresh and something I can call my own.

~Travel to San Francisco.  I know, this city is only hours away and I have never been (other than the airport)!  I am dying to get there.  And I will.  :)

~Attend a Jasmine Star Workshop.  Okay, so for those of you who don’t already know, I have a huge cyber crush on Jasmine Star.  She’s so amazing and truly someone I admire and respect without question.  I have had the opportunity to meet her and it was absolutely awesome!  I would love nothing more than to attend one of her workshops to better understand her mindset, approach, and execution.  Again, I want to make my own mark in the industry, but this girl inspires me in so many ways to be a better photographer.  :)

~Finish writing my novel.  Last year (when I was 28), I started writing again.  It has always been a huge part of my life and I would love nothing more than to finish my book.  Of course, I have minimal time to write, but when I can, I do.

~Love more.

~Laugh more.

~Live more.

Here’s to really living life!!