Week 50 | Wang

I am sitting here writing this at my sister and brother-in-law’s house in Texas for Christmas–the first time being back in two years.  I am still completely overwhelmed as I reflect on all that has happened in this short time but most especially, this past year.  I first started this project in January, inspired by a shoot with Dan, and little did I know….I was in for a huge challenge that would push me to my limit.  My very first mystery shoot was with Musco, and looking back…the photos have changed so much!  Haha, but in a good way.  The way I shoot, edit and how I want to portray these people.  It’s very interesting.  It’s cool to see how the shoots have  changed throughout the year.

The biggest thing that happened this year was when I took on my first full time job in February, knowing that I was going to have a pretty crazy wedding season come summer.  And I must say…it was definitely crazy.  I worked around 65-70 hrs a week all year with both jobs.  Sitting at a computer all day and then coming home to sit another 4 hrs at my computer working on my photos was pretty rough.  Powering through so many shoots after work was so intense and draining…but was only able to by the grace of God.  Not only was there work…but also going on a ton of mystery shoots with people and hearing their stories was truly a blessing.  My favorite times this year was being able to hang out with everyone that was part of my project, whether it was an elaborate day trip or just getting coffee.  :)  God has really taught me how to love the people in my life through this, and it was definitely something I wasn’t expecting, at all.  So, thank you EVERYONE who was willing to do it for me….I cannot thank ya’ll enough.  Thank you to all my special friends as well….you know who you are–thank you for being part of my life and loving me so well.  I don’t think I could ask for a better group of people here.

I did a little tally of all my shoots/weddings/projects this year, and it totaled 85 different things.  11 weddings, 21 real shoots and 3 in the other category.  My project enabled me to shoot 50 different people at 50 different locations…soooo crazy.  Didn’t think we could ever find so many places to go to and explore!  But so fun.  And a HUGE thank you to all my clients and friends this year…..I would not be here without any of you.  Friends and families of clients especially–ya’ll have been a great encouragement to me, and your kind words have really kept me running.  :)

Moving on to this last post on myself….it was really weird to be going through a million photos of my own face and then mashing them together for a blog post, haha.  It’s a little embarrassing, but somebody had to do it, and that lucky person to shoot me was Jennifer.  And by lucky, I mean I was probably one of the most challenging persons to ever shoot–as I am pretty unphotogenic.  But she did a great job and was a ton of fun.  Please visit her work here, as she is really growing and learning in her skills, and I just know she is going to do many great things with her multiple talents and gifts.  We took these over at Greenlake in November because this was the very first neighborhood I lived in when I moved here in May 2009.  I spent a lot of time at the lake when I didn’t have a job and had no friends–I was absolutely in love with this special place, and it is very nostalgic every time I go by there.  And little did I know, it was the very first of 6 relocations that took place after that.  This was also one of the hardest and most challenging times in my life shortly after I left my life in Texas to begin a new one in Seattle….but in the end, the Lord ultimately grabbed a hold me and led me through it all, slowly but surely.

Now, I no longer live for myself, but for Jesus.  I have learned and grew a tremendous amount in these past two years, and I sometimes cannot even fathom on how much work He has done in my life in such a short amount of time.  God is always pursuing me and teaching me even when I don’t even know it.  I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting, and it has literally brought tears of joy to my eyes.  It’s really hard to take in God’s love for me and through the people in my life, but when I do, I am completely overwhelmed because God is so good.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever…something that is hard to grasp, but know it’s possible with the power of God.

And with this ending….and if you’ve read through this far…thank you, haha.  I didn’t expect to write a novel, but I tend to go on forever sometimes if it’s something special that I’d like to share.  A lot of changes and new beginnings have occurred this season as well, and I am stoked to be saying that I am finally going to be freelancing full time come January 2012.  It is such a scary thing, but I am completely giving everything up to God and trusting in Him for all of it…I know that He has called me to pursue photography, and by His grace–I am now able to fully put all of my time, energy and efforts into my business, for His glory.  I really don’t think I could have asked for a better way to end the year by spending a week in Texas with familiar faces and really reflecting and preparing for what the Lord has in store for me in this new year.  I am completely frightened of the unknown, but I am ready and know that God has something amazing planned for me in His story.