And somehow, here we are again — the end of yet another wedding season. This year was our 11th season and I’m thinking we may have photographed our 300th wedding this year; if not this year then for sure next. I shared in a recent Instagram story that we rearranged a couple of bedrooms in our house this fall, which led to a deep clean of our business closet. We found physical contracts from 2014, a handmade portfolio of some of my best work of the time, old logos, my original bank statement from opening my first business account in 2013, and the list goes on. It was a very beautiful, and humbling, walk down memory lane.

Truthfully, there are so many things I did when I first started this business that I now forget about unless a memory triggers them. It sometimes feels hard to believe (and accept!) that I am somehow old enough for this to happen. And yet in the same vein, I still remember my celebratory dinner at Wheelhouse Pizza in my hometown the night after I opened that first bank account and “officially” became Maison Meredith Photography, like it was yesterday. We have truly, truly had SO many various experiences because of our business over these last eleven years that I would never trade for the world. With each passing year comes MORE gratitude that I get to do this, more appreciation for exactly what it is I’m doing, and a never-ending desire to refine and keep getting (my personal definition of) better.

There are two observations that stand out when I reflect back on our 2023 season. The first is that for me personally, I am deeply experiencing how becoming a parent has undoubtedly made me a better photographer. It’s as if this whole new world and perspective has been opened within my heart, allowing me to see and capture families in a more meaningful, intimate, and intentional way. The second is that this year was full of big emotions and specifically, lots of tears (on wedding days, by our clients and their people). You’ll see what I’m talking about in just a minute here : ) I feel this to my core. I think we’re living in a time where the fragility of life has never been more evident and the desire to love wholeheartedly and live in the moment is paramount. What a time to document human lives.

So here’s to 2023, to each couple and family who allowed us into their lives, and to LOVING in each moment. We are beyond-words-grateful. Thank you … and CHEERS <3 Maison & Caleb

See ‘A Year in Review: 2022 Weddings’ here!