Oh my goodness, what a year 2012 was for me!  I met so many awesome new people, and I got to delve into what has become my favorite genre of photography!  Here’s a list of some of the new things I got to experience in 2012:

• *I finally got to stop renting equipment and was the proud owner of my own.  HUUUUUUGE confidence booster, not to mention money saver to not have to put the whole session fee into equipment rentals!
  
  
• *I got to photograph a full wedding with a second photographer I hired!  (Thank you, Chris and Cheska, for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day!  Thank you to Kelly of Exposures to Sunlight for being just who I was looking for when I put out the word I was looking for a second!)
  
  
• *I had my first booth at an expo.  So scary at first, but what an experience!  I really can’t wait for the Big Latch On and Family Expo of 2013!  (Thank you, Chandly, for giving me the head’s up about this event!)  I met some pretty incredible women that day and thanks to that day.  And, the inspiration of being at an event where moms, children, and families could just be as they were and didn’t have to worry about being asked to nurse their little ones “in private”…so exciting!
  
  
• *I was invited to partner with the Fort Worth Mothers of Multiples for 2 days of Holiday mini sessions.  (Thanks to Elena and Sarah, who I met at the Big Latch On and Family Expo!)  A lot of great women and their families…
  
  
• *I had my first twin newborn session.  (Thanks, Denise! ;) )
  
  
• *I hired an assistant for the first time on my last session of the year.  She just so happened to have a sweet baby girl I photographed as a newborn!
  
  
• *I had my first truly busy holiday season!  It was crazy, stressful…but it was such a learning experience, and I am so grateful for each of those sessions and clients.  I can’t express how much of a difference it made for my family when all was said and done.
  
  
• *Several women invited me into their worlds for intimate sessions—breastfeeding and boudoir sessions.  My favorite thing to hear from each of them even before they’d seen their images was, “There was nothing we did today that I wouldn’t be proud of!”  And, I thought I had an amazing experience just being trusted to view and photograph these women!  I know that takes confidence and trust to be in their position, and I really don’t think I could have been more honored.
  
  
• *I had my first referrals from clients, and I had my first client go all the way through my Origins:  First Year Collection!  (I still can’t believe Vivi turned one a couple months ago.)
  
  
• *Last but FAR from least—I got my business official and legal.  Yeah, it means I have to charge sales tax, but I can’t explain the joy and freedom in being legitimate!
  
  

  I learned so much in 2012, and I was able to step out to do and create things which have been stirring and waiting in me for a long time.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you for the roles you played.  Whether you hired me, shared or commented on posts, helped take care of Tristan while I met with and photographed clients, voted for a friend in one of my contests, whether you just kept up with my journey and wished me well…THANK YOU!

  Celebrate what defines you.

  Don’t forget if you or someone you know is expecting and might be interested in a maternity session photography session, contact me using the contact form or send me an email.  Gift certificates for a maternity session or an Origins Collection (for a maternity and newborn session) make GREAT, unique gifts for the expecting mom! I bet it’s not something she already has, and it’s one of the few things that will last the family for many lifetimes as the photographs can be passed down from generation to generation.

  If you would like to get on the email list to find out about other mini sessions and other specials throughout the year before the public, sign up here.  I know how crowded inboxes get with notifications of everything, so don’t be afraid of having constant emails from me—I won’t let that happen.

  Oh yeah!  All photos and written content on RTC PhotoWork blog are copyright to RTC PhotoWork.  None of these photos are to be printed or posted anywhere, whether in part or in whole, unless given the express permission of RTC PhotoWork.  Please contact me at Tamara@RTCPhotoWork.com for permission if you would like to repost any images or content.