Well, that' s a wrap! It's the end of 2016 and it's been a heck of a year. I've worked with so many amazing people this year and, with the addition of my studio space, have been able to really explore the things that I can do with a camera.

And I'm so excited to do it again. 2017, for me, will be all about change. I'll be moving to El Paso, Texas and starting completely fresh. I hope to meet and capture as many beautiful faces as I have in this past year and, like I am now, I hope that as 2018 rolls in I'll be looking back thinking, "Wow, look how much I've grown."

My new year's resolution is simple this year- keep moving forward. No matter what challenges I face as everything around me changes, I plan to that simple goal. Onward and upward!

Happy 2017 everyone!

Contact me to book your 2017 portrait session today!

Okay so I know I'm a few days late for this post. It's been 2016 for 3 days now, and I'm just now getting around to reminiscing about 2015. I'm a little behind. But I rung in the new year on a Red Eye Flight with a baby, so I've needed a little rest. After my obligatory two days of laying around the house in footie pajamas while playing call of duty, I'm back.

2015. It's been a good year! I've spent more time behind the camera this year than I have ever before. I've learned a lot and have finally got some big prints on the wall. Of course the highlight of this year has definitely been watching my son grow up, but that will have to be a whole other post. That is just too large of a subject.

Rather than talk about it, I think I'll just show you what a great year its been. Riley photos, however are not included in this go round. You get enough of those on a daily basis, I'm sure.

So without further ado, here are 20 of my favorite photos from 2015.

A look back at 2015- 20 of the best images by Mikaela Joy: Savannah Family and Portrait Photographer

Normally I start the year off with big plans and New Years Resolutions. Every year I make a list and resolve to start fresh on January 1st, changing nearly everything. It feels like such a clean place to start.

But the fact of the matter is, life doesn't work like that. All my problems, worries, and bad habits don't just reset because of some arbitrary date and time. So this year I decided to do things a bit differently. Rather than making plans for the new year, I made new plans a couple months ago. I decided to kick off my new life right then and there and I haven't looked back.

So while I do have big plans for the next year, I'm changing my focus. I'm working on my bigger goals by focusing on what I can do this week, what I can do today.

This is the year that I'm going to make things happen, for myself and for my family. How can I be so sure? Because I won't accept anything else.

What are your big goals and plans for the next year? Lets chat about it in the comments & start working to make this year even better than the last!

Happy New Year! | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

2015 Wrap Up