2012: The Year In Review

2012 was a productive and busy year. I went shoot crazy, and got incredibly behind on work, and so I vowed to take 2013 slow, spend most of it catching up, and focusing on what really matters. I barely shot. I took on VERY select work. In fact I can probably count the times on my hands I used my camera. You would think it would have been a slow year. Financially, it was. But so much has happened this year in my personal and professional life throughout the last 365 days. I have grown and changed as a person and an artist in ways I didn't think were possible in such a short amount of time. The craziest part, is that i didn't plan any of it. Most of these things have happened when I wasn't looking or trying; they just fell on my lap. I feel like all the work I have put in during the last few years is finally starting to pay off. Everything is coming together, and I cannot wait to see what 2014 brings. I'm writing a detailed retrospective post (with pictures!) on my blog; that'll be up soon. In the meantime, here's the quickie version with all the highlights:

I had my first taste of the fine art world. I was selected to showcase at 3 art gallery shows in Wynwood; and went on to be chosen as a director's highlight and nominated to be RAWards Photographer of the Year, for which I placed in the top 3 in Miami.

I was published in 7 magazines, (including two front covers and a back cover), featured on 14 websites/blogs (including the GUESS site!), shot two editorial campaigns, started working directly with modeling agencies, second shot/assisted for a bunch of weddings, held a very successful boudoir marathon, and dreamt up and executed a gorgeous editorial and brought it to fruition with an amazing team. I can't even begin to express how proud I am of all the images I have created this year.

I made a new amazing and beautiful friend in Jennifer Ross, and strengthened bonds with my existing circle of friends.

I had a friendship/casual flirtation turn into something much greater. ❤

I defined myself as an artist and figured out what it is I want to say with my work. I focused my style and made my work more consistent.

I worked with people I had been DYING to shoot with for years now, including Effy Harvard, By Misha, Yvette Elfawal, Olivia Smalley, Muriel Villera, Mikaela Schipani, Nina Arce, and Toshi Szpyra, amongst others. Most of them I now consider friends. 

I met and hung out with some amazing photographers I've been Facebook friends with for a while, including Ashley Holloway, Diana Santisteban, & Ashley Garner.

I was brave enough to get in front of someone else's camera this year. Huge kudos to Francy Nunez, Merari Teruel, and Paul Thomas, for dealing with my anxiety-ridden, super insecure "model" self.

I spent lots of quality time with my family, became a mommy to my baby, Sparky, and we got a new puppy Sophia. Also I became an aunt!

I traveled to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 

I joined and started going to the gym, although in all honesty I could be more consistent. Baby steps.

I hit 6500 fans on my Evie Lynn Photography facebook page, 1600 followers on my Evie Lynn profile, and nearly 4,300 followers on Instagram, all while barely posting.

After the encouragement of several of my peers, I decided to start a blog; one where

I can write, not just post pictures. I also revamped my entire website to really represent my new look. I built it myself, and am really proud of how it turned out.

But most importantly of all, this year I became truly myself. I fully embraced myself for the weird, quirky, clumsy, picky, tiny girl that I am, who who talks too much and takes too long and cares too much about everyone and everything. Who is honest to a fault and helps everyone she can, even at her own expense. I'm not perfect, and I never will be. And for the first time in 26 years, I'm okay with that. :)

This year basically started out very simply, but as it went on it snowballed into something so much greater than I could have ever hoped for. So here's to 2014. To new adventures, new friends, new memories, more mistakes. To conquering our fears. To surrounding ourselves with beauty, and remembering to take the time to breathe it all in. To filling our lungs with happiness, our hearts with love, and our minds with peace. Here's to taking risks, breaking the mold, and being the best versions of our unique selves we could possibly be. Here's to letting our hair dance wild in the wind, laughing as the rain kisses our faces, and hoping in the face of adversity. Here's to chasing our dreams and believing we can touch the stars if only we try hard enough. Here's to setting ourselves free, and changing the world in the process, simple because we believe we can. For all of you, for my rebels and my dreamers: Here's to 2013, to new beginnings, and happy endings. ❤