2019 Year in Review| Behind the scenes peek at Jessica Brees Photo & Video

This is my absolute favorite blog post to write every year! I am 100% the type of person that loves documenting everyday moments and telling my story. I also love looking back over time at how things have grown and changed. It’s just natural that at the end of each year I become reflective (and somewhat sentimental)!

This past year has been huge for my business. My income didn’t grow, the number of weddings I shot didn’t increase, but rather my boundaries and sense of balance improved! Don’t get me wrong, I still have A LOT of work to do (ie: NOT answering emails while I’m on vacation…), but I have made huge leaps towards improving my quality of life as an entrepreneur.

Not many people understand how hard it is to juggle a business, home life, a marriage and children. It feels like an impossible task, truly! But this year I implemented a lot of strategies for making things run a bit more smoothly and it feels amazing! I am ending the year less drained, still feeling creative and motivated, and ready to UNPLUG in my time off for real!

This year had SO many highlights and most of them were not photographed! I spent a lot of intentional energy staying present in the moment! But here are some fun photos we did capture throughout the year!

2019 was filled with 25 weddings, 40 family and senior sessions, 22 engagement sessions, 1 proposal, 2 bridal shows, 2 styled shoots and 1 educational conference!

It all starts with amazing clients…

Business runs on a lot of caffeine…and I mean A LOT…

There’s also a bit of dancing and goofing off! You can always count me in for the dance floor at the end of the work day!! I’ll have my camera in hand but be killin’ it with the Cupid Shuffle, Wobble, or Git Up.

Sometimes we have tragedy…

Sometimes it takes a bit of juggling to run a business and raise a child…

And now for my favorite part-the amazing people that work with me! First up is the best assistant and hubby I could ever ask for! He hits his model poses perfectly when I need to check the lighting, lights candles like no one else, and has shot video along with me all year long!

I love when Taylor works with me! She is the best tree shaking, umbrella carrying and branch holding photographer I know! I didn’t get to work with her as much this year because she had her own wedding, but I’m thankful for any time she is around!

Kellie is also a favorite to work with! She is a hard worker and loyal friend and knows exactly how to handle me! She is good at being gentle when I’m about to cry and firm when I’m stubborn and need tough love (ya ya, Kellie, I know I’m taking too long with the details! 😂). She is fierce and confident and couples love when she’s around to help!

Of course Jaxon tags along on his fair share of sessions. Things are always interesting when he chats with clients and entertains them with his imagination stories about his character toys!

I also got to work with the most incredible vendors!! I don’t have photos of them all, because sometimes weddings get hectic! Here are a few I’ve captured and I think Fos holding the bride’s bag of stuff is my favorite!

Flowercart Creations and 6th South Designs

Metro Machines Entertainment

Kevin Thayer Films

Overall it has been one heck of an incredible year and I am so grateful to all my friends, family and clients! Your belief in me and encouragement of my dream means more to me than you’ll ever know!

 

Ready to have the best wedding day ever? Count me in! Jessica Brees specializes in Wedding Photography and Videography and all the fun things that come with it. Jessica Brees Photo & Video is based near Sioux City, IA and will travel within Northwest Iowa as well as nationwide and worldwide. Let’s plan an adventure!
Want Jessica Brees to document your wedding day?  Click here to see if your date is available!  I can’t wait to meet you over popcorn and Pink Drinks!