The first month of this year represents a lot of things. A bright fresh start. A chance to reflect. The entrance into the 26th year of my life (really? how did this happen? I swear it was just yesterday when I was hanging out at the mall thinking it was the cool place to be, or stressing over college apps, or hoarding grilled cheese sandwiches at the dorm dining hall).

And now, it represents one year from when I decided to take my first steps into the wide world of wedding photography. Where I was staring out at a far off dream, such a teeny tiny speck on the horizon, with nothing but a camera and without the faintest idea of how to move forward. And although I still have miles to go, I feel miles and miles from where I was, and so so incredibly blessed by what the past 12 months have brought. I stand here a year later and feel full – full of opportunities, full of people who helped me along away, full of knowledge, full of hope (and a little bit full of Sprinkles birthday cupcakes, YUM).

I could not be more thankful for this past year. And I could not be more excited for 2009 and all the clients, photographers, blog-friends (that’s you!), and other amazing people I have yet to meet. Let’s make it the most spectacular year ever!

My warmest love and thanks,

Adrienne

P.S. Please click below to view my Year-In-Review slideshow of some of my favorite moments from 2008, full of all the wonderful people I’ve been so fortunate to meet this past year! I included a handful of never-before-seen shots and a few from December sessions that have yet to be blogged. Enjoy and thank you again for a fabulous year!

I braved the vicious 405 on Friday to attend the KISSmas Party hosted by KISS Wedding Books (they provide my beautiful leather flush mount albums) and am so I glad I did! Lots of familiar faces and made some new friends as well. Highlights of the night were winning a disc of Camera Dojo’s Photoshop actions, watching Doug participate in a high-stakes game of poker (cluelessly of course – I’m an Uno sort of girl), and squishing into the photobooth to create the masterpiece you’ll find below.

I got home from the party around 1 am, plopped into bed, and woke up 4 hours later for a 5-hour drive to Stockton for the annual mochi pounding gathering Scott’s family puts on (note: I was not the one driving, I was the one who was passed out in the backseat for almost the entire duration, possibly drooling on my sweater). I went last year as well and although I think I’ve gotten the manly pounding part down, I still fail in the “forming the mochi into nice balls” arena. I have Scott and his sister and middle school girls (and boys) showing me how to do it, and my mochi still comes out looking like someone ran it through a paper shredder. Maybe I’ll practice with Play-Doh for next year’s gathering, and while I’m at it I might as well work on the pounding side too, so I can bust it out like these guys.

On to the shots from the weekend, starting with the KISSmas Party…

Clockwise from top: with Serena / with the fabulous girls of All Made Up / the Lamborghini – raffled off to drive for a day / poker faces

Too much fun in the photobooth (you can never get enough dudes with boas): Lawrence of the Furious Photographers & Tofurious, Kevin Le Vu, Serena Grace, Mark Nguon

The next morning – shots taken between wielding heavy mallets after 4 hours of sleep:

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Thank you so much to everyone who participated in Cans for Comments last week! Will be totaling up the comments and going out on a can shopping spree in the next few days!
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In my usual Sunday blog perusing (or blog stalking.. call it what you will!) I paid a visit to Justin & Mary Marantz’s ever-fabulous blog. I found that they’re participating in an awesome “cans for comments” drive that was originally started by Chris + Lynn Photographers and has since been picked up by other Vancouver photographers. I was totally inspired to jump right onto the bandwagon and bring it to the westsiiiide! It’s a totally simple concept: you comment (on any of my blog entries) and I buy a can! For all comments left between now and Friday, December 12th I will be buying an equal number of cans and donating them to our local food bank. Please don’t be shy – I would love if you would help the cause and leave a few words… especially if you’ve never said hello before! :) And while you’re at it, why don’t you go leave a few words at the totally awesome above-mentioned blogs as well!

Before I head to bed, here’s a from sneak peek from Gabi’s downtown LA headshot session. (I completely realize this is a handshot, and not a headshot, but there will totally be shots with heads soon, I promise ;)