Rewind 2019: Highlights from the Past Year

I have no idea how, in just a few short weeks, we will be ringing in 2020. It feels like just yesterday I was dressed up in Hawaiian attire at a friend’s New Year’s Eve party in snowy Ontario celebrating the start of 2019! This past year was filled with so many amazing fleeting moments, both personally and professionally, that I am filled to the brim with so much love and gratitude. Originally this post was going to highlight a few of my favorite images from 2019 but after much contemplation I have decided to kick things up a notch. As a photographer I know that being in front of the camera can be scary so I’ve decided to get vulnerable with you here so that you can get to know the girl behind the camera a bit better. So here are my top 5 personal highlights from 2019 that make my heart beam.

Highlight 1: The Time I Fell For a Kitten Named Derek

I am a huge animal person. I am talking HUGE. I can’t pass a dog on the street without stopping to say hello. As a foster fur mom I have always been proud of the fact that I have somehow never managed to ‘foster fail’ - unnntil I met an adorable black kitten in January 2019. Admittedly I have always been much more of a dog person but this little guy won my heart over. He had been in a local shelter for quite some time before I decided to foster because a) he was black (helloooo superstitions!) and b) he had a severe heart murmur. I vividly remember one of our first vet visits together - the vet sat me down and strongly advised against adopting him as his prognosis was poor. The problem was I had already fallen in love with him at that point. Of course I ignored the advice of the vet and signed the adoption papers the next day. The next few months were filled with SO many snuggles. I loved waking up with his little face tucked in beside me. It felt like a missing piece of me was complete…

… until early April when his heart stopped beating. I was devastated. I knew that that day was coming but still I wasn’t prepared to say goodbye. For anyone who has ever lost a pet – my heart goes out to you. It is a pain like no other. As painful as losing Derek was, and even though our time together has been limited, he taught me a very valuable lesson I needed to learn – that I was capable and ready to let love in again.

Highlight 2: The Time I Realized Online Dating Can Be a Good Thing – Don’t Give Up!

I think we can all agree that the online dating scene is weird. After going on my fair share of awful first dates I was about ready to delete my profile until the unexpected happened – I met someone wonderful. It has only been a few months so I will leave this as a teaser for now but to everyone out there who is starting to feel jaded – especially with the holiday season upon us - don’t give up! It can happen! As a hopeless romantic I am so incredibly excited to continue to explore my connection with this incredible human.

Highlight 3: The Times Where I Stood With My Best Friends as They Said ‘I Do’

Being asked to stand next to the people you love as they make one of the biggest decisions of their life is such an incredible honor. I was humbled to be asked to stand with two of my best friends this year. Sure - being in a wedding party comes with expenses and expectations but it also gives you the special privilege of being a part of a lifelong memory. I’ve been reflecting a lot about friendship lately. Friends that believe WITH you. The ones that you can process big thoughts and dreams with. The ones who tell you that you can accomplish those dreams. I read a quote once that said something like “Don’t underestimate the power of friendship. Those bonds are tight stitches that close up the holes you might otherwise fall through.” All this is to say thank you to my girls who continue to allow me to be a part of their threads.

Highlight 4: The Times I Learned from Other #BossBabes

I don’t even know where to start with this one! As an entrepreneur it can get so overwhelming when limiting beliefs take over telling you that you ‘can’t do the thing’. I have been so fortunate to have the opportunity to connect with other strong female business leaders this past year who have taken me under their wing to support, challenge, and teach me so much. These women, you know who you are, continue to inspire me Every. Damn. Day and I am so grateful. Never under estimate the power of a boss babe community!

Highlight 5: The Time I Enrolled in the Unraveled Academy Photography School

Guess what! I am a science kid – through and through. I completed my undergraduate degree in the sciences and didn’t get enough so I went on to pursue my Masters of Science in 2013. I work at a Children’s Hospital full-time building the capacity of health care systems in low and middle income countries across the globe. I love what I do but it means that I was never formally trained by an accredited photography school and lately was struggling to find my seat at the photography table. I decided that I wanted seek out technical and creative training to support my business but with working full-time knew I couldn’t commit to going back to school for another diploma or degree. That’s when I stumbled across the Unraveled Academy. Unraveled Academy is a photography school and community where every photographer is welcome-no matter their story or skill level. The school offers jammed packed courses from industry experts, networking opportunities, and access to mentors. No, this isn’t a paid advertisement but yes, this school has without a doubt helped support my growth as an artist.

Phew – it has been quite the year! Clearly there are so many more highlights (and certainly lowlights!) that I can’t possibly cover in one blog post but I am so grateful for it all! Before I close I am curious what highlights you have experienced or accomplished or felt this year? Feel free to send me an email or DM me on social media, I’d love to know!

I can never explain how thankful I am to each of you for inviting me into your lives. For trusting me and giving me the freedom to do what I love. You’re pretty darn awesome and I appreciate it more than you know! I am so excited to see what 2020 will bring and wish you many happy memories this holiday season and hope we can create together soon!

With so much love and gratitude – from the bottom of my heart,

D xx