2022 has been a ride. From quitting my day job at Ulta in January to pursue my dream of becoming a full time photographer to being published in a magazine, this last year has brought so many blessings to my family and my business. I am so thankful and humbled. Looking back to where I started and where I am now, it feels surreal. I remember struggling with jobs, never being able to stay for long because after the excitement wore off I always had this feeling of there has to be more than this. So I kept searching for it. But in January I hit a rock bottom. My anxiety and panic took over my life and I made the decision to take a break from my job while I got things under control. It became clear that it was going to be a longer journey than I thought and work was pressuring me to return when I wasn't able to. I made the decision to leave for good and do what I had always wanted to do since I was 16. I had already established my photography business at this point but I didn't have my whole heart and drive into it because it was just a dream and I didn't believe in myself, up to that point, enough to believe it could be more. But that January I was broke, I had no job and wasn't in a position to get another one due to my mental health. I thought, I have nothing to lose at this point. I can only go up from here. It was almost tax time which would allow me to upgrade my gear and invest in some training. So without thinking about it enough to talk myself out of it, I decided I was going to go full-time with my business and give it my everything. I knew it was going to be hard and would require a lot of sacrifice. But I knew that this was it. This was my chance to change my life and start to build something that would eventually give me my life back. More time with my son, more control over my life, a job that is rewarding, no more feeling like there has to be more than this. I knew it wouldn't happen right away, things like this take time but I had to start somewhere and this was my somewhere. I have learned so much this year about myself, the photography business and where I want my business to take me in the future. I am so excited to share all of this with you. From all of the firsts to the favorites and the unexpected. As I recap 2022 I am so excited to see where 2023 takes me.

April 2022

Things didn't take off very quickly. I didn't book a sessions for months after making the decision to pursue photography full time. I remember it like it was just yesterday. I booked my very first fresh 48 in a hospital. I was so thankful that COVID restrictions had let up enough to allow photographers into the hospital. I was beyond excited for this session but so full of nerves. It wasn't my first time photographing a newborn but it was my first time photographing in a hospital just hours after baby was born. I remember I got the booking because I started a bucket list and a fresh 48 session was on it. I shared my bucket list on Facebook and was so blessed to have been able to check this session off of the list. I still offer these sessions and even have a "The First Year" session bundle that I am now offering. Be sure to reach out if you are interested in this bundle. For the first few weeks of January I am having a New Year's sale and this bundle is included in that sale at a major discount.

May 2022

May brought me my first mom and me sessions. I found such an incredible spark of inspiration and love for these types of portrait sessions immediately. There is something about capturing a mother and her child that just speaks to my heart. I was lucky enough to capture these two in the spring and then again in the fall. It was cold both times but what champs they are! Delaney's boots are always an eye catcher and moms gorgeous hair and smile always steal the show. I cant wait to get them in front of my camera again! You can schedule a mom and me portrait session any time of year! I have a Mother's Day Mini Session special again this year and hope to pull together another amazing Mother's Day giveaway again this year. Make sure you are following me on Facebook @desireemariellc to stay up to date on all of my mini sessions.

June 2022

June brought me my very first milk bath sessions! And ohmigosh, I cant believe I hadn't done them sooner! Just take a look for yourselves. From the cute little chunky hands to the beautiful round eyes, the sour faces and everything in-between. I loved them so much that I even did one with my 5 year old son. Milk baths definitely found a permanent place in my heart and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to capture so many in 2022. I cant wait for more. Make sure you are following me on Facebook @desireemariellc to keep track of when my milk bath minis will be taking place in the summer of 2023. You can schedule a milk bath session anytime of the year as a milestone portrait session. They are done inside during the cold months and outside in the summer.

July 2022

July brought me one of my first engagement sessions and one of my very first weddings! Talk about a month full of blessings! My favorite part about it is that I was able to capture the same couples engagement session and wedding in the same month. It was such an honor and so much fun. These two are some of the kindest people I have met in my photography journey. Always full of smiles and laughter and so much love. In 2023, Desiree Marie Photography will be continuing to build a wedding portfolio to further my goal of booking more weddings. Be sure to reach out early if you are interested in booking me for your wedding. My summer's book fast but I am doing my best to reserved weekends for weddings.

July 2022 cont.

This month was so extremely hot. I had to start bringing cooling towels, lots and lots of water and I even purchased a wagon so my clients and I didn't have to carry anything. July also brought me my first senior portrait session. You could say I was a little nervous and even cut the back of my leg "getting the shot" but what an experience with such a wonderful senior and his gracious mom. I will always remember this session with such fond memories. I was even able to take his friend/ teammates senior portraits a little later in the year! I am still offering senior portrait sessions all year round but I suggest scheduling them during the beginning of the school year to avoid the stress of a last minute session and battling the deadlines of the schools. I do have a 30 day turnaround for senior sessions so make sure you are keeping it at the top of your mind as you or your child move into senior year.

August 2022

August blessed me with more than one first and a couple of my favorite sessions of the year. To start things off, I met two fo the kindest and loving people ever during their maternity session. It was like a dream. Alma was glowing and Brian was the best hype man and partner you could have imagined. After their session we continued to talk and I am so thankful for the friendship we have been able to cultivate. With two super busy lives, we haven't had time to spend in person but with a new year on the way and all that I have learned about work/home life balance I hope to change that this new year.

August 2022 Cont.

August also brought me to my first time at a sunflower field. And I cannot express how amazing it was there. The photos were to die for, the view was magical. Overall, sunflower portrait sessions have found a permanent home in my calendar in the last 3 weeks of August. I wasnt even planning on doing sunflower minis but I saw an add on Facebook for the Applestem Corn maize and Pumpkin Patch and the idea just struck me and I knew I had to make it happen! Make sure you are following me on Facebook @desireemariellc to stay up to date with the dates and times of this year's Sunflower Mini Portrait Sessions.

September 2022

My birthday month!! I turned the big THREE ZERO this year. You can read more about that on my birthday blog. I'll link that below. I also had my first official fall minis. And while it kept me super busy I found it to be one of my favorite times of the year for portrait sessions. I mean nothing can compete with the colors. Need I say more? Fall minis will definitely be returning year after year. I got to meet so many new and amazing families during my fall minis and I am so honored to have been able to serve such great people. You will find all of my fall mini portrait session information on Facebook @desireemariellc and my website www.desireemarie.com as we get closer to fall.

October 2022

October blessed me with my very first snow session! And though it was not planned it was amazing and with such a wonderful family. I am so excited for more snow sessions. I have always wanted to do a snow session and when this one happened I couldn't stop smiling and talking about it. Snow is the best natural reflector and makes everything look so picture perfect. I also became a published photographer (two times) in October. This snow session and one of my all time favorite engagement sessions were both featured in Shutter Up Magazine. It still feels surreal that I have been published. October brought me another first. I was invited by Edgewater Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin patch to set up a spot and offer family photos to their guests while they were there. This was my very first time doing event photography and I fell in love. I was able to meet so many amazing people and even had some of them come back for Christmas photos and family sessions. I cannot wait to go back next year!

November 2022

November brought me my first Christmas mini sessions. And when I tell you I had so much fun with these sessions that is a complete understatement. Christmas is my favorite time of the year and to be able to brighten so many people's holiday season with portraits full of Christmas, love, color and the people they love the most is such an honor. I am already excited for next years Christmas minis. November was also the first time I had worked in a studio environment, bringing my work from the outdoors to the indoors. It was full of learning new techniques and learning how to create beautiful and timeless sets for each portrait session. I was able to create a gorgeous set for timeless white portrait sessions for childhood as well as my Christmas set. Though it was a little challenging to get the hang of it, I was able to pull it off and use what I learned and put it to work in December for another first of mine!! Christmas Minis will be a little different in 2023. I will be having a Christmas in July Mini Session special for Christmas cards as well as in November. December will be full of dates for Christmas Minis, however these will not be for Christmas cards as it will be too late to customize and order them.

December 2022

What a year of firsts! But it wouldn't be complete without another first in the last month of the year! December brought me my first cake smash session and I cant get enough of it. Cake smash sessions are on my list of services and I cannot wait to do more! During the warm months, these can be done outdoors or in studio. I am so excited for what this year has brought and I am looking forward to the new year. All of the challenges, opportunities and growth. I have been so blessed this year with such amazing clients and community partners. I have reached goals in my career I never thought were possible. I have been blessed with so many amazing and unique opportunities this year. While it is always hard to say goodbye to the year, I am so excited to welcome and embrace the new year and see what it has in store.

If you would like to book a portrait session or have any questions please fill out the form below and I will get back to you as soon as possible!