I know that it is March of 2020. And yeah, I’m just now posting my favorite images from 2019. It’s fine. I’m a busy person. Like you, I’d assume. Which is why I should warn you that this sucker is 300+ images deep. I tried to cull more. But I couldn’t. So there you go. She’s a thicc gorl of a blog post and goodness, I love her.
2019 was a roller coaster. And that is as cliché as clichés can be. And I also feel like every year of my life is “the hardest year of my life” but 2019 handed me rapid, somewhat traumatic life changes on a silver platter and said “Here you go. Deal with this now and forever.” Which, I guess, is Life. It also handed me lots of good. More healing than I thought possible. It opened up the space for more healing to take place. But holy sh!t, it was a doozy. Still recovering, tbh.
I won’t get into too many details–that’ll be for another time, perhaps.
But what I can fill you in on is this:
I photographed so many new faces and faces I’ve photographed before (happy tears). Getting to witness wedding days, life goals being met, babies being had, etc fills my heart with so much dang joy. You’d think after doing this for so long that I’d stop loving my time sharing in these people’s stories so much–that, perhaps, they get old after a while. But nope. Hasn’t happened yet. I delight in their beautiful lives from afar (when I’m not up in their faces with my camera) and give thanks that art + storytelling somehow is my job.

Some fun things:
In February, I got to travel to Iceland and watch two of my very closest friends elope. I was the sole witness and the photographer. It was one of the most beautiful, magical, and scary times of my tiny existence. I hope to travel back there ASAP. In the summer.
I stepped outside my comfort zone and updated my website in hopes that it looks nothing like anyone else’s (still tweaking it all the time because it’s who I am). Trying to attract my people my own way, ya know?
I photographed more LGBTQ+ Weddings (even more in 2020 and 2021, please!) and joined an inclusive wedding vendor directory in late December.
I also spoke out in 2019 more than ever about issues I believe are affecting my industry and community. Not gonna slow down there. :)
I worked with some of my all-time favorite people in the industry.
I started an inclusive workshop for photographers and business owners to come gather and grow with each other with two friends/other photographers.
I got to go down to Cabo and photograph the sweetest proposal for one of the greatest families.
I started settling into where I want my work to go in the future and what other things I want to learn.
I got to do some florals for some events. (Yes! I can do your florals for your events…limited availability…but hit me up.)
I finally taught myself videography after saying “I want to learn videography” for, like, 4 freaking years. Which, spoiler, will be coming soon to a Rachel Waters Website near you (it’s this one).
I got to work more in the branding, magazine, and food industry a lot this year. Always love some good freelance work. Always love collaborating with other brands.
I think 2019 was the year I photographed the most dogs, which made me very happy. More, please.

The best part of the whole year was finding joy in such tiny moments. Because of human connection (sometimes good food or a good view…but mostly humans and their kindness and their joy). Here are some of those moments (in no particular order).

PS–friendors I worked with this year are tagged in the bottom of this post if you’re curious. <3