Sometime during the pandemic, my husband and I discovered a website called 1001 Album Generator. Every day, we’d head to the site, and it would automatically present us with the name of a random album from the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The challenge was to listen to the album and then, the next day, rate it and share our thoughts on the website.

As a music lover, it was a cool opportunity to explore artists I’d never taken the time to check out (or, in some cases, never even heard of). And since it was something we together, it also became a great way to chat about something thought-provoking and fun (and not about the world falling apart).

I realized a lot of things during that venture with the 1001 Album Generator. I very quickly found out that I absolutely hated Captain Beefheart—truly the weirdest music I’ve ever half-listened to. On the other hand, I was unexpectedly hooked on Iggy Pop. Gah, what a delightful surprise! His music was raw, upbeat, and just plain fun.

Then, there was 1989 by Taylor Swift.

*Shot for* ***RecordCorner*** *during a 2023 product shoot.*

SWIFTIES, PLEASE DON’T COME FOR ME.

I didn’t like it.

Oh sure, all the songs were super well-written pop ditties. And, yeah, Taylor Swift’s voice is nice and completely non-offensive. In fact, everything in 1989 was tight, packaged well, and so painfully perfect.

But it was missing the grit, the soul, the beautiful fallibility I adore in music. For me, the album felt like the musical equivalent of a picture-perfect Instagram feed. Sure, it was flawless and pretty, but it lacked something raw, something human.

My husband, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised by how much he dug it, commenting on its "absolutely flawless, masterful production." It must have struck a chord because, even years later, we still chat about it now and then. And while neither of us has changed our opinion, those conversations have shown me how deeply personal our interactions with art can be.

The amazing thing about art is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all experience. If you’ve ever wandered through an art museum with a friend, you’ve probably noticed how two people can look at the same painting and see completely different things. Where you may find energy and magic in Jackson Pollock’s abstract pieces, your friend may just see a bunch of random splatters of paint.

I used to feel bad, like a failure, when someone didn’t like my photography. For many years, I thought I had to be everything to everyone. But as my style developed and my confidence grew, I realized it was an impossible expectation for everyone to like everything I produced. I also came to realize that trying to make everything perfect was actually kinda boring to me.

I, for one, could never be the photographer who tries to make everything perfect in a frame. It’s just not part of my nature. I crave being delighted by what happens in front of my lens and fully embrace the moments that are a little different, a little unexpected. I love those quirks, that whimsy, that humanity in documenting how things exist in naturally in the world.

And that’s the beauty of art—it doesn’t have to resonate with everyone to have value. Some people love what I do—enough that I’ve been able to do this for over two decades. But others don’t, and that’s perfectly okay. I’ve come to appreciate that the imperfections and quirks in my work reflect who I am, much like Iggy Pop’s raw and energetic approach to music. Just as his unrefined authenticity resonates with some and not others, the polished precision of someone like Taylor Swift reflects a different kind of artistry. There’s room for both—raw humanity and polished perfection—because art thrives in diversity.

And maybe that’s why my husband and I still talk about 1989. It wasn’t just about whether we liked the album or not. It was about seeing how art reflects the people who make it and the people who experience it. It’s not about being right or wrong—it’s about connecting with what speaks to you and letting it shape how you see the world.

Thankful

November brought a slower work schedule and the chance to catch up, both at the studio and at home. During the busy season, I'm always in go-go-go mode, so having a moment to breathe has given me the opportunity to reflect on how grateful I am for where I am in life right now.

I love the work I do. I love the people I serve. I love my friends, my family, and my life. I feel so deeply thankful for everything in my life right now, and I wish I could just let it slow down, if only for a little while. But adventure is always ahead, and you never know what’s around the corner.

End of Year Schedule

As we approach the end of 2024, I wanted to share my schedule with everyone. As usual, I'll be taking the last two weeks of December off to spend with my family (and this year, we’re doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, AND I’M SO EXCITED). I’ll be available for sessions and headshots through December 17th, then taking a few days to close up shop for the year. During my vacation, I plan to be pretty hands-off.

If you have a session this month, rest assured I’ll be getting your photos to you before I head off. I do have a little availability for a few things, but I’d recommend waiting until January to book anything new, as my calendar will free up then.

I hope your holiday season is magical, lovely, and full of hot cocoa and the best treats.

Now 10 photos, work or otherwise, captured in the month of November.

1: UnStuffy Content for Tellwell, 2: New-Hire Headshots for Dakota Pediatric Dentistry, 3: Team Photo for Choice Wealth, 4: The Adorable Graalum Kiddos, 5: The Always Rad Franny During Her Recent Grad Session, 6: Hope Blooms at the VA, 7: Aldwynn During Our Merry Happy Holiday Session, 8: Center for Plastic Surgery Team Members Alexis & Lexie, 9: Choice Bank’s 80s-Themed Anniversary Party, and 10: Our Adorable Hamster, Peanut.