Top 21 photos of 2021!

This last week of the year, I'm taking lots of time to reflect, rejoice, and get ready for turning 18 and making the best of the whole year ahead of me by God's grace. (Lord willing!)

And I thought it would be fun to share my top 21 favorite photos from 2021!

{Lol, it was SO HARD not to choose EVERY SINGLE ONE from Micah & Rosie's wedding. 😄😄}

This was one of the very first photos I took after learning the lighting principles in A&J's photography course, and I could not BELIEVE the lighting!! I was blown away by how quickly I was able to edit this photo too. I was sold. :)

Because the bokeh, flowers, personality, and color of this photo! Plus I think it gives a sweet nod to girlhood. :)

Because aaaah, this is the photo of my dreams!! I've always wanted to take someone's engagement photos on a wooden swing. I was very happy that I was able to include layering, posing, and lighting techniques all in one shot. :) Plus joy. That's always a plus. :)

Because I didn't even have to edit this photo!! I followed my meter, and it didn't lie. I was amazed.

Also, don't they sort of look like they're forming a heart? :)

I got many other in-focus shots of this moment, but the out-of-focus one is one of my favorites because I think it captures the emotion of the moment. She and her dad were coming up and were about to walk down the aisle but hadn't made it to the spot yet. This is also around the time that I lost it. I think the fact that they are out-of-focus allows for some imagination and dreaminess which I love.

Because I almost didn't capture this because they were praying! But the focus, the blurry background, the colors, the significance of this moment... aaah, and how pretty Rosie is!! And how perfectly her bouquet is placed. :) Makes my posing side happy, especially since there was no way I could have instructed her to place it there in the middle of the prayer, haha! :)

Because I can't imagine them not having this photo. That just-married, what-are-you-thinking?!!-can-you-believe-it's-official?!! moment... And just how sweet.

Because the sweetness, the joy, the lighting!! And that these are her little sisters. 😭😭 This is one I would keep on my wall for ages if it was mine. 😍

Because... aaaah! The beauty! The composition of the archway, the sweetness, the intimacy, the gorgeous forest-y background and pond reflection, his love for her... aaaah!!!

Because I love how sweet + country it looks. Just a calm, peaceful, beautiful morning in the kitchen.

Because, well, several reasons, first, how cute is she?! It's *adorable*!! Also, this photo gives me major Anne-of-Green-Gable vibes, what with the forest ground-cover and purple flowers. 😍 I was thrilled that I was able to find a genuinely beautiful place at this location with good light. That shooting & editing course taught me how to find good light anywhere, and I wouldn't have thought to use this spot if it hadn't been for that course!! (There weren't very many options!)

Because - aaaah, how gorgeous is she?!! I love that my eye goes right to hers and how well she pops from the background. The colors, the joy, the beauty, everything. :)

Because this was totally posed, but it looks so candid! And it captures her personality to a T. :) I feel like I want to laugh along with her. Lol. (And it's so beautiful!! :D)

Because I spent a lot of time figuring out the lighting, settings, and composition for this shot. And it gives me major jungle vibes. Also, I waded through a patch of thistles barefoot for it. (It was worth it!!) :)

Because I had a moment of creativity and created my own wallpaper background for this out of a notebook, and I love how it turned out! :)

Because I've always loved this quiet, peaceful, in-love look, and was thrilled to finally be able to capture it quickly and without mental panic or strain, thanks to the posing course!! (And, isn't it so serene + beautiful?!) (Also, it wouldn't have just "happened" if I hadn't made it happen, so I'm so thankful for that posing knowledge! Helps me get so many more photos - with so much more variety - in such a shorter time!)

Because I feel like this captures a God-centered big-family life. I feel like it tells a story. When mom & dad love God and each other first, it brings joy and peace to the home. (Not that there isn't any craziness though! Lol!)

Because I've always loved antique, downtown senior photos before and never dared to hope I'd get to take one of my own!! She's gorgeous and the autumn-y, downtown, antique, charming, historical feel to this photo makes me happy. :)

Because stunning!!!

(Also, I'm amazed at what natural reflectors can do for skin tones, lighting, and catch lights! I'm in love with them. Totally in love. 🤩🤩)

Because I have always struggled with dark inside lighting. I would beat my head against the wall over it. Such a frustrating thing to work with! But, thanks to A&J's lighting course, after a few quick + calculated adjustments, I was able to take this picture, and I didn't even need to edit it! 🤯

Because, again, thanks to A&J's "Posing" and "Shooting & Editing" courses, I was able to get several great photos for my bro + sis-in-law in the freezing cold in just a few minutes in a spot that I never would have thought to use before in our front yard in a time of the year that I usually would have avoided like the plague! There were also several distracting elements in the background that I had to work around and was able to hide in the photo to put the focus all on them. And aren't they just adorable?! Reflecting on the fact that if I hadn't known exactly how to find perfect light and pose quickly in this situation, they would have gotten too cold very quickly - and never would have looked this cute + in-love because of that - and this photo would not have been beautiful, it would have been a quick buddy-hug-in-the-mud candid shot with weird shadows, distracting elements, and not a whole lot of joy or emotion. But, thanks to that knowledge, in exactly two minutes, I was able to get 48 photos of these darlings, going from a situation that I really didn't like (bad lighting, not-great location, cheesy pose) to a photo that I absolutely love. 🥰

Basically, I am SO thankful for Amy & Jordan's courses!!!

God's blessings on the new year!!

May God be exalted,

~ Kina