Top 10 photos of 2009

2009 has been a rather crazy year filled with very high points and very low points. A constant in my roller coaster year has been photography, and the year in business was a major success. I can’t wait to keep it coming in 2010, but before I go forward, I’d like to take a look back at my favorite shots from 2009.

I won’t run this one with a cut, so you can see it all right here. So, without further adieu, my personal favorites from this year!

10 ) Caroline on the shore — There was a random canoe laying around, and we went with it. Spontaneity rules! Also, lightly indicative of new artistic directions I’m taking.

9 ) Cut out and collect — To put this at 9 almost seems a little low, but I’m thrilled to have had an excess of images I believed were worthy of this list. I liked the image before this, but Hayley‘s personality and artistic approach lend themselves to a more abstract mindset, which supplied me with a perfect excuse to finally come out of left field a little bit. Also inspired by Arnold Newman.

8 ) Sherri at Brewtones — Amazingly, this is the only live photo in my top 10. This is rather notable to me personally, as I was almost exclusively a live shooter a couple of years back. When you’ve shot somewhere a million times, it can be a challenge to keep it fresh. I was overjoyed to do just that with some of these shots.

7 ) Ashley on the couch — This is another photo I believe to be indicative of my developing artistic direction. Ashley had no trouble at all helping me at least bust out of a personal mold when she went upside down on the couch. She added an excellent touch by positioning her legs like she did. Collaboration is almost always best, if you ask me.

6 ) Chris and Kalli — This image is a wonderful combination of having clients who are full of suggestions and ideas, looking at every angle for the special shot, and of making the best out of supposedly bad situations. The sun was brutally harsh, and I could have given in with the standard issue “the light is bad,” but I pressed on and turned the harshness into something that worked for the image.

5 ) Rachel’s wedding party — Another wonderful case of a client with lots of ideas and suggestions, and the willingness to do the work to get a special image. On top of it all, I got to meet an old Internet friend and a trip to North Carolina out of it!

4 ) Andrea maternity shot — When pushing yourself coincides with a happy accident, you get nice moments like this.

3 ) Cheshire Hayley — I got two out of this shoot! Another approach to pushing the envelope, and again something I enjoy quite a bit. If I mention it again, would you catch onto my collaboration theme?

2 ) Kalli bridal — Things are pretty tight atop this list! Collaboration, good light, good location, good bride good basics … ‘Nuff said!

1 ) Eisley Mesa Boogie promo — This one is just huge for me. Eisley is near and dear to my heart, and getting to do something to help them out was thrilling. Needless to say, I wanted to knock this one way out of the park, and I feel like it actually happened. In keeping with the collaboration theme: The band brought the gear and found the location, I did my part and Michael Strout came in huge on lighting and assistance. I have never spent so much time post-processing a single picture. And that’s just for finishing touches to what was already a good image!

SO … there you go. I hope you got something out of it, and I hope to make this list look pretty weak with my work from 2010. What do you think? What would you suggest for this list?

Also, thank you for reading, and have a safe New Year’s celebration!