What is the one thing that truly lights up your life – beyond your job, husband/wife, kids, etc… what is YOUR thing?!

Mine, is photography.

One thing I am leaving within 2025 is allowing others opinions to force change in my own life. Or be a source of anxiety or fear. In a broad form and also with what brings out your deepest passions, joys, desires and is THE thing that fills your creative mind.

In 2026 and beyond, lets see SO much more of this.

Within our home, my daughter has recently got into sewing, she is really good at it. As a mother I say that, and because she is, really good for getting started. My mom, elated she has someone to share her deep knowledge of the skill to. We have been able to shift things to give her a dedicated spot for this now.

This. More of this.

The creatives are of all kinds.

Anything hands on, anything that requires dreaming, anything you can tangibly create, whatever your thing is that you love – work, hobby… more of this!

I work with plumbers and gas techs, they are by trade creative as they design and repair systems – yes as their job however I am in awe when they create a rough in design for a system that flows perfectly. I love working with numbers, I can also get lost in a photo walk or going through images. I could not do what the guys in the field do, and thats ok!

My husband, son and daughter all love to fish, the guys more, however when provided the opportunity our daughter is right in there with them – while I photograph them 😉

Our son began helping a buddy with his race car, the irony that his parents met at a race track and even when pregnant with him he was hearing the cars go round!

My grandma knits – hmmm actually, this is probably crochet, blankets for us all again this year – something I honestly treasure, money cannot replace what someone has created with love. I could walk by this blanket in a big box store, but coming from her, handmade by her, knowing the time and effort she puts into them – always a first choice to snuggle with! Also something that I admire, but am not gifted with the talent.

Some people bake, or ski, read, write, are really into fitness or body building, cook, quilt, golf, hockey, basketball, baseball, do crosswords or puzzles, walk, run, whatever it is – if its something you or someone else enjoys, let it be that. Let it be enjoyment, or even ask them about it – watch their face light up – or nervousness set in, hmmm actually sometimes that can cause a person a bit of anxiety. Be a positive support!

Someone recently made a comment to me, while camera in hand, about how they have a good camera and most time lately they only choose to grab their cell phone because ‘its the same, there’s no difference between a camera and a phone, it produces the same thing’… Confidently, I did speak up and said, ‘except that is not true and there is a difference’. My comment was ignored and he continued on. Phones are convenient, 100%, yes I use mine all the time. However they are not the same. Regardless of the quality of something, I also highly recommend using common sense with making opinionated comments to someone about their passion!

In 2026 choose to build people up.

We can gain so much more from building each other up, we do not have to be good at everything, we do what aligns with our heart and allow others to confidently do the same! Even if someone might be “better” than us, rather see each as our own individual artistic style.

God appreciates alignment and making things right, so I had to laugh when I realized that a family member of his, received one of my custom canvas prints of the loon family, in the large group gift grab! How cool that he will see it and be reminded of me and my passion for photography! Also awesome hearing others compliment the canvas, this was a true reminder for me to never, ever let someone else put out your flame! What lights you up – is for a reason!

In 2026 we do not bring forth ignorance, which includes the passive aggressive way of putting people down! This will leave you far in the dust!

In 2026 I am so excited to dedicate even more of my time to my photography and capturing the beauty all around us.