I love year favorites posts! And this one is entirely too long, so if you stick around to the end…thanks!

These two are of Joel and Chelsea who had their engagement session early in 2011 and got married in the fall. They were quiet and beautiful and trusting. I adored them so so much.

This is a recent one from Jamie and Jason who let me wrap them up in Christmas lights the other week. While Jason cringes when I bring my camera around, I know he secretly loves it.

These next two were taken the day before new years eve. We went out to the park behind Gilbert library for some lovely light and scenery.

This one is one of my favorite black and white images of the year. I love comparative shots….how tiny the babys hand looks next to mamas.

Nick and Reina are too fun to shoot. They’re wildly in love and it shows. This is while Reina was expecting their third baby….and first boy!

My Kayden! He is what makes every year magic.

We headed out to Goldfield on a cool day this year with a handful of balloons and shot until he told me not to anymore.

Sarah came to visit from Finland this year and I couldn’t wait to photograph her and her two boys. She let me choose the location so I chose this palm tree forest in Queen Creek that I’d been itching to shoot at.

By far the most important shoot to date…. This was an adoption at Sky Harbor Airport.  Two parents meeting their baby for the first time? Magic.

Mandi was a huge part of shooting this year. I think I shot her four times! Shes my favorite model and here she is for her senior pictures. This was also the shoot that failed…..we ran around trying to find a location, we found that the cotton field backup we had planned was already plowed, and finally settled on an open field. As soon as we got there, it all fell together and we had a blast and got some of my favorite pictures.

Little Bella is a total angel. She’s all good with having her picture taken and always takes direction like a pro!

I had borrowed these macro rings and would have felt bad if I didn’t at least try to get a decent shot with them.  Turns out, they’re kind of fantastic! And who doesn’t love baby feet?

From Nick and Reina above, comes baby Gio who was as perfect and beautiful as their first two.

My girlfriend Ellissa had me photograph her beautiful newborn baby girl who made my heart totally thump. They were so sweet and darling together. On the left is moms hands, on the right is dad.

While everything was winding down, little Liam was “SO DONE”, we got this sweet family moment that I adore.

This one was taken at Papago park. What do you do with two small children are too cute for a ’sit and smile at the camera’ picture? Why you make them spin, of course!

Ellissa and Brian expecting! So sweet.

Charlotte and Paul gave me one of the best shots I could have hoped for. They are amazing and so so fun. This one makes me smile every time I look at it….don’t you totally was to be married to them?!

Tyler (and sister, Mandi) had to be one of the funnest senior shoots ever. EVER.  I was so stressed over what to do with a brother and sister, but after talking to them and brainstorming and running through their closet….it came together in a way I was thrilled with.

Again, So fun.

And of course, we had to get some serious ones for the walls.

A milestone in this year was my first bride and groom! Joel and Chelsea tied the knot!

She was incredibly stunning and so so elegant.

From my trip to Seattle this fall….Liz and Micah were so hospitable and so sweet. I couldn’t resist taking some photos and this one was to die for.

Sarah and I went shooting in Phoenix for shots for our websites.

Some vintage cameras made the shoot A-DOR-A-BLE!

Little Mia made my heart melt. The location for this was simply a lot of beige rocks….nothing special in the slightest. Just a plot between two houses. Good light, good subjects is all you need!

Coming back to Joel and Chelsea because I cannot get enough of them.

This is just what I wanted. And it was shot when it was almost too dark to shoot anymore. I an entirely thankful to have this image.  This was a run for my favorite.

As was this one. It was the first one I edited when I got home. The one I couldn’t wait to see finished. And I sent it to my friends who cared to see a preview.

And I think maybe my favorite of the year….although it might be a tie between these final three… Joel and Chelsea again, who have absolutely flooded my favorites post….engaged at Canyon lake. He gave her a piggy back ride across small stones making a path across the river to get to this romantic corner by a small stream running off to the lake. I saw the reflection and held my breath as I shot, not wanting to ever ever disturb this moment.

Resolutions in 2012? Become a better photographer, always. Take better care of myself. Have more confidence and give more. Always.