The Art of Noticing; Betwixt Moments of 2025 | New England and Colorado Film Photographer

I sit here on Boxing Day, in a new fluffy robe from my family, sipping coffee and reflecting. What did I truly accomplish this year? It was a whirlwind of travel, back to back flights, rehearsal dinners, weddings. I hosted a ten day international retreat with some of my favorite people and some of my favorite concepts ever. I got to photograph a beautiful intimate wedding in Scotland that I planned and even got to design the reception space. I got to shoot in the mountains of the place I live, in the homes of sweet families who trust me with their most valuable memories, and in every single New England state. I even go to photograph a wedding in upstate New York.

While this all seems like a lot on paper, or digital paper (ha), I think what I truly accomplished this year was slowing down during the events themselves. It was as if all the blur and travel and stress paused when my photo coverage began. I normally have a million cameras on me and typically a camcorder but this year I reached for them slower. I stood back and only hit the shutter when I felt something. When I saw the light in a certain way. When I saw emotion on someone's face. When a detail was screaming for attention that only I could hear.

Photography has been a constant in my life since I was about twenty. It has grown with me, I have seen it change. I have seen trends come and go. I have made mistakes, I have learned from them and I have wanted to never stop this learning process. Photography has saved me, it has fed my children, it has allowed me to travel and meet incredible people. But photography has also, at times, destroyed me. It has left me curled into a ball, crying with despair and self defeat. It has made me put all my value as a human into my art, feeling as though if someone does not want me, its because I am worthless. It has made me feel sick with anxiety. It has made me compare my own art (and thus self worth) with those who appear more successful than I am.

So, reader, why am I sharing all this with you?

Because I want you to know at the core of this; I am a human with emotion too. And you may not see it, but I also cry when you speak your vows. I cry with your emotional first dances. I cry tears of joy right alongside you during speeches. I follow your journeys after too, for years to come. I push that little heart button under the birth of your babies or on your honeymoon photos. Because this isn't just about money. This is everything to me. My photos are a part of your history and I do not take that responsibility lightly.

This year I closed in on myself. I put my blinders on. I did not care what anyone else was doing. I did not care about trends. I did not care about the pressure of social media. I simply; noticed. I created from my own brain. I studied art. I went to museums. I shot more analogue than ever. I did a massive amount of film studies. I read close to forty novels with stunning imagery. But the biggest thing I did to help my art? I went for walks. I noticed the way the light shifted between the trees, I noticed the birds in the sky, I noticed the tall grass dancing in the wind. Noticing is the art. Being a real human, not the human social media wants you to be, makes you a better photographer.

Connecting with nature inspires you.

So for better or for worse, 2026 will bring more noticing, more studying, more connection. And I hope you see it in this little business of mine. And I hope you take a breath, go for a walk, choose joy and slow down too. I hope you notice.

www.thistleandpinephoto.com