Best of 2020

year in review, thanks to you.

Every year I do a “Best of the Year” blog, showcasing one of my favorite images from every paid shoot we had that year. Well, as we all know, this year was a very different. This year was an economic hardship for everyone, and small businesses took an especially hard blow. Jeremiah and I were no exception. There was a notable few things that helped us pull through this year. First, we started full time van life on March 1st and have had very little bills. No internet bill, no rent, water, electric, etc. In a lot of ways this saved us. We also sold all our belongings, including our cars. That helped us pulled through the early spring months, where we made little to no income.

For me this blog is all about transparency. And transparently, this was our worst year in business. We suffered a 30% income loss from what we made last year, and a roughly 45% loss of anticipated sales. We had 43 shoots this year, a big contrast to the number of 81 last year. That. Hit. Me. Hard.

We survived, we pulled through, and quite literally the faces you see below are the reason we had food on the table and gas in the tank. We took a huge step back from traveling this year, took a hard look at what we had to do to be ethically responsible for us, our families, and our clients.

Thank you to our 2020 clients for trusting us, being flexible, understanding, and redesigning what your initial vison of the perfect day looked like. I am so thankful for every one of you, you are the reason I still have a job, and made it through the toughest year of my adult life.

Now, let's enjoy some beautiful images from the best 2020 had to offer! Love was not. and never will be cancelled.

1. Alyssa & Patrick

We started off the year with what we had no idea would be the only “normal” wedding of 2020, Alyssa and Patrick! We met these two in Joshua Tree National Park for their engagement session two years ago. I can’t believe it is almost their one year anniversary, happy one year you guys!

2. Evan & Lydia

This year I got SUPER into delivering grainy vintage inspired black and white images, and I love the small motion blur in this one. I delivered a couple images similar to this one in every gallery I did this year!

3. Morgan & Joshua

Morgan and Joshua eloped in 2019, and didn’t have any professional photos of their day. Afterwards Morgan found me, and hired me for a small session in a very meaningful location to them, to celebrate this newly married season of their life. I am a sucker for dock photos, and the blues in the water and sky created such a peaceful moment between them.

4. Nicole & Byron

Our favorite Chicago locals! They took us to one of their favorite local spots called Bang Bang for some coffee and pie. I had them do a few silly things for photos such as feeding each other pie with their eyes closed, and this joyful moment ensued.

5. Sallie & Weston

Weston proposed to Sallie at Cathedral Rock, in Sedona. We met them their for their engagement session, and before climbing the rock and seeing the exact spot, Sallie tried pointing it out to Weston from the ground.

6. Harris

Harris was my first 2020 senior who I met right as the pandemic started. These photos were very important to his family, as many major events such as prom, graduation parties, etc, were now being cancelled. Happy I got to take these senior photos for Harris in his hometown of Phoenix!

7. Sara & Mitch

Our first 2020 elopement, and a day that holds so much meaning to me. Jeremiah and I scouted this location for Sara and Mitch’s first look. We took them in separate cars up the mountain, so they could have their first look completely alone, surrounded by nature.

On the way up, Sara and I listened to Lord Huron, I asked her when she knew Mitch was the one, it was a perfect day.

8. Courtney & Brett

We had SO much fun with these two! They took a non traditional route and decided to get ready together. We took a few hours with them visitng some of their favorite spots in Louisville, before heading to an intimate backyard ceremony with a few family members. This is from one of their sunset photos, taken in a backyard by a wooden fence! It’s not about the scenery, it’s about the people you’re with.

9. Nicole & Byron

Two months after their engagement session, we met them in Cuyahoga Valley National Park for their incredible 8 hour hiking adventure elopement, complete with an epic rainy ceremony. You can see a full blog of their day here!

10. Aaron & Violet

These two hands down had the craziest year out of anyone I know. Having excellent foresight on the pandemic, these two got a wedding permit the day before, and went to the courthouse to get legally get married, swap healthy insurance, and move in together. Violet is one of my closest friends, and I will never forget the phone call where she told me “We’re married!”

This was our first time seeing them as a married couple, living together in the apartment I used to live across from. We did a small session to remember this difficult, but beautiful start to their marriage.

11. Marta & Josiah

Another one of my good friends getting married! I am lucky to say I knew these two would get married from day one, and there’s a photo of us all from high school where I’m pointing to them, proudly predicting the future. We had a super fun golden hour engagement session with them, followed by a gluten free candlelight picnic.

12. Collin & Jess

Due to the pandemic and Jess being a travel nurse, we were unable to do their session in April as originally planned. We managed to meet up in June and do an awesome full day Colorado engagement session split between Loveland Pass and Garden of the Gods! They also brought Rocky, the bestest dog I’ve ever met.

13. Emily & DJ

Emily and DJ had a super cute courthouse elopement in Georgia, very different from the South Carolina intimate wedding they had originally planned. We surprised them with a bottle of champagne, and DJ delivered one of the best champagne pops of 2020!

14. Annie & Eddie

We were lucky to meet these two last year when Annie was a bridesmaid in the Halloween wedding we shot! We met them at my favorite spot in Toledo for their engagement session, and have since stayed in regular contact planning their awesome 2021 elopement! We can’t wait to celebrate and have the most incredible day with them next year.

15. Aaron & Violet

This location is very meaningful to Aaron and Violet. Not only have they had many dates here, but this is where Aaron proposed. We pulled off a no look where believe it or not, they never saw each other. I’m so glad we made time for this no look, it was so emotional and the best part of the day.

16. Jonathan & Rachel

Jonathan & Rachel had the sweetest backyard elopement in Michigan. There was a private boardwalk to the river in the backyard, on our way I had them stop for a quick kiss, and I love the way this moment turned out.

17. Caitlin & Lance

This is easily one of my favorite photos from the year. Caitlin and Lance were some of the sweetest clients we’ve ever had, they were so kind and caring, and even booked us a hotel room after their wedding! A welcome and restful break from the van. We love these two so much, I am obsessed with the whimsical vibe of this image!

18. Bailey

Bailey and I had so much fun on her session, we listened to Harry Styles, talked music, high school, and I’m obsessed with this “Golden” inspired image!

19. Ashley & Blake

At the beginning of Ashley & Blake’s relationship, they used to come to this specific park to go on runs and train together. We came here for golden hour, and took the most romantic sunset photos. Ashley is also a photographer, I love the opportunity to create magic for someone else in my industry!

20. Collin & Jess

There is something about this black and white photo that I just adore. We had the best time getting to know Collin and Jess in Colorado, and then finally getting to shoot their wedding in Ohio.

21. Sarah & Grant

Sunset photos usually end up being my favorites. We snuck Sarah and Grant away from the reception a little earlier than expected, when I saw the light having a low golden glow. We sprayed some aerosol, and created this stunning image, my favorite from their day.

22. Tori & Johnny

We love surprising our elopement couples with champagne! Johnny and Tori cracked us up during this moment, they had never popped champagne before and weren’t expecting it to work so well. They clearly, did a great job! You can see their full blog by clicking here.

23. Jake & Mackenzie

Jake and Mackenzie’s day has been a long time coming. We did their engagement session back in 2018, and have helped them through multiple small wedding plans, including Alaska. We ended up in Michigan on their original Alaska date, and still got to do a hike at a local state park. Doing this hike with them was such amazing quality time!

24. Wierengo Wedding

Who knew Michigan had a CASTLE?! This location took my breath away, every corner had something new to offer. For sunset, we went to the lake and shot a photo with the castle as a background. Truly, a fairytale!

25. Jess & Scott

JESS & SCOTT MADE MY DREAMS COME TRUE. I have always wanted to jump into a pool and take photos with a fun bridal party. Jess & Scott had a beautiful Airbnb for their small wedding, and at the end of the day, we all jumped in the water! I’ll never forget this moment, blog coming soon!

26. Celeste & Levi

After Celeste and Levi’s session, we went to a cabin for tacos and apple cider bourbons, and talked all things van life. These two just recently bought their very own schoolbus to renovate, with goals of leaving from their wedding in October in their bus!

27. Emma & Kevin

So difficult to choose a favorite from this session, but this one has stuck with me over time. Emma and Kevin have a whole blog you can see by clicking here!

28. Samantha & Randy

Our 10/10/2020 couple! If you’re a photographer, you know this is the most popular date we all have ever seen. We got to spend the day with Sam and Randy, celebrating with their families. She had the most beautiful dress to spin around in, and the foliage just added to this perfect moment!

29. Sallie & Weston

Sallie & Weston got married in Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina. Their venue was beautiful, but we decided to do their first look on Wayah Bald. Jeremiah actually took this image! The wide lens really showed off the mountainous background, and I put a lot of work into the colors in the photos, and some spot removing. I love it, props to Jeremiah!

30. Paige & Costa

Paige & Costa were yet another one of our couples that had to postpone from the spring. However, things ended up perfectly. They made some huge house improvements over quarantine, and we got this epic foliage photo for them to now print and hang in their house!

31. Melissa & Garret

This day was so wonderful! Due to Covid, we helped Melissa & Garret redesign their day and make it incredibly special. We ended up in Knoxville, at this super rad Airbnb. I took this photo from the dock on the river, sometimes you have to remember to turn around and take in the view behind.

32. Michelle & Robert

Michelle and Robert had one of our favorite wedding days this year. Their ceremony was especially beautiful, however I loved the moody photos we got to take afterwards, and the falling leafs in this image.

33. Aaryn & Nick

I got to shoot anniversary photos for these two in 2019, and I’m so honored they’ve chose us as their wedding and engagement photographers. Also, Cuyahoga National Park in Autumn is really something to experience.

34. Trevor & Jess

These two recently got married, and hired me to take some photos to remember their time in Dayton, as they’re about to move to Vegas! I’m so excited for them, and loved this sunset session in my hometown.

35. Marta & Josiah

Remember their engagement session from earlier? Well, here is their wedding! Marta & Josiah’s wedding had a whimsical elegant day. Even with it being in November, the weather was perfect and warm. We took their sunset photos in the same pine forest they exchanged their vows at.

36. Hope & Matt

We are so excited for Hope & Matt’s intimate wedding in Joshua Tree this upcoming spring! We got to meet them in the Catskill Mountains in New York, and went out to dinner and had the best burger’s we’ve all ever had. I love this goofy flirty moment between them!

37. Ashley & Blake

Ashley is not only a photographer, but also a wedding venue owner! Despite all the Covid craziness, they got married at the venue Ashley owns, Lockbox 290 in Troy. After their ceremony we walked around downtown which was completely closed off for a Christmas tree lighting, and stopped in front of this restaurant for some couple photos.

38. Josh & Cloe

Our first winter session! I hosted a few of these this year. This session was Josh’s Christmas gift to Cloe, take note fellas, this is a perfect Christmas gift idea!

39. Hannah & Justin

Hannah is a childhood friend of mine, and last minute snagged a spot for a snow session! I got to take photos to celebrate them being together for a year. Such a fun memory!

41. Kristin & Evan

I had Kristin and Evan meet me at a random park in Xenia that I didn’t think would be that pretty, but ended up being BEAUTIFUL! I’ve worked with Kristin before, and capturing their love in this perfect snowy wonderland was easy.

42. Sarah & Austin

Sarah was maid of honor in Jake & Mackenzie’s wedding, and hired me for this fun session of her and Austin. The last bit of snow stuck around, and we got to shoot at one of my favorite Ohio locations.

Thank you for taking the time to read our year in review blog. I am SO ready to bring on 2021, beauty, challenges, and whatever lay between. I am especially excited for all our clients, those we've met and those we haven't yet. 2021 will be Christina & Jeremiah LTD's best year yet!