It’s the sign of changes being made. Habits being formed. And – dare I even say it? – resolutions being met. Will someone pat me on the back over here, BECAUSE I AM PROUD.

But, was it just me, or did January completely and totally fly by? I feel like we were just ringing in the new year and then suddenly it’s almost Valentine’s (thanks to Rite Aid, by the way, for already selling Cadbury Creme Eggs – way to break my healthy eating!). So, in case you missed it and January flew right past you, here’s the recap of just some of the most exciting posts:

• On the new year: how I spent my Christmas, my first Mummer’s parade experience, and my advice on goal setting
• One awesome 2011 wedding: Brittany & Shawn’s wedding in Florida
• Two lovely 2011 engagement sessions: Jessica & David in Florida and Gayle & Sam on UPenn’s campus
• Personal: I chopped off all my hair, my friend had an adorable baby, I convinced myself to try something new, and how this year I am facing my fear of being in front of the camera (though I still haven’t posted January’s self-portrait yet, whoops).

Tomorrow… I’ll have a wedding for you. Or a self-portrait. Or both, depending on how ambitious I get. In the meantime, happy February… and let’s take this month a little slower, yes?

Of course, I didn’t dress up or anything… but since the event itself certainly fell into my goal for doing more networking (which is more like a “break-out-of-the-box-and-do-things-you-don’t-usually-do” kind of goal, particularly when it comes to going places where I don’t know anyone), I couldn’t resist playing spectator for the evening. For those wondering, here’s the definition of the group, from the Dorian’s website itself:

Dorian’s Parlor is a lavish and sumptuous evening party inspired by the grandeur of 19th and early 20th centuries. It features music, live performances, fashion shows, and free food.

[Dorian's]…especially caters to people interested in the steampunk, neo-Victorian, and neo-vintage styles.

And, though I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, I’d say about a third of the people there were also photographers (hooray! photographers unite!). And, when you saw the elaborate dress and detail of the people in attendance, I can see why. So, I couldn’t help but share just a couple images from the night… especially since they’re so different from anything I’ve ever taken before. Behold, this is steampunk:

It started with some pictures of the live band.

But this is where it got weird for me. You see, in my line of work I’m used to people paying me to take their picture. Or being paid to be at an event and capture what’s happening. But at Dorian’s it’s different. My instincts were to sink back into a corner, with a long lens on and take candids of the costumes. And, so I’ve been told, that’s not the etiquette-appropriate approach to this kind of thing. So, not only did I have to talk to people, but then I was even going to have to ASK TO TAKE THEIR PICTURE. Talk about ultimate challenge for me. Hah. But, I did get over my hurdle so I could get a few cool images of the attendees. Someone pat me on the back, please.

Check this out… she made that dress herself. Seriously, so cool.

The best part? That wind-up thing was even rotating around. INSANE.

But it’s funny because now that that’s out of the way I feel weirdly relieved. Like “hey, I can do this!” Talking to strangers really isn’t that bad. What about you? Have you forced yourself to totally break out of your realm of comfort lately?

So today, on one of the first few days of the year, I would like to thank 2011 for everything. A new house. A new puppy. And a whole lot of learning about myself. But, I’d also like to welcome 2012 with outstretched arms. If optimism really can make things go your way, then I just have a feeling that 2012 might be the best year yet.* With that said, be prepared for a lot of changes around here… that’s all I’m sayin’. For now.

What about you? Do you welcome each new year as it comes or mourn the passing of the last?

*Please note: no fruit was harmed in the production of this image.

Then again, I would also have remained a student my whole life if there were a profitable way of doing so. So, maybe I’m biased.

But, when my dear friend Nicole suggested the One Light Workshop in October, I knew she was right on the money. Off-camera flash is one of those things that plagues (but also can greatly strengthen) all photographers. Not just having a flash, but knowing how to use it. (Dang, that sounded like a line from a box office action thriller, didn’t it?) And, perhaps most importantly, knowing how to use it to your advantage even when faced with the most adverse conditions.

Here are a few favorites from the day. I have way more that I’ll try to share down the line, but these are all I’ve gotten to peek at just yet. And, I have to admit it, I think off-camera flash and I might just have a sweet love relationship together in our future.

Here (below) is our master Zack Arias hard at work. This man is a genius. Oh yeah, and his “their, their, they’re, and thurr” shirt he’s wearing? Well, as a self-professed grammarian at heart, immediately I knew we’d get along just fine. Actually, the real secret is that I actually have that shirt myself. What can I say? I like a good play on words.

This (below) was one of our two awesome models for the day. Seriously, isn’t she gorgeous?

And a few of my classmates…

Cannot recommend the One Light Workshop enough. It’s definitely not for beginners, but if you know how to use manual mode in your camera, and are ready for the challenge of mastering lighting, this is definitely where it’s at.

Now, with the storm behind us, many are saying how it wasn’t nearly as bad as expected. How too many precautions were taken. I beg to differ. Here’s my proof. There is really no such thing as being over-prepared for these things.

And, I must admit, when I woke up on Sunday morning to birds chirping and the sun rays shining through my window, I was oh-so-thankful to be moving forward. So thankful that I almost felt guilty. But also oh-so-thankful to have been among the lucky ones. If you were in the seat of saying “Irene wasn’t so bad” then you too were one of the lucky ones. Trust me.

Here’s to a weekend full of party cloudy skies and beautiful sunsets.

How’d you fair with Mean Irene? Were you as completely surprised by the whole thing as I was?

Apart from my spastic realization that my life is passing before my very eyes, I also had the realization this weekend that I don’t post full shoots basically, well, ever. I was innocently asked “so you only post sneak peeks on your blog, right?” Doh. Thus, the decision was made… I’m skipping over the rest of my 2010 stuff (yes, there was more) and posting limited wedding images to catch me up to summer of 2011. Oh yeah, and my August goal for the month: POST EVERY WEEKDAY. Are you ready for this? How’s that for catching back up?

In the meantime, you still need a sneak peek from Saturday, yes? So, I bring you just one, because it took my breath away. And because, apparently, I need to get to prepping a full shoot post. That’s next. Ha.

It’s no big secret that I kind of have a thing for peeptoes. So, it shouldn’t be shocking either that I almost squealed with delight when Michele presented me with these to shoot on her wedding day.  And by that, of course, I mean that she would be wearing them, not that I would be shooting in them. As we all remember, I have enough coordination problems in flats. Ha.

Tell me you don’t love them. I mean, honestly. Bright fabulous color? Check. Strappy back? Check. Fabulous bow detail? Check check check.

To get your own purple pumps, try these on for size:

 Bebe’s Mariah Satin Peep Toe Pumps - $105

they’re a little more pink than purple, but gorgeous nonetheless -
Macy’s Caparros Shoes, Ronnie Pumps – $69

and my absolute favorite -
RSVP Brylee over at Zappo’s – $63

Here we are, across the world, with many people who work jobs THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WEDDINGS getting up at 5am so they can watch the royal wedding with their coffee on a Friday morning. Crazy, I tell ya.

Alas, it was fun being the one carrying a grudge about the whole thing, but enough talk about 5am tiara parties and how the spectacle of such an event is going to influence weddings for the next several years, made me finally, finally want to join in the fun. Even for just a little.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that the internet has been simply bursting at the seams with inspiration and a “royal influence.” Rather than make my own lackluster attempt at summing up the excitement of such an affair, I thought I’d share with you some of my own discoveries and obsessions of late:

A Royal Wedding Inspiration Board
Designed by the crazy-talented Postcards and Pretties; found via Life in the Super Burbs.

The Five Trends to Expect After the Royal Wedding
Kelly’s expert speculation as to how it will affect the next few years of wedding planning.

Jessica Claire’s Royal Wedding Photoshoot
Ohhh that blue coat, and red hairpiece. So stunning.

Kate Middleton for the Win
A hilariously funny Tumblr poking fun, but only in a because-we’re-so-jealous kind of way.

Have any of you been personally bitten by the royal wedding inspiration bug? Or, are you so over it that you just can’t wait until it’s over so people will stop talking about it?

P.S. Several of us wedding-obsessed folks have decided that we wanted to get “dressed up” for the occasion [a huge thank you to @abcddesigns for the idea!] and we’re posting an image from our own wedding as our Twitter avatar for the day. Go check mine out and join in the fun.

So, instead, I’ll share with you another one of our funny photos from our mini-vacation to Gettysburg (in case you were wondering, this was the first). Hopefully it will make you giggle on this Friday morning; I hope you laugh even half as hard as we did.

And then, just to taunt you a little, I’ll share with you one of my favorites of Ceara & Michael’s day, with the promise you’ll see the rest on Monday. And, this time you have to believe me. Why? Because I blogged EVERY DAY THIS WEEK. It’s true. Check ‘em out: here, here, here, here, and, well, obviously the post you’re reading.

Happy weekend, my friends.