So here’s an update on two major milestones I don’t want to soon forget. At the end of April, I welcomed my sweet friend Tina to my place for the weekend. Here’s the awesome thing about our friendship: Tina and I met back in 2009 at Melissa Jill’s MJ2 Day Workshop. Attending that workshop taught me so much about my craft (I adore Melissa with a capital “A”), but more importantly, it introduced me to someone who has become one of my closest friends. Someone I know I’ll still be in touch with when we’re old and grey. I visited Tina in her hometown of Philadelphia back in 2010 and it was during that trip we decided life’s too short for us to go years without seeing one another. Which is how she came to visit me this year, and how we reached a decision to grab a plane ticket every other year or so and make time for one another, circumstances be damned.

Here is Tina and I, bundled onto my living room couch. I surprised here while she was in town, inviting a few other of my dearest photo friends over for a night: That’s Betsy King on the left, Maya Laurent beside her and, to the right of Tina and then me, April Smith (whose family you might have spotted on this blog before). We girls put on our PJs, opened up a few bottles of wine (sparkling grape juice for me!) and talked until 4 a.m., old-school slumber party style. And it was perfect. Love these women so much and my heart fills with gratitude to know photography brought all of them into my life (and just a heads-up, all of them are gals worthy of your blog readers )

I told Tina her visit made me think of a line from one of my favorite essay’s in Shauna Niequist’s “Bittersweet” (if you’ve never read Shauna, her books are like chicken soup for your soul): “Share your life with the people you love, even if it means saving up for a ticket and going without a few things for a while to make it work. There are enough long lonely days of the same old thing, and if you let enough years pass, and if you let the routine steamroll your life, you’ll wake up one day, isolated and weary, and wonder what happened to all those old friends.”

And speaking of plane tickets and people I love, I myself hopped a plane the first weekend in May to head out to Los Angeles and visit the ever-sweet Jasmine. Last summer when I visited her and her hubby, JD, I joked in an email, “What do you think the chances are Coldplay is playing at the Hollywood Bowl while I’m out there?” and we laughed and made a wish for just such a show and agreed that, if it ever were to happen, we owed it to ourselves as fans to go. Fast forward to this month, when (thanks to the incredibly thoughtful JD), Jasmine and I found ourselves doing that VERY THING. (Seriously Internet, my mind is sometimes blown at the way wishes can come true). As we sat under a full moon, the Hollywood sign in full view, Chris Martin crooning “Yellow” to us way up in the stands, I had a pinch-me moment for sure. And the realization that life can be as beautiful as you allow yourself to dream it.

It was a short trip—just a long weekend—but plenty of time to squeeze in an AMAZING concert, lots of wonderful conversation, good food and relaxation with a California girl whose got a piece of my heart residing in her guest bedroom.

So if you have been wondering what I’ve been up to, like I said before—I’ve been soaking up moments with the people I love as much as I can. Before I get ready to welcome into Nick and I’s lives somebody who’s going to demand my full attention this fall—not to mention make me fall head over heels in love in a whole new kind of way. Can’t wait!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

It was a MAJOR undertaking and countless were the nights that he’d stay up working on it. For weekends on end, he’d wake every Saturday at 5 or 6 in the morning, then set off and hike five or six hikes in a day before coming back at nightfall. And so, when summer eventually rolled around and he’d hit his deadline of turning in 40+ chapters of content, I didn’t think I could be more proud of him. But, true to my modest husband’s form, he unassumingly accepted my congrats, all the while acting like what he’d done wasn’t a big deal. Ummm…YEAH IT IS, right?

Then we had to wait. And wait. And wait some more, through both a round of revisions and then the publication and printing processes. Finally, earlier this month, a big box arrived on our doorstep and what was inside? Why, a dozen or so copies of “Best Hikes Near Indianapolis” by Nick Werner! Anddddd because this blog post is a way of letting you all know about the book, if you live around the Indy area, you MUST pick it up! You can find it at major book stores OR order it online at Barnes & Noble. (Side note: Do you know how COOL it is to link to something your husband wrote that’s stocked at Barnes & Noble? (It’s really really cool)).

Way to go Nick! So happy for you to see the finished product in print!

With every trail Nick included in the guide, he found out loads of history on the area, lots of facts about its course (and the beautiful scenery to find around it), AND he took all the great photos! I was really impressed with the presentation of the guide. It looks great! And now, for my FAVORITE part of the book! As I started flipping through the pages, I came to the dedication page and SQUEALED. “Babe, you dedicated the book TO ME?” Nick: “Ummm, yeah. I mean, who else would I dedicate a book to?” Book lover that I am, I kid you not when I say this may be the sweetest thing a guy has ever done for me. And lastly, in case you all don’t know what my hubby looks like, because more than a few of you who saw the cover when I talked about its presale asked, “Why didn’t they put NICK on the cover?” (haha) and because this was the photo I submitted for an “author shot” that apparently they don’t include in their guides, here’s my sweet, nature-loving man who I am SO proud of (can I say that any more times in one post? ) Love you babe!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

What a truly sweet surprise it was to be showered with so much love! I learned that Nick (along with a lot of help from my sweet friends) had been planning for months to throw a surprise birthday party for my 30th. Add in a Hollywood theme (and a whole house of people wearing their finest attire) and it made for a night that felt like a DREAM!

All I can add is I don’t think I’ve ever felt so special. Truly. To all of you helped make this night what it was, thank you. You have no idea how much it meant to me!

There were vintage movie posters all over the dining room, along with buffet tables set up with “Old Hollywood” drinks and desserts. German chocolate cake is my FAVORITE cake in the world (and now I know why, a few weeks back, my co-workers were playing the game of “What’s your favorite cake?” with me ) My girl, Stacey. One of my dearest friends — I’ve photographed her family, we’ve been to Los Angeles together, and we bonded within weeks of starting our jobs together at Ball State back in ‘08 (she had me at “Have you read this series called Twilight?” haha) According to Nick, this party wouldn’t have been a TENTH as awesome as it was without her inspiration. It was Stacey’s husband, Gannon, who came up with the Hollywood theme and these two spent hours prepping for the party (including showing up at 4 o’clock to decorate and set up — we didn’t get home until 8 o’clock!) No words to describe how awesome a friend she is to me….these pictures are all the evidence you need. Along with Stacey, the other ring leader in surprise planning was my friend and co-worker, Kate. Insanely creative, super sweet, hilarious and an amazing baker, I just adore her (and I’ll be photographing her family later this year so keep an eye out for her sweet-as-can-be daughter, Rose). So grateful she and her hubby, Michael, came into Nick and I’s lives in 2011. We value their friendship so much! Speaking of Kate, SHE BAKED ME A CAMERA CAKE. I took one look at it and died of happiness. I’m so unworthy of her generosity (and OMG SHE PUT ME AND NICK ON THE VIEWFINDER!) Speaking of Nick, there’s that SWEET man of mine. I still cannot believe he pulled this kind of fast one on me. Dozens upon dozens of emails with Stacey and the gang, lies told to me to keep me in the dark —— all so he could give me the best birthday a girl could ask for. I couldn’t believe everyone who showed up for the party, including my loonnnggg time childhood friend, Kathleen. There was a period when I was about six where I think I seriously lived the whole summer at Kathleen’s house. We’ve reconnected in recent years and it’s so wonderful to have her back in my life. Everyone deserves a friend as sweet as she is! Oh, Kathleen also made the amazing “Next Best Thing to Ryan Gosling” chocolate trifle that all the guests loved (Stacey said an exception from vintage Hollywood icons like Clark Gable and James Dean was made for Ryan because….well, DUH. IT’S RYAN. ) I work with some pretty incredible people at Ball State, I tell you what ….. Special shout-out to Danielle (in red) who made ALL the cut-outs for the food that everybody just loved. One of the best details of the night! Speaking of details, I had my own star on the “Walk of Fame” — WHAAAAAA????? I’m telling you, Stacey thought of EVERYTHING (I even had a velvet VIP rope that she borrowed from the local convention center….that right there? THAT IS AN AMAZING FRIEND). And while we’re on the topic of amazing friends, those are my college buddies (and best friend, Tracy) on the right. Andy and Jon are my two closest friends from college and it’s pretty awesome that after 10 years, we’re still celebrating our birthdays together (Andy’s 30th was THAT night and we all were at his party the night before)! So many friends made sacrifices to make it to the party — for Betsy and Erin (on the left), it was a long drive down from Fort Wayne (THANK YOU GIRLS for making it!) and for my wonderful friends (and Nick and I’s wedding photographers), Amanda and Nate Reynolds (on the right), it meant finding a sitter for their infant son, Ruben. It’s realizing what everyone had to do to get there that made me choke up the most …. My oldest brother, Mark, his wife, Lynne, and my sister, Karin, and husband, Gary, also made the trip down from Fort Wayne — loved seeing their smiling faces when I came into the house! (sorry to the fam for the blurry photo — hoping one of my siblings got a shot in focus!) It’s intimidating to bring friends from so many different parts of your life together in one house, but everyone seemed to have a GREAT time. And, like my friend Betsy said, “It’s like your blog, only in real life!!” I LOVED IT!! And finally, one detail I woke up to the next morning to fully appreciate. When I told you Stacey thought of everything, she REALLY thought of everything. Because, you see, I even had my own PAPARAZZI!!! See…did I not have the most amazing birthday party or WHAT? Can’t WAIT for what’s in store in my 30th year. If it holds as much awesomeness as this one night, well, it’s going to be my best year yet!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

I’ve been on the eco-bandwagon at the grocery for some time, abandoning those ubiquitous plastic bags in favor of amazing, heavy-duty IKEA bags. But I’ve always hated using plastic produce bags for the mound of fruit and veggies I’d haul home each week (which, is it just me or are those produce bags always the biggest pain to get open?)

Cue one of my dear friends from my newspaper days, Joy. A few months ago, Joy posted a note on Facebook about a friend of hers, Erica, raising money for an adoption by selling homemade, reusable produce bags through her Adopting Green Produce Bags project.

It was JUST what I was looking for! I emailed Erica ASAP, snapped up two sets of five bags and squealed when I opened them (yes, I’m a dork and actually squealed). And here’s the reason I’m writing about them now:

1) They are AWESOME. Incredible quality, machine washable and so easy to use. EVERY time I’ve been to the grocery since their arrival (at least a dozen times), I’ve had people ask where I bought them or tell me how unique they are. Cashiers, people in line behind me, you name it. One woman even pulled out her phone, started taking pictures and finally I said, “Give me your email and I’ll send you Erica’s contact info!” People LOVE these bags.

2) I don’t personally know Erica (and she doesn’t know I’m blogging about her) but I love that she’s raising money for her adoption this way. That this project is a true labor of love and, at the same time, good for our environment. And then there is this: I believe in the power of the Internet and the power of small artists and creative types who can help spread the word for others.

So Erica, if one person places an order for some of your bags off this blog post, well, that’s awesome. But if not, I just want you to know, every week, I appreciate them so much. And I have a line of shoppers behind me whose compliments echo that sentiment

If you’re interested in going green with your produce bags, please consider contacting Erica at ericavoell[at]gmail.com. The sets are $12, plus $5 shipping (I paid for mine through PayPal).

PS – Sorry postings have been light this week — have a lot going on with Valentine’s, birthday parties and placing orders and finishing tax prep! I’ll be back next week with some new posts — including (gulp) some thoughts on turning the big 3-0!!!!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

I’m a big believer in goal setting. In the knowledge (and I think there’s scientific proof to this) that when you put down in words what you want to accomplish, you’re halfway to making it happen. Here are a few areas of my life I want to keep the focus on in 2012. To all of you writing your own 2012 goals, I wish you the best of luck!

REVAMP MY WEB PRESENCE: I’ve had a hard time with this because I love the look of my existing presence so much. But I recognize how important it is to grow and I have some unique ideas in mind for how I want to stretch myself creatively online. I’m enlisting the help of a dear designer friend in making this happen … now I just need to get serious and get to work!

WRITE MORE: This is a BIG one for me. I tend to put off writing in a way that pushes me because it scares me. The fear that I’m not good enough. The fear of rejection. The fear of thinking I don’t have anything worth contributing as a work of fiction to all those works of fiction already being read out there. But writing is one of my creative outlets and I want to push myself to do more of it in 2012—in reflective blog entries, in journal writing but also fiction. And (gulp) I may even share a few stories with you…it’s likely they’ll remain (as Anne Lamott loves to call ‘em) “shitty first drafts”, but I want to be brave in putting a few out there!

BE MORE OPEN—AND GET MORE SERIOUS—ABOUT MY FAITH: 2011 was the year I found my faith again. I’m a Christian, but for far too long I’d let my knowledge and understanding of my religion go lax. In 2011, I hunkered down and started reading my BIble in a way that felt like the best kind of homework. In 2012, I want to keep it up, continue exploring and understanding what it is I believe in. Furthermore, this is the year I want Nick and I to find a church family we can belong to (we’ve bounced around for too many years!)

FOCUS ON MY FAMILY: I got so busy in 2011, I wasn’t the best wife/sister/daughter/daughter-in-law I could be. I want to take strides to amend that—from more visits with family, to more phone calls and emails to a few scheduled family photo sessions for those near and dear to me.

DECLUTTER—IN HOUSE, MIND AND SPIRIT: Last winter, I did a huge purge of  stuff in our house we never wore or used or needed anymore. It felt SO GOOD. I intend to keep that up in all aspects—from the home, to the office, to my presences online. Simple and streamlined lets me focus on what I want to focus on, and not be distracted by clutter!

OWNING WHO I AM: Late last year, I wrote a guest post for Jasmine about striking a balance as someone working a full-time job and maintaining a photography career. To be honest, as I was writing it, I never once thought about the response to that entry. When it was published, I was overwhelmed by the number of photographers who reached out in comments and personal emails to me, thanking me for being a voice to them—someone to commiserate with in a position so little talked about. The experience taught me so much, but namely that I want to be a strong voice and pillar of support for other dual-career photographers. I want to embrace what it’s taught me, namely that IT’S OK TO RUN A BUSINESS YOUR OWN UNIQUE WAY. And that is what I intend to keep doing in 2012, friends!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Hope you enjoy this look back with me!

January: Making Nick’s birthday U2-rific — I surprised Nick with tickets to a U2 concert last summer for his big 3-0. It was SO much fun. (both the surprise and the concert…the concert was, whoa…one of the best I’ve ever attended. I mean, it’s Bono … how could it not be?)

February: I made it onto the CBS Early Morning show for copping the fashion style of the First Lady, went to WPPI but came home early due to the death of my grandmother. Mustering up the courage to eulogize her was such a bittersweet moment for me but it was such a pivotal moment that it will forever stand out in my memories of 2011.

March: I went to New York City by myself for my day job. Taking a trip like that felt so grown up. Not to mention going to see a few Broadway shows solo! What a fun time ….

April: I helped build a house, started a major rehaul of our living room and threw a Royal Wedding party for my students and co-workers from Ball State. That party was such a blast. Even if I’ll forever have proof of the bags under my eyes when those photos were taken at 4 a.m.!

May: I took a LOT of engagement photos but in between all those sessions, I was proud of myself for getting back on my road bike with Nick (after a nasty tumble two years ago that’d kept me away in fear!)

June: I reunited with some of my oldest college chums and it felt good to share our lives together over martinis shared on a warm summer night.

July: I took my mama to Asheville. And it.was.good.

August: Some women I adore opened their homes—and their hearts—to me as I ventured out to California for a week. It’s a state I love. That I would live in if I didn’t have such a good thing going for me here in Indiana. And this trip was one of my favorite memories of 2011.

September: This month wasn’t so much about “me” as my clients. Whew…three weddings and a family session. Kept me on my toes.

October: One of my favorite months of the year. Nick and I celebrated five years of marriage (how quickly those years have flown) and I went out of my way to squeeze in time both with my love but also to celebrate a season that is so dear to my heart.

November: I put the finishing touches on a living room project that occupied a corner of my brain for most of 2011, celebrated the launch of a friend’s bold project, and dreamed BIG dreams with my husband in the states of California, Oregon and Washington. Without question, my favorite memory of 2011 is the night we rolled into Mendocino. I left a piece of my heart along that coastline, that’s for sure. We’ll be back some day. And if we save and plan the way we ought to, maybe it can be for good.

December: I slowed down. And I needed it.

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

]]> http://gailwernerblog.com/2011-in-review/feed/ 13 http://gailwernerblog.com/favorite-music-finds-of-2011/ http://gailwernerblog.com/favorite-music-finds-of-2011/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:03:07 +0000 Gail Werner http://gailwernerblog.com/?p=9978 If you know me well enough (or, really, barely at all – haha), you know my great affinity for good books and good music. For the past four years (which, that is hard to believe!), I’ve put together a year-end list of my favorite albums. Because they’re fun to look back on, here’s my picks from 2008, 2009 and 2010. And follow ‘em back long enough and you’ll see a few of the same artists make reappearances…what can I say, I’m loyal to the bands I love.

Which, speaking of, 2011? BANNER YEAR for amazing music. So much good stuff it felt nearly impossible to narrow it down but below are my Top 10 Faves. In the end, these made the cut because truly, I felt each album—start to finish—was pretty amazing. And in a day and age where the single rules, it feels good to play a record straight through, the way an artist intends it to be heard. So happy listening — can’t wait to hear what’s in store for this year! And let me know some of your fave music in the comments!

10) Death Cab for Cutie—”Codes and Keys”: Going back through my list of 2011 music, this one almost slipped by me but I can’t forget how many times I listened to this album all the way through last year. One of my favorite memories of the tunes on this latest collection from Mr. Gibbard and crew was a sunny fall afternoon, Nick and I driving back roads for a hike with this song blaring. Of course I was doing that “hand-wave-in-the-wind” while singing along, windows down. You HAVE to do that. Perfect road trip track, this one:

9) Beirut — “The Riptide”: This album is synonymous with my August 2011 trip to California. I’d just gotten it when I left for the airport, so I’m guessing I listened to it half-dozen times over the course of that week, never once tiring of it. Zach Condon’s voice is just so unique. Throw in the sound that Beirut has made their own — with those horns and that accordion — and well, any new material of theirs is A-OK in my book:

Black Keys’ — “Nova Baby”: Oh these boys! The whole album, start to finish, is amazing in that gritty mash-up that’s become their trademark sound. I’m seeing them in March and I’ll buy myself a black leather jacket before I do so I can look cool while I sing along to this favorite track:

7) Adele — “21″: When I first listened to this album all the way through last winter, I wanted to wrap myself up in Adele’s voice. Like it was a physical thing I could somehow cloak myself in. Come July, when you couldn’t escape “Rollin’ in the Deep” on the airwaves, I’d wished to never hear it again. But putting it away for a while and rediscovering it toward year’s end, I’m reminded again of just how brilliant Adele is. Or maybe what did it was this video (which inspired this HILARIOUS Emma Stone SNL skit). Crimney, she’s amazing:

6) Florence and the Machine—”Ceremonials”: This wasn’t as strong as “Lungs” (her debut album), but man alive, few can put an album out like Florence can, am I right? I listened to this album a lot this fall with all the driving I did for shoots and each time it grew on me. It also had my favorite song of the year on it, too. Yep, if I had to pick one song to have been stuck on a deserted island with in 2011, you best believe this was it:

5) The Civil Wars—”Barton Hollow”: If you didn’t hear of Joy Williams and John Paul White in 2011, you must have been living under a rock. I kid, I kid, but truth be told, if you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to purchase this album. These two can harmonize like nobody’s business. One listen and it’s no wonder why they became one of the biggest “It” bands of the year. And this video? STILL gives me goosebumps:

4) The Head and the Heart: “The Head and the Heart”: Each year it seems like there’s one band that goes from obscurity to mega-fandom seemingly overnight. Last year, I’d say it was Mumford & Sons. This year, my vote goes for this Seattle crew. One of those albums that, upon listening to it first way through, I immediately went back and started all over. Clearly they’ve been put on this Earth to sing together like this (that harmony 2:00 in? Brillz.):

3) Ryan Adams: “Ashes and Fire”: There will always always always be a soft spot in my heart for this prolific crooner and one of my favorite songwriters. His music was the soundtrack of my college years and this new album of his (his first in some time) put me right back into that sweet spot in my life (when I first met Nick and was living cozy with my best friend in our tiny dorm). My favorite track on the album is the title track. Sometimes I’d find myself just randomly singing a lyric from it (that has henceforth become one of my favorite lyrics ever), “Her eyes were indigo and the cats was all calico.” It just, it comes at the perfect spot in the song and..will you purdy please listen? (it’s at 2:30):

2) Coldplay—”Mylo Xyloto”: There are so many people I know who are quick to sh*t on Coldplay. How they’ve become too popular, how they’ve sold out, blah blah blah. Haters can hate ’cause for me? They are the one band for which I own every album. Know every song. And have a major crush on the lead singer. No exaggeration, I probably listened to Mylo Xyloto straight through no fewer than 20 times this year (and the album came out in October!) If you’ve ever seen them live, you know the passion they bring to the stage. Oh, and no matter how many times I’ve heard this song, I can’t keep my foot from tapping along to it. Hope to see them again in 2012!!!:

1) Bon Iver— “Bon Iver”: Because this was the album that, every time I listened to it, I loved more. Because it played softly on the laptop too many nights to remember as I cooked dozens of meals for my husband. Because Justin Vernon put me in a trance as we watched him perform live last summer. Because any way you look at it, Bon Iver’s sounds pervaded so many memories of my 2011 there was no way it couldn’t be my favorite album of the year. This track was not only my favorite off it, but, in my opinion, Justin’s best effort yet:

And because I couldn’t end without a few runner-ups, here were the handful of other bands that put out new music so good it gave my Top 10 a run for its money. If you’re looking to use up some holiday iTune cards, any of the tunes from this post would be well spent!

Foster the People—”Torches”

The Belle Brigade—”The Belle Brigade”

Bombay Bicycle Club—”A Different Kind of Fix”

Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr.—”It’s a Corporate World”

Wilco—”The Whole Love”

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

]]> http://gailwernerblog.com/favorite-music-finds-of-2011/feed/ 11 http://gailwernerblog.com/on-the-mend/ http://gailwernerblog.com/on-the-mend/#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:05:23 +0000 Gail Werner http://gailwernerblog.com/?p=10031 I can’t believe it’s been nearly a week since I lasted check in on the blog! Sorry to have gone silent friends, but these past few days have been r-o-u-g-h. I managed to land both bronchitis and a sinus infection in this nasty bit of sickness going ’round and it knocked me flat. I don’t get sick often (thank you God!) which means I can vividly remember the handful of times I’ve been super sick. This one time, in eighth grade, I had strep throat and can remember (literally) crawling to the refrigerator from the couch, croaking, “Waattterrrr….” (I’m sure my dad thought I was being a drama queen.) This other time I got horribly sick was a few years ago, during the Winter Olympics. Which meant I had intermittent “couch dreams” that involved members of the U.S. ski team. An experience that also taught me I will never ever try TheraFlu again. Blech.

This time around—for the first time in years—I was “I want my mom” sick. I called her Friday and joked how I wished she lived closer so she could come envelop me in a hug because I really needed one. Thankfully I have a wonderful hubby who took care of me (from a distance) – and this during his BIRTHDAY week no less! He cooked up a batch of our favorite homemade chicken noodle soup for me and I treated those leftovers like nectar from the gods.

I’m finally feeling on the other side of this thing and looking forward to catching up with some new (errr…held over!) 2011 content — so I’ll have December’s book review, my fave music of 2011 and a look back at the year in personal photos coming up. Just as soon as I, you know, stop coughing up a lung over here…..Thanks for being patient with me if you’re waiting on an email or phone call. I’m getting to it!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

]]> http://gailwernerblog.com/on-the-mend/feed/ 12 http://gailwernerblog.com/best-of-2011-the-favorites/ http://gailwernerblog.com/best-of-2011-the-favorites/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:25:39 +0000 Gail Werner http://gailwernerblog.com/?p=9819 I hope every photographer takes the time to compile a best-of-the-year collection of images. In doing so, you take the 20 minutes you never give yourself any other time of year to really look at all you’ve accomplished. Here I sit, having pulled together some of my favorite captures of 2011, and all I can think is, “YOU took all of these. YOU made these memories come alive.” It’s easy to get down about one’s talent, to think you’re never good enough or that someone’s work or that next blog entry you spot on Facebook is always better than your own. Lord knows I do it all the time. But it’s this post, every year, that makes me look at the sum of all the “parts”. And then I realize, if I just keep my head down, do the work, and focus on my clients (not my perceived shortcomings), then as an artist, I, too, can truly do something great.

Take a few minutes this season to hit that sweet spot of remaining humble yet grateful and full of wonder at what you’ve done this year. You—and me—have come a long way in 2011. It’s when we take a breather like this that such a realization comes full circle.

And without further ado, a resharing of some of my favorite images of 2011, in no particular order:Thank you to ALL my clients in 2011 who made this year such an incredible one! I appreciate your trust and faith in my work more than you could ever know!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

]]> http://gailwernerblog.com/best-of-2011-the-favorites/feed/ 21 http://gailwernerblog.com/seasons-greetings-2011-style/ http://gailwernerblog.com/seasons-greetings-2011-style/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:40:06 +0000 Gail Werner http://gailwernerblog.com/?p=9699 Hoping this weekend holiday is filled with laughter, love and family. Merry Christmas to everyone*!

*This was our Christmas card we sent out this year — after not doing cards last year, I’m so glad I went for it this year! I’ve LOVED getting them in return in the mail from friends (what can I say, I’m a girl who loves the post office and all things mail-related ). A HUGE thank you goes out to our friends Nate and Amanda at Turtle Pond for the holiday mini-sessions they did. We were excited to get in front of their camera again (that hadn’t happened since our wedding day!)

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

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