Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Beautiful Moments and Big Milestones
As the year has come to a close, I’ve been reflecting on all the incredible moments that made 2024 so special. It’s been a whirlwind of joy, hard work, and unforgettable experiences, both personally and professionally. From stunning weddings to life-changing milestones, this year has truly been one to remember!
Celebrating Love: Stunning Weddings
2024 brought me the privilege of being part of some truly breathtaking weddings. Combermere Abbey provided the perfect backdrop for several of these magical days, with its timeless beauty and romantic charm especially around the walled gardens. Each wedding was a story of love, laughter, and unique personal touches that left lasting memories.
I also had the pleasure of witnessing some gorgeous DIY marquee weddings. There’s something so special about these events—the creativity, the personal details, and the effort that couples and their families pour into making the day uniquely theirs. It’s always inspiring to see how love can be celebrated in such diverse and meaningful ways.
I have been to some incredible venues again this year: The Astbury in South Shropshire , Alcumlow Hall, Larkspur Lodge, Pimhill Barns, Albrighton Hussey, Rookery Hall and St. George’s Hall. All spanning over Shropshire, Cheshire and into Liverpool.
As well as shooting my own work, I have continued to do lots of second shooting and associate shooting. I love doing this as well as shooting my own couples as it really does make me think outside the box and also see how others work. We never stop learning! I really enjoy helping others which has lead to working with new photographers in the industry this year as well.
Personal Milestones: Building Our New Life
On a personal note, 2024 has been a year of growth and happiness. My boyfriend, (can I still say this at 38?!?) his children, my three rascals, two crazy labradors and I took a huge step forward by moving into our beautiful new home together. It’s been such a huge step, selling both our houses which went on the market in February, getting them all redecorated, viewings and selling them both, we finally completed on my home and made the move the end of November. We are excited to now create a space that truly feels like ours—a place where memories are made, laughter is shared, and love continues to grow.
Another highlight of the year was our second family holiday—a full week away in August! Last year in 2023 was the first time I have ever taken a week off in wedding season (and I started photographing in 2009!) I realised it was a healthy choice, especially for the kiddos! The years are flying by at the moment and now that two of the kids are now in secondary school, these moments are important (while the kids still want to know us!)
It was the perfect opportunity to unwind, reconnect, and create cherished memories as a family. (Paddleboarding and the wood fire hot tub were the highlights!)
Balancing work and family life isn’t always easy, but this trip reminded me how important it is to prioritise those moments of togetherness and to switch off!
Education: Always being inspired
In between the chaos of needing to pack up our home in November, I embarked on my third NineDots Event in the photography community. This time was Manchester.
Each year the event has been so inspiring, listening to the speakers’ photography journeys. What I love about these events is that we are all so similar. Photography if you can believe is actually quite a lonely industry. Even though we are going from one unbelievable wedding to another during the summer, we are then back in our editing caves, working away behind a screen. Photographers were not just touching on about wedding photography but taking about balance, mental health and goal setting. These pointers have been great and even though I have tried to work on balance between work/life/family this year, some goal setting and vision boards are something I am going to look at over January too.
I have booked on to the 10th NineDots Gathering for November 2025, in Manchester and I am hoping to be able to join in with the party and treat it as a celebration for the end of the year rather than “I need to get home and pack up the house!”
Personal Achievements: Reaching New Heights!
This year also brought some incredible achievements in my personal journey. Progressing at Hyrox has been such a fulfilling achievement, and I’m thrilled to have made it to the World Championships once again! I qualified for the World Championships in Nice 2024 from the first time I competed in Birmingham 2023 and I secured my spot to compete at the World Championships in Chicago 2025 from a quick in and out trip to Dublin in November and came first in my age category!
It’s been a testament to dedication and perseverance, and I couldn’t be prouder of what I’ve accomplished along side with what else has happened this year.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As I step into 2025, I’m embracing a bit of a slower pace (which has naturally happened across the whole of the wedding industry with the Covid whirlwind coming to a close and all the postponements have now been captured) while still looking forward to some amazing moments. I can’t wait to be part of more incredible weddings and to continue building a happy and fulfilling life with my family in the new house.
Here’s to another year of love, joy, and balance—a year where we can all focus on what truly matters. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey in 2024. Here’s to making 2025 just as special!
