In a quick recap, last year started off rough. It was a struggle out of the gate, but luckily enough I had some real good buddies that helped me find my stride. Graduating was a real gut check and there’s no way I would have kept my sanity if I wasn’t surrounded by people going through the same thing. Trying to be a professional photographer is pretty much swinging for the fences and it’s definitely not something that you can achieve alone. I worked on a few large projects this past year that I would have never been able to pull off previously, now that I’m headed into 2012 I only have bigger and grander projects in mind. If this past year taught me anything, it’s that there will always be someone to lean on. Regardless whether it was something personal or professional I was never turned away from someone that could help me out. I learned a lot about being weak or clueless. I’m a better person now because of it.

I’m starting 2012 somewhere that’s foreign and strange. 4,667ft above sea level, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, is going to be my home for the next four months. I have a lot to learn here, not just about being a Military Intelligence Officer, but I’m sure as hell spending a whole lot of time thinking about thinking. I foresee a lot of chillin’ on the ridge line with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The little spare time I have here, I still don’t know how I’m going to handle being away from photography for so long. It’s looking like there are gonna be some desert landscapes in the next four months. I’m making myself a promise to have a plan. Last year ended on a high note, and while there’s gonna be a bit of a break, I’m coming back to the East Coast with a vengeance. I want to hit the ground running coming into the summer and there’s no way I’ll be able to do that without the collective help of everyone I’ve leaned on in the past. The expectation of 2012 is very simple, to be awesome. Here’s to rooftop raging, camaraderie and cranking this sh*t to eleven.

Some outtakes after the jump!

Unlike previous years I decided to take a different approach in coverage. Instead of elbowing it out with the other photographers in the pit, I decided to spend my time backstage in the thick of things. Shooting was tough, it was really dark back there and very tough to stay out of people’s ways. It may be student run, but this fashion show had all the makings of the real deal: slips and falls, wardrobe malfunctions, broken heels and just organized chaos. It’s always good fun.

Follow the link to see more behind the scenes fun!

Over the next month I’m going to be adding some new features to the blog, also reviving something I used to love and did all the time. There are just so many plans, I don’t know where to start. Winter break really gave me the kick in the butt I needed to change gears and get to work. I hope all of you will enjoy what I got for you.

Check out my new portfolio site here.

Every Thanksgiving I take the time to just shut down for a little bit and enjoy doing a whole lot of nothing. Come the following Monday I more or less feel like I’m ready to get my life in order. I think getting my life in order is going to take a bit more effort than before. But, I’m really hopeful in how things are going to turn out. I’ve got some ideas that, if they pan out, can really turn into something to show.

Anyway, one of the things on the to do list is to get working on a wedding I photographed the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. It was a small wedding done at the Hyatt in Jersey City, NJ. If there’s one thing I could say about it is that it was intimate. Candles and dimly lit interiors set the mood. It was a little frigid that day and it was really starting to feel like it was going to snow. This wedding definitely ended the 2010 Season on a high note. I can’t wait until the next one!

So there isn’t a turkey picture this year, or a lengthy Thanksgiving post. But I will say that I am thankful for the people in my life that have given me the support I need to swing for the fences and pursue photography. It’s a rather cloudy and wet day and I’m spending this Thanksgiving with the family and perhaps this weekend getting in touch with the people that matter the most. I hope you’re all somewhere warm and comfortable, taking a break from life. I’ll see you all next week!