Oh, 2020. What a year you’ve been. You’ve been full of cancelled trips and staying home and tragedy and “what’s next?” and divisiveness and stress for basically EVERYBODY. As Thanksgiving approaches, I think its important for all of us to take a moment to count our blessings and reflect on things that we are thankful for. Even though 2020 was a complete bust, there are 5 things that I will look back on this year and be thankful that it’s given me.

• My health – I knock on wood as a write this, but I’m so thankful that my family has stayed healthy throughout this global pandemic. Between the constant hand-washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing on our part, in addition to the awesome job our kiddos’ teachers and school have been doing to keep everybody safe, we’ve maybe had one head cold all year.

• My supportive husband and kids – you guys. In an already busy household with two small children and a husband with a demanding, non-flexible job, I decided to start a business. A business that’s expensive to start up and run, requires a lot of time away from the house and in front of a computer, and that 40% of people who try, don’t continue past the first year. Oh yeah, and I decided to do this in the middle of a pandemic. Luckily, when the doubt and uncertainty would creep in, I always had my husband in my corner cheering me on. And my kids! I don’t think anyone gets as excited to see the pictures I take of babies than my own kids! They “Oooh” and “awwwww!!” over every single newborn I shoot.
• My clients – there would be no Nikki Caviness Photography without my clients! What started with a handful of supportive and encouraging friends led to those friend’s friends and has now turned into complete strangers that found me on Instagram and have turned into real-life friends. The kind words and referrals and repeat business give me the affirmation to keep going. I appreciate you more than I can say!

• A creative outlet – I worked in a job I had zero passion for for far too long. My lack of creativity at work led to an overload of creativity at home (which turned into an expensive redecorating habit!) My parents gifted me my very first camera 11 years ago – I would have never guessed that gift would eventually lead me to start my own business. To be able to create these photographs makes my little heart sing! I love that I can capture images for families that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to capture themselves.

• A community of women photographers – being a photographer can be lonely! Yes, you shoot your clients, but then you go home and you upload and cull and edit and edit and edit and create content for your website and social media and spend a lot of time by yourself. I’ve been SO lucky to gain a network of other photographers from all over the country to bounce ideas off of and ask questions and be inspired from. I’m so thankful for this group of women photographers who are such supportive cheerleaders and friends.

Now that I’ve shared what I’m thankful for this year, I want to challenge you to come up with 5 things you are thankful for! I’d love to hear, so please share them below!