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Kelly Hornberger

One Year Later (claire)

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FortheLove-3

This is a long one so grab a cup-o-joe and enjoy…

It’s crazy to think just one year ago I walked up to the Hornberger house with a useless resume in my hand. That day my life changed in a completely rock-your-world- life-is-crazy kind of way. I can still remember meeting Kelly for the first time and in about fifteen minutes she knew my life story drama and all. I don’t even think she looked at my resume as my shaky hand waived it in front of her. Looking back I have to think what it would be like to sit in her chair and listen to me. I think I would have thought, “who is this crazy I am going to let come in my house?” But, at the same time I was like, “who is this crazy that has three boys under three???” I now know it is because those Hornberger boys get super cute around 9 months I would want a whole army of them too!

As I reflect on this past year I can not believe how incredibly blessed I am to have stumbled upon the opportunity to work with Kelly. I can remember my first time shooting with her and I was talking technical lingo about f-stops and aperture and she just stared at me and was like, “uhhhh o.k. forget all that!” Just do it like this and reminded me that photography isn’t about techno mumbo jumbo but about what feels right. You can have all the gear in the world and that doesn’t make you a photographer but you have to make the subject feel gorgeous and she reminded me why I love photography! Because if it is a point and shoot, dslr camera or iphone it is more about creativity and heart and less about the camera and person behind it.

This year I got to see the Hornbergers in action. WOW! Kelly and Joe are two of the most selfless people I know they are like rocks that support everyone they come into contact with and they leave little time for sleep and themselves. They have been huge in helping me understand why it is I do what I do and they have such an encouraging home. I can honestly say I wasn’t on a super strong path with the man upstairs and they have been huge in encouraging to explore my faith and have a better understanding of how I can use my gifts to honor him and they did it in a non-judgemental pushy kind of way!

I have also gotten to witness real-fairy-tale-kind of love at the weddings we have been so lucky to be a part of. It has inspired me to remember that day a long long time ago that I married my prince charming and bring that spark and life back to my home. I think that is why we all love weddings because we get to be reminded of true love and celebrate it. But, I also just love the Kelly Hornberger family of clients. They are the sweetest nicest most genuine group of people you could imagine and I get so darn happy for them when they tie the knot! It has been such a pleasure serving them and documenting their special day!

This year I have also eaten more cake than I could possibly imagine and I LOVE CAKE but I might need to take on another work out activity if I am going to be a cake connoisseur.

I have been so inspired and got to do some amazing workshops with Zach and Jody, Melissa Jill, Ginny Corbett and these people have been huge in educating a little about my camera and again a lot about why I do what I do. The above photo was taken at For the Love workshop and I literally took about 80 photos during a week long retreat but it truly change my life in a way words can’t begin to explain! I mean I guess I could, but this post is already super long.

If you were to tell me a year ago where I would be today…I would have laughed but I would also be super excited. I can’t believe this is my reality! I know for a fact this year is going to top last year because some exciting things that Kelly and I have dreamed up and then made a reality are about to be unleashed. I know I am sure you are over the “big announcement” posts that people have started doing, so I won’t build it up too much but I will say I am already excited to write next year’s post and it’s only just begun.

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