Pull up a chair, friends! Better yet, get cozy with a blanket on the couch.
I have selected 352 of my favorite photos from 2024 to share here with you. Which means I did better narrowing down my favorite photos of 2024 than I did last year, when I had 372 from 2023! But, again, when you know the stories behind these photos, it’s so hard to cull more out!
This year, some of the stories you will see here include a grandpa just absolutely cutting a rug at his granddaughter’s wedding. You’ll see a groom who is also a classically trained musician serenading his bride with a song he composed just for her on their wedding day. There are private vows being exchanged before a couple’s public ceremony, a 3-year-old making banana bread from a family recipe with mom and dad in the kitchen, and so many hugs with loved ones after scary health journeys. You’ll see a law school graduate on graduation day, a couple for whom the DJ worked his tail off to recreate a mob scene upon entrance to their own wedding reception, more exuberant horas, and so many tears of joy from grandparents. You’ll see trees being climbed, toasts being made, cartwheels, tickles, kisses, cats, dogs, and lots of crazy yummy food.
Every time I post my favorites from a year gone by, I like to share a little about how I choose them. For that, I always use my guiding principles – the principles I bring with me to each and every shoot all year long. They are:
1. That the images document and hold emotion. I want you to REMEMBER how you felt when you look at this photograph in 10, 20, or 50 years. How did it feel when your two older children kissed their new brother? When grandpa cried at the mere sight of you on your wedding day? How did it feel when everyone you know and love in the world showed up for you in the same room?
2. I want the images to be reflective of who you are in this moment. They need to feel like YOU, like YOUR life. Because when you look at this photograph, you’ll only love it deeply if your sweet people are doing what only your sweet people can do.
3. I want the images to be timeless. I want you to love them today, tomorrow, and in 50 years.
I hope you’ll enjoy these photos and I can’t wait to document more living in 2025.
And to those who invited me to document any moment with them in 2024, THANK YOU. It continues to be a true honor to witness these moments and record them for eternity.
You can see favorites from previous years here (and forgive me for the years I missed!): 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.
