Best of the Best 2022
Here we are 2023 is knocking on the door, and we are about to say farewell to 2022. Hopefully quietly, with no fireworks involved, but I know better than to think we can get that lucky! So we will just stay home and be there to comfort our confused doggos. Really the best place for us to celebrate anyways 🙂
As we prepare to hang a new calendar on the wall I thought I would share some thoughts and a few favorites from the passing year. 2022 you were AWESOME!
We’ll kick it off with the header image. Just a silly iPhone selfie, but probably about as close to pure perfection for me as it gets. The only flaw being our missing fur kids. Sadly they were not allowed to join us on this trip to South Africa, and even if they could have joined us there is a pesky little rule about domestic animals in The Kruger (which to be honest makes sense in many ways).
Back on track… the header image. It so perfectly sums up the wonder and magic of 2022! We finally made it! And not only did we make it Tom saw the magic of South Africa. Super hard for me to believe, but South Africa isn’t magic for everyone, but for those it touches it gets under your skin, steals a big piece of your heart, and never stops calling you back. So happy that Tom caught the bug!
So my favorite image of 2022 is an iPhone selfie taken on the high-water bridge over the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park. It was early morning. The sun had just risen, and we were just hanging out on the bridge enjoying a cup of coffee and the incredible scenery. There aren’t many places in the park where you are allowed out of your vehicle. The places you are are MAGICAL! I could go on describing this silly simple image for ages, but I’ll wrap by saying it sums up everything that was wonderful about 2022. Tom and I sharing incredible adventures, and sharing the miracles and beauty of life.
Best Pet Photography
I am torn between two shoots from late this year, and well, they aren’t even my dogs for a change! There were so many fun times spent with oodles of fur kids in 2022. They were all beautiful and wonderful and perfectly awesome to work with! But I can’t share them all or I would bore you to death with my endless commentary on the good times and all the hijinx and technical settings. Instead you get a couple shots from a multi-doggo shoot with three incredible hunting dogs, Reign, Marsh and Jay. We shot in studio, just a Christmas mini partially shot without Christmas trimmings. They were phenomenal! Polite and well behaved. As with most multi-doggo shoots, including my own, the biggest struggle was to get them to stay close and cosy. I would have loved a little closer, but they were awesome!
The second session that I absolutely fell in love with was a family shoot I did with Kashi the wonder dog! When I got home from Kashi’s shoot and saw the images I was taken away! The shoot was for sure not under ideal conditions. It was a very small space. Neither Kashi nor myself were very comfortable in the setting. Luckily I had my V-Flat and an Octo Box with me so I was able to create a studio-ish setting. Kashi was full of energy wanting to explore her new environment, but with her parents, myself and grandma we were able to get some shots that I did not expect when I walked into the space! Even with being out of practice with humans I got some bangers of the whole family! What an awesome affirmation that I am doing what I am meant to be doing!
The Best of the Rest
Can’t do a Best of 2022 without revisiting the most AMAZING experience it brought! To be honest I was so in the moment while we were in South Africa I didn’t shoot nearly as much as I would have liked, but I wouldn’t change a moment! And on the upside, if all goes as planned I am going to have years to make up for any missed opportunities from this trip. No explanation needed for these images. As with most travel and landscape photography once you understand how to work your tools it is mostly about being at the right place at the right time. That said, there is no discounting a discerning eye… Knowing what to include/exclude is also super important. So here you go, a few 2022 faves from Africa!
Best Video of 2022
So many great videos from 2022, but this one is the best variety of our South African adventure. A little bit of everything we were fortunate enough to experience! If you haven’t had a chance to check it out please give it a view (a like and subscribe would be totally appreciated as well!). However, be warned, it just may cause you to book a flight! I am happy to help anyone with some travel planning 😉
All in all I hope EVERYONE had an absolutely AMAZING 2022! The best and most magical 2023 is on the horizon. Savor every moment. Life is a remarkable gift!
