As 2016 comes to a close, I am reflecting on how exciting this year has been for my photography business. After ending 2015 with a high level of uncertainty and self-doubt, a much-needed last-minute trip to the Serengeti steered me back on track. In the spring, I placed for the first time in WPPI’s magnificent print competition. Adding to this momentum, National Geographic published three of my photos online in their “Daily Dozen” (12 best photos) and two others in "Your Shot" stories. Soon after, I learned that I received a “high distinction” award in the La Grande, a French photography competition. 

I had quite a thrill this summer when my work was featured on billboards in 20+ cities worldwide as part of Apple's “Shot on iPhone” campaign. I was informed of this sale about 12 hours before boarding a ship to photograph polar bears in the Arctic, another bucket list location checked off my list in 2016. As the iPhone campaign was winding down, I got the news that I received 2nd place in WPPI’s Second Half competition, and, as if that couldn’t have been enough, I learned about a month later that I had received 1st place in PDN magazine’s “World in Focus” competition, a huge and unexpected win for me! Finally, I ended the year traveling in Iceland with friends and photographing the magnificent landscapes.

I could not have imagined on December 30 last year that my 2016 would be so full of gratifying experiences. It is surreal.