Holy moly, what a year it has been!
January 4th, 2021, I left my office job to go full-time as a pet photographer. Was I ready? Not really. Okay, not even close. While working full time I didn't have the time or energy to dedicate to my photography business. So when I left my job I had ZERO sessions on my calendar and we were one year into this whole pandemic thing. Crazy right? Luckily that month, a friend organized some sessions for me, another photographer gave me an event that she couldn't do, and then the rest of the year fell into place.
I'll admit, I worked longer hours and harder than I worked at my old office job. But much of that was creating things for the first time, so much learning, and sometimes, I just felt like I should be working because it was only 2:00 in the afternoon. Plus it didn't matter because I love it all. I mean, it's hard to even call it work.
With that said, even though I love doing this thing called work, I plan to work smarter in 2022 so that I have more time to spend outside keeping myself healthy and my dogs happy, seeing family more and just enjoying life.
So what did I do in 2021?
Starting with portrait sessions, I was blessed with the opportunity to photograph 138 dogs, in various locations and states. Nothing against Las Vegas, but I love doing sessions in other places, even if there is a level of anxiety that goes along with not pre scouting the location.
With the neverending pandemic, 2021 was a slow year for events. I was, however, lucky enough to shoot some outdoor events, including 1 flyball tournament, 2 Fast Cat trials, and a few lure practices. I love the challenge of shooting completely different situations, seeing people I rarely see anymore, and of course, traveling.
In March, I launched Tails of Las Vegas, a fundraiser book project, which raised $1,150.00 for Wagging Tails Rescue, and will be available for purchase in early 2022.
In a bit of a mad rush, together with Pawtastic Friends, we pulled off a fundraising calendar contest in August, and I shot the 13 sessions in September, between my August and September trips. Yikes! I was a little stressed that month. The contest raised $3,400.00, thanks to all of the awesome participants, and can be purchased here. Proceeds go directly to Pawtastic Friends.
Where did I go in 2021?
January I spent a weekend in San Diego, California for several portrait sessions. It was fabulous! Perfect weather, lots of dogs to photograph, beautiful beaches, time to relax and walk with my dogs. it was the perfect way to start the year.
In May I spent a week in Duck Creek, Utah with friends. Duck Creek is one of my favorite places to get away from all the crazy hecticness of Vegas.
I traveled to Colorado (North of Denver), in June to visit friends at a flyball tournament and did several portrait sessions while I was there. I thought I was leaving the heat, but uh, no, it was flipping hot. On my way home, I spent a day near Breckenridge relaxing and walking with my dogs.
Then things got a bit crazy for a couple of months, starting in August with a week-long trip back in San Diego for more portrait sessions, followed by 3 days in St. Louis for one portrait session and a photography workshop with the amazing Italian photographer Claudio Piccoli. Then in September, back to Breckenridge, Colorado for a mind blowing 3 days in a freaking mansion with several other photographers for a workshop with an incredible trio of instructors! Yes, 3 instructors! Kaylee Greer, Sam Haddix, and Nicole Begley (Hair of the Dog) presented the most incredible workshop! I so hope to attend another one someday. After Breckenridge, I was home for 3 days before going to Duck Creek for a week-long vacation.
Phew! It was a crazy couple of months. Things have settled down a bit since then, and I think I just had one quick trip to Madera, California for a flyball tournament.
I love to learn and I always want to improve my skills, so I signed up for a shooting challenge with 12 specific assignments over 6 months. It was fun to get out to shoot my own dogs with one final image goal in mind, and I'm so happy to have these photos of my dogs. It was also inspiring to see the incredible work and the variety of images submitted by the other photographers in the challenge. I didn't get all of my images in on time, but in the end, I did get something submitted for each challenge and I signed up for another round that kicks off in February. The images sprinkled throughout this post are a few of my favorites from the challenge and the full set of 12 are below.
Overall, I had a fantastic year and I'm looking forward to all that 2022 has to bring.
The last 3 months of the year I was booked out and not taking any more sessions, but I'm happy to say, I am now scheduling sessions for 2022. Just click the button below.
This blog post is part of a pet photographer blog circle. To see more pet photography, head over to Endless Mountains pet photographer Elaine Tweedy of I Got the Shot Photography, reflects on the adventures and accomplishments of 2021.
22 Comments
Jan 3, 2022, 9:10:10 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - I hope so!
Jan 3, 2022, 1:01:59 PM
Tracy Allard - Wow, great accomplishments - congratulations you!!! Let's hope that 2022 brings back a bit of normalcy to us all!
Jan 2, 2022, 9:40:55 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you so much Linda!
Jan 2, 2022, 6:05:43 PM
Linda Perdue - Congrats on going full time! Awesome photographs - you're an amazing photographer!
Jan 2, 2022, 10:32:14 AM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you Darlene!
Jan 2, 2022, 9:30:20 AM
Darlene Woodward - Congrats on going full time - woohoo! Good for you! And awesome job with a book AND calendar! Great year! Cheers to an amazing 2022!
Jan 1, 2022, 2:27:36 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - OMG Ina, I know you are going to have an amazing year! Good luck (even though you don't need it, since you are a brilliant photographer)!
Jan 1, 2022, 2:25:38 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - Oh my gosh, thank you so much, Angela!!
Jan 1, 2022, 11:40:30 AM
Angela Schneider - Your Embark images were always my favorite for each week of the challenge. I am such a huge geek for your work.
Dec 31, 2021, 8:26:10 PM
Ina - What an amazing year for you! So lucky you got to travel lots this year and amazing achievements in your first year going full time into your business. I'm planning to do that this year and it's so scary but yet I'm excited too!! Have an amazing 2022!
Dec 31, 2021, 7:40:13 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you, Elaine!
Dec 31, 2021, 4:03:25 PM
Elaine - Marvelous year for sure! Loved all of your images! Congrats on your 2021, and here's to another fantastic year in 2022!
Dec 31, 2021, 1:33:20 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you Terri!
Dec 31, 2021, 1:32:59 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you so much Marika!
Dec 31, 2021, 11:33:36 AM
Terri - Wow you had a busy year! Congrats on the Embark awards
Dec 31, 2021, 11:07:28 AM
Marika - Nicole, I freaking love your work. I can’t wait to see what you create during the Emerge challenges. And I’m super jealous of all that travel you did this year! Congratulations on a great year as a full time photographer. Happy almost 1-year anniversary!!!
Dec 31, 2021, 10:28:21 AM
Nicole Hrustyk - Yes! I love traveling!
Dec 31, 2021, 10:27:56 AM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you so much, Jessica!
Dec 31, 2021, 10:27:23 AM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you Kim! I'll be honest, I've wanted to leave for years, but when I left, there was really no thought process, I just could not do it anymore. I did learn, things have to get pretty bad for me to make changes. I'm now incredibly grateful for how awful that work environment was, to push me to finally leave.
Dec 31, 2021, 8:18:39 AM
Courtney Bryson - So many trips! That's an exciting way to photograph dogs!
Dec 31, 2021, 8:05:55 AM
Jessica - Oh my goodness--your Embark images are gorgeous! Those awards are well-deserved!
Dec 31, 2021, 6:44:07 AM
Kim Hollis - You are my hero.... leaving your full time job. That thought process is in the back of my mind too (although my other job is also my own company.) I look forward to following along your journey in 2022 and I can't wait to see what you create in Emerge. :)