2025 End of Year Wrap Up for Howard County, Maryland, and DC Family Photographer

As I sit down to write my 2025 end of year wrap up, I’m filled with gratitude and a deep sense of fulfillment. Every year, this post gives me the chance to pause, reflect, and truly see the work. I don’t mean just the images, but the relationships, growth, and intention behind them.

This year, I didn’t choose a formal word or goal. Instead, I focused on something simpler and more meaningful: pouring more time, care, and attention into my clients and their experience, including adding albums. That intention shaped everything I did in 2025, and I’m so proud of how this year unfolded.

Also a huge shout out to my Birthday Buddy, Jessica Leigh Photography, for capturing my new branding photos this year!

2025 End of Year Wrap Up: The Numbers

• In 2025, I photographed 53 sessions representing 50 amazing families. Of those families, 68% were repeat families, which is the highest percentage of repeat families I’ve ever had. I had the joy of working with three families more than once this year, which is one of the greatest compliments I can receive.

• 52% of my signature sessions took place in-home, whether for lifestyle family sessions or new life sessions.

• I captured a total of 34 mini sessions and 3 special summer sessions.

• Extended family sessions became an unexpected favorite. These sessions once felt overwhelming and would cause me panic, but this year they were an absolute joy. They often ended with coffee, conversation, or having a bite to eat. It was such an honor to be part of their lives.

• 41% of my signature clients added albums, and I had the honor of designing and planning albums with seven wonderful families, which was one of the most meaningful parts of my year.

I had a huge sense of fulfillment in my signature sessions. One signature session this year left me driving away with happy tears, thinking: THIS is what I get to do. Taking on fewer sessions is helping my work and allowing me to truly document families in a way that feels honest and artful.

One of my favorite recurring moments was littles asking to take photos with me. After delivering a newborn gallery to one family, their toddler was very disappointed that I wasn’t in any of the images. This was so sweet and a reminder that connection matters just as much as the photographs themselves.

Winter and spring were intentionally quieter, which aligned perfectly with our major kitchen and patio renovation. Watching this space come together was incredibly rewarding. My husband took on most of this responsibility and now I get to enjoy seasons of time on the patio, listening to nature, eating dinners outside, and hosting book club.

Kitchen Reno Before and After:

When fall arrived, it brought not only a full calendar, but some of the most beautiful fall weather I’ve experienced in all nine years of photographing families. I only had ONE reschedule of a signature session this fall which is a record. Also, for the first time ever, I added a second date of fall mini sessions, photographing a record number of 22 mini session just this fall.

It felt like the perfect close to a season of growth, creativity, and connection.

2025 Celebrations!

Professional Celebrations: 

I am honored to say that I was published in The Kindred Path’s 2025 Winter Issue with two images featured!

In addition, I also launched The Being Project, my documentary-style approach to family photography that honors real life, presence, and connection.

Education & Growth

I am always growing as an artist and CEO as I think it so important to always continue learning. So this year, I started off with a mentor session with Natasha of NPS Photography. Natasha photographed my family years ago, and her depth of knowledge and confidence helped me be confident in the choices I made throughout 2025.

Looking ahead, I also joined a 2026 Mastermind with Firefly Photography. Leah mentored me in 2024, and I’m so thankful for her continued guidance and support as I grow into this next chapter.

The Real Stuff: Pitfalls & Perspective

Not every season is full, and that’s part of running a small business. Winter and spring were quieter, which I welcomed for family time, but the financial realities still exist. Supporting small truly matters more than people realize.

During a moment when I was feeling especially low, my dear friend and business cheerleader, Liz Viernes, (Liz Viernes Photography) sent me the sweetest text message. It shifted everything and helped launch what became an incredible summer and fall.

Then, thanks to my 40 year old eyes and not enough coffee, I accidentally ordered an 8×8 album instead of a 10×10. The upside? I now have a brand-new sample album to share. Photographer fail, but that’s okay!

Thank You to the Team Who Makes It All Happen

Cat Granger (Cat Granger Photography), Editor:  Cat literally saves my life. She has the BEST EYE and always makes sure every image is my signature editing style. Cat saved my life this fall when Adobe Lightroom was giving me a hard time. I’m so thankful for everything she does to get beautiful photos in the hands of my clients.

Brittany (Dot the I’s Outsourcing) Content Writer: Britany has been helping me to create meaningful and valuable content for all of you here on the blog! I’m so grateful for her help writing and preparing posts to show off my sessions and to provide helpful information to prepare you for those sessions! 

Jennifer (Choose Your Solutions Virtual Assisting), Virtual Assistant: Owner, Jennifer runs a virtual assistant company and assigned me a VA.

My VA I was assigned is also named Jennifer and she just joined my team right before fall season geared up. She is a former teacher and former photographer who can read my brain and help complete tasks.

Chelsea, Mini Session Assistant: Chelsea, a client who is a #christinasclick member, did an amazing job helping with my first round of fall minis. so gentle and kind with my spring mini clients. It just made the day run seamlessly and I’m beyond grateful for her support.

Rocco Tundo (Marinucci & Associates CPA), Husband/Accountant/CFO: My husband Rocco does the business bookkeeping and taxes. Along with being the CFO and CPA, there were many fall weekends of him solo parenting and keeping the Tundo kiddos busy. On top of that, he’s also my support system at home. I’m so grateful to him for his support and love. 

Thank you to all the families who allow me the honor to document and preserve your family’s love and memories. Here’s to another year of connection, intention, and documenting what truly matters. Happy new year!