2025 Year in Review: 83 Families, 13,500 Memories & A Whole Lot of Gratitude

As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself doing what I do every December - scrolling through thousands of photos, reliving the year's most beautiful moments, and feeling overwhelmingly grateful.

This year, 83 families trusted me with their memories. And honestly? I still can't quite believe it.

By The Numbers

Let's start with the stats, because they're pretty mind-blowing:

• 83 families photographed

• 110,000 photos taken and culled (yes, really!)

• 13,500 final images delivered to families

• Countless sunrises chased (my favourite time to shoot)

• Even more happy tears witnessed (both yours and mine)

Those numbers represent hours of shooting, editing, planning, and pouring my heart into every single session. But they don't tell the full story.

What The Numbers Don't Show

Behind every statistic is a story that makes my heart full:

The mums who stepped into the frame

After years, sometimes decades of being the one behind the camera, they finally trusted me enough to be IN the photos. The tears when they saw themselves through my lens, realising they're beautiful, worthy, and deserve to be in their children's memories.

The dads who showed up

Not just physically present, but ENGAGED. Playing with their kids. Making them laugh. Being fully in the moment. (And yes, my "Dads at Photoshoots" reel going viral with 100,000+ views proved I'm not the only one who loves this!)

The big siblings bursting with pride

The gentle way they held their new baby brother or sister. The kisses they couldn't stop planting on tiny heads. The "I'm the best big brother/sister" energy that radiates from every frame.

The newborns who had their own plans

Some slept peacefully. Others had opinions about the whole thing. We fed when they were hungry. We soothed when they needed it. We followed THEIR lead, not some arbitrary rulebook. And the photos? Absolutely perfect every single time.

The 8am sessions in full sun

Because your toddler is a morning person and golden hour means meltdown hour. We broke the "rules" and got magic anyway.

The clients who became friends

This is the part that fills my cup the most. Starting as photographer and client, ending as genuine friends who cheer for each other, support each other, and show up for each other beyond the session.

The photographer community

Shoutout to Emma Wand and all the incredible photographers who choose community over competition. Who answer my frantic "help, what settings?!" messages. Who celebrate my wins like they're their own. This year reinforced that we rise by lifting each other.

Breaking All The "Rules"

2025 was the year I fully embraced doing things MY way:

• ✓ Shooting newborns at 3 months instead of 2 weeks

• ✓ Outdoor sunset sessions with babies

• ✓ 8am full sun family sessions

• ✓ Following baby's lead (feeding breaks, dummies, whatever they need)

• ✓ Getting mums IN the frame, no matter what

• ✓ Prioritising YOUR family's needs over photography "rules"

And you know what? The photos were better for it. Because happy, comfortable families make beautiful photos. Every single time.

My Favourite Moments

It's impossible to choose, but here are some highlights that made 2025 unforgettable:

• The toddler at Darook Park who made me laugh so hard I nearly dropped my camera

• Every single sunrise session where we chased the light together

• The viral "Dads at Photoshoots" reel that connected with 100,000+ people

• Every time a mum saw herself in photos and realised she's beautiful

Thank You

To my 83 families of 2025:

You didn't just book a photographer. You trusted me with your legacy. With the proof your children will have that they were loved, celebrated, and cherished.

You let me into your homes, your beaches, your parks, your most vulnerable moments.

You trusted me when you were exhausted, emotional, uncertain. You said yes to early mornings, to breaking rules, to stepping into the frame even when it felt scary.

And I don't take that lightly.

Every session is an honour. Every family's story matters. Every photo I deliver is a piece of your legacy I get to help preserve.

Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for becoming friends. Thank you for reminding me why I do this work.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As I look at my 2026 calendar (already filling up!), I'm excited for:

• More mums stepping into the frame

• More sunrise sessions (obviously it's my favourite!)

• More rule-breaking when it serves your family

• More legacy-building, one session at a time

• More community over competition

• More clients becoming friends

Want to be part of my 2026 story?

If you've been thinking about booking:

• Your maternity session

• Newborn photos

• Family milestone session

• "Just because" session (those are my favourite!)

• The full journey with The Legacy package

Now's the perfect time. My calendar fills quickly, especially for sunrise sessions and weekends.

Send me an email and let's chat about capturing your 2026 memories.

Final Thoughts

2025 taught me that the best photos happen when we:

• Follow the family's lead, not arbitrary rules

• Prioritise comfort over perfection

• Get mums IN the frame, always

• Choose connection over posed perfection

• Build relationships, not just client lists

Here's to 2026 - more families, more memories, more legacy

With gratitude, Jodie