To say that 2012 was an insane year would be a complete understatement. 2012 ROCKED MY WORLD. Between finally finding my voice as a photographer to leaving my full-time desk job, I have enough blessings to fill a book. I remember around this time last year, I told myself “2012 is going to be my year! This is GOING to happen.” And it did! God showered me with opportunities I didn’t deserve, and I will never fully understand how I’ve been so blessed. 2012 was also a year of heartache with everything going on with my mom’s health, but I have all of these amazing things to reflect on, and having something to be thankful for in the midst of a crisis kept me looking up.

It was SO strange going through the folders of images to pick my favorites for this post. So strange. My shooting style hasn’t so much changed direction as it has matured, and I’m encouraged when I look back on the year and see how much I’ve grown. I also shudder at some of the less-than-stellar edits and thank the Lord that I learned what a histogram is this year. OY.

Without further ado, the AGP brides and grooms of 2012!

Rob & Sarah were married last January in Vienna on one of the coldest days ever, and yet they STILL managed to rock out their portraits! Hello, awesome train car.

Steve & Emilia’s situation was reversed- we had a freak bout of warm weather come through just in time for their St. Patrick’s Day wedding, so the weather was perfect for portraits! I LOVED the emerald green color scheme they picked out!

Chris & Monica. I don’t even know where to start with them- they are one of the sweetest, most genuine couples I’ve ever met, and their wedding left my heart so full!

(Apparently I didn’t believe in taking horizontal images until May 2012?) Matt & Anna! Their wedding day was GORGEOUS. Perfect weather, perfect light, perfect everything. And they’re just perfect together.

Dan & Carole were married in Alexandria on Memorial Day, and hot diggity dawg. Those SHOES.

Daniel & Katie! I’d been anxiously awaiting their big day for a LONG time- Katie & I had a class together at RU and I knew within the first week of knowing her that they’d be married one day.

Ohhh, Jamie & Abbeigh. These two are the CUTEST. Their inability to do the “model face” because they couldn’t stop smiling was one of my favorite parts throughout the day. And I believe there was one point during the reception that Jamie said something to the effect of “It’s been more than five minutes since I last kissed my bride. Where is she?”

John & Hannah’s reception was SO much fun- Hannah’s Ethiopian family gave us all a taste of what dancing looks like from the other side of the globe.

Everything about Craig & Molly’s day was exquisite- from the way she looked in her Monique Lhuillier gown to all of the handmade details at the reception. Oh, and the fact that their reception was at my all-time favorite venue, The Black Horse Inn :).

Remember Vinnie & Maria? A last minute rain storm forced us to move the ceremony indoors, but they didn’t care as long at they were married at the end of the day. Oh, and that dress? It was Maria’s mother’s dress :).

Shawn & Katie :). Just as sweet as they can be, their wedding day was such a reflection of their relationships with Christ. They really are better together!

Gary & Clarisse‘s day was stunning. It was so elegant, so classic, and as Clarisse is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, their day went down in my books as PERFECT!

Phil & Megan, how much do I love you both? A LOT. Megan was one of the first brides I booked for 2012, and I knew from the first few emails that I was going to adore them. And adore them I do :).

Tyler & Vicky mentioned during our first meeting the possibility of wanting to do their portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. I had to restrain myself from launching over the table to bear hug them, because the NPG is one of my all-time favorite locations to shoot.

After their amazing e-session at Glen Echo, I KNEW Robbie & Juliann’s wedding day was going to be beautiful! And sure enough, they did not disappoint. Their bridal party photos are some of my all-time favorites!

Jay & Meagan’s wedding looked straight out of the pages of a rustic wedding blog! Everything was handmade with love, and their ceremony was one of the most beautiful worship services I’ve ever witnessed.

Oooh, Brad & Lauren. Your sweet, sweet wedding melted my heart over and over again! Their portraits are some of my favorites I’ve ever taken. I hope it’s not weird that I kind of want to paper the walls of my new office with their images.

Jarrod & Abby’s intimate Alexandria wedding was such a joy. Abby has this boisterous laugh and a smile that lights up a room, and just watching her be at peace with Jarrod was a blessing.

And finally, Seamus & Alex! The Captain and Mrs. Carey were married this past weekend, and I can’t help but feel incredibly fortunate when I look over their images. I could not have picked a more perfect couple who fits with me, my brand and my mission, and photographing their joyful, exuberant love was the PERFECT way to round out my year.

To all of my 2012 brides and grooms, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your precious memories, thank you for letting your guard down in front of me, thank you for living joyfully, loving passionately, and laughing often. You made 2012 a year that I will never ever forget, and you all can never know how much I love you!

Happy Friday!