2025

I can't believe it's been almost FOUR YEARS since I launched my business! February of 2022 was the start of a new venture that I decided to call Vibe Photography! Photography started out as a hobby that grew into a passion, one that I loved so much, I decided to make a go of it! As I reflect on the past year, I want to express my gratitude to the individuals, families, and businesses who have supported me and are making this dream of mine a reality. THANK YOU! I absolutely love this job and my clients and the many individuals and events I have had the privilege to photograph - or be part of - each year.

In 2025, I photographed 27 senior/teen sessions, 10 family or couples sessions, 3 senior rep group sessions, 5 mini cap and gown sessions, 5 dramatic sports sessions, 1 wedding, 2 events with Santa, 1 event at Memorial High School (the first ever Meet the Teams), and countless sporting events. I am so grateful for all of the opportunites, new experiences, and friendships along the way.

In January of 2025, I signed on my biggest senior rep team of 14: seven girls and seven guys for the Class of 2026! Each year this program has grown in numbers, and I'm always so excited for it! Every year I feel like "this is my favorite group", which is a great feeling! If by some chance, you don't know what the Vibe Photography Street Team is, it's the group of high school seniors that sign on with Vibe Photography as their senior photographer AND get to participate in the fun, themed group sessions with the other reps. It's a great way for the kids to gain confidence in front of the camera, make some new friends and some great memories! The application process for the Class of 2027 is underway. You can find the link for the application on the VP Street Team tab here on my website. If you're interested, don't delay! Spots are filling up quickly!

In February, I arranged for a self-defense class for past and present senior reps through Hot Brass in Celina. I've always talked to my own girls about having "situational awareness" and exercising caution especially when walking or traveling alone somewhere. As the survivor of a home invasion and violent attack in my mid-20s, avoiding a dangerous situation and being prepared to defend yourself if you have to is something I take very seriously.

In the spring I worked with several track athletes to hone my skills (and practice using my new fog machine!) in preparation for launching a new service: Dynamic Sports Sessions. I'm always grateful for kids who are willing to work with me and entertain my ideas! I typically "pay" them with digital images.

In June I worked with the three seniors on my rep team for a dynamic baseball session. It is not uncommon for me to reach out to my senior reps when developing a new skill or for a creative idea. I booked two Dynamic Sports Sessions later this year, and that is something I definitely hope to do more of in 2026. You can find the Dynamic Sports tab on my website should you wish to book a session. All sports. All ages!

I experienced a lot of fun, first-time opportunities:

  • Opened up our property for sessions and had our first duck hunting session at sunrise in the water, as well as a senior session with a girl and her horse, a senior girl and her truck, and two family sessions (one of them, yours truly!)
  • Held a fundraiser for a dear client whose family suffered an unimagineable, tragic loss
  • Used Kyle's airplane during a senior session for a client who plans to pursue a commercial pilot's license (thank you, Kyle!)
  • Received a Hot 100 award from Senior Style Guide in two different categories for my work in a competition that had more than 6,600 images entered
  • Photographed the St. Marys boys and girls soccer seniors in the fall, as well as the St. Marys girls basketball seniors in the winter, and designed their sports banners
  • Photographed sunflower teen sessions, thanks to a friend who thought of me and my business and shared a super cool location with me AND facilitated its use
  • Arranged for the use of a VW Bus for a senior session after she shared it was her favorite vehicle, thus creating an unforgettable experience for the client (also made possible by a friend with connections!). Bonus: at the end of this session, the client stated, "This was so much fun!"
  • Photographed a drum major and learned that stretching is necessary in preparing for those unbelievable backbends
  • Invited St. Marys Mascot "Rocky" to a session for pictures and gifted Rocky the digital images
  • Photographed the first ever Meet the Teams for St. Marys Memorial High School
  • Photographed my first ever golfers and learned the term "blasting sand"
  • Photographed an Eagle Scout and his very impressive project
  • Photographed a senior girl in a swing made by her parents that was suspended over water by her dad
  • Photographed the Donuts with Santa event for Grand Lake Health System for the first time
  • Photographed the Pictures with Santa event for the St. Marys Community Armory for the first time
  • Drove approximately 2,375 miles for sessions, scouting, order delivery, and game coverage
  • Launched my Senior Rep Program for the Class of 2027 in December and have received 25 applications in the first week so far!

Looking Ahead

I am so excited for the coming year! You will be seeing some new and exciting things and some BIG news coming soon for my business! I am always learning and growing and finding ways to better serve my clients. On the reflective side, I've learned that this business of serving others truly lights my soul. I love watching clients get excited over their images and sessions. I love watching their confidence grow through my lens, and I love making people feel good about themselves. I love capturing families who haven't had their pictures done "in years" and putting gorgeous, quality products in my clients' hands so they can hold onto these moments and memories for years to come. I'm obsessed with editorial and styled sessions, and I'm not kidding when I say I lay awake at night planning and dreaming what we will do next!

Thank you for taking the time to read this first ever Year in Review and for your support over the past year, or four...or however many it's been. I sincerely appreciate you more than you know! I'm looking forward to a big 2026 for Vibe Photography filled with adventures and growth through new opportunities and more amazing clients!

Wishing you all a safe, happy, and healthy 2026!

Much love and appreciation,

Paula