2013 has been an amazing year, and to be honest when I was writing 2012’s end of year post 12 months ago, I wasn’t that sure that 2013 would match up to it – or at least that it would be hard to do so – Well how wrong I was – turns out it was easy! Here I am now with the beginning of 2014 already underway, looking back on the last year and I cannot quantify how quickly the last 6 months of 2013 have gone in my head. Time has just flown by without having chance to take stock – much like many weddings. Thankfully I have left a few empty weeks at the start of 2014, beginning next week, that will hopefully give me chance to quickly digest the year that has been and then turn to looking ahead and making 2014 even better!
I distinctly remember writing 12 months ago that I wouldn’t be travelling around / flying abroad as much in the following year, however once again, and thankfully – I was able to see, travel, experience and take in many new places and share those experiences with some amazing people along the way, most memorable being my two weeks in Thailand and weddings in Denmark & Greece. In total, after just reviewing the diary and car mileage it would seem that I have travelled some 35,000 miles on roads in the UK and France, visited 13 airports, flown on 15 flights to 8 different countries and have enjoyed nearly every second. (hows that for quantifying?) Even the seconds I haven’t enjoyed perhaps so much, have, upon reflection, been worth while as learning curves and moving forward.
Other exciting things that have happened in the last 12 months include a brand new website, new branding and I was also very pleased to be a Finalist in the 2012 Professional Photographer of the Year that was announced towards the beginning of 2013. Yet without a shadow of a doubt the most exciting and most rewarding part of the year has been spending time with a whole manor and wide range of deeply interesting people, from my amazing wedding couples, other people I have documented the lives of, encounters with people whilst travelling and of course new friends.
Its been an astonishing year and whilst I don’t wish to dwindle anymore on the past – here is a virtual toast to the past, present and future – ‘to new friends, to old friends and to the friends we haven’t met yet’.
Looking ahead at the year to come, I am sure that in terms of weddings, this will be my busiest year yet and I just can’t wait. Again I don’t think I will be travelling as much, but I was wrong about that last year, I guess you just have to take the opportunities as they come, and whilst I have been teaching myself to say ‘no’ on occasion, I think my ‘yes’ mentality to life will insure I don’t use the N word too much. I have discovered some great inspirational leaders, speakers and writers over the last few months and hope to combine my own views with the information I take onboard and continue to be as optimistic as possible and challenge negative thinking at every corner. I also have a goal to continue to strive for thinking of, creating and attempting new ideas within my photography and to try something new at each and every wedding I am a part of and finally I intend too continue to manage expectations, yet over deliver at every possibility.
I am now looking forward to the weddings ahead and creating some new memories, pictures and friends on the journey of telling stories for these new friends.
Here are 130 of my favourite pictures from the past 12 months. I hope you enjoy and I wish you all the best for the future.
– by Barney Walters
Feel very happy after seeing all those smiling faces! A gorgeous selection of shots and such a nice idea to look back over your year like that. Here’s to 2014!
What a fab year man! Awesome stuff. Love the tall tree portrait; spectacular. That awesome Trevenna speech capture. The group, holding the long veil, at what looks like could be Polhawn? Beautiful. And, yep, the dogging image is a classic. Great work man.
amazing set of pics well done, great year :)
A fantastic review Barney – full of incredible moments. Have a super 2014!
amazing pictures :)
great photographer!
Thanks Jonas – appreciated.
ThankYou Anna, best of luck for the year ahead.
Amazing work and a great read too. Well done.
Thanks dave! Here is to an amazing year! :D
Great work, looks like an awesome year
I love your style of photos! Well Done!!
Thanks Jordan!