It is new years eve and the final day of 2009. The old year has been a great one that has gone by way too fast!

Not too long ago, I decided that my passion for photography should be channeled into something more. With a few nudges from some very important people, I was able to believe in myself and try something new. I developed my website, samanthaclarke.net and my blog, samanthaclarkephotography.blogspot.com. After 3 months, I've covered a total of 14 portrait sessions and 5 events and I currently have 254 Facebook Fans! I was also able to complete the first semester of my Masters degree simultaneously. That's right, I'm also a grad student and I'm not studying photography. However my program is so grueling that I'm thinking maybe I should have!

Most importantly, I'm writing all this because I believe that you can't set goals without first acknowledging your point of reference. I've come a long way and thank each and every one of you for your support thus far. I also recognize that I have a LONG way to go. Instead of making a frivolous resolution I've decided to make a vision board of my personal, academic, and business goals for 2010. I'm actually really looking forward to creating a tangible piece with my goals on it and pretty pictures to match. Stay tuned, I'll make a blog post out of it!

In the mean time, here is a countdown of 10 black and white portraits that I captured during this fabulous year.

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.


Enjoy and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's really amazing how this...

...becomes this.



About 3 months ago, I got to do a mini session with Joanne during her pregnancy. And here is a sneak peek of baby James Carlo. What a blessing for the whole family this holiday season!

Today, I had the opportunity to take some amazingly precious portraits of this little guy. I couldn't wait one second to share this one, the rest will follow on the blog shortly - I promise! As we count down to 2010, it's must be an added bonus to have a little one to ring in the new year with. Congratulations again to Kris and Joanne and thank you for allowing me to capture James in all his splendor.

She's smart, athletic, gorgeous, and she's my cousin! What can I say, it runs in the family. We had a fun photo shoot after church on Sunday. Here's a preview of our fun portrait session. Make sure you come back to the blog, I'll have the rest up very soon!

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And today God said, "let it snow."

This verse was read during yesterday's church service, it spoke to my heart a great deal. I thought I'd share.

Matthew 6:25-34

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.


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Aren't we gorgeous!? Yesterday was full of food, fun, and lots of laughs from day to night. Every time we get together, it's always a blast. My holiday has been fantastic so far, can you tell? The pics below include my immediate and extended family. Enjoy!

I got to try out one of my gifts, a tripod! It's perfect.

Dinner and it tasted great too!


Sean's dinner. :-)

My 4 year old cousin and spokesmodel, Joelle.

The siblings!


My gorgeous cousin, Phoebe!


Joelle took this one of me.. She's got talent!

YUM!

the zoo was some of the most fun I had in ATL. lions, tigers, bears AND hot chocolate... the perfect holiday combination people! anyway, after careful inspection of the evidence presented below... it seems only right to declare that we might just belong in the zoo. what do you think?!

meerkats! hahaha...










mr. komodo... scary as usual.




yup... we sort of got lost.

Hahahahahaha.... He's so strong!


And my personal fave... PANDAS!!!!!



Thank you Colin for taking some sweet pics of us! :-)



HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Samantha Clarke Photography!