WOW! I have a tradition of doing this annual check-in/review. I had really anticipated this post being relatively scarce. But wowow I’ve had a plethora of content. It might be the most image heavy post SLL has to share so far! They say hindsight is 2020 and man oh man did we learn a lot.
I’ll start with the obvious. Our wedding season looked very different because well, the pandemic happened. It was a year that grounded us when nearly 100% of what we had on the calendar was simply pushed into the 2021 run. We had plans to zigzag all over the U.S. for weddings, to see family, to travel. Instead of sending wedding prep sheets, I spent so much of the spring helping clients resolve their postponement and cope. We feel so incredibly lucky that we work with people who are thoughtful and just as concerned. Our clients complied, downsized, or simply rescheduled. This had the obvious consequences on our business and income, but we proved resilient. Through commissioned editing, elopements, and outdoor sessions— we were able to recoup a substantial amount of what we were projected to lose. I have felt more than ever the warmth and love a community is willing to show a small business and for that I am forever thankful.
Fast forward to a very busy fall/soft reopening. We had packed a year’s worth of shooting into about 3 months. Then, like any sudden storm, my heart was broken. We lost my dad, Glenn Guggenmos, at the too-soon age of 57. The processing and understanding of this loss has been slow, but I’m working on it. My clients were incredibly supportive and kind during the aftermath. I can stand by the the philosophy I have always espoused, refreshed and reaffirmed:
I overshoot and emphasize candids because people matter most to me. I don’t do it for magazines or networking. I do it for for the legacy and love of family.
When photos are all you have left, you’ll never regret having many of them.
I do it for the future nostalgia you may not yet realize you’ll have. This isn’t just about loss. You’ll never regret the chance to relive an afternoon, a memory, or to revisit a version of you from the past.
Photos of you in love.
Photos of you relaxed.
Photos of you experiencing joy, travel, and adventure.
Because when things get hard, we yearn for those moments.
We are first and foremost documentarians. We make magic from moments because we have the intuition to be present while also anticipating how your photos will make you feel days, weeks, or years from now. We appreciate any chance we get to capture you and your’s beautifully and truthfully.
I could go on about trends, styles, and “vibes” we liked from this year. But I think I’d like to stick to the theme that matters most: love Is resilient.
2020 took a lot from many people. But love cannot be stolen.
So with that in mind, please enjoy this photographic celebration of love and resilience:
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The family session you did for us was so special! You do amazing work!!
Wow this work is 100% something to be proud of. I loved scrolling through it.
These moments are beautifully captured, Carrie! As I look through all the photos, I’m transported to how I felt when I first saw some of the previews on Instagram. It reminds me of the season, world events, and feelings I had at that moment. While you’re capturing for your clients, you’re also capturing for the SLL family. I’m so glad that you were able to have some downtime this year to really focus on you. Much love from the Andersons!
These moments are beautifully shot, Carrie! As I look through these photos I’m transported back to when I first saw the previews on Instagram! These moments you’re capturing for your clients, you’re also capturing for the SLL family. Each set of photos reminds me of the feelings I had when originally looking at them. I’m transported back to the time, season, and world events. You are incredibly skilled at what you do, it’s magic. I’m so glad that you have been able to take some time for yourself during this year. You absolutely deserve it. Much love from the Andersons!
Your resilience and ability to pivot in a time when so many other businesses were left with no other choice but to close is inspiring! While running a business in an industry that so heavily relies on face to face interactions and capturing the minute-by-minute as you see it, you still gave your clients some of their best memories as a bright light in what can be considered one of the worst years for many. You and your business are the epitome of you get what you give, in all the right ways. You give dedication, consideration, recognition, compromise when needed and, most importantly, love. And it’s very apparent that’s what you received in return this year, both personally and professionally. Looking through these photos, you’d never know they were shot in the midst of a pandemic (aside from the face masks and hand sanitizer). You captured the very essence of love alive in any situation while boldly embracing the raw reality of what 2020 was. I have always and will continue to applaud and support all that you do.
Carrie, every one of these photos is incredible! It looks like your 2020 was a complete success! We can’t wait to work with you!
Allll the love for your work!!!!
The intimacy that you are able to capture in your photographs is unmatched. Every couple, every moment, ever picture I pass are individual, unique, and the personality that comes through in them is magnificent. Thankful for what you do to make a stressful time amidst a pandemic so special and memorable <3
Your photography is breath taking! I love the fact you overshoot and truly capture the essence of the present moment. I hope to work with you sometime in the future to have my own moments captured and to have for a lifetime.
The moments you capture…expressions..emotions…are true treasures!
Love that you were able to photograph so many *happy* memories for people in 2020. Amidst a difficult year you still managed to find so much good by capturing special occasions so beautifully. I look at my wedding pictures and feel like I am transported back to that day. Being able to do that with just a photograph is one of the sweetest most rare things. I admire how you were able to continue to do that for people during a pandemic.
Impeccable work! Your attention to detail and ability to capture images that are as naturally beautiful as your subjects can’t be matched. While I am delighted to see familiar faces in your work, I find myself experiencing joy taking in each of the moments you encapsulated with an image!
Fabulous photographer. Made for a very special day and such wonderful memories. I love the prints I recently ordered.
I’m so glad that SO MANY people will look back on 2020 and have cause to celebrate! This year sucked, but YOU helped all of these people document beautiful things that happened to them this year, including us. <3 Thank you, Carrie!
We ADORE Sur La Lune!!!! Thank you for giving us the best wedding photos back in 2019. Thank you for also capturing all the beauty of 2020, even though it was such a scary year on the surface. Thank you for your kindness and art. ????
This was a beautiful photo series! You are so good at capturing true emotion in moments that are raw and simple.
We are so thankful to have been a part of your 2020! We will cherish our engagement photos forever. You are a true talent – making magic of moments. (Also – very happy to see that Binx made the blog post!!)
Glad you were able to help others find a bright spot in an otherwise awful year. Your pictures of our wedding are on my desk at work and remind me of best day of my life!
It’s crazy to think how much changed in the world of 2020, but you managed to capture images that seem so normal and beautiful! It couldn’t have been easy to work around the chaos, but you’ve done a great job!
I love scrolling through all these beautiful images you have captured from the past year. You would never be able to tell that we have been living in a pandemic when all you see is love and smiles through every photograph! Beautiful work!
What a year! You have an amazing gift of bringing out the genuine love in moments and people (and animals!) Looking at photos you have taken of our family over the years is the best type of self care for me, because it reminds me that when I am feeling like my life is a mess, there is beauty and love in the balance. 2020 was a tough year, and I am so grateful for you and your willingness to work with us outside to capture an emotional milestone for our family! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we can’t wait to see you again soon!!