December is here, and I’m wrapping up some loose ends before my email away responder officially goes up on Friday. Before I hang up my camera for a short while, I thought it would be beneficial to update the world with my plans for 2016. Aren’t you excited?!

Rewards for unplugged weddings: Photographers are being more vocal about their frustration with wedding guests who interfere with photo opportunities during the important parts of the day, and loads of couples are in agreement. Even if they’re not being distracting or disruptive, couples themselves are realizing that they don’t want photos of their guests taking pictures or videos – they want photos of their guests smiling and laughing.

Starting in 2016, I’ll be rewarding couples who opt to have unplugged weddings. You make it clear to your guests that you’d love it if they could put the phones and cameras away and just be there for you, and I’ll add a little something to your collection as a bonus (a free hour of coverage? an album upgrade? I’m still working out the details.) More to come in January!

Mom’s beautiful smile and glowing expression is hidden by the camcorder.

Styled bridal session: Something exciting is in the works with my dear friend Julie of Beaumont House Design! This spring, we’ll be teaming up to create a styled photo session. No, not with models – with you. Intrigued? Of course you are! Get on the list and you’ll be amongst the first to receive details and register.

Two options for portrait sessions: You spoke, and I listened. Merry Mini Sessions went over so well this year, and families continuously commented how the length of a 20-minute session was perfect for their littlest ones with short attention spans. For 2016 I’ll be offering two options for photo sessions: shorter 30-minute sessions for families with children who won’t last any longer, and the classic full hour-long sessions with location and clothing changes. You can learn more about my portrait sessions or book yours here.

Lifestyle photography: In addition to traditional family portraits, I’m adding lifestyle photography to the lineup of Love Knot Photo offerings. I want to document your family in your element, interacting in the most natural of ways. Your home, your family, as it is in 2016. Photographed so that you can remember the little things years from now.

Photography for brands: Over 2015, I’ve realized that I love working with brands. I’ve photographed for bloggers, small businesses, and makers, providing them with headshots, brand imagery, product photography, and blog photos. It’s been so much fun to meet new people and to work with them to get some snazzy new photos out in the world. It’s officially on the site now – I’ll be taking on work with brands in the coming year on a more regular basis. Learn more here.

Booking Paris weddings and photo sessions: I’ve made it evident in many ways that I love Paris. The city of light, the city of love, the city of unapologetic adoration of carbs and butter; whatever you call it, it’s my favorite city in the world. I dream of taking a working holiday with my husband, spending several weeks to a month there, (some time between September 2016 and early 2017) in a rented loft apartment living and working the Parisian way. I’ve been saving my pennies in order to make this happen, so I’m officially putting it out there to the public that I am taking inquiries for Parisian weddings and photo sessions, in the hopes of nailing down our best dates to go. Email me if you’re planning a Parisian wedding, or will be traveling there and would be interested in a photo session!

And now, my best attempt to write this in French: Je veux vivre à Paris pendant un mois à travailler avec mon mari un certain temps entre Septembre 2016 et May 2017. S’il vous plaît écrivez-moi si vous êtes engagé ou besoin de photographies!

Whew! I think that covers it! I’m looking forward to shutting my computer down for a solid week to enjoy the holiday with my family and my husband. Keep up with my shenanigans on Instagram as I kick back with whiskey, gluten free cookies, Christmas records, and loads of cheesy Christmas movies. #partyonWayne