The Story of 2014 | Best of the Best

for a little narration..click play[sc_embed_player fileurl="https://www.josephwashere.com/music/blogpost-bestof2014.mp3"]"There is no such thing as a "self made" man.  We are made up of thousands of others.  Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the makeup of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success."    ~George AdamsThe first time I read this striking quote from George Adams was early this year, after finally deciding, "I got this" and leaving my full time job as an IT Director, and moving on the world of creatively hustling.  It floored me.  2014 was a year of eye opening experiences with relationships, accomplishments, and failures.  To step outside of myself, and realize how they all play a small role in growing me to the artist I am today..is..well..kind of crazy if you think about it.  We move through this world changed by everything we see, touch, hear, and feel.  FEEL.   That's the word.  That's what last year was for me.  Lot's of FEELS!2014, was well, incredibly challenging.  To be completely transparent there were points throughout the year I contemplated my direction in this industry.  Can I keep going?  Am I good enough to do this on my own?  In early 2014, in my other job there arose an opportunity I just couldn't pass up; I had to try.  I was asking myself the same questions though; and so was everyone else around me.  Waking up every morning, going to work, and being doubted due to my age, my credentials, my personality, my marital status, the strength of my faith (yes, it still happens in the workplace guys), my ability to lead, and about 92 other mind numbing topics.  It was the first time in my life that I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster and I was dumb enough to choose to ride.  It played out like a movie that I had never experienced before.  Coming home every day, and unwind by telling Melissa about the dramatic events of the day, and dependent on if they were positive or negative; it swayed my emotions.  It affected my relationships, my mind, and more than anything my body.  I struggled with fatigue, clarity, and my hairline even started to recede..which is my worst nightmare :).  Through this time, it felt as though I was being pulled in 25 different directions; but rarely did I want to be there once I arrived.  But every weekend, coming back to a wedding, and photography; I felt at home again.  For those 10 hours or so, my mind was off; I wasn't thinking about the next self-development book to read to assist me in my body language while in a 2 hour meeting with an executive.  I wasn't judging my posture, or my ability to lead with my tonal voice.  I was home.  In my wheelhouse.  What I knew, and instinctively felt love for.  Throughout those days, the energy from my clients, the love that they shared, the words that they spoke to each other settled, and calmed me to make it through another week of uncertaintity.Then the turnout occurred.  In August, while in a park in San Francisco waiting on a conference to start, I turned on my usual mix of classical music (which I finally became a fan of to help unwind); and laid down.  My mind began to wonder on all of the recent events.  On how I wasn't leaving room for my relationship with Melissa to blossom.  On how creatively I felt as though I was taking a step back.Then two simple words were muttered in my mind.  "Fuck it."  I'm done.  I'm not happy.  I'm not thrilled.  I'm not excited.  I decided at that very moment that no longer could allow someone else control my vehicle of life.  It would be controlled by me, and the grace of God alone.  Success would be mine, but only under my parameters.In that moment, my emotional train tracks were switched.  Over the next few months, I laid out a plan to leave my full time job of 10 years by mid-December.  I also laid out a plan to propose to Melissa shortly after ;).Here we are in 2015.  Those plans that I laid out?  Executed perfectly.  In the same week of proposing, I also officially left my day job.  Melissa's dad probably wasn't too keen on that time line, but I think it was fitting.  An end to a hell of a year of struggle, and growth.  Through it all, I learned one important thing about myself.  When I am at the bottom, I have the strength to get up, wipe myself off, and move forward.  Always.  It just takes a little me time, some classical music, and probably a few cuss words.  But I'll get there.To all that helped me in my struggles, to my clients who helped with their love, and allowed me to document their story, to Melissa who was the most supportive human possible, to all of my friends who didn't see my face much in 2014, but still love me, to my gramps for giving me the strength to know "I got this", to all of my creative friends who kept pushing me to leave every time you saw me; I thank you.  I owe you this new life I've earned, but also that I was granted.There is no such thing as a self-made man.-joseph cabin roofwedding shoesbridal party dresseswedding dress in stained glass windowtangerines in a bowlbride and her dogboys playing on a tractor riding a steer groom shaving carrying the wedding dress bride getting ready contemporary art watching bride put her dress on bride getting ready bride getting ready flower girl bride getting ready bride having her makeup done bride putting on her veil goofy groom groom waving at the camera bride putting on her wedding dressbridal portraitbridal portrait bride putting her earring on bridal portrait bridal portrait bridal portrait groom writing a letter to his bride groom having his bowtie tied portrait of the groomgroom on his wedding day groom on his wedding day bride putting on her wedding dressbride on her wedding day bride on her wedding day mother of the bride sees her daughterbride waiting for her wedding brides veil bride getting ready bride waiting for her wedding bride getting ready bride putting on her jewelry bridal portrait groom putting his tie onbridal portrait portrait of a groomportrait of a groomportrait of the family dog bride walking down the stairs bride and her bridesmaids have champagne ring bearer ring bearer groom waiting for his bride bride walks to her groombride walks to meet her groombride walks down the stairs bride on her wedding day groom getting ready bride and groom have their first look bride and grooms first look bride and grooms first look bride and groom first look bride and groom overlook the citybride and groom meet on their wedding day bride and groom first look bride overlooking the city bride and groom first look monk grandmother praying bridesmaid carries the train flower girls down the aisle grandfather at the wedding ring bearerflower girl and ring bearer waiting for the wedding Indian bride walks down the aisle groom and his dog bride and her father groom crying bride walks toward her groom father gives his daughter away at her wedding bride cries during her vows destination-wedding-photographer-0094Palo Duro canyon wedding ceremony Indian wedding bride and groom holding hands groom kisses his bride Indian bride and her groom couple leaves their wedding ceremony bride and groom leaving their wedding ceremony dog at the wedding bridal party walking to the wedding beaming bridesmaid the ring bearer the ring bearer wedding toast wedding toast a bride and her groom a groom and his men ring bearer roars 2015-09-21_0203 Palo Duro bridal party palo-duro-canyon-bridal-partyBride with her flower girl Barr mansion bridemariachi band at the wedding bridal portraitbridal portrait bridal portraitportrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom bridal portrait destination-wedding-photographer-0118portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a groom bridal portraitportrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom bridal portraitbride and groom kissing portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a groom portrait of a bride and groom bridal portraitbridal portrait portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom bridal portraitportrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom destination-wedding-photographer-0146portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom destination-wedding-photographer-0149portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom portait of a bride and groom portrait of a bride and groom Indian bride and her groom A groom and his Mom portrait of a groom portrait of a groom first dance at their wedding first dance at their wedding first dance at their wedding Texas scenery wedding toast wedding toast wedding toastwedding toast bride at her wedding reception wedding toastIndian dancing at wedding reception dancing at wedding reception dancing at wedding reception dancing at wedding reception groom dancing at his wedding reception dancing at wedding reception wedding reception dancing break dancing at wedding reception wedding reception destination-wedding-photographer-0183bride and groom kissing handsome groom standing outside the doorholding handsgrandpa kisses his grandbabychild asleep at the wedding father and son at the weddingtiny wedding guestbride having fun at her weddingcouple exiting their wedding receptionbride and groom leaving their wedding receptioncouple exiting wedding with sparklersgroom kisses bridebride and groom exit their wedding receptionbride and groom exiting their wedding texas stars  

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