WOW. 2013 was one DEFINITELY for the books.

Looking back on it, all I can say is BUT GOD. There were so many moments that left impressions on my life, that I’d figured I’d take a quick trip down memory lane and share a few of those moments with you all.

I kicked off this year in D.C. witnessing the 2nd inauguration of President Obama and I had SUCH an amazing time!!!! From getting up close n personal and photographing some amazing folks  to having the pleasure of dancing with a Tuskegee Airman at the Commander In Chief Ball, God’s favor was just opening up all kinds of doors for me and I truly had an unforgettable experience today! I’m so honored to say I experienced this moment.

Though the year started with a high, I definitely hit a low soon after.

In March, I, along with my linesisters, lost one of our own. Our 9, DeShaun Maria Harris died on her birthday suddenly. I’ve lost people before, but for some reason, her death hit me really hard.

DeShaun was a beautiful free spirit. One who loved and LIVED. Not just existed…SHE. LIVED. She traveled the world extensively, chased her dreams effortlessly and inspired many, myself included, graciously. In a packed church in Alabama, we all gathered with her family and friends to celebrate her life. It was in that celebration,  I was reminded just how short life was and that there is absolutely NO excuse for not living.  It became pretty apparent to me that to just go throughout my life “existing” is doing a disservice to the destiny God has for me and the people in the world I’m meant to impact. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about her. In my moments of doubt and when I feel like giving up, because trust me…I DO have those moments, I think of her and continue to chase my dreams with everything I have in me.

And with that chasing, I accomplished yet another goal.

After 2 years of writing code, building websites, learning photoshop and php, I finished my graduate program at American University!!

I was able to travel to a lot of places this year, but one of my favorites? Kansas.

That’s right…you read right…KANSAS.

In the quiet of small towns and the tranquility of God’s presence, I was reminded of love in Kansas. Not only is it a beautiful place, but in so many ways, it brought me back to life and rejuvenated my spirit. For that, the “middle of nowhere” will forever hold a special place in my heart.

While there, we met two people that forever will be with me. Soror Betty Waller Gray was there with her daughter. She was 17 when she marched in 63 and to hear her describe what it meant to be there then and to return again with her own child was simply inspiring. We then met a guy whose mom attended the march in 63. She wasn’t able to attend this time around, but he carried her original sign that she carried in 63 with her picture on the back. To hear him describe what he felt walking the same path his mom did all those years ago and how color to him didn’t matter, that we were all people who deserved to be treated the same was just…amazing. E and I went up to DC  to be apart of the 50th anniversary of the march on Washington and it was…HOT. And Crowded. And exhausting. But the people…the people TOTALLY made it worth it.

So many other things happened to me this year, but without a doubt, the greatest accomplishment this year was stepping out on faith and starting Sachel Samone Photography.

I’ve dreamed of owning my own photography business for a few years now and when God told me to move, I was sooooooo nervous. Comparing myself to others and wondering if I could really do this was two things I thought about constantly. But that’s the thing about faith: it’s the evidence of things hoped for, yet unseen. And if you trust The Lord, have faith and move when He tells you to, then nothing else really matters. Officially beginning the journey has allowed me to capture the beauty of so many GORGEOUS women and lovebirds.

Throughout this year, I’ve learned the importance of obedience, faith and overcoming fear. I learned that the most beautiful grins form after the most painful situations. I learned the beauty in being human and allowing myself to be vulnerable. I experienced the freedom of breaking through the walls of doubt built within me.

2013 showed me this:

Most of us want our lives to look like the picture that comes in the frame when you buy it.  But if there is one thing I’ve learned from my experiences it’s that there is no such thing as the perfect image. That image you see in the frame, as perfect as it is, wasn’t taken in one shot. It is the result of trial and error; hours upon hours of shooting and editing. That “perfect image” is the result of a process. In 2013, I began my process.

Though I shared a few moments in this post, believe me when I say there were many sleepless nights that turned into endless tears. There were nights where doubt filled my mind and days where fear got the best of me. I searched for God in every tear that fell, thanked Him for every smile and stand on December 31, 2013 stronger than I was on January 1, 2013.

 I’ve learned lessons about myself. I began a journey that will bring fruition to my destiny and allow my purpose to serve as a testimony to others. Faith in my God has brought me this far and I can’t wait to see what 2014 brings.

Happy New Year to you all.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo,