Reflections On A Year | Wyoming Wedding Photographer - Janelle Rose Photography: Cheyenne, WY Photographer

A year. 365 Days. How many hours? I seem to have lost track. This was a year that seemed to start with the world being turned upside down and given a few shakes. Like a cocktail, except instead of everything being mixed together, it separated into something that wasn’t too palatable. It’s been one of shouting, divisiveness and hatred in our nation.

Each year, I try to create a year-end blog post that highlights my work over the last year, but this one felt so much more complicated than what I’ve shot and where I’ve been. This year has taught me more than ever that I am taken care of by those around me and that there is beauty around us and between us that ties us together, despite what may be happening in the world. This year has given me a chance to lean into my friends more than ever. They brought me laughter that cut through the chaos, support and love when I felt like I was sitting in the dark, and a richness to my life, and my family’s life, that was indespensible. I am so grateful to have them in my life.

I’ve also realized just how much photography teaches me about the goodness and unity of humanity. Despite one of the toughest, most divisive years in our nation’s history, we are still unified in so many basic parts of our existence. Art teaches us that we have more in common than we realize, and I’m certain that what brings us through hardships is that same realization of our most integral human traits. My hope is that we will take up the call to take care of each other, nationally yes, but especially close to home. My hope is that we will learn to cultivate the important parts of our humanity. Here are a few of those traits on my list with some images that remind me of the best parts of our human experience….