Well…it’s here.  The last day of the year.  The last day of the decade.  And, the last day of this commitment to blog every day this year.  It’s a welcomed day, and a sad day at the same time.  I’ve had an amazing year…so amazing in fact, that I’m putting together a book of this blog with my friend Megan Forrester.  So…the year is over…what’s next.

Well, as most of you know, I move to New York City in 17 days.  I’ll be living there for at least a year, perhaps longer.  I’ll be working with Times Square Church in the missions department producing media to help share the stories that they’re a part of around the world.

I’ll be shooting weddings, most of which are here in the south east, so don’t worry…Alabama hasn’t seen the last of me just yet.

I’ll be pushing myself as a photographer to continue to grow in the same way as I have over the past few years.

I’ll be pushing both my freelance business and Bedouins International to grow into even better versions of themselves…striving to be more effective in all that we do.

I’ll be striving to grow as a Christian, working in the missions field for a year through Times Square Church, and being on staff and sourrounded by amazing people…I think this is going to be an incredible year.

And finally…I will not be blogging every day.

I’ve decided that I need to focus on the amazing adventure that’s ahead of me, and, I’m the sort of person that will kill myself to keep a personal challenge like blogging everyday.  I don’t want that to distract me from all that this next year promises to be.  So I’ve come up with a different and new challenge for 2010.

I’m unofficially titling it “Portrait of the Week”.  It’s pretty self explanatory:  for 2010 I will post a portrait every week.  I wanted to try something different and pay homage to some of my favorite classic portrait photographers, so I’ll be doing it as a “select” and “contact sheet” diptych project, showing my process and the product it created.  My goal is to not only have 52 stunning portraits by the end of the year, but to have 52 stories of people from all walks of life…some I’ve known, some I will meet during the year, some professors, some tribesmen in Africa, some my family, some artists, some young, some old.  You get the picture.

So here’s to 2010…and even more…here’s to 2009:  An amazing year of growth, new things, adventures and excitement.  A year to remember and a year to set the standard for the years to come.  See you next decade!

-Stephen

My final shot for the year is a 4×5 polaroid of Paul, (the first ever strobed 4×5 shot for me…thought I’d end 2009 and start 2010 with a “bang”) my best friend, business partner and roommate of the past several years.  Paul will not be making the move with me to NYC and he will be sorely missed.  He’ll be staying here in Birmingham and continuing to grow his Video business…so stay tuned…he’s sure to make the “portrait of the week” at some point!