Wow, you guys. 2016 was simply put…insane. It was insanely amazing, beautiful, crazy, stressful, and awesome. It started the way all years do, in January. We visited two of our favorite places in the world, Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado. While we were vacationing, we went out looking at land, which wasn’t far from our normal. We’d been looking for land to purchase since we started dating in 2012, however, we weren’t prepared to fall in love with one in particular. When we stepped out of our truck onto our now ranch, we felt it. We were home. There were eagles flying over the property, elk tracks, quietness, and of course, the mountains. There was also a voice saying, “You’re here. You’re home.” I (Tay) resisted that voice. I was scared to leave our home in Conifer––our safe one acre home that we had worked so hard to renovate and love. After five years of living in Colorado, my siblings had finally decided to move out here with me and now we were moving further from them again. I spent the next 3 weeks (yes, 21 days…that’s how long it took to list and sell our house, buy a camper to move into, and move everything to the ranch) crying and terrified. I knew we were supposed to make this move, but everything in me wanted to stay safe and complacent. However, I discovered a quote that said, “If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” For the next few months, that was my motto. By March 1, we were moved into our camper, Lois, and wondering what in the world had just happened. The rest of the year was filled with renovating the 1800’s cabin on the property (amazing blog post with reno images to follow in March), restoring all of the buildings at the ranch for our chicken coop, hay shed, and storage, purchasing a tractor, and building an arena and barn for our horses.

 

 

Just two weeks before we were going to finally move our horses, the inspiring reason behind buying our ranch, to the 43 acres, our sweet horse, Timber, fell ill and passed away suddenly. We had never ever dealt with anything like this as a married couple. The death of a pet, I would never wish on my worst enemy. The death of a horse, something so majestic and perfect, hurt physically. Every bone in our bodies felt this loss. We cried for weeks, but moved Finn and eventually, through grace and the big heart of a friend, we were gifted an amazing horse, Legend.

 

 

In June, we had a freak couple of weeks off (which never happens for photographers in the summer), so we took advantage of that time and went to Alaska for a couple weeks. It was unbelievable, and everything we had hoped for. Mike had gone in 2010, riding his motorcycle from Denver to Deadhorse, AK, but was amped and ready to go back for a relaxing vacation in the mountains! Check out our blog here : Fishers Take Alaska 2016

 

 

In September, we got to witness my mama marry her college sweetheart, Ted. Our trip back to West Virginia was a much needed refresher: there’s something about going back to your roots and being reminded where you came from and where you’re going. Poor Mike got put to work, but documented their wedding day perfectly (I love you!) I gained a stepdad, stepbrother, stepsister, and became a step-aunt (that’s a thing, right?) to Miss Emery.

^^Photo credit :: Lauren Webster Photography ^^

 

And then of course, our passion and career, the blood in our veins, photography. We had the honor of being a part of some amazing moments last year: we met incredible families and documented exciting moments between mothers, daughters, sons and fathers. We watched our couples welcome their first born into the world. We made new friends, reconnected with old friends, and passionately documented over 30 weddings across the state of Colorado and up to Oregon.

 

(We purchased a photo booth, which has been so much fun for our couples, their guests, and our own personal entertainment.)

 

 

This year may have been one of the most insane, but it definitely takes the cake for one of the most memorable either of us has had. The goals we set for ourselves in January 2016 far surpassed what we ever thought we’d accomplish both in our personal lives and in our professional lives.

To our families : thank you for your unconditional love and support for our crazy dreams, crazy schedules, and crazy house projects. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

 

 

To our friends, old and new : thank you for being there for coffee dates, hysterical phone calls, hilarious selfies, and being such a huge part of who we are.

 

 

To our 2016 couples: y’all are incredible. We can never thank you enough for inviting us into your lives and allowing us to serve such an intimate roll in your wedding day. It’s an honor we take very seriously and we cherish each and every one of you.

 

 

To the families who invited us into their homes: your trust and excitement for what we do and how we capture your loved ones is astonishing. We are continually humbled by your actions when you open the door to your home, offer us a coffee, and let us work our magic. Thank you for being you and for allowing us to play a small part in your lives.

 

 

To our 2017 couples: this is your year and it’s going to rock so hard! We are thrilled and honored you have chosen us to be your wedding photographers.

 

^^Photo Credit :: Autumn Twilight Photography ^^

 

We love you all!

Thank you, once again, for allowing us to pursue our dreams and do what we love. Capturing you and your lives brings us more joy than you will ever know.

Love,
Mike and Taylor