2017 REVIEW

2017 was the year of total opposites. Never before have I had a year like last year. It literally and figuratively changed everything. It brought me sunshine and rain, light and shadows. It made me break myself into one million tiny pieces and build a new Johanna. Johanna who is stronger than I ever thought was possible. Who is more determined, more independent and even though I’ve never been so sad in a way, I’m still happier than I’ve ever been before. Happiness is a funny thing… Sometimes you need to make harder decisions than you’ve ever had to make in order to get back to a place where you’re happy with who you are.

I don’t think there’s a perfect way to tell you this, so I’m just going to get it out in the open. Jouni and I are getting divorced. There’s no huge drama involved and we are determined to continue as friends; we’ve been each other support and safe harbor for 15 years and that isn’t going to just die away. Jouni just set up his own business Jouni Hietanen Photography (YAY!) and the weddings we’ve booked together, we’ll shoot together and will give you 100%. ❤ Being together made us photographers and together we found our shared passion. We’ll continue to support each other in whatever life has to offer.

This year I won’t make the same mistakes I’ve made before. I won’t promise I’ll blog once a week or update all my social media channels every single day. I’ll take time to start a new life… after taking a little break from life by traveling to Canada next week, I’m moving to my own little place when I get back. I’ll continue kicking ass; looking at my favorite images from last year was an emotional experience. Because even when I was facing the hardest times I’ve ever had to face, I created something I’m immensely proud of. I still love photographing weddings and documenting all the love stories around me. 2017 helped me find my voice and I cannot wait what life has to offer in the future. I’ll enter my 10th year as a wedding photographer with open mind, ready to embrace all the new people and stories that will unfold before me.

Thank you to all my clients for letting me create something beautiful with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey.

Thank you to all my friends for being my family and for supporting me. Thank you for all the times you made me laugh and smile through the tears.

Here’s a selection of my favorite images and memories from last year. All the photos of me in Norway by Jouni.