A look back at 2022
- Dec 19, 2022
- 5 min read
It’s the final blog of the year! As 2022 draws to a close, I have been doing some reflecting, which means I am sharing my 2022 highlights. The festive season can be difficult for many, and the thought of a new year can bring more anxiety than joy. Remember, it’s okay if you did not reach that goal or resolution, sometimes life just takes over. There are plenty of goals I did not achieve this year. For example, I didn’t achieve driving on a motorway and I didn’t make as many bookings in my business as I wanted to. While it can feel easier to dwell on everything that went wrong, after a testing few years, I am deciding to reflect on the positive side of 2022, and what I can take forward into the new year. You’ve heard of Spotify Wrapped, now get ready for HB Photography wrapped!
January-March
The year kicked off with completing my dissertation! After months of research, presentations, and hours in front of a word document; I finished my dissertation which analysed the work of Amalia Ulman and Cindy Sherman through the lens of Jean Baudrillard, Walter Benjamin and Guy Debord. To briefly summarise, I formed an analysis of Ulman and Sherman’s work in relation to the media, and how it provides a space for inauthenticity and deception. Basically, it was a lot of work! Luckily, the hard work paid off as I ended up with a first for my dissertation and an award for the highest mark. I have to give a lot of credit to my supervisor though, as he really pushed me to look beyond the obvious and guided me throughout the whole process. I couldn't have asked for a better supervisor, so thank you if you read this!
February and March were pretty quiet, which was welcomed after such a busy period writing my dissertation. I did however shoot my first studio session with a local Doncaster band, with the assistance of my lovely friend. Additionally, I relaunched my photography business! During the first months of third year, I really neglected my business and the branding desperately refreshing, so in the period of time between finishing my dissertation and starting my next semester at University, I sat down and launched a rebrand designed by Poppy Nixon, a fellow University graduate. Now, I love my branding, I think it is bold, different to what is on the market, and true to me. If you would like to hear more about my rebrand, let me know!
April-June
This quarter of the year solely focuses on the lead up to leaving University. In April, I spent my Easter break building my portfolio ready for post-graduation, and in May, I finished a video assignment that featured on the graduate showcase website. Truthfully, that was probably my least favourite assignment and I was convinced the grade would be bad, so I was pleasantly surprised.
June was busy!
In the month that I said goodbye to the photography studio and University, I had my final major exhibition with my project ‘Visibilis’, which then went on to feature in an exhibition at the Fronteer Gallery. I shot the dance society summer show and my first live performance and somehow managed to squeeze in a marketing short course. The final exhibition in June was really special and a memory I will hold onto for a long time. I remember feeling so grateful I got to share the experience with an amazing cohort, and I am still so proud of what we achieved as a group.
July-September
In the summer months after leaving University, I received my final grade and an email to say I had been longlisted for the D31 Art prize. Aside from these moments, I decided to take the summer off to rest my body and prepare for life as a post-graduate. I don’t deal with big changes well, so it was important for me to look after myself during this transition. I remember seeing the amazing achievements my peers were making, and reminding myself that it is okay to go at my own pace, and it’s okay that my journey looked different in that period of time. Removing any pressure surrounding creating and making important decisions allowed me to find freedom in my practice, to the point where I started experimenting with new methods of working. Summer was an inspiring season, and I’m glad I gave myself the time I needed to ensure I didn’t lose my enjoyment of creating.
Creative degrees can be exhausting, it’s okay if you need to take a break.
October-December
That brings us to the final quarter of the year. In a year that seems to have moved so fast, the last few months of this year passed in what feels like the blink of an eye. October was, of course, one of my favourite months in the year, where I created Halloween-themed concepts in the countdown to Halloween itself. October was also the month where I received an email to say I had been shortlisted for the D31 photography prize! While I sadly didn’t make the top three, I am so pleased for the winners, the standard was extremely high so I was just happy to be in the mix!
November was graduation month! I graduated in York Minster with a first class degree in my pocket, a fantastic group of friends and memories I will treasure forever. Graduation arrived at the perfect time, as I was feeling slightly burnt out after a busy month on social media. After spending some time back in the city I completed my degree in, I felt more motivated to begin the festive season.
Finally, we have reached the end of the year. This December I have started taking my first paid bookings, which feels like a big milestone in my business. I didn’t have the confidence to charge for my services while I was at University, using the excuse that I was a student. I have realised that the right clients will pay my rate, and those that won’t probably weren’t the right clients for me anyway. I have met some truly lovely people this month that I hope will come back for more sessions!
Before I say goodbye for 2022, I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shown support or booked a session this year, TFP or paid. However you show your support is greatly appreciated and my job would not be possible without your engagement. It is never easy predicting what the new year will bring, but I do hope that after the challenging years we have faced, the year will at least bring health and happiness to you all.
Enjoy the festive season if you can, and I am sending love to those who find this time of year difficult. See you next year!
Comments