Imagine a world where people thought every day was New Year’s day. Imagine a place where potential was always realized, dreams always capitalized on, and life was constantly moving forward to a place of inspiration. That is the power that a new year has on us. We feel as though something has been renewed and reset; we finally have the power we had been searching for to make changes and be better. A new year means a second chance, or for many of us, countless second chances. It means a time for us to think about who we have been and who we are, who we want to be and how we can be. But more than that, it is a time for us to create an image of ourselves with as much imaginative intensity as we can muster.

What if we lived every single day like it was the start of a new year? What if we could wake up and feel a sense of renewed energy, as though each day were the start of something new? I believe that we can. I believe that we should. And I believe that if we don’t, life becomes stagnant. Stagnation is the enemy of inspiration. Inspiration is what fuels life, it is what keeps us motivated and excited and passionate. Without that passion, life stalls. We are sidelined from our own lives.

As the year progresses, never believe that the chance for a new start is past. Never believe that something is out of your control. Never think that you don’t have the power to change, even if that change is contained to your mindset and not necessarily your actions.

There are so many pitfalls that I run into when embracing a new year. The scary “what if” factor – what if this happens or that, and I can’t do this or that. Well, what about the other Β “what ifs”? What about asking yourself – what if something amazing happens this year? What if I plan a life for myself that I love? What if I find myself in control of all the things I’ve always dreamed of?

The fact is that we are already in control. The great thing about a new year is that we have more potential to realize that. And why? Because of a date on the calendar. Because of a one-digit number change. Thirteen to Fourteen. We see that year change and suddenly possibilities are endless. Just remember this: every day is a new day. Every moment is a catalyst for change. Moments come and go like waves lapping on the seashore, but we have every opportunity to ride them out into the endless ocean. It is deep and full of fear, but if it weren’t, it wouldn’t be worth watching in awe of the beauty and power it possesses.

Isn’t that why so many of us fear the ocean, or appreciate it? It is vast and unspeakable in size, and the opportunities it possesses and the secrets it holds draw us in closer, until we can no longer see the floor below and the dark depths either lure us forward or push us back. Let it pull you in. Let every new moment take you one step further into the unknown where the impossible is less impossible, and fear turns into the simple acceptance of a road untravelled.

  • January 1, 2014 - 10:23 pm

    Kaitrin Rae - Brooke, you and your words and the way you live your life make me so so happy! Thank you for everything that you believe in and share with us : )ReplyCancel

    • January 1, 2014 - 10:26 pm

      brookeshaden - Awww thank you Kaitrin!!! That is soooo kind of you!ReplyCancel

  • January 9, 2014 - 2:21 am

    Lidija - I hope by time I’ll stop giving up πŸ™ It is so heartbreaking that I cant do what i want because I’m afraid for a lot of reasons….ReplyCancel

    • January 9, 2014 - 8:11 am

      brookeshaden - Aww Lidija, I understand and I hear you. It can be so hard to push past those fears. If ever you want to send me an email or write back here more personally, please do <3 Sending love!ReplyCancel

    • February 4, 2014 - 1:47 pm

      kerry - I get the giving up. I have insecurities
      that won’t allow me get out of my own way.ReplyCancel

  • January 12, 2014 - 10:10 am

    Bettye Rainwater - “Stagnation is the enemy of inspiration.”

    I read this in your book. Wrote it down in my journal. Think I’ll paint it on a plate or something πŸ™‚ Brilliant.

    Stagnation. Enemy of *many* things. Relationships (an issue currently near to my sad heart).

    Every day *is* a new day. Thanks for saying that. I know I need to hear that. Again. And again and again and again.

    I’m loving the new blog so much!ReplyCancel

I asked the amazing lovely people on my Facebook page to send me their favorite photographs that they took in 2013. The response was overwhelmingly happy. To see images and know that each one of them was created by someone who is proud of their achievements fills my heart with so much joy, and I hope it does yours as well.

We must remember, always, that art is personal. These pictures are all loved in equal measure, and I treasure them as one of the greatest gifts I have seen this year. Thank you for sending them. I didn’t get to respond to each email, but please know that everyone’s kind words touched me so deeply, and I carry those words with me into the new year.

Without further adieu…The amazing images of a community that I share my inspiration with:

Yvette Leur 500px.com:YvetteAntoinette Zack Berwick Zoe Chipperfield Anne Snape ParsonsAshley PetersenАнна Π’Π°Ρ€Π°Π½Ρ†Π΅Π²Π°Yulia Starostina Ying Yi Lin T Xenia Joy Yenrue Chen facebook.com:YPCphotographyWendy Lamothe Wendy Schreier gwenzeal.wordpress.com: www.flickr.com:photos:brookstar126:Vinod Krishnan Vladimir Milovanovic Weinraub Robert Vera Little Veronika Schweiger Victoria Klein www.facebook.com:pages:Petitvi-Photography:150405421744807Vanessa Vokey Ve Dhanito Veneta Karamfilova Tristan Anderson Valerie Kasinki Vanessa Pastore greatandterriblethings.tumblr.com:Tony Reddington Tracy Hymas www.facebook.com:pages:Tracy-Hymas-Photography:216632455028256 Trisha Weir and Warren Craddock Thanh Tran Timmy Reynolds www.flickr.com:photos:rymmit: Tom Miles Tessah Shaw www.facebook.com:pages:Tessah-Shaw-Photography:114192848660628 Teri Hofford Teija Harmaaho Tavis Leaf Glover Taylor Harris Tea Laroux Tara Hills Tasos Li Isabelle Konrad Tatiana Topyrik Tara Eveland Tanya M Tanya KryderTamsin-Marie Gosselin Tammy Swarek Tamra Phillips Sydney Paige Sylvelin Wenche Jansen Omdal Tahereh Salimi Suzanne HolstedSusanne Orlich Susan Gietka Stevie Keen Stephanie Parkinson Stephanie DeFranco Stasa Frank Stacy Shaeffer Stacy Fuerstenberg Sophie Sonja Lovdal Siyana Kasabova Simon J Boucher-Harris Sian Grahl Shishir Gaurav shelly newnhamSheri Kowalski Shermin TanShaun Shelly Baisa Shasta Ortwein Shantel Rich Shantel HardingShannon Meng Severine Raynaud Shadow Rose Shannon Hreha Sarah Smith Saul Puerta Sebastian Davila Fritsch Sarah DunnSarah Hallam Sarah Jane Sarah Crooks Sarah Cowan Sarah Clements Sara Helwe Sarah Allegra Sarah Chan Samantha Williamson Sanket Pandit Sandra Ayala Samantha Leonetti Samantha Goss Samantha Finn Sacha Sanborn Sabrina Speaker S. Khan Russ Turner Ryan Eda Ryando Hendy Roz Simina RS Photography Ruh Dias Rosie Prosser Rose Fredriksen Rory Armstrong Robin Macmillan Robert Hurkes Robert Cornelius Reylia Slaby Rhiannon Brunett Riley Kathleen Regina BlankRene Roberts Rachel Nicole www.facebook.com:pages:Rachel-Nichole-Photography:195060093844451 Raihan Shafique Rebeca Cygnus Rachel Adams Rach Ashurst Poppy Ellen Petteri Lopponen Piotr BieniaszThe Snow Maiden by Phil Jones-PhotographyPaolo Fugazzi Pam Korman Pallin Allar Norman Cabezas Ornella Tortorici Oveck Nina Carmina Catudio Ninon Cretin Nora Sue Nicole Persing-Wethington Nicole Guercio Nick CormierNicholas Javed Nate Buchman Natascha van Niekerk Natalia Le Fay Natalia Pek Natalie Field Nadya Ekler Naid Kelly Naman Verma Monica Quintana Monika Nowak Morne Prinsloo Milad Qamoh Milka Delcheva Monica Nunes Mike Alegado Mike Mangano Mike Newcomer www.michaelnewcomer.comMiguel Lugo Michelle Shustack Michelle Knowles Michael Doss Michael Nofal Michael Savage Mia Parker-Tang Michael Becker Michael Bilotta Melissa HutchinsonMelissa Morgan Wagley Merlin Viir Melissa DeWitt Melissa Hall Melissa Hughes Melanie Myhre Meghan Courtney Meghan Clemm Meg Heimovics Kumin Megan Niger Matt Linzel Mary GiannopoulouMaryKate Stallings Mathilde Vesterherup Martin Ivancan Martina Rigotti Mary Angelini Marlon VillaverdeMarousia van der Woerdt Martin Howard With The ElephantsMarko Gracin Marko Nadj Marianna Chambard Marisa White Mark Boucher Margherita Introna Maria Bondoc Maria Marcus Jake Marc Espina Manuel Estheim Mallika K Mandy Schulte Manuel Delaflor Mackenzie Moore Madeleine Stanley Maja Topcagic Lynda Lyndsay West Lucia Colombo Maajiedah Satardien Lucien Meye Lucy Cooper Lucz Lucia Gasparovicova Louise Coghill Lorelyne Pzz Louis Bryant Louise Alexander Lisa Lizarraga Lois Nichols Lola Mitchell Lindsey O Lindsay Galliher Lina Jensen Lisa Askew Lisa Emilia Lisa Griffin Liat Aharoni Lidia Darkova Lieke Anna Leighanne Deeney Leslie Richter Lia Niobe Lauren Seidel Leah Manzari Leena Hannonen Lauren Miller Laura Drazek Laura Behary Krzysztof PasternakKyla Byrne Laura Abbott Kristina Miklosova Kristin Kory Zuccarelli Kira Sanoja Koen Hillewaert Kirsten Adler Kim Yanick Kimberlee Zier Kindra Keitel Kevin Lowe Kevin Sikorski Kim Bajorek Kaylin Amabile Kelsie LeMonnier Kevin KockKatie Gould Katie Klema Katrin Auch Katie Eleanor Katharina Jung Katelynn George Kate Formina Kate Powell Kate Berry KaLee Kilgrow Karen Johnson Karin Pringsheim PhotographySONY DSCKailee KriegelKailash Gurung Julz Kirschenbaum Justin Vaseur Kabir Chandra Julie Covington Julie Mullin Julie Ray Joshua Pheneger Judy GrahamJuliana Scodeler John RichardsonJoe Symchyshyn Jody McNary Jim Kogk Eddie VedderJimmy Longomba Jessica Trainor Jessie ReidJill Mansfield Jessica KirbyJessica Ingram Jessica Ginzel Jessica Augarde Jesse Schlauch Jeremy Weichsel Jess Brown Jesse Fox Jennifer Marie GiffordJennifer Rebecca Jeremy FinkJenna LethamJenna Petrone Jen Sulak Jeff Madison Jen Lin Jeannette Stata Jason Mooney Jean-Marc Mulomba-Sonet Jayna Milan Janine Langhorne Jarrad Seng Jason KulakowskiJamie Maldonado Jane Love James Capisinio Jacqueline Foxx Jacquelyn Fishburne Jade Greenbrooke Isabelle Konrad Isol Buffiere Ivy Taylor Iain McNally Ify KegwacheIsabella TanHyago Kayann Holly Nylund holly goodingHeidi Denney Helen Cramer Himani Jadeja Heather Rous Heather Hanrahan Hannah Davis GM Photography Studio Graeme MacDonald Haley Hutchinson Gina Vasquez Gina Miller Geoffrey Devautour Genevieve Neal Bridal and Fashion on location in BrusselsGalyna Zastavnyuk FilippoGabriela Alatorre Gaia Li Mandri Feather Meredith Federica Nardese Felicia Simion Evan BatesFarraha Barbre Fatima-Zahrae Majidi Eva Creel Erin Graboski Erik Brede Enrico Burani Eric Douglas Erica Rowland Emily Morgalis Emz Nocedo Emily Snell Ellie Chavez Ellen WilsonElizabeth ThompsonElisabeth Ladwig Elizabeth Nord Edry Hilario EDBE Photography Edith-Jose Wallet Ed McGowan Dyana Safiya Doru Vat Donna Macauley Dominika Fronckiewicz Diggie Vitt Dina Haggerty Diogo Costta Diana Baggett Delphine Millet Debbie Rabinowitz David Ostentatious David Rackley Dayana Burguesa David Ejikeme Uzochukwu David HuangDavid Irwin David Cortez Dave Hancock Dasha Riley Daniella Fishburne Danielle Douglass Danny Sanchez Dan O Dan Reyes Daniel FreireDamien Cynthia Perez Crystal Sandoval Crystal Dickerson-Hancock Crystal George Cristina Ramos Craig Gardner Courtney Diaz Connie and Jerry Rosenthal ConnieColin Storteboom www.flickr.com:photos:photographycs: Claire Gunn Ciara Ward Ciera Wilson Cindy Paulsen Christine Martinsen Chrystal Olivero Christoph Michaelis Christina Davis Christa Holmes Christa Dee Chloe Chudasama Chloe Isabella Chris Santiago Charlotte Gervais Chelsea JeanCheryl Fallon Charlotte Anne Ramos Chad Spann Caterina Valakou Catherine BarthCassie Burdette Cassie ThielCaroline Rutland Carmen Carcamo PhotographyCarly Zee Carlos Bracho Candace Candice Burica Callan Kapush Camille StClair Caitlin van der Merwe Brooke Golightly Caitlin Corbett Brian Parchim Brittany JuravichBrenda McChesney Brandi Douglas Brandon Marley Brian C Parks Β Amita Manandhar Amani AlShaali Amanda Tomlinson Amanda Simons Amanda Rohrbach Amanda Fisher Amanda Cobey Alyssa Zacharias Alli Woods Frederick Alizza Mistades Aline Aronsky Alicia Raft Alicia M Blair Alexis Beltran Alexia Cassiopee Alexandra Banti Alex Alex Fraser Alex Currie Alethea Leggett Albin Thelander Alberto Rego Alan Uchoa Alain Viglino Akosua Afriyie Aja Palmer Aimee Boschet Adriana Anaya Adrian Meredith Adi Dekel Adelyn Baber Abby Fawbush Brooke Shaden

  • December 30, 2013 - 8:07 am

    Alexandra Banti - Thank you Brooke for sharing these beautiful photos, and my little one πŸ™‚ This was a great idea !ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 9:24 am

      brookeshaden - Thank you for joining! I so appreciate it!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 9:14 am

    Eva Creel - Thank you Brooke! Here’s to the best year yet.ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 9:24 am

      brookeshaden - Couldn’t agree more Eva!!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 9:14 am

    Tara Hills - Thank you so much for featuring my photo Brooke! This is such a wonderful idea – I’m going to spend hours going through all of these fab talented artists πŸ™‚ hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and bring on 2014! xReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 9:25 am

      brookeshaden - I am so glad! It really will take hours, oh my gosh, so much to look at! It is over-whleming in the best way possible <3ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 9:15 am

    Joshua Pheneger - Thank you so, so much for putting this together! It was the push I needed to put myself out there and take a chance. The results have been nothing but positive! I am ending the year on a high note and looking forward to 2014!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 9:28 am

      brookeshaden - Josh I am so happy to hear that. You are really a creative force and it has been such an honor to meet you this year and see your work grow.ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 9:24 am

    Lyndsay West - Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos from these beautiful artists. This has certainly been a wonderful year!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 9:28 am

      brookeshaden - Lyndsay thank you for viewing, and I agree…this year was great because we made it so πŸ™‚ I just love realizing how much control we have over happiness.ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 11:39 am

    David Irwin - Thanks so much for featuring my image on your blog Brooke along with so many talented artists. Its such a wonderful way to promote everybody’s passion for photography and image creation. I’m going to spend hours looking through everyones work. Happy New Year and here’s to an exciting 2014 ahead. David

    http://www.dirwinphotography.comReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 11:55 am

      brookeshaden - Hi David! Thank you so much for submitting and viewing, it is a delight to see your work and I hope that it brings you lots of inspiration for the new year <3ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 12:23 pm

    Veneta Karamfilova - I just saw some great works and I’m really honored to be a part of this huge inspiration gift you made for all of as Brooke. Thanks a lot. Happy New Year πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 12:26 pm

      brookeshaden - Thank you Veneta! I am honored to have you here!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 1:04 pm

    Delphine Millet - Waouh ! It’s a little bit long to download but it worths it! I discovered a lot of great new talents. Thank you so much Brooke to share like you do. And thank you for sharing my picture, it’s an honor. Have a happy new year !ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 1:28 pm

      brookeshaden - Delphine, viewing your work always brings me so much joy, thank you πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 1:06 pm

    Monica Quintana - Really a generous idea, Brooke. It really should have taken a long time to upload them! I’m very thankful and I must say it has been a really good way to discover very talented photographers. I’m absolutely amazed with the quality of every work!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 1:29 pm

      brookeshaden - Same here Monica! It is so easy to see the beauty in something when you know it is special to someone else. That is why I love drawing inspiration from something like this. We should all celebrate our accomplishments. Xo!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 1:11 pm

    Tammy Swarek - I can not thank you enough for sharing my image on your blog Brooke! You are as generous as you are talented! Happy New Year πŸ™‚

    TammyReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 1:29 pm

      brookeshaden - You are so great Tammy. Every time I visit your pictures, I swoon.ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 2:14 pm

    Shaun - Thank you very much for this awesome project, and for putting one of my images in it. There are some truly amazing photo’s here!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 7:11 pm

      brookeshaden - Thank you for submitting!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 2:21 pm

    Erin Graboski - Thank you so much for featuring my image, Brooke! So amazing being apart of this, Happy New Year!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 7:12 pm

      brookeshaden - Always a pleasure to see what you’re up to Erin!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 6:47 pm

    Gina Miller - Thank you so much for doing this Brooke! I love looking at all the amazing artists works and am honored to be among them. I’m in awe of many of these images. People amaze me. So happy to see many of my [fa] group friends in here as well. <3 Getting ready to do some of your exercises from your book! Happy New Year!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 7:12 pm

      brookeshaden - Awwww wonderful Gina!! I hope that you enjoy the exercises, they are very precious to me <3 Happy new year!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 6:51 pm

    Charlotte Key - What a fantastic way to end an inspiring year! Thank you Brooke for making this gallery. Much love from Louisiana.ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 7:12 pm

      brookeshaden - So welcome! Ahhh LA, I wish I could visit!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 7:02 pm

    Ruh Dias and Diogo Costta - My boyfriend and I are so honored that you’ve chosen some parts of us to be here, among so talented people and so close to you and your work. You are such a great inspiration for us, beginners in photography.
    We are from Brazil, so, let’s say: Obrigado! (:
    We β™₯ you!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 7:13 pm

      brookeshaden - Aww thank you so much, you guys are just wonderful. Thank you for being here πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 8:09 pm

    riando - Thank you so much ,Brooke!
    for featuring my photo .. i’m from indonesia ,, Happy New Year
    Love you,Brooke!ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 8:37 pm

      brookeshaden - Thanks for submitting! <3!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 10:11 pm

    Anne - Although my photo did not make the cut in 2013, I am determined to keep shooting, keep learning, and hopefully, gain entrance to another of Brooke’s incredible workshops in 2014. Thanks for inspiring me and my son….Happy Hogmanay to all and all whom you love. Slainte…ReplyCancel

    • December 30, 2013 - 11:12 pm

      brookeshaden - Hi Anne! I just added your photo, which I love, and of course, it is of my dear sister in law! πŸ˜€ Long story short, your email was somehow embedded in another email sent at the same time, and I couldn’t see it unless I searched your full name. At least the mystery is solved, and I’m sorry it didn’t get added sooner. I love your talent and passion. Happy new year!ReplyCancel

  • December 30, 2013 - 11:42 pm

    Melanie Myhre - Thank you Brooke for creating this post and for including my image. There are so many stunning photos here and your generosity is a gift on many levels for a lot of people. You are an amazing lady and I hope to meet you in person one day. May the New Year bring you much peace, love, and joy!ReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 7:11 am

      brookeshaden - Melanie, thank you for being such an amazing person. I can’t wait until we can chat face to face! Happy new year!ReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 1:20 am

    natascha van niekerk - What a wonderful collection of images! So much talent and so much inspiration! Thank you Brooke for sharing your fans with your fans πŸ˜‰ We love and appreciate you generosity!ReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 7:10 am

      brookeshaden - Aww thank you Natascha!! I really appreciate you πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 4:29 am

    Mike Alegado - I see my photo up there!! Thank you so much Brooke you are an inspiration to everyone! Happy New Year, may 2014 be an awesome year for all of us! I hope I could meet you in person someday! πŸ˜€ReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 7:10 am

      brookeshaden - Hi Mike! Yay awesome! I know that 2014 will be a year of inspiration. I hope our paths cross, too!ReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 4:42 am

    Erik Brede - I’m not the most creative guys in the world but your work and your wonderful book has given me so much inspiration and joy to face the new year with great optimism. Thank you for featuring my photo in the collection of such amazing work. Wishing you a good and creative new year.

    ErikReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 4:59 am

    MANAS RANJAN PATTNAIK - Dear Brooke,
    How can I send you my last photo of the year ? All through these periods I have been learning from you.
    Regards
    ManasReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 7:08 am

      brookeshaden - Hi Manas πŸ™‚ I’d love to see what you’re up to! Feel free to post a link here in the comments.ReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 6:31 am

    Donna - Thank you so much, Brooke, for opening your blog and sharing images from all these talented artist and for featuring my work.ReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 7:07 am

      brookeshaden - Hi Donna, you are so welcome! Thank YOU for being involved!ReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 7:52 am

    Sonja Lovdal - All of these are absolutely amazing. I feel so honored to be included. Thank you so much! You’re my greatest inspiration (besides my crazy imagination of course)! πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 7:57 am

      brookeshaden - Ooh Sonja I love that! Imagination indeed should be our greatest of inspirations, and I look forward to a new year of magical daydreams πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 7:58 am

    Natalie - Brooke,I was thinking about, what would be beautiful to read for you here, but ..I just want to say thank you for your LOVE. <3 will come back to you even greater :)..ReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 7:59 am

      brookeshaden - Natalie, that is so incredibly kind of you. I appreciate your words so much <3ReplyCancel

  • December 31, 2013 - 10:43 am

    Sydney Paige Richardson - This was such a wonderfully amazing idea! I just spent the last hour going thru these photos and I am just in awe of everyone! I was so excited to see mine in the mix! You are doing wonderful things by inspiring others and bring us all together to inspire eachother! Here is to 2014! :]ReplyCancel

    • December 31, 2013 - 10:13 pm

      brookeshaden - Thank YOU so much for helping to inspire everyone!ReplyCancel

  • January 1, 2014 - 7:59 am

    Melissa DeWitt - You are such an amazing artist, Brooke….and I love that fact that you took all that time to show off other artist’s work on YOUR blog. You are inspiring and it was wonderful seeing an image of mine featured on this blog. Thank you!!!!! Happy 2014!ReplyCancel

    • January 1, 2014 - 8:01 am

      brookeshaden - Aww thank you Melissa! I figure what’s the point in having a blog if it doesn’t go both ways – I share myself with whoever will listen and if I can, then I show the talents of others for greater inspiration. I am so glad you participated πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • January 1, 2014 - 2:17 pm

    Anca - Hi Brooke, artists like you are rare. Thank you for your heart. Will work hard to be selected next year:). wishing you best light!ReplyCancel

    • January 1, 2014 - 8:08 pm

      brookeshaden - Oh Anca thank you for saying that, you’ve just brightened my heart πŸ™‚ Happy new year to you!ReplyCancel

  • January 2, 2014 - 4:28 am

    Gavin Conlan - An amazing idea Brooke, a post enriched with inspirational images that I’ve loved looking through – add that to the excitement of seeing my little image on here too – all in all a win win !!!

    Happy 2014 everyone!!!ReplyCancel

  • January 3, 2014 - 12:06 pm

    iceman - Nice collection of inspiration… I wished i had mine in there too πŸ˜‰
    anyway here is my take on fine art photography
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/icemanfernandez/10528530025/ReplyCancel

  • January 4, 2014 - 7:15 pm

    Adriana Anaya - Thank you so much Brooke. You heart is as magic as your art.ReplyCancel

  • January 6, 2014 - 12:37 pm

    New Work | photos and plants - […] An image from the series I’m working on at the moment kindly shared by Brooke Shaden on her new blog: http://www.promotingpassion.com/2013-a-year-in-photos/ […]ReplyCancel

  • January 10, 2014 - 8:00 am

    Elizabeth Rose - What a wonderful collection of images!
    Thank you for adding mine πŸ™‚
    – ElizabethReplyCancel

  • January 15, 2014 - 11:36 am

    Judy Graham - Thanks Brooke for including my image on your blog…There were so many great ones and to find mine nestled among them was a wonderful surprise…Your work always inspires me but until just recently I had no working knowledge of Photoshop…So this year I am hoping to have images that are even more compelling..ReplyCancel

  • January 15, 2014 - 3:45 pm

    Handy Andy Pandy - Holy cow, I was featured in the cover image, are you kidding me??? πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ I’m so so so so so honoured to be featured amongst such legends!!!!! πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ReplyCancel

  • January 16, 2014 - 10:38 pm

    jen sulak - thanks for letting us celebrate 2013 with you! I certainly won’t forget the great times, the great images….and i had lots of fun with my checkerboard floor – an idea that I didn’t give up on. πŸ™‚ <3 Herez to 2014!!!ReplyCancel

  • February 13, 2014 - 2:03 pm

    Jason - Hi Brooke, Thanks for compiling this. Wonderful images. I found your work by accident and followed your series in Framed as well as your own channel in youtube. You have been my inspiration and I just love your work. Thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

  • March 1, 2014 - 12:26 am

    Alizza Mistades - Thank you so much for including my photo! All the photos featured are awesome! I’m really glad to be part of it! ^_____^ReplyCancel

  • December 29, 2017 - 9:04 am

    Happy New Year – One Last Look at 2013! | Sydney Paige Richardson - […] creation and her new post –  is about working with others and being inspired by others. Promoting Passion is amazing and I am excited to say one of my photos with my model Savanna is on there! My dreams are […]ReplyCancel

  • August 21, 2020 - 10:00 pm

    Joshua Daniel - Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful information. It was a really awesome content. Looking forward to read more articles from you.ReplyCancel

Well, I have to say, even though writing on this blog looks exactly the same as writing on my old blog, it feels…different. Special. And I intend to make it so!

I moved blogs because this year I have new hopes for myself (personally and professionally). I want to do as much as is humanly possible to help in any way that I can, and that extends to anyone reading this blog to the charity work I’ll be doing in India (and hopefully more!).

Promoting Passion is a big idea that I’ll be introducing a little bit at a time. You’ll see that you can get ideas for various charities you can become involved with, and in time that will grow into a campaign that anyone can join to teach workshops to underprivileged groups…but that will come out in it’s own time, when all of the appropriate contacts are collected.

So! In the meantime, I’ll be writing here like my usual self, sharing new images, essays, and what I hope to be inspirational thoughts. But I’m adding something a little different to this blog. Every Monday of the new year I’ll be releasing a video. If you ever have a question or idea for a video topic, please do let me know and I will do my best to answer it. Every Monday you can check in here for a new message, and the topics range from how-to videos for shooting and editing to thoughts on inspiration…and everything in between.

It’s the start of 2014. It is the perfect time to try new things and inspire yourself. But always remember that every moment of every day holds that same opportunity, and it is up to us to take it. I hope you enjoy the new blog, and thank you INFINITELY for being here…my world is brighter for it.

  • December 30, 2013 - 8:11 am

    aniya - love it! cant wait Brooke!ReplyCancel

  • January 12, 2014 - 10:04 am

    Bettye Rainwater - I love the idea of sharing photography with those in need…one of my current blog responsibilities is for the school (for those with autism) where I work and I’m planning a project of giving students and clients disposable cameras to shoot their day with…so maybe we can get a look at what the day looks like through their eyes. Some of the kids are higher functioning and I hope to spend some time sharing lessons on using natural light and creating interesting compositions.

    I have much to learn about photography…but I love to share what I do know!

    I look forward to hearing more about your project when it’s time!ReplyCancel

What would the start of a new year be without looking back and celebrating accomplishments from the one before. I am a big believer in positivity for others and oneself, and I like to look back on a year and say, “You know what, I did something that made me happy, and gosh darn it, that’s great!”

I did things that didn’t make me as happy too, but those mistakes were learned from and I can only hope that 2014 will bring more mistakes, because a person who never learns never grows.

Here are some of my most fulfilling photo shoots from 2013:

Hi guys! If you care to read about the last 3+ years of my life, you can do so at my old blog. I’ve got a ton of content over there that I’d love for you to check out.

All new posts will be published here at Promoting Passion.

 

  • September 15, 2017 - 8:43 am

    Anna - I love going all the way to the beginning and seeing where artists began. I looked at your old blog too. I am so blown away by you <3ReplyCancel