2019 was an eventful year for me, both personally and professionally.
I got engaged to my sweet person, Patrick. He proposed in Mexico City, just us two in a park on a Tuesday afternoon. We purchased our first home at the end of 2018 and made it our own this year. We adopted the sweetest beagle / cattle dog from the Champaign Humane Society and named him Patchouli. I ran my third half marathon, attended an honestly life-changing retreat, and started planning a backyard wedding with Patrick.
As a photographer, my personal and “professional” lives intertwine a bit. Sometimes it is hard to draw the line of which is which, but ultimately I am very thankful for that; it means I can pursue my passion for a living.
As many people know, I was the contracted photographer for a company for about five years. During those five years, my business (Anna Longworth Photography) took a bit of a hiatus. I still did some photoshoots and a handful of weddings, but my main focus was creating images for the company I was working for. I am SO grateful I got to work for them, travel the country, make friends, and learn about commercial photography. It was truly a great experience that helped mold me into who I am today, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. Though after years of contemplation, I decided I wanted to be a full-time freelance photographer again. I ended my contract in July 2019 to pursue my true passion of documenting humanity.
Owning a business is terrifying and one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. There is no guaranteed pay, it can be a bit lonely sometimes, and it is a lot more work. BUT, it is so very rewarding, and beyond worth it. I am so thankful for the timing of this transition and how smooth it was. I am thankful for the clients who have trusted me this year as I have begun to book weddings and photo sessions again. I leave every session with a full heart. Getting to interact with amazing people — whether it be a wedding, a family with a newborn, headshots for a person looking to advance their career, street photography, anyone — makes me feel like my true self behind my camera.
To commemorate a pivotal year, I’d like to share a handful of images from each portrait-based photo session I had in 2019. If you’re in this for the long haul, thank you. It may be lengthy, but I think reflecting is important — even if year-end wrap ups seem a little corny. We have this one life, and it is worth celebrating. Here we go!
Naomi + Levi // When Naomi and Levi’s mother reached out to me asking if I could come to their home and photograph her children in their natural environment, I was thrilled. In-home sessions are so meaningful and special, and one of my favorite things to photograph.
Kelsie + Joe, engagement // Kelsie and Joe are such sweet people and it was fun reconnecting with them again after living with Kelsie briefly in the first apartment I moved into at age 20. Keep scrolling to see a few photos from their wedding!
Katie + Leon, maternity // On a snowy January morning, I went to Katie and Leon’s home to take some photos of this beautiful time in their life. The anticipation of their daughter was precious to see, and I ended up getting to photograph their little one, Georgia, later this year.
Kelly + Bobby, engagement // I met Kelly and Bobby through work, and we took their engagement photos in their home. As I mentioned earlier, I am a mega fan of in-home sessions; they help tell the story by adding the element of natural environment. We took a few photos with their adorable pup, Gracie, as well. Pets are ALWAYS welcome ;)
Taylor, headshots // You may recognize Taylor if you’re ever at Clark Bar! She has such a kind soul and demeanor, being around her makes me smile. In addition to being a wonderful bartender, she is also a Rodan + Fields consultant, and wanted some new headshots for her business.
Nessa’s Bat Mitzvah // Nessa’s Bat Mitzvah was the first of its’ kind I have photographed, and it was an honor to witness. From hearing Nessa read the Torah in Hebrew to hearing about her service project, it was very impressive. Seeing the pride in her parents’ eyes that day was beautiful.
Randa + Jake, engagement // Randa and Jake are really adorable together; not to mention fun, too. We took photos in Urbana — we wandered around the arboretum at Japan House and danced to some Lizzo in an old barn.
The Bashful Youngens // I love photographing other artists. These musicians are all super talented, and it is a treat to attend their shows. I’d be lying if I said band promos aren’t challenging — they can trickle into the “corny cheesy overdone” realm real quick, but keeping it natural and not taking it too seriously usually helps curb that. Going to your local bar helps, too ;) Check them out here: The Bashful Youngens
Wee Family // I photographed this family when they had newborn twins, and years later they contacted me to photograph their family of 5. They are so dang fun and playful, I laughed so much photographing these kiddos.
Megan + Justin, married // I met Megan and Justin when I lived in Richmond, VA. Their friends and family surrounded them that day and it was full of love. They had an amazing non-traditional wedding on a warm summer day in the Urban Roost beer garden in Richmond. This wedding holds a special place in my heart for many reasons, but especially because it was the first wedding of the year and encouraged me to shoot weddings full time again. Oh, they also had emo hour at their reception. Hecckkk yeah.
LLYN // Taking these photos in an airplane hangar was a real treat. These dudes are super talented and it was cool getting to photograph them. Check them out here: LLYN
Suzanne Ford, DVM // Suzanne has been a dear friend of mine since grade school, and she is a total badass. She is officially a veterinarian, and she wanted to document graduating with photos including her beagle and draft horse that have been there for her through it all; Daisy and Joy.
Mermaid Heaven // Mermaid Heaven is my favorite local band, currently. I was super psyched to photograph them, and am excited to see how they grow as a band. Check them out here: Mermaid Heaven
Allie + Kenneth, married // Allie + Kenneth had an intimate and beautiful backyard wedding, then a reception full of family and friends at 25 O’Clock Brewery in Urbana. Their laid back vibes and fun demeanors made for a super fun party. Truly one of the most fun weddings I have gotten to be at.
Frost Family // This family just radiates all good things. I got to photograph Brittany and Jeremy years ago, before they had adopted their three children. It was a joy to see them again, along with these amazing kiddos. And now they have a fourth — Brittany had a little boy earlier this year! If you keep scrolling, you’ll see some full family photos here in a bit ;)
Henry, Kylie, and Corey // Oh, I just love this lil fam! I have gotten to photograph Henry since he was about 6 months old. It is a joy watching them grow as a family.
Kelsie + Joe, married // You’ll recognize these two from their engagement photos above! They got legally married at the courthouse shortly before they threw an amazing party at Pear Tree Estate. Their crew sure knows how to have fun, and it was a joy to photograph. Kelsie and Joe are just awesome.
Elena // I met Elena years ago when photographing a performance she was in. She is an incredible singer, and such a kind person. It was lovely photographing her, and I look forward to working with her again in the future.
Shelbee // Shelbee is a young actor with a passion for Broadway theatre. I took some headshots for her — this lady is going places!
Julia + Dan, married // Julia and Dan had a wedding ceremony and party right in their backyard. IT was a bit of a rainy day, but that dampened no one’s spirits. They had friends cooking in their kitchen, a canoe filled with cold drinks, and loved ones surrounding them. I had so many feelings at this wedding — it was an honest, homegrown, selfless, beautiful celebration of love.
Tiernan, newborn // I met Tiernan’s parents, Kerri + Pat, through some of our best friends. They recently moved here from the east coast and became a family of three. They were one of my first newborn photo sessions, I’m honored they trusted me to document their little guy. Pat and Kerri both work for Titleist, so a golf photo was, of course, in order :)
Miller Family // This family is so dang cute. Jenna and Charlie’s kiddos (Sawyer and Owen) have so much personality; it was fun watching them play, smell flowers, and explore. I got to take photos for Owen’s first birthday a couple months ago, which you’ll see later in this post! Sawyer and Jenna helped me out with a client shoot a few months ago too, they are great models ;) Thankful I got to meet this family!
Rebecca + Landon, married // Rebecca and Landon met in college, fell in love, and got married near Springfield Missouri. Their families and friends surrounded them as they said their vows and celebrated. It was delightful getting to witness their day.
Maria + Nightrain, married // Maria and Nightrain are truly spectacular humans. They love each other deeply, and love their families and friends deeply. I had so many feelings this day; these two radiate positivity, hope, and love to everyone they encounter. Their day was perfectly them with many hand-drawn details by Maria, ceremony at an art gallery, and reception at their favorite bar/restaurant. I happen to be friends with them too, and am so blessed by their friendship.
Deniz + Joe, married // Deniz and Joe got married in a dreamy, intimate garden at Morton Arboretum. This was such a fun wedding, and I wrote all about it here.
Jessica + Ian, engaged // Jessica and Ian got engaged earlier this year, and we took photos at a favorite place of theirs — Meadowbrook Park. They’re kind, creative, and so sweet together. I am really looking forward to photographing their wedding in 2020!
Kieryn // I met Kieryn earlier this year through the gym I go to, Hatha. She is a wonderful human, always posing thought provoking questions and being real. I’m lucky to have her as a friend, and super excited to photograph her more in the future.
Morgan + Tyler, married // Morgan and Tyler got married in September, and it was a dang good day. I wrote all about it here.
Georgia // You’ll recognize Georgia’s parents, Katie and Leon, from the maternity shoot earlier in this post. Georgia is such a smiley little lady, and her parents are so sweet.
PYGMALION 2019 // I had the opportunity to photograph some talented people at PYGMALION this year. I didn’t do anything special to deserve getting to photograph them — I just happen to be marrying one of the events’ coordinators. Photographing live music is super fun, especially anticipating what is going to happen next to get a sweet shot. Pictured: Antoni Porowski, Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, Rob Bell, JID, Mermaid Heaven, Beach Bunny, Black Pumas.
Mannon + Corey, married // Mannon and Corey got married on Corey’s family pond near Monticello. It was so sweet and perfectly Mannon and Corey.
Abbie + Tim // Abbie and Tim are the masterminds behind Bluestem Hall. They’re both wildly creative and it was so fun getting to photograph their very own styled shoot of them as a family. I look forward to working with them at the weddings I will be photographing in 2020!
Kaitlin + Pete, married // Kaitlin and Pete got this October, and you can read all about it here.
Anna + Kevin, engaged // Patrick and I drove up to Ann Arbor this fall for Anna and Kevin’s engagement photos and to hang for an evening. It was my first time in this city, and it was real cute! We went to an arboretum, a street-art alley, and a cocktail bar. They brought their adorable pup, Barkley, for a few pics as well. I am excited to photograph Anna and Kevin’s Chicago wedding this May!
Okoli Family // Mallory reached out to me this fall to organize a family photoshoot for her in-laws who were visiting from Africa. We met up at the arboretum and took a little walk! Their family is so kind, it was lovely spending some time with them.
Lori + Herschel, married // Lori and Herschel had an intimate wedding ceremony and brunch reception at Big Grove Tavern this fall. After the ceremony, we took some photos in a few spots they enjoyed around downtown Champaign.
Fein-Bursoni Family // This family…I love them. They are family to Patrick and I. We spent an afternoon playing baseball and wrestling in their backyard, then heading to the legendary Dewey’s Drive-In for burgers and ice cream afterward.
Chelsea + Justin, married // Chelsea and Justin exchanged their vows in Ireland, then came home to throw a party with their friends and family at Homer Lake. Their friend Kris officiated the wedding, followed by friends showing up a little later to eat good food, drink good drinks, listen to good music, and most importantly: be surrounded by wonderful company.
Alex + Pat, proposal // These two got engaged on the U of I quad, where they are both alumni. I can’t help but smile so much when photographing proposals — it is so exciting and sweet.
Kane Family // The Kane’s recently became a family of three as they welcomed little Georgia into the fam. They are just adorable and joyful.
Lydia, senior // Lydia is a 2020 senior graduating from Neoga High School. Congrats, Lydia!
Melanie + Matt, engaged // Melanie and Matt are getting married this coming May! We took some photos in Champaign, then headed to Urbana for a few more with their adorable pups. As I said before, pets are always extremely welcome in photos :)
Lauren, Rowen, and Ava // Lauren’s family and my family have been dear friends for most of my life. It has been so fun watching Lauren’s girls grow up; their personalities are vivid and bright. They love to explore, get dirty, and run. Lauren is the best mama, too. Grandy snuck in for a couple photos as well! I love the Melchi’s.
Sophia + Leo // Sophia is an amazing mama to Leo. We walked around the park on a lovely autumn day and snapped some photos of these two.
Kelsey + Max // I met up with Kelsey and Max at Meadowbrook Park and we took a stroll through, beautiful autumn colors everywhere. Afterward, we went to their home to get a couple photos with their pets. So fun!
Jack T., newborn // Jack is the cuuute son of two of our best buds, Bailey and Ryan. He was born October 1st, and we took some photos in his nursery along with other areas of their adorable home. We went out to the porch since it was a perfect fall day, and ended our session with Jack in a halloween costume. I am so excited to watch this little guy grow.
Rosa, senior // Rosa is an Arcola High School 2020 senior. She came to Champaign and we spent an afternoon stopping at different spots until sunset. Rosa, you rock!
Owen // Owen turned one, so his mama Jenna got him a cake and we had a cake smash shoot! Followed by a little fun in the leaves outside.
Dillon Family // The Dillon family asked me to come document their family at their home and around their property in the beautiful woods. The kiddos led the hike, and we had some pit stops along the way: mushroom examining, fish feeding, and tree climbing.
Carly + Tate, engaged // Carly and Tate are such incredible people. They are getting married on New Years Eve and it is going to be such a fun celebration. You can read a little about Carly here.
Reese, newborn // Our friends Kayleigh and Tyler recently became a family of three when little Reese was born! She is so dang cute, they even dressed her as a Reese’s peanut butter cup for Halloween. I’m excited to see her grow up, too!
Hope, Chris, and Johnny // We took these family photos at Homer Lake, while the fall colors were still turning. Such a cute fam!
Skylee + Hunter, engaged // Skylee and Hunter are getting married in December 2020! We started by taking photos at Virginia Theatre, where their ceremony will be. The marquee had their names on it and everything! We went to their home afterward to snag a couple photos with their sweet beagle. I’m really lookin’ forward to their wedding next year!
DeRouchie + Dalrymple Family // Suzanne and her family are amazing people. I photographed her, her husband, and their two girls a couple years ago. This time, she brought her awesome parents, too! It was pretty cold and windy, but they braved the chill and had some fun with it.
Frost Family // You’ll recognize this family from an earlier session; in fact, Brittany was pregnant with Wesley in those photos! Here, he is a sweet little newborn and the other three kiddos (and the parents, of course) are in love with little Wesley. We took photos in their home and outside, and ended with family photos in Christmas pajamas. So cuuute!
Hyong Family // This fun family was all together in the same home for the first time in quite a while for a wedding. They live all over the country, with a brother in Germany — so it is rare they’re all under one roof! We took photos on their property out in the country on a chilly but beautiful day.
Taylor Family // I have known this family for years, they are wonderful. We took some family photos at Homer Lake this fall; this time with their adorable pup!
Kelsey // Kelsey is going to be graduating from Neoga High School in 2020. Her mama and her sister came along for her senior photos, and it was so fun!
Lola // Lola is a magical human. She is a school teacher, yoga instructor, and many incredible things. She even has her own brand of spiritual skin care called Glow by Lola. We took some photos recently, and we witnessed several deer walking across the meadow, a stunning sunset, and a nearly full moon.
Jessica // I’ve known Jessica since childhood — we were neighbors in St. Joseph. Now, she is a talented writer and photographer. Check out her blog here.
Holmer Family / You may recognize a couple of people here from an engagement shoot and wedding earlier this year. This family was all together for Thanksgiving, so we took some family photos at their parents’ house!
Bluestem Hall Open House // I was one of the photographers that was a part of the Bluestem Hall open house, where Amanda Jean organized four different “themes” to inspire people for their weddings. Here are a few photos of my friends Jessi and Walter that were the models of my theme, “Slow Living.”
McMahon + Leese Family // Beth reached out to me asking if I could come photograph her family completely documentary style; just enjoying being together at her sister’s home where they usually gather. They played with toys, read books, and made gingerbread houses in pajamas. It was truly a beautiful day, getting to be a wallflower observing and documenting every day life.
Longworth Family // My cousin Bryan has three awesome kids: Ava, Ayden, and Alexis. I love them all so much! They recently moved into a different home, and I thought it would be neat to take some family photos there. It was rainy, windy, and cold — but we didn’t let that stop us. Their pup, Chase, is so cute (even though he got out once and I ran through a cornfield trying to find him, only to find he had run back to the house like a good boi hahaha). I’m so proud of Bryan and his kiddos.
Bleyer Siblings // The Bleyer siblings wanted to surprise their parents with new photos to put on their walls for Christmas, so we had a quick shoot in December!
Ben + Nikki // Ben proposed to Nikki two days before Christmas at Boneyard Creek in Urbana, a place of significance for them. Nikki said yesssss and I got to document it.
2019 — the end of a year; a decade. I am grateful for the people who put their trust in me to capture moments that they can preserve for generations to come.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so excited to see what the future brings. To grow, learn, and continue serving through photography.
xoxo, Anna