1. What did you get for Christmas?
Well, I’ve already written about what Nick got me for Christmas, courtesy (HA!) of my Pinterest board, but a few other things I got and loved: a few awesome sweaters, a new pair of cords, a set of awesome pots and pans, a panini maker (WHICH I LOVE), and a toothbrush that has knocked both Nick and I’s socks off (but you’ll have to wait for this month’s Favorite Things to hear more about that ;) )
2. Have you taken down your Christmas decorations?

Well, I was in charge of the indoor decorations, which came down the day before New Year’s. I leave the outdoor lights up to my husband. Who…ahem…may be waiting for warmer weather to take the big ‘ol bulbs off our rhododendron bush (which means, yep, we’re one of those houses for the time being). Here’s hoping this answer changes by the weekend!

3. What did you do for New Years Eve?

We have such an awesome group of friends in Indy who first got together to ring in the new year last year. We all came back together again this year for the same sequin-filled bash and now, I couldn’t imagine ringing in a new year any other way. Feel blessed by all of their friendships!

4. Do you like accents?

Pffftttt…what kind of question is THAT? If I tell you I adore Colin Firth and Keith Urban, does that answer the question?

5. What kind of television do you have?

A Samsung flatscreen. Which was purchased at a Black Friday sale in November 2010 and sat in the box for over 6 months until we the right place to put it in our revamped living room. Purchasing that television taught me two things: 1) I’m not big on having the latest and greatest in at-home entertainment (now that we have a TV that’s more compact, I could happily stick with this flat-screen until I’m 65) and 2) I will never ever shop a Black Friday sale again. Ever.

6. Did you make any changes at the beginning of 2012?

I’m proud to say I’ve gotten back into the habit of going to the gym three times a week (hit it up in the morning before work, so by 5 o’clock, I can be all, “Oh, hey, I actually DID work out today” and come home guilt-free!) Hoping I can make that stick as long as possible.

7. What’s the last book you read and do you recommend it?

It was Diane Keaton’s new memoir and I just felt “Ehhhh” about it –you can read my GoodReads review on it here (which, don’t you hate when you feel like you’ve not clicked with a book?) On the other hand, at the beginning of the month, I tackled The Orphan Master’s Son and WHOA. Let’s just say you’ll be hearing a bit more about that one later this week too.

8. Do you stay current on celebrity gossip?

Ummm….yes. To an embarrassing degree. Sigh. I wish I could kick the habit. But I just can’t. So I’ve given up and now consider the fact I know more about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds dating than TMZ to be my own personal version of junk food.

9. Do you know the words to Bohemian Rhapsody? Gangstas Paradise? Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

All I’m gonna say to this is, “Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised….” :)

10. What is your favorite educational television show?

The Werners are Jeopardy fanatics. But after that, I’m pretty dorky about getting sucked into PBS’s Frontline or, if I know it’s on, Lisa Ling’s show on the OWN Network is pretty fascinating too.

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

About two months ago, an associate of mine reached out, asking if I’d be willing to help find brides who would be a good fit for an article about weddings. The piece would be featured as part of an upcoming bridal guide in my city’s magazine. I was more than happy to help out and offered up a few of my brides from my 2011 season, with photos of their weddings included for the piece. Fast forward a few weeks later to the designer asking if she could use one of the images for the cover. Well…OF COURSE SHE COULD :)

I’m thrilled to share with you guys this beautiful cover shot, one of many images I adore from Jennifer and Chris’s gorgeous September 2011 wedding. I think the best part of this whole experience was letting Jennifer know she had become a serendipitous cover girl (and seeing all the love her friends gave her on Facebook).

Jennifer, you are BEAUTIFUL and to the editors, writers and designer at M Magazine (hey Betsy! :) ) I say thanks for making this photographer’s January a little brighter.

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

On the one hand, I want to join everyone who likes to bitch and moan about winter. “I’m so sick of this snow” and “When is it going to get warm again?” are as much a common refrain in the Werner house as any other Midwestern home this time of year.

On the other hand, I need winter. Like a bear looking to hibernate, winter marks the season when I yearn to retreat. From behind a desk and calendar of social obligations, I head for the confines of a warm bed, down comforter and cup of peppermint tea. Not to mention long, unapologetic stretches of movie-watching, catching up on brilliant television and napping on the couch.

Come wintertime, I don’t feel guilty about laying around the house, reading a book all day. There is no yard work to be done. No clients to smile in front of my camera. No brilliant sunshine beckoning me to get out and get active.

But like a lot of you, I struggle with this season, too. For every day of gratitude at the rest it affords comes an hour of surrendering to its doldrums. To that place where I crave the very activities that preceded it. And this, as so many of you creatives know, is the hard balance of this season. Where we have to find the beauty in the break without losing that creative spark that ignites the other 10 months of our year.

January’s days are waning now. Until they’re gone, I’ll soak up what remains of their guilt-free allowances. The light may be drab and the temperatures chill, but I know this season soon will end and, with it, my body’s desires to do nothing. Come February, I’ll be ready to think spring again. How ’bout you?

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

The other day, I spotted a Tweet perfect for my frame of mind: “If you don’t have time to write down your goals, where are you going to find the time to accomplish them?”

I’m a big believer in goal setting. In the knowledge (and I think there’s scientific proof to this) that when you put down in words what you want to accomplish, you’re halfway to making it happen. Here are a few areas of my life I want to keep the focus on in 2012. To all of you writing your own 2012 goals, I wish you the best of luck!

REVAMP MY WEB PRESENCE: I’ve had a hard time with this because I love the look of my existing presence so much. But I recognize how important it is to grow and I have some unique ideas in mind for how I want to stretch myself creatively online. I’m enlisting the help of a dear designer friend in making this happen … now I just need to get serious and get to work!

WRITE MORE: This is a BIG one for me. I tend to put off writing in a way that pushes me because it scares me. The fear that I’m not good enough. The fear of rejection. The fear of thinking I don’t have anything worth contributing as a work of fiction to all those works of fiction already being read out there. But writing is one of my creative outlets and I want to push myself to do more of it in 2012—in reflective blog entries, in journal writing but also fiction. And (gulp) I may even share a few stories with you…it’s likely they’ll remain (as Anne Lamott loves to call ‘em) “shitty first drafts”, but I want to be brave in putting a few out there!

BE MORE OPEN—AND GET MORE SERIOUS—ABOUT MY FAITH: 2011 was the year I found my faith again. I’m a Christian, but for far too long I’d let my knowledge and understanding of my religion go lax. In 2011, I hunkered down and started reading my BIble in a way that felt like the best kind of homework. In 2012, I want to keep it up, continue exploring and understanding what it is I believe in. Furthermore, this is the year I want Nick and I to find a church family we can belong to (we’ve bounced around for too many years!)

FOCUS ON MY FAMILY: I got so busy in 2011, I wasn’t the best wife/sister/daughter/daughter-in-law I could be. I want to take strides to amend that—from more visits with family, to more phone calls and emails to a few scheduled family photo sessions for those near and dear to me.

DECLUTTER—IN HOUSE, MIND AND SPIRIT: Last winter, I did a huge purge of  stuff in our house we never wore or used or needed anymore. It felt SO GOOD. I intend to keep that up in all aspects—from the home, to the office, to my presences online. Simple and streamlined lets me focus on what I want to focus on, and not be distracted by clutter!

OWNING WHO I AM: Late last year, I wrote a guest post for Jasmine about striking a balance as someone working a full-time job and maintaining a photography career. To be honest, as I was writing it, I never once thought about the response to that entry. When it was published, I was overwhelmed by the number of photographers who reached out in comments and personal emails to me, thanking me for being a voice to them—someone to commiserate with in a position so little talked about. The experience taught me so much, but namely that I want to be a strong voice and pillar of support for other dual-career photographers. I want to embrace what it’s taught me, namely that IT’S OK TO RUN A BUSINESS YOUR OWN UNIQUE WAY. And that is what I intend to keep doing in 2012, friends!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

I thought I’d stir things up a bit with my 2011 in photos review and share a few of my most meaningful personal posts from the past year (and my apologies if you’re all, “Isn’t she celebrating 2011 a wee bit late?” … the truth is, yes, yes I am. And I’m blaming Mr. Bronchitis for this post’s overdueness. As for my ability to make up words? Well, I take all the blame for that one ;) )

Hope you enjoy this look back with me!

January: Making Nick’s birthday U2-rific — I surprised Nick with tickets to a U2 concert last summer for his big 3-0. It was SO much fun. (both the surprise and the concert…the concert was, whoa…one of the best I’ve ever attended. I mean, it’s Bono … how could it not be?)

February: I made it onto the CBS Early Morning show for copping the fashion style of the First Lady, went to WPPI but came home early due to the death of my grandmother. Mustering up the courage to eulogize her was such a bittersweet moment for me but it was such a pivotal moment that it will forever stand out in my memories of 2011.

March: I went to New York City by myself for my day job. Taking a trip like that felt so grown up. Not to mention going to see a few Broadway shows solo! What a fun time ….

April: I helped build a house, started a major rehaul of our living room and threw a Royal Wedding party for my students and co-workers from Ball State. That party was such a blast. Even if I’ll forever have proof of the bags under my eyes when those photos were taken at 4 a.m.!

May: I took a LOT of engagement photos but in between all those sessions, I was proud of myself for getting back on my road bike with Nick (after a nasty tumble two years ago that’d kept me away in fear!)

June: I reunited with some of my oldest college chums and it felt good to share our lives together over martinis shared on a warm summer night.

July: I took my mama to Asheville. And it.was.good.

August: Some women I adore opened their homes—and their hearts—to me as I ventured out to California for a week. It’s a state I love. That I would live in if I didn’t have such a good thing going for me here in Indiana. And this trip was one of my favorite memories of 2011.

September: This month wasn’t so much about “me” as my clients. Whew…three weddings and a family session. Kept me on my toes.

October: One of my favorite months of the year. Nick and I celebrated five years of marriage (how quickly those years have flown) and I went out of my way to squeeze in time both with my love but also to celebrate a season that is so dear to my heart.

November: I put the finishing touches on a living room project that occupied a corner of my brain for most of 2011, celebrated the launch of a friend’s bold project, and dreamed BIG dreams with my husband in the states of California, Oregon and Washington. Without question, my favorite memory of 2011 is the night we rolled into Mendocino. I left a piece of my heart along that coastline, that’s for sure. We’ll be back some day. And if we save and plan the way we ought to, maybe it can be for good.

December: I slowed down. And I needed it.