2025: Finding Faith in Waiting.
I’ve always liked New Year’s Day more than New Year’s Eve. Sure the Eve brings the party and midnight kiss, but NYD brings a breath of fresh air. It’s like my entire body and soul can feel the reset; The threshold for new beginnings, if you will. For some reason we had a repeat of 2024 where our entire family rang in the new year will illness. But it’s given me some extra “down time” to reflect on 2025. It was an emotional year of spiritual growth.
We started the year thinking our family would be growing again, only for February to bring the sharp sting of pregnancy loss. For anyone who’s experienced this, you know all too well it’s often a lonely loss. I’m so thankful for our family, friends, and some very special clients, who helped carry us through this year of grief. Waiting seems impossible in the midst of heartbreak. It has taken many months to find my faith in waiting for our family journey to be revealed. But as we start 2026 I finally feel myself setting this weight in God’s hands. Gosh, it was heavy….. But I keep reminding myself that every perfect moment in my life came from the surrender, and letting Him lead the way.
So as I look forward with new hope, here’s what I found in 2025 and look forward to in 2026…
THE STUDIO PROGRESS
If I’m being honest, the new studio transformation continues to be slow. Which has its pros and cons. I so badly want things to just feel right, and be done around here. On the flip side, as I continue to do sessions in the chaos of an unfinished space, I can’t believe how much I’ve been learning when it comes to making decisions about a large space. Even though I have a lot of room to play with, it doesn’t stop the need to make every square inch intentional.
A couple important areas I’m focusing on is the curation of cozy functional spaces for some of my specialties, including Newborn and Headshot Portraits. I love making nooks that feel like walking into your best friend’s house to shoot your most precious images. Spaces that allow clients to relax while we work, sometimes for hours. (Past clients, if you have feedback about what you’d love in the space, I’d LOVE to hear it! GIVE FEEDBACK HERE.)
But really, the most daunting part of getting the studio into shape is sorting through items that haven’t contributed to the business in a long time, or are in need of a refresh. I’ve always called photography “creative hoarding.” You just never know what you might need! 🤣 However, I am trying to downsize a lot of things. I have a HUGE stash of gently used, new, and antique items FOR SALE. When you’re done here, hit that button below and take a peek at available items!
Thank you to everyone with their patience as I continue to make decisions carefully, create new sets, paint, and hang decor. Being a sole proprietor trying to tackle all these tasks in between actually working has definitely been an uphill battle. But I hope you’ll keep hanging with me, and I welcome you back often, as things will likely look different each time you visit!
CREATING NEW SERVICES FOR MY SPECIALTIES
As I continue to lean into my specialties I’ve been looking for new services to better serve clients. I’m really excited to be offering brand photography in addition to headshots, and expand my brand design with website set up services through my new host partner, Squarespace. These new offerings will create full service branding opportunities for all types of small businesses across Nebraska and beyond.
(Want a chance at 40% OFF a COMPLETE brand design package? From logo to website and beyond. See if your small business qualifies HERE.)
Along with new services comes a variety of new products that will be popping up. I’ll be looking to add professional custom framing for photo clients, because beautiful images deserve to be displayed. Plus, I’ll be tidying up my gallery store with a variety of other new photo products clients can shop throughout the year.
The Noel Creative Shop is also OPEN, and slowly filling with creative goods from digital to physical products. From seasonal gifts to quick access to creative goods like digital or ready-to-print invitations. Check back often as I’m constantly adding new products! (Don’t see something you need in the shop? Contact me here, and let’s fix that!)
CONTINUING NEW PASSIONS IN 2026
For those who may have missed it, I opened two new ways I’m interacting with our local communities. While photography and graphic design are my driving force, my creativity and passions don’t stop there. In 2025 I launched The Visionary’s House (a subsidiary of Noel Photo & Design), and Platinum Paw Society.
The Visionary’s House was created as an outlet for my artwork outside of photography and design. It focuses more on hand crafted and hand painted art for home and office. I had so much fun attending seasonal fairs in Thayer and surrounding counties last year. I offered a variety of handmade work, including door signs and DIY kits for kids. I can’t wait to expand my creativity in the new year with this new found artistic freedom!
Platinum Paw Society (PPS) is a drop-in pet sitting and dog walking service. It was dreamed up from our own personal challenges and needs. We love our furry friends so much, but in a rural community, we know how difficult it can be to find care help when we need time away, or an emergency comes up. This new service is especially helpful for pets who enjoy staying in the comfort of their own home. (Which is most pets!) I’ll be looking forward to meeting many new furry friends through out this year. PPS clients can book services on a case-by-case basis, or complete a 6-month contract so they’re ready for immediate service if anything unexpected comes up.
I hope you’ll follow along with my new pages for updates, event notices, services, and creative shopping!
GREETING 2026 WITH JOY AND NEW HOPE
As this new year begins I want to first thank all of my clients from years past for your continued support in every shape and form. It is such a joy to share in your moments; Getting to know each of you on a personal level, and share in the journey you’re walking at any given season of your life, is such a blessing. It’s why I love what I do. Yes, the portraits and projects we create are “goals,” but at the end of the day my clients are the ones I pray over, and look forward to seeing. So THANK YOU for choosing me to capture your best, work through your most challenging, and everything in between. ❤️
I don’t know what 2026 will hold, but I pray it’s full of joy and love for our family and yours. As for the business, I’m forging forward into year 11 in Hebron, and year 17 overall. Here’s to the faith that the wait to see what’s next is always worth it.
✨Cheers!✨
Jen & Family
Noel Photography and Design
All images © Noel Photography and Design