1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Actual, full scale, public speaking.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For 2012 my resolutions were to ‘to get closer to that balance thing, socialise more, get into better shape, and fingers crossed sleep more’.

In 2012 I gave up on the idea of balance and stated just adding ‘space’. I don’t think there will ever be complete balance, but I do feel like I had more space for myself last year. I did socialise more. Even though I’m not ‘fit’ in any shape or form, I did finally get over my injury with the help of a personal trainer and feel much freer in my body as a result. Sleep more… not so much.

For 2013 my resolutions will be… be kinder to myself, take more time to look inside, narrow down what’s really important, travel a lot – for fun.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Everyone and their aunt.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.

5. What countries did you visit?
Finland, Spain, Isle of Skye, Italy, Palm Springs, Kansas City.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2012?
Peace of mind.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2nd June, Isle of Skye… such an amazing place, amazing people. 8th November, Bon Iver at Wembley Arena.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Speaking at the Beloved Collective Festival. Being named one of the Rising Stars of Wedding Photography by Rangefinder magazine. Finally starting a personal project!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to align my personal life with my values and inner goals.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Finally got more or less over my lingering injury.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Macbook air.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Susanna, as always. My lovely friends across the sea.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
There were a few disappointments, trying not to dwell on those.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel. House things.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting to go to the US twice after a very long gap.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2012?
Mumford & Sons – I Will Wait.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier & sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? About the same.
iii. richer or poorer? Same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Reading books.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Getting sidetracked.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve at home with Stu and Sussanna, Christmas Day with Stu’s family (avec Sooz). It was a lovely relaxing Christmas.

21. How did you spend New Years?
At home, falling asleep in front of the telly.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
With new friends.

23. How many one night stands?
0.

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Homeland.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t have time for hate.

26. What was the best book you read?
Joseph Campbell – Myths to live by.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ólafur Arnalds.

28. What did you want and get?
5D mkIII’s. Personal travel.

29. What did you want and not get?
Kitchen & bathroom.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Moonrise Kingdom.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Repeated last year’s garden party experience for my 36th (that’s a totally insane number btw), made even more special by my brother coming over from Finland.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Dresses and long hair are back. Also loving the fact that biker- and denim jackets are back in fashion, back to my comfort zone!

34. What kept you sane?
Deepening relationships with amazing friends.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Don’t know if I was really stirred.

37. Who did you miss?
Miikka and Johanna, friends across the sea.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
So many people who are now such an important part of my life… I’ll narrow it down to Jesse, still can’t believe it took us this long to meet in person.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
The only way out is through.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I don’t know where this fear came from
how I became so afraid of losing everyone
never been afraid of being lonely
now I’m becoming the one I’m most scared of being

I don’t know where this fear comes from
this fear of failing, fear of letting everyone and myself down
its growing deep into my soul
making me all paralysed and cold

It’s two steps forward, three steps back again
I’ll turn my face against it I won’t run
Courage and belief are my redeems
No one else can rescue me it seems

Cause if I don’t follow my heart this time
I’m gonna forget what this life is all about
I’m gonna take that path I’m going in on my own
I’m gonna take that fear and wear it like a crown.

Rebekka Karijord – Wear it like a crown

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Some, erm, gardening (kind of). Birmingham.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For 2011 my resolutions were to ‘build on what ever success I achieved in 2010, but also work on getting the balance in my life right. To have more time for family and friends. To take better care of myself. And to properly ENJOY the ride.’

I think I achieved the first bit with bells on, the latter part, not so much, although it is a work in progress… So my resolutions for 2012 are to get closer to that balance thing, socialise more, get into better shape, and fingers crossed sleep more.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
The whole world most likely.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Finland, Scotland, Malta, Italy (twice, woo!).

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More sleep.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
25th of July as had a lovely lovely birthday party.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Maybe winning the title of ‘Best Wedding Photographer, London and South East‘ in the 2012 Wedding Industry Awards.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to balance work and life.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Still dealing with the consequences of previous year’s injury…

11. What was the best thing you bought?
iPad!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Susanna of course, and Stu goes without saying. Emma for keeping me sane and giggling, Steph for being my guardian fairy.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
No-one I’d like to publicly name and shame. But I am finding it quite hard to get over.

14. Where did most of your money go?
House stuff. It’s never ending.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Italy, my birthday party, seeing Emma in a play.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2011?
Adele – Someone Like You.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter (sigh).
iii. richer or poorer? About the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping, socialising, relaxing, loving life, exercising. (No change from last year there!)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing, worrying and doing things for people who don’t appreciate it.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve at home with mum, Pauli and Stu. Boxing Day with Stu’s family.

21. How did you spend New Years?
At home making Bellinis with Sooz & Stu.

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
More and more with watching my couples in love.

23. How many one night stands?
0. (Imagine the year when this suddenly has a high number! :D)

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Californication, True Blood, Dexter.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. Disappointed for sure.

26. What was the best book you read?
Sarah Rayner – One Moment, One Morning.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
New to me more than new in general… Angus & Julia Stone.

28. What did you want and get?
iPad!

29. What did you want and not get?
Holiday somewhere warm. Kitchen & bathroom.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
True Grit.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I threw an actual party for my 35th! A lovely, lovely picnic in our garden filled with old and new friends. Loved it.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I did start making more of an effort towards the latter part of the year. Dresses are back on the agenda.

34. What kept you sane?
Other lovely people in the industry.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Riots in London made me so very angry.

37. Who did you miss?
Lots of people in Finland. Miikka and Johanna especially.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Emma & Pete, Steph, Ed… I can’t believe I only met these people this year, they are already such a huge and integral part of my life.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
You can’t please everyone.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I was a heavy heart to carry
My beloved was weighed down
My arms around his neck
My fingers laced to crown.

I was a heavy heart to carry
My feet dragged across ground
And he took me to the river
Where he slowly let me drown

My love has concrete feet
My love’s an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

I’m so heavy, heavy
Heavy in your arms
I’m so heavy, heavy
Heavy in your arms

And is it worth the wait
All this killing time?
Are you strong enough to stand
Protecting both your heart and mine?

Who is the betrayer?
Who’s the killer in the crowd?
The one who creeps in corridors
And doesn’t make a sound

My love has concrete feet
My love’s an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

My love has concrete feet
My love’s an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

This will be my last confession
I love you never felt like any blessing
Whispering like it’s a secret
Only to condemn the one who hears it
With a heavy heart

Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms
(i’m so) Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms
(i’m so) Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms
(i’m so) Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms

I was a heavy heart to carry
my beloved was weighed down
My arms around his neck
My fingers laced to crown

I was a heavy heart to carry
But he never let me down
When he had me in his arms
My feet never touched the ground

I’m so heavy, heavy in your arms.
Florence + The Machine – Heavy in Your Arms