Every year that I write one of these, I feel more and more like a broken record. I love what I do. I always have . Ever since I photographed my first wedding, way back when I was 18, to now, having done it for half my life, I’ve been completely enamored with this work. How could I not be? I struggle to think of a better way to make a living, in Detroit, the city that I love, than being a wedding photographer.

It never ceases to amaze me how they somehow find me, these fantastic couples who are an utter dream to work with. Every couple I’ve photographed this year has inspired me, in big and small ways. They’ve inspired me through their kindness, their hospitality, their love, their words, their actions, their connections.

I’ve always felt as if I am a very lucky person, for getting to have a career, as an artist. I get to spend day after day bearing witness to two people’s love, not only for one another, but for their community. This will be my 20th year as a wedding photographer. I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings, at this point. It’s a completely ordinary extraordinary thing, for me. What luck, to have a career where extraordinary days are completely ordinary? I can’t look at it with anything other than immense gratitude for the skillset that got me here, as well as for the hundreds of couples, and their communities, who have trusted me, along the way, with something so precious.

Seriously, how does it happen, year after year? Somehow, at the end of every wedding day, the couple is always thanking me, when they’re the ones that have truly given me a gift. Their gratitude for my work truly humbles me. If you’re reading this, and we’ve ever worked together, know you still have my gratitude.

My 2025 Season has already begun, and I’ll be looking forward to looking back on it with that same overwhelming question of “How did I get this lucky?”

Here are my favorite photographs of some extraordinary days in 2024.

PS: On a personal note, 2024 was also the year I started on the second major lifelong ambition I’ve had after photography, stand-up comedy. For any past clients who no doubt recollect how frequently I was lightening the mood with a random one liners on their wedding day, this may come as no surprise. If you’d like to keep up with what is going on with that, or maybe even come out and see a show, you can follow @heatherjevryday on instagram and if you are a couple considering me for your wedding in the future, know that if you ever need a brief distraction for all your guests on a wedding day, I’ve got a tight five at the ready.