What a neighbor and his Christmas lights taught me, an Aiken photographer, about slowing down.

The other night, I pulled into our driveway and noticed a figure standing in front of one of our neighbors’ houses. At first, I assumed it was someone out for a walk—maybe slowing down to admire the Christmas lights before heading home. But as I watched, the person stepped off the road and headed down the drive.

It was my neighbor.

He’d just stood there, hands in his pockets, quietly taking it all in—the glow of the lights, the way they wrapped around the house, the simple beauty of something he had clearly worked hard on.

He wasn’t rushing, or adjusting anything. He was just admiring his work.

The Pause We Rarely Take

It made me realize how rarely we do that.

We work, build, juggle, and move on to the next thing. We almost never pause long enough to stand back and really see what we’ve made. Watching him that night challenged me to take a step back and do the same.

I’ve been in business for over 5 years now—long enough to see how far it’s grown. To know the many families I’ve had the honor of photographing, and to see the ripple effects it’s had not just for my clients, but for my own family, too.

This work has allowed me flexibility. It’s given us more financial freedom. It’s created space for me to be present in ways that matter deeply to me. And yet, how often do I really stop and admire that?

Letting Yourself See the Beauty You’ve Built

As we move toward a new year, I’ve been thinking about what it would look like to change that.

What if, here at the end of 2025, we gave ourselves permission to admire our work? And what if, in 2026, we made it a habit?

A habit to step back, notice progress, and honor effort.
To recognize the beauty our work creates in our lives and in the lives of others.

That might look like reflecting on a career you’ve poured years into, or an idea you’re building slowly, or the unseen, everyday work of caring for a family and holding a home together.

All of it matters. All of it counts. It all deserves admiration.

Why This Makes Me Think About Photography

Photos give us the chance to step back and admire the season we’re living in. We get to see the beauty that’s so easy to miss while we’re in the middle of it. We get to remember that what we’re building—our families, our lives, our work—is worth pausing for.

If 2026 feels like a year you want to be more intentional, more present, and more reflective—I’d love to help you do that. Because sometimes, all it takes is a quiet moment—standing still long enough—to appreciate just how beautiful everything really is.

Amy Najmon Photography is an Aiken photographer, specializing in family, maternity, and newborn photography for the entire CSRA, including Augusta, North Augusta, Martinez and Evans.

I love filling my calendar with moms desiring a custom experience and family images exuding joy. I provide personalized session planning, a size-inclusive client wardrobe of dresses for mom (sizes XS – XXL), outfit styling for the whole family, and hair and makeup recommendations so your session as seamless as possible. All you need to do is arrive and be ready to play and snuggle with your children.

If you love these photos and are looking for an Aiken photographer, I would love to photograph your next portrait session. To see more of my child & family portfolio please click here. And if you are interested in a personalized portrait session with Amy Najmon Photography and would like more information about the experience, please click here.

I’m currently accepting both studio and outdoor family sessions into 2026. If you would like to reserve space on my calendar for your Aiken area family photos, I would love for you to contact me here.