Kelly and Nannette Peterson, of Orem, walk together as they check out the future site of the Orem Utah Temple on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Dec. 11 that the Orem temple will be built at 1471 S. Geneva Rd. in Orem.

Hot dang, it's 2020.

This past year was, as most are, a whirlwind. In 2019, I stepped up as the photo editor at the Daily Herald and also became the only photographer at the newspaper. That change hasn't kept me from photographing in the field (thank goodness), but it added a whole slew of other job duties to my plate. Now looking back on 2019, I think all of those extra duties have proven beneficial to myself and my professional development. If I had to sum up my personal theme for the year, it would be to not sweat what I can't control and understand that I'm just one person (but, also understand that one person can still get a whole lot done with focus and a healthy personal life).

Most notably in December, the Daily Herald's annual Photos of the Year Magazine published. It was a labor of love for me, and tested my photo editing and managerial skills unlike any other task has challenged me before. If you'd like to take a peek at the magazine, it can be seen here: provodh.com/si8kf .

However, on the whole December was a pretty anticlimactic end to the year at work. With the holidays and much of the newspaper's staff taking vacation throughout the month, assignments were pretty sparse. Several times I found myself testing my creative skills to make a serviceable photo out of lackluster subject matter – Which, is a lot of what assignments can be like at a newspaper at times, but that's part of the fun of the challenge. 

Fortunately, I too was able to take ample vacation time this month, which allowed me to have some quality time with a chunk of my family in person. I spent a few days with my parents in Jackson, Wyoming, skiing Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and also several days hanging out with one of my sisters (I have four older sisters) as well as my parents in Utah showing them my favorite things about this new home of mine.

Life is unpredictable, and so is the photojournalism industry. I have no idea what this new year (let alone the new decade) will bring, but I now feel more comfortable with my life than I have in a long time, and I am confident I will be able to handle whatever the future brings me in 2020 and beyond.

Brigham Young University middle blocker Heather Gneiting (2) blocks a New Mexico State University hit during a match in the first round of the NCAA Tournament between the BYU Cougars and the New Mexico State Aggies held Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Smith Fieldhouse in Provo. The Cougars swept the Aggies in three sets, but were swept themselves by the University of Utah Utes in the second round of the national tournament.

Brigham Young University head coach Mark Pope protests an official’s call during a rivalry game between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Brigham Young University guard Connor Harding (44) tries to dunk the ball over University of Utah center Lahat Thioune (32), but can’t score the basket, during a rivalry game between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Brigham Young University libero Mary Lake (18) gets up after New Mexico State University scored a point during a match in the first round of the NCAA Tournament between the BYU Cougars and the New Mexico State Aggies held Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Smith Fieldhouse in Provo.

Orem running back Noah Sewell poses for a portrait Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Orem High School. A senior, Sewell has been chosen as the 2019 Utah Valley Football Player of the Year and will play for the University of Oregon Ducks after graduating from high school.

Jeremy Frisby, 17, of Pleasant Grove, left, and Asher Williams, 16, of Provo, ready their gear before opening day kicked off at Sundance Mountain Resort on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, in Provo Canyon. Sundance Mountain Resort opened its 2019-2020 season on Dec. 6 operating two lifts offering variable terrain and a handle tow for beginners.

A motorist drives in an express lane along Interstate 15 on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Orem. The Utah Department of Transportation is continuing to add to its Express Lanes system, hoping to make better use of available real estate, and studying how to stop motorists from using the system illegally while Northern Utah’s population continues skyward with no sign of slowing.

Kara Melendez, of Orem, holds her newborn son, Alexander, as she rests beside her husband, Stephen, and is visited by volunteer chaplain Tara Joyner on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem.

The Brigham Young University bench reacts after forward Dalton Nixon (33) was fouled by University of Nevada Reno guard Lindsey Drew (14) during a game between the BYU Cougars and the Nevada Wolf Pack on Tuesday, Dec.10, 2019, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Brigham Young University guard TJ Haws (30) reacts after committing an offensive foul during a rivalry game between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Despite being in the lead for the majority of the game, the Cougars were defeated 102-95 after the Utes broke away late in the fourth quarter.

Salih Mohmmed, of South Salt Lake City, helps Paige Banks, 6, of Lehi, saw a log during a walkthrough of A Babe is Born Live Nativity held Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at the Lehi Round-Up Rodeo Grounds. With every ticket purchased, the nativity donates a meal to a local refugee. The event also hires refugees as actors.

Nick Hawkins, of Springville, helps light the candle of his daughter, Kate, 7, as she sits besides her sister, Sarah, 10, and the rest of her siblings as the congregation prepares to sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” by candlelight during a Christmas Eve service held Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, at the Springville Community Presbyterian Church. Read the written story here: provodh.com/hpz09 

Timpview guard Jaxon Santiago (13) drives the ball up the court after guard Coleman Ford (32) poked the ball away from Mountain View guard Court Walker (3) during a game between the Mountain View Bruins and the Timpview Thunderbirds held Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at Mountain View High School in Orem. The Thunderbirds defeated the Bruins 62-45.

Brigham Young University guard Alex Barcello (4) celebrates along with his teammates as a timeout is taken during a game between the BYU Cougars and the Nevada Wolf Pack on Tuesday, Dec.10, 2019, at the Marriott Center in Provo. The Cougars defeated the Wolf Pack 75-42.