“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” – Matt Hardy

I have always loved beautiful photographs; I’m the kind of  soul who thrives at the sight of something that takes my breath away. Photography books, paintings, art books, travel books, and more have long been my inspiration.

At the age of 15, I took my first trip across the Atlantic, and splurged with babysitting money and bought a new Olympus film camera, to capture the sites I knew I would see in France on that trip. Photography has come a long way since I was a teenager, and given that I’ve taken thousands and thousands of photographs since then, my photographic eye has come a way, as well.

Having traveled over a dozen countries in Europe in 2011, I have had the incredible opportunity to photograph many beautiful places. And as part of wrapping up 2011, I’m posting my 12 best photographs from 2011. I hope you enjoy them!