I try to keep personal stuff on the personal blog, but let me introduce my husband here.  He's kind of a big deal, he's pretty much the best person around, and my favorite person to photograph always.

This past month he shot his thesis film, and I'm incredibly proud and can't wait till it's done and I can show him off!  One night they were shooting I got to go hang out on set, take a few photographs, and enjoy seeing my husband in action.  He is an amazing cinematographer and a pretty great husband.  If you'd like to find out more about his thesis film, visit the film's website: http://www.narcocorridofilm.com/

Okay.  I'm done gushing now.  Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

To see a gallery with more images go here.

 

 

     This year, for the first time, I attended WPPI in Las Vegas. WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) is one of the largest trade organizations for wedding photographers. They host a conference and trade show every year, and it is MASSIVE. This year some 16,000 people passed through the MGM conference center for the event. Since this was my first year going I tried to read up on everything I should do and see and tried to cram in as much as possible. I was in Vegas for a full six days, and returned home with an overwhelmed brain, and a bit physically and emotionally exhausted. BUT I also returned EXCITED, FIRED UP, and READY to conquer more then ever. 

(ABOVE: HEADSHOTS BY [b]ECKER AT HIS ANNUAL WPPI AVATAR SHOOT)

My goals for WPPI:

1. Attend as many classes and LEARN as much as I could.

2. Meet lots of new people.

3. Hunt down new tools and vendors for albums.

4. Find a camera bag solution for the growing amount of gear in my kit.

I am happy to report I accomplished all of the above, with a little bit of follow up and further research needed on numbers three, and four (I'll reveal more on those later).

 

ABOVE: PICTURES FROM THE SNAPSHOT STUDIO PHOTO BOOTH AT THE [B]SCHOOL PARTY.    FEATURING NEW [B]SCHOOL FRIENDS: KELLI, TISH, APRIL, MELISA, JEN, PAIGE, EMILY.

 

A true HIGHLIGHT was watching the print competition judging.  I am THRILLED I decided to go early so I could witness that.  It was extremely educational.  I told people all week that, "It blew my mind!"  If you go to WPPI I HIGHLY SUGGEST checking that out. 

Another memorable moment was Tuesday.  I had already been in Vegas nearly 4 full days, and my brain was TIRED.  I felt overwhelmed.  That night I went to the AIRPLANES AND BLAZERS party and danced my hear out.  I didn't care how silly I looked, or who was watching.  I danced out all the tiredness, and overwhelming feelings and re-energized myself for the rest of the conference.

My favorite platform class was hands down the class given by Susan Stripling.  She was kind, informative, and packed in as much practical and useful information as she possibly could.  She shared her work from about 5-6 years ago, explained how she came to reevaluate her work and what she did do improve and grow.  Then she showed her current work in contrast.  The applause and cheers at the end of her class were by far the most enthusiastic and sustained of any class I attended.

 

 

I am so THANKFUL for my three roommates (pictured above).  I had a wonderful time getting to know them throughout the conference!  THANK YOU: Sheri, Suzzanne, and Jentry!

I CANNOT wait to go again next year, and hopefully CELEBRATE what has grown and developed since my first WPPI.

 

 

  

 
A little more then a week ago I was fortunate enough to attend the Making Things Happen Intensive.  It has taken me this long to share about it because I wanted to process everything, and let is sink in before I shared.

MTH is a one day workshop focused on identifying fears, and distractions in an effort to conquer them.  It is meant to fire you up, and motivate you to make things happen.  What does it mean to make things happen?  Simply put- get whatever it is you want done- DONE.

I was excited for MTH because I wanted to get it done! I wanted to rise above my fears! I felt I had a bad habit of not finishing the work I set out to do.  Now, as an aspiring business owner and artist, that is a horrifying thing to admit to the world at large.  I don't want to share my fears, or my shortcomings, or admit I am anything but perfect.  No one is perfect, and I am no exception.   We all have fears, doubts, and weakness- myself included.  I have to be honest, and admit that because honest is the only way to be from now on.

I went into MTH with every intention of wanting the change, of doing the work, of being open to whatever was put before me, but that's not how I felt walking into that room.  I walked in scared, close-minded, and cynical.  I hate admitting I'm wrong.  I hate asking for help.  I am stubborn.  I did not want to open my heart to that room of strangers.

Very quickly I was struck by those in the room who seemed right on the edge- ready to jump into change, ready to work, and open to the experience of the day and all it could give.  I was envious of those who could be vulnerable with a room full of strangers.  They could cry in front of me and 15 others they had just met.  They could admit they were scared, or unhappy, or dissatisfied- they wanted change.  They wanted help, and they were asking for it with open arms- and it was being given!  Who was I to be scared, to complain, to feel cheated or that life was not fair - these others before me had already conquered more.  Ultimately it was those friends, who gave the most to the day, who inspired me most of all.

Slowly, as the day progressed, I melted, let go, and leaned into the experience instead of away from it. I knew I needed to change for myself, for my husband, for life. I began to let everyone in that room inside my heart, and wished I could stay longer and tell them more.

I'm not perfect.  I often feel overwhelmed.  I am scared to take a big leap towards the life I desire.  I fear the unknown, and what I can't control.  Each and every day is unknown and ultimately beyond my control.  I want every day to excite me, not frighten me.

I have a thirst for life.  To live with passion and vigor.  To cannonball in to the deep end every morning.  I manage that with bigger things- take a trip to an unknown place at the last minute- great-awesome- I can't wait!!  But jump into a typical day?  Pay the bills?  Grocery shopping?  Laundry?  Work?  Responsibilities?  The day to day unknown is far more terrifying for me.  Perhaps because in the end those seemingly insignificant day to day parts of life are really what matter most.  I should live each and every day like a great adventure- like a big trip- cause that is what every day truly is.  Every day has the power to be as grand and powerful as we make it.  Even the small moments speak volumes of who we are.

One of my favorite photographs from the last few months is the one below.  My husband and I had recently moved and our living room was still empty, except for the area rug.  We laid down on the floor of the empty room and just took a nap together.  It was a quiet moment that spoke volumes about us and where we are in life.  I am so thankful I captured that moment, and I think on it often.  I want life to be full of those moments, not just the big loud moments.  I don't want to miss any of it.




This is a lesson I've been learning all year, and MTH and the amazing friends I encountered helped focus this idea, helped solidify it in my brain.  Helped me to understand life was to short to worry about what others think, or to waste time because I don't know "what if?"

MTH is not a magical switch. I have to wake up every day and make it happen. I like to say, nothing in life can flip a switch and magically make it all better- but everything has the power to help us find that switch.

MTH didn't flip a switch for me, but it showed me where to find that switch. Now it's my job to flip that switch every single day.  It's not always easy, but it is always worth it!


At MTH they like to say, "Feel the fear and do it anyway!"  I twisted that for myself and say, "Feel the fear.  Now, get over yourself, and just get it done- Just MAKE IT HAPPEN!"

Thank you to the generous Lara Casey, the beautiful Emily Ley and talented Gina Ziedler.  I am blessed by you.  Thank you to all my new MTH alumni who I have yet to meet, and hope to meet.  Thank you to everyone who sat in that room with me: Kate, Sam, Katie, Helena, Carissa, Melissa, Eve, Meghan, Skip, Amber, Tami, Sharon, Carrie, Katie, and Kat.

If you have the opportunity to go to MTH, do it!  But please, go with an open mind, willingness, and ready to change!

Big changes ahead!  This time- I mean it!