What was your weekend?  Well, after working and being sick all week, I (Picture This Photography)  spent the entire weekend at our state photography convention… LEARNING!  As i returned home after 6pm on Sunday I was thinking how really blessed I am to be surrounded by such knowledge and talent in the industry!

What an amazing group of people, and the pure talent!  Professional Photographers of Oregon is our state chapter and it was annual convention. (affiliated with PPA) it was great meeting new people, re-connecting with old friends, watching print competition and listening to amazing speakers from all over the county!  Fuzzy Duenkel, James & Stefani Hayes ended the weekend with so much information.  We got the technical lighting from Fuzzy (may I say lighting genius?!?!) and the business and creative side of seniors from James & Stefani.  Inspiring is a word to describe the day.  I can’t wait to play, create, & try some of the new techniques I learned this weekend.

I have encouraged new photographers to ATTEND and LEARN from the BEST in the industry. I will continue to do so.   So, if you are a photographer, sign up for a convention, conferences, and any learning experience.  Because for whatever you think you know… you have only begun to learn.  I have been in the business for 15 years and am amazing at the techniques I have no clue about!   I attend multiple learning experiences a year and pretty much always have.  This year, I have trips planned to St. Louis in April and Florida in September, conventions that are like no other.  I am so utterly excited to spend days on end with these creative friends.  We can ONLY better ourselves by surrounding ourselves with the masters.

I also entered print competition for the first time ever.  It was a large financial & technical investment.  I did not come away with merit points, but was reminded, my scores were ‘above average’ for professional photographers. It was disappointing, oh yes, but I have SO much to learn about competing.  I will be working long and hard for merit points next year.

So, Thank you Master Photographers for your guidance, care, love, and knowledge!  Forever inspired to obtain that knowledge and privilege.

Onto the work week now!

I will close with the words of KID PRESIDENT….”create something that will make the world awesome”.