There is just so much I want to share from this past WPPI. There was such a mix of emotions from start to finish. It’s so hard to capture it all in words. The majority of the week was spent in classes and networking, learning how to market yourself to the high-end bride, how to go from a 5k photographer to a 10k and then to a 20k photographer, etc. There were so many wonderful speakers with a lot of great info to share, and somewhere in it all, I was lost and was being carried along with the push and pull of the current.
And then came the question of where I wanted to take my photography business. A part of me genuinely believes I belong in this industry. I love everything about being able to capture a wedding. EVERYTHING. Yet the other half of me feels like I belong in some third world country saving lives. During my missions trip in fall08-spring09, I travelled the world, meeting people from all sorts of cultures and living situations, and tasted what it was to truly live. Afterward, I was more than eager to jump on the next flight to live wherever God was willing to take me. But for whatever reason the place I was called to is here. Atlanta. At least for the time being.
One of the last nights of the convention, I ended up attending a 9-11PM unofficial platform class. It was an unusually late one, but I’m so glad I went. It was the one class that spoke most to me. Completely BLEW. ME. AWAY. I was dumbfounded by the simplicity of just being able to put two and two together. It was something I had pictured all along, but couldn’t quite determine how I was going to execute until I saw this amazing group of photographers actually doing what I could only sit and dream about. They had started a non-profit to help those in need. This one specifically was to provide clean water in Tanzania and many other countries. The profit they made from wedding photography went to a specific cause/purpose.
I know in the past I talked about how I wanted to make money to help those in need and how I want to be a river, not a reservoir. Now, I think I’m ready to stop talking about it and go on and walk that walk.
Nothing’s official yet, but I have a few ideas of where this will go. I’m super excited to share more as I get more clarity.
Here’s a photo I took in Vegas back in 07. This year we barely left MGM for fresh air. I do want to make mention that not all of it was a high school experience and want to end this post with a shout-out to all my friends- old and new- that I got to meet and to hang out with at WPPI. You guys are a blessing to know and are truly an inspiration. As for our p.i.m.p. engagement session, I’ll share more when the photos are up.
I also want to thank Jennifer for helping us out with our logo and Young for taking the photobooth photo of us. You guys are awesome! There may be a few more changes we make to the logo and blog, but meanwhile, I’d love to hear more feedback. XOXO