the fix :: nashville wedding photographer

As many of you who follow me on Facebook know, this past week has been CRAZY. I flew to Nashville last Sunday, ended up in Kansas City by mid-week, and finally made it back home sweet home around one o'clock this morning. I'm exhausted and overwhelmed, but so thankful that my job allows me to visit family and friends and experience new places and things.

Last Tuesday, while in Nashville, I had the awesome opportunity to attend theFIX at the aVenue (a beautiful venue, by the way... I'm looking forward to Brittany+Jeff's reception there in the fall). I was excited to be at the event not only because I love Jasmine Star (y'all know i love me some J*... girl's got charisma like no other and is just a fountain of talent and smarts), but also because I knew I'd get to see my girl Ashley, who's helping out as part of the crew of theFIX tour.

Before the event, a group of those of us attending went out to dinner (a million thanks to Cory for coordinating) and I am so honored to have met so many friendly, enthusiastic, talented, and fun photographers that I now call my friends. I look forward to keeping up with all of you (in person and via the web) and watching your businesses grow!

I have mad respect for Jasmine and her openness and integrity in an industry filled with "secrets" and naysayers, and her message at this event provided just the dose encouragement and honesty that I needed to hear right now. Throughout the evening, among other things, she talked about her own business, allowing the struggles to be part of your journey, identifying and emphasizing your strengths, and breaking the mold by being you. 

But perhaps the most important thing I heard from Jasmine last Tuesday was the real need for photographers to stop trying to keep each other down and instead, connect with one another. Not just because it will help us survive and thrive in this business (which it will) but because we truly want to see each other succeed. I believe that caring about people and helping one another will get us much further than concerning ourselves with being envious, rude or secretive because of the so-called competition.

We are much stronger together than we are apart.

In the words of J*, can I get an amen?

I know, I know... I'm really starting to sound like a broken record with reiterating this sort of message in my blog posts, but I am so passionate about seeing my peers succeed. I am passionate about helping others. I am passionate about my own business. And I know that we will be more powerful, innovative, and successful as an industry once we learn to not only work together, but to be friends, encouragers, mentors, and supporters.

That all being said, here are a few photos I snapped at the event...

Jasmine, me, and Ashley - aren't these two ladies just lovely? (Please pay no mind to my incredibly fake smile - ahem, Ashley's fault - or the extreme paleness - I need a good dose of Vitamin D ASAP)

a heavy heart :: greensboro wedding photographer

i write tonight with a heavy heart, as my little hometown of Laurel, MS, lost a very dear member of the community yesterday. she was a mother to one of my best friends, a grandmother, an educator, a friend, and a faithful follower of Christ. she was truly a beautiful woman, inside and out. if i could display just half the generosity, faith, and love that she showed everyone around her, i would consider my own life a success.

my heart truly aches for my friend and this family, and with that heartache, i am reminded to live every day to the fullest. it's so cliche, but so true. we never know if we will be given tomorrow.

call your parents and tell them you love them. hug your husband like you'll never let go. read a bedtime story to your children. climb mount everest. write a novel. stop wasting your days at a job you hate. backpack through europe. be an example. chase your dream like your life depends on it. have fun.

quit saying you'll do it tomorrow because tomorrow might not be there when you wake up.

please join me in praying for peace, strength, and healing for the Trest family during this time and honoring this lovely woman by living your life to the fullest.

wppi u - adventures in hotlanta :: greensboro wedding photographer

The past three days have been a complete whirlwind of people, learning, and inspiration. As I mentioned last week, I was shocked and thrilled to win a seat at WPPI University in Atlanta (thank you Adorama). So, bright and early Sunday morning (well, not so bright since it was actually 4:45 IN THE A.M.), Ashley, Alicia, Lila, and myself hit the road to learn from a few of the most incredible folks in the industry. It was amazing to hear photographers like Tamara Lackey, Lindsay Adler, and Sue Bryce tell their antecdotes of success and struggle and share the wisdom they have gained through their experiences. 

BUT, perhaps the best part of this trip was having the chance to hang out over dinner at Taco Mac with the lovely Jasmine Star (thanks to Ashley, who you may recognize as one of the attendees at J*'s creativeLIVE course earlier this year). Although she had trouble accepting the deep South's traditions of closing restaurants on Sundays and actually obeying crosswalk signals (they apparently do neither of these in California), we had a great time laughing, exchanging stories, and talking about the power of positivity. It's all about the golden rule, y'all. Jasmine truly is a beautiful person, inside and out, and such an inspiration to me and so many others.

And without further ado, the group picture...

Thanks to all of you ladies for being so fun, uplifting, and the best travel buddies a girl could ask for. You are all such incredible women and amazing photographers, and I can't wait to see what great things this next year brings for all of you!

See more images from our trip to the ATL on Facebook.