Portrait Artist Blog

Everyone wants their New Year to start off great. My January was so great, a lot of it seems surreal. I'll share the highlights, which are incredible! These highlights come from my trip to Washington DC, where I attended a national photographer's conference, "Imaging". There were a couple of events that I planned to enjoy while there, and was pleasantly surprised with others as well.

The trip to D.C. started out phenomenal with a wonderful gala I was invited to for hitting a big sales goal in 2021. We were gifted a custom cover album with each photographer's work in the pages. I loved seeing my image on the front cover of a book! The night was so super nice and elegant, and I enjoyed meeting new people. Megan DiPiero really knows how to make her guests feel special!!

The second night was enjoyed at an Irish pub. I coach with a second group of photographers called BSA (Business Success Academy) that is headed by an Irish gentleman and his son. This group is extremely diverse with people from the UK, Ireland, and the US. I have been meeting with them by Zoom for the majority of the year, and it was wonderful to finally meet them face to face, in the flesh. We had an incredible time connecting, eating great food, having drinks, and enjoying each other's company. Ronan, Jonathan, Jeanine, and Brad are great people, and they give back freely to those they coach! If you're a photographer that would like to learn more about coaching with us, send me a message!

The conference kicked off and I met the keynote speaker, Mike Michalowicz  and got a copy of his book, Get Different. The BSA booth was busy with the entire group showing up to meet and get their pictures with Mike, as well as to help tell others about our Academy. I found my face on a step and repeat banner, and had to get a picture with my picture LOL 😂

I spent the next day or two attending conference classes and visiting landmarks in DC. I had never been before, and it was freezing ❄️! Thankfully, Nicole (JG Portraits Studio Manager), had given me her warmest scarf and hat to borrow for my trip before I left, and I was so super grateful! I was nice and toasty around my neck and my head. It was awesome getting to see the places I have only ever seen in pictures and movies.

While at the conference hotel, it snowed!! As a Texas girl who doesn't visit cold climates, I had not yet experienced snow falling on me before, and I was elated to be out in it! Ask all the locals if they like they snow, and they say, "heck no!" Ask me, and I was absolutely loving it! And then about 10 minutes later, I was ready to be warm again. HAHA!

I ended the trip with more classes and seeing my mentors, Greg and Lesa Daniel, present. They were phenomenal as always, and I relearned some of the things I had forgotten.

When I returned home, I hit the ground running. I always do when I return from a conference. It had been 2 years since I had anything to attend, and it was great to finally be around friends and mentors again. January was an excellent month for the business, and I expect the rest of the year to be amazing (at least the part of it I can control)!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2022 as well!