and tonight I say “Thank You” to a few of those photographers.  There are so many others that I could list but there are peacock feathers and gluesticks calling my name from the basement… I hear them. Anyway… these four photographers have impacted my life and have changed my business and my view of this industry for the better!…. and I appreciate them.

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1st, Jasmine….I mean, where do I start? In 8 days you’ll be with me on the happiest day of my life! … but I appreciate you even more for returning my email two years ago when I was newbie… I had NO idea WHAT I was doing.  I didn’t have a website, I didn’t have any goals or dreams of what my business would look like…. and you still took time to respond to my email with your advice. And it wasn’t a bunch of “fluff”…. you were honest… and I appreciated that.  So thank you! (Enjoy Italy!!!!)

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2nd, The fabulous Justin and Mary! You also returned countless emails with encouraging words and helpful advice…. but I truly fell in love with you two when you sent Michael and I a wedding gift… for no reason. You barely know us and yet you took time to remember us …. that blows me away.  You two are such a genuinely sweet and AMAZINGLY talented couple and I have learned so much from you… and I appreciate you. THANK YOU!

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3rd, Jessie!  Ohhhhh Jessie! The girl who DRAGGED me to my first wedding on one of the HOTTEST days known to man! For years I told Jessie that photography would never be something that I pursued professionally.  I was happy in my graphic design internship, sitting in a cubicle and working with templates….. puh-lease. You saw in me something that I didn’t and I can never EVER thank you enough for being so incredibly encouraging.  I’ll never forget sitting at the Rainforest Cafe in Las Vegas in our cardigans at 12am (we’re so cool)…..  as we redesigned my whole pricing guide! I swore to you that I would NEVER charge more than $1600 for a wedding package… NEVER.  Oh thank goodness you have more experience than me! You have been such a huge part of my life and business and I LOVE you! Thank you Jess:)

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4th, Sweet sweet Courtney! Oh how I adore you. I appreciate so many things about you….your sweet spirit, your genuine personality….but most of all, I appreciate the fact that you agreed to room with me for Escalate 2010 without even knowing me! What a RISK to take! Don’t you know I’m CRAZY?! I get up at 3am to take showers!! (True story! So embarrassing)  So Court, Thank you for putting up with me and being my roomie for a couple of nights… I love you to death and we need a lunch date!!

** ALSO! I REALLLY APPRECIATE THE RECIPES!!! CONGRATS TO HEATHER CORPORAN FOR WINNING A FREE ITUNES GIFTCARD!! Thanks for the recipe girl! I’ve always wanted to know how to make Belgian waffles!!!! Yay!  And thanks to EVERYONE else who gave such awesome and EASY recipes!! I seriously love you all! What a huge help!!! (Heather, shoot me an email girlfriend!!)