So WPPI seemed like the perfect idea! We went to Vegas and experienced our very first WPPI.  As a first time photographer, the BEST part about the conference was being able to actually walk around the trade show and see albums and camera bags and meet vendors in person! It was a wonderful way to connect and meet great industry leaders. The MASSES were a bit overwhelming… even for this extrovert! We attended as many classes as we could CRAM into those four days and even though I didn’t leave those sessions with the information I was expecting to learn… the “Go-getter” in me started to believe that if you speak at WPPI…. then you have MADE IT. Speaking at the nations largest photography conference had to be the highest honor, right?! I spent years…. YEARS thinking this. WPPI was the goal. One day I would be “big” enough to speak and when that day comes, I will feel like I have accomplished something! I’ll be in the “big leagues”… with the “big time” photographers… and that has to be amazing, right?!

Well…. it has been 6 years since my first WPPI experience and I have learned a lot about this industry since then. I’ve learned throughout the years that this industry, just like any other industry, has a very political, caddy side to it. I’ve watched friends that give and serve the industry who still never get treated well by the higher ups. I’ve watched fame and popularity overtake photographers lives and I’ve realized one last thing…. Thinking that WPPI was the “End all, Be all” of my business was a sad, self-seeking, SMALL dream. How could I have ever thought that speaking at a massive CONFERENCE would be the GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT of my whole BUSINESS?! What a horrible deception! You want to know what the GREATEST accomplishment of our business has been thus far? Changing lives through our images and our service… and watching new photographers become successful and build thriving businesses through workshops and coaching sessions. Every month we have photographers come into our home, sit in my office for hours and openly share their story, their fears,  and their questions. Each year we have 30-40 absolutely amazing couples come into our lives and we get the privilege of serving them and blowing them away with their wedding pictures. Over and over and over again, we have been given the opportunity to teach and serve through our business and let me tell you friends… THAT is winning. THAT is making it BIG TIME. Forgot the conferences and the blog stats and the amount of “likes” you have on your fanpage. You want to find the “End Goal” for your business?? Start thinking about the PURPOSE of your business.  If you’re a person of faith like we are, start asking God to show you what this business was REALLY created to do. I’m sure God laughed when I started saying that WPPI was my BIG GOAL!! Oh how foolish!!

If I’ve learned anything over the last six years, I’ve learned that my influence on the industry is a huge responsibility. I’m not big time like some others in the field but I have grown a little bit of an audience and with that growth comes responsibility. This past fall, I was given a very exciting and yet humbling offer….. I was asked to speak at WPPI. If I was writing this 4-5 years ago I would have typed that whole last sentence in ALL CAPS!! haha I am very excited to speak, don’t get my wrong!! I know that this is such a HUGE honor and I’m so excited!! … I’m just excited for a different reason.  At the beginning of my business I would have been excited because I would have just hit the jackpot!! Today, I’m excited because I get the opportunity to speak in front of (hopefully) hundreds of photographers and  help them grow and thrive in their businesses. We have so much to share about how we have run our business over the last 6 years as a “Shoot and Share” photographer and we’re ready to help others get their life back!!

So do I feel like I’ve “arrived” as a photographer because I’m finally speaking at WPPI ?! No, I feel like I’ve “arrived” as a photographer because I’ve been given a big opportunity to help and serve. I have found more purpose in serving and sharing in the last 6 years that I have EVER experienced through popularity…. and now, I get to serve on a larger scale and we’re pumped!! … We’re also very nervous! haha So any of you out there that will be attending WPPI  this year, mark your calendars!! TUESDAY MARCH 4th from 6:30-8pm!! Come and see us!! And bring a friend! Despite the nerves, we’re really very excited about this!! :) And we’re very thankful for the opportunity to speak about how creating a Community around our business has been a game changer for us!! If you’re planning on being there this year, leave us a little comment and let us know! We’re excited to see you!!!! Spread the word! Share it, pin it, and tweet it so we’re not speaking to 5 people! ….But hey, if only 5 people show up and one of them is my husband… we’ll still have a blast! :) 

And last but not least, we still have COACHING HUDDLE SEATS for Vegas available on February 28th!! Read more and signup here!!