WPPI Convention 2012 Las Vegas!

MGM Grand 

It was a crazy, spur of the moment decision I made a few months back- I saw Bethany write a Facebook status saying "Who wants to go to WPPI with me this year!?"  And I immediately said, "Me me me me!" without a thought as to price, logistics, a blessing from my husband, or how hard and crazy it would be to leave my daughters.  But two things drove that impulsiveness.
 1. My business needed a major facelift.  In a lot of ways that I don't need to get into, but I just knew that I needed to make some changes. And from all that Bethany told me about last year's conference, I was confident that WPPI would be just the ticket.
 2. I wanted an adventure.  To step out of my "normal" (though I have to say that my "normal" is pretty darn fantastic) and take a leap.  To not let all the "what if's" hold me back.  And gosh darn it, I just plain wanted to!  And now, I am back to my beautiful family and home, I am so so completely and utterly confident that I made the right decision.

I threw open the curtains Sunday morning to see this

I have so so many ideas, questions, and business strategies swimming in my head from these past 4 days (Sunday to Wednesday). It took place at the MGM Grand Hotel, and we also stayed there (the pictures above were taken from our room). I took three 2-hour classes every day, spent a couple of hours at trade shows where new and upcoming products and gear were thrown at you with every turn, and took over 40 pages of notes.  It's overwhelming, the amount of information that was thrown at you every day.  Bethany and I were so tired on Monday night, we were walking around the hotel lobby giggling like school girls in our pajamas, unable to see how silly we must have looked to all the posh women in their heels and designer dresses. They stared at us as they walked through the hotel doors like we were from another planet.  But we didn't care!  All we wanted was to find a chocolate bar that didn't cost $5, and to go to bed! Is that so much for a girl to ask!? ***Disclaimer- we are fully aware that we shouldn't be eating chocolate so close to bedtime, but it's completely acceptable while you are in Vegas. the end.***By Tuesday night my brian was so fried, I went to bed at 9PM. WHO DOES THAT when they are in Las Vegas!?!?!  This girl! I am not  well maybe a little ashamed to admit that!

Night View- that is the New York, New York Hotel and Casino

If I could narrow it down to the 3 most important nuggets of information I took from WPPI, it would be this.

1. I need a vision statement.  That will probably be the first thing I do when I get back.  To really figure out how I view the world around me, and how I want to capture that view through my lens.  What does that mean?  When I grab my camera and look through the viewfinder, what do I look for?  An amazing, breathtaking image?  Or do I look to find a story?  I don't know.  I would like to think that I look for both, but what DRIVES me? Once I know that, I will then find my "sweet spot" in my business, to put all my focus there and let the rest go. I can't do it all. Why be good at everything when I can be great at a few things?  oooooo that was deep.

2. On a more practical (and not so fun) level is to become an LLC.  Those of you who don't know what it is, it's just a way to make sure that my booty is covered if something were to happen.  For example, say I am taking some formal family pictures at an outdoor wedding.  The sun is blaring so I want to have the family move to a more shady spot.  On their way, Granny Fran twists her ankle in the grass and breaks it.  If they sue me, they can't come after my personal assets, only my business.  And for those of you photographers or business owners who can't comprehend that I am not an LLC yet? Don't judge me :-) I am still learning this whole owning-my-own-business thing.

3. To utilize my website and blog more.  I rely so much on word of mouth and Facebook to generate business, and it's just not enough.  So I will be blogging much more, and updating my site on a regular basis.  Oh I can just hear my mother jumping for joy.  She is on my case all the time about my lack of posting.  Rest easy, Mama.  Your wish is my command.  :-)

We only went outside once to eat- and we soaked in the warmth and sun!

After all is said and done and I reflect on this experience, the most important thing I take away from it all is this:

I have a husband who believes in me, and who supports me in this crazy dream.  I talked to him numerous times a day (and once in the middle of the night when he was up feeding Makaela and felt the urge to chat) about my dreams and plans.  I now know how closely he walks beside me in this journey.  How he is just as passionate about my success as I am.  And I am beyond lucky to have that.  I was Face Timing with him one afternoon, dissecting my day, and getting ideas of my chest.  We must have talked for 10 minutes.  Not long at all.  And when I hung up, one of my roommates (a friend of Bethany's who came as well) came up to me and told me how amazing my husband sounded.  She had heard a little bit of our conversation, and she was blown away at how supportive he was of my business, how he encouraged me to dream big, and about how much he is loving having so much time with the girls.  "Where did you find him!?" she said.

 With a little luck, and a lot of prayer, that's where.

So together.  We dream.

Stream of Consciousness

I am pretty sure teething is from the devil.  No lie.  It had to be his idea to have a poor, defensless baby endure a year (or more) of having what seemingly is constant mouth ache.  And Makaela, I have come to realize in the last few nights, inherited her pain tolerance from her mother.  Not. Good. It has made for a very tired and grumpy mommy and daddy.  And the exhaustion is fueled by the fact that Harmony is not aware of the escapades of last night, and is fully expecting us to be as excited about making forts and playing princess as she is.  Can you blame her?  But that's what parenthood is all about- bucking up (downing coffee the moment you step in the kitchen) and remembering that it's no longer about you.  It's about tea parties, wee morning snuggles, and princess dresses.  It's about learning as you go, flying by the seat of your pants, and counting down the hours until bedtime. It's play dates, playmates, and play dough (you loved my play on words. Admit it.).  And even as exhausted as I am right now, and how trashed my house is (seriously, if you were to knock on my door right now I would contemplate even letting you in) I am so happy with my life. 


 I found myself looking through old pictures today while the girls were napping, (hence the new header- that was Makaela when she was one day old), and I am amazed at how much, YET how little I take pictures.  I ebb and flow with it.  I take tons of pictures for a certain season, (i.e. vacation, holidays, and birthdays), but so few of the quick yet precious moments (i.e. milestones, fun outings, and life around the house).  I am determined to change that as of today.  Remembering to pull out the "big gun" instead of relying on my iPhone (though I heart you instagram.  I really do).  So if you see me not doing those things, keep me accountable.  


Harmony is taking a what she calls "a fun bath" right now as I write (I took notes from this lady).  What is a "fun bath"?  Glad you asked.  It's a bath where all she needs to do is play.  No hair washing (and if you know Harmony, this is a severe mild form of torture which almost always ends in tears), bubbles, and all the splashing she wants since Makaela isn't in the tub.  It's bliss for Harmony. For me too.


I am so completely stoked for tonight.  We are going on a double date with our friends Amy and Shane, who lived in the next town over while we were youth pastors in East Aurora.  We became attached at the hip those few years, and we were BEYOND thrilled when they too moved back to Rochester.  So it's Sticky Lips and and freakin awesome company for us tonight.  Yesssssssssssss.


This stream of consciousness has to come to an end now that I have a baby who is awake, and a 4-year-old who is ready to move on to the next adventure of the day.  I leave you though with some pictures that I don't think I have ever posted.  They are unforgettable moments of Harmony's first interactions with Makaela.  These will always remind me of what life is all about.