Nashville Highlights: Imaging USA

Home again and digging out of the exhaustion of averaging about 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night while away on my 4.5 day whirlwind jaunt in Nashville.  When I got home, sleep was my best friend.  I knew it was going to be a full on adventure with little sleep so I’m not surprised, just not all that accustomed to so much excitement in such a short amount of time!  After all, my life is fairly routine and steady these days.  It’s good for me to shake things up a bit every once in a while!  As far as mixing business with pleasure - I’m not sure where the business stuff ended and the pleasure began.  It was all pleasurable business.  The way it should be, in my opinion.   

Imaging USA hosted by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) was outstanding in its class.  I cannot say enough about the quality of this conference.  The classes that were available and the speakers within the expo were all exceptional and inspired me greatly.  It was fascinating to me to be amongst such incredible talent, blindingly amazing artists, seasoned photographers from all over the world.  I met another wedding & portrait photographer from western Pennsylvania whom I absolutely admire; could not help but introducing myself and telling her how much I love her work.  I would have never forgiven myself if I hadn’t.  Jen McKen was amazing and treated me like she already knew me - like we’ve been pals forever.  I love that about her!!  Check out her work! 

Here are a few shots I was able to get during the conference and in some of the classes.  

I wish I had gotten more!  Next time around!! 

Hanson Fong demonstrating to the crowded room posing skills. Number one rule in his book is, "The woman always looks good!"  And the man pays the bill.  

He had us laughing with his enthralling words of wisdom. 

The acclaimed natural light, children's photographer, Audrey Woulard gives us advice on social media tips.  I learned so much from her in a half hour - many thanks for the inspiration, Audrey!  Her work is incredible and to a photographer, mind-boggling blessed!

I also met a group of professional women photographers who shoot Sony/Carl Zeiss gear too!  This was the Holy Grail, I tell you!  Now, I’d have to say this was The Highlight of the conference for me.  We have chatted within a Facebook group for quite some time now and I’ve been following their work, so I knew I’d be honored to meet and share ideas with some of the finest photographers in the industry.  I was not disappointed.  These ladies were generously gracious with their time, industry tips, helpful advice and friendship.  I learned so much from them.  I can only hope that I offered them equally inspiring advice or, at the very least, my sincere friendship.  Thank you again for everything, Laura Harris, Heidi Melms, Noreen Nooner, Victoria Mason and Melissa Edge.  Although, Melissa is a Nikon gal, we’ll give her a pass!  *wink, wink*  I look forward to meeting up with you all in the future - maybe another Imaging USA or similar conference, and wish you much success in your business and family life.  Miss you girls already! 

I had mentioned before that I have family and friends in the Nashville area and I was able to see as many of them as I possibly could!  With such a short amount of free time, we were able to schedule everything that we wanted to do and see.  My first order of business was a dinner date with some girlfriends I went to grade school and jr. high with.  Here we are as we were wrapping up our night together.  

 Me, Renee, Michelle & Christy

I first met Renee in 4th grade and Michelle the following year at a Nashville elementary school, Rose Park.  I lost touch with Renee in 1982-83.  So, I was super excited for this opportunity to reconnect with these fun-loving, southern gals!  I love to hear the southern accent - takes me back to a place I once called home.  The conversation was broad and sweeping - from grade school to current day:  family life, health, work.  We spanned roughly 30 years of time over a delicious Mexican meal and drinks.  And memories upon memories were stirred.  I was a bit overwhelmed within my thoughts of days long gone by.  It’s amazing what the memory can store in our brains, deep in the recesses of time.   It was a fabulous evening of reconnection and I send my good thoughts of continued life-loving awesomeness to my old friends.  I’m reminded of that song we used to sing as Brownie troop members:  Make New Friends But Keep the Old, One is Silver and the Other’s Gold.  You girls are Gold to me.  

The theme for the weekend was: Reconnection.  I saw cousins I haven’t seen in many, many years - and met new ones, too!  It was refreshingly wonderful reconnecting with everyone, my beloved southern family members!  It was a soulful, good time.  I loved every moment.  

I met up for a lunch date with an aunt I haven’t seen in close to 25 years!  She was the “cool” aunt whom I always looked up to and admired fiercely.  A creative force to reckon with and smart business woman.  Thank you, Donna, for carving out a little time with me.  I hope our busy lives don’t keep us apart for another 25 years!!  Wishing you happiness, beautiful lady!

I was able to help celebrate my step-father, Ted’s birthday with my Mom and more Nashville family at their new home.  Thanks, Mom & Ted!  So wonderful to spend time with you and the “kids” and see your new home.  It’s just perfect for you!!   Happy birthday, Granpa Ted!

There was so much more, but I'm trying to keep this blog post under an hour long!  ;) 

On that note, I'll leave you with this video clip from PPA.  I can't wait for next year's Imaging USA conference, although it won't be held in Nashville.  It will be held in Atlanta from January 10 - 12.  I hope to meet more photographers then!   

We are PPA strong!!

Link:  http://youtu.be/nSd-8T6m2lg