My Sparkly Gems

When pursuing your dream, there will always be the people that confirm your fear.  That will agree with your self doubt.  I find these people are usually are not hard to find and can end up being toxic to your dreams.  They give strength to your what ifs:  what if I fail…  what if I just straight up stink… what if they don’t like me…? However, people that encourage you to not remain paralyzed by your questioning what ifs and cheer you on to push through, are like sparkly gems.  Those are the people you want to hold close and listen to.  There were two couples specifically that did this forrr me when I first started out in photography…

Robert & Kathleen Trenske. I remember telling Chris that I thought they probably had a million things going on and we shouldn’t even ask them to go to dinner.  I mean, they were running a successful photography business, traveling all over the world, shooting stylized photo shoots, leading a local photography group and just being awesome.  But we asked.  And they agreed.  They were so welcoming to Chris and I at that dinner at Joe’s American Grill and didn’t laugh at this girl who was so new.  New to photography, running a business, working with clients, etc.  I told them of wanting to focus on photography full time, being afraid, and gave them all of my excuses of why I couldn’t or shouldn’t.  But they listened, encouraged, and at one point at the end of the dinner I remember Robert said something to the effect of’ prepare yourself as best you can, then take the leap and just do it.  I was scared but knew that is what I wanted to do.  He was encouraging me to take the step beyond my fear and wasn’t afraid to do so.  That dinner was the “GO GET EM” talk I needed.  I didn’t want to let my fear of failing stop me from trying.  I will never forget that dinner.  The advice, the encouraging, and the kick in the butt I needed.

Zack & Jody Gray. I desperately wanted to attend some sort of workshop and told Chris I was going to start researching ones in the area for me to go… aka stall because I nervous about going to one.  I didn’t want to be the only one there who didn’t know their camera like the back of their hand or dream in Nikon owners manual language.  But I saw that there was a workshop coming up about an hour away from where we lived.  It was the amazing Zach and Jody Gray.  I already knew how talented they were and after reading about them, I decided this was the workshop I wanted to go to first.  I remember sitting in the studio as people gathered and reminding myself to put myself out there and not be the shy quiet girl in the corner.  I know, sometimes hard to believe, but I can get shy in situations like these. But that day I not only gained so much knowledge, but met some amazing people that have become great friends.

While we were doing some hands on practice and shooting they divided the group into photographers that were advanced and others who wanted to learn more of the basics.  I think I walked to the basic group as soon as they pointed out the advanced group meet up spot.  When it was my turn to shoot the model, Jody was helping me and asked if I was shooting in Manual. I wasn’t, I was still shooting primarily in Aperture priority and was SO freaked out and felt like an idiot.  But right then, she gave me the permission to be new, to not know everything about photography in the beginning.  She accepted where I was in my learning process and gave me some guidance.  She believed in me and when I chatted with her at the end of the conference she told me I could do it and to hang in there.  Since then, the Grays have helped shape my business and will always be amazing mentors to me.

I am so excited to announce that the Grays will be having one of their IN-CAMERA Workshops in New York this June during their 2012 spring tour!  This two day workshop covers the topics of shooting, posing, post workflow, lighting and everything in between!  No matter where you are in your photography, this is such an incredible workshop that will teach you things to take your skills to the next level with discussion and hands on shoots.  Registration opens to the public today Wednesday 2/8 at  12CST.  Class size is limited to 15 spots which will go fast, so please make sure you get your ticket asap.  You DO NOT want to miss this workshop! Click here for details.