Pictage Conference conclusion

Well the conference ended quite well. I really had such a wonderful time having the opportunity to meet new people. A year ago I felt kind of lost at this conference, I didn't know many people and didn't feel like I had much to offer to anyone. This year has truly been the biggest growth year for Julie and I and our business. It been amazing traveling down this path together watching our business move forward.

Sorry but I took almost NO photos while at the conference. I was having so much fun with all the new people!!

**Quick thought**
I must take this moment to really thank the wonderful people in our lives that have encouraged, supported, and made our jobs and this business such a wonderful experience for us. That goes out to all our Brides and Grooms, our friends and family, people on the technical sides of things such as our designers, videographers/photographers and all the wonderful fellow photogs alike!! You all have been such a blessing to us and we never would be where we are today without you! We love you!!

Ok...back to my original thoughts. This year I made the effort to really get to know people. When you go to these conferences you have to force yourself to be bold and seek out new people. There is always that moment when you walk into that grand ballroom at the hotel filled with 50 tables on the first morning for breakfast before any of the festivities begin. Which one do I sit at? Will the people there let me sit? Will they talk to me and let me into their conversation? Should I just grab the nearest empty table? Will anyone sit with me then? Fortunately for those of you that know me...starting a conversation with people or meeting new people isn't difficult for me. Its my job. I love people and I meet new Brides and Grooms all the time for the first time!! :)

Here is what I did.
I took two different approaches to take the opportunity to meet new people.

1. I would find a lonely single individual at a table and choose to sit with them to break the ice and grab that moment for a great interaction. It worked fantastic every time!! I met some of the most wonderful people this way

2. I would grab the first empty table and sit facing the door so I could see people coming in looking for a place to sit. I was determined to smile and make eye contact. If anyone came within two tables of me and made eye contact I would say "Good Morning" and tell them that "I had been waiting for them and I thought they'd never make it". "Here...I saved this seat for you!" The response was great. Who doesn't love being welcomed and accepted?

I just didn't want to put myself into a "box" and feel that I had to sit or interact with a certain crowd or type of people. Its just not fun that way.

Overall, the conference was filled with fantastic speakers and a time to learn new ways to better our business but more so....better the way to provide our clients with an even more amazing experience. There were many vendors there with incredible new products that we will be sharing later too!

I did win a drawing with a new company called Shoot-dot-edit. Its a company design to service the back end editing for photographers. I and another photographer the sweet Regina Holder won a lunch out on Shoot-dot-edit with Owners/photographers Jared Bauman and his partners Bronson Pate and Garrett Delph, and the sweet Sara France and awesome Dane Sanders. It was a fun time hanging out and talking a bit of business with them all. They have a lot of great things to offer and were very encouraging. I did manage to throw my camera out to get the group shot of us all below.!
Oh yeah..I have to post this....The totally awesome Garrett Delph during his presentation spelled out a phrase from my younger years that I dih'int think was possible. I was dying. I think I almost wet my pants when I saw this!!