I just returned from a fantastic photography convention in Ohio! Being the diligent photographer that I am, I of course didn’t take one picture. Ohio people have no idea how lucky they are to host such a great convention. My great friend Lisa heard that Rod Evans was going to be speaking and we couldn’t resist crashing the convention. (he was out of this world, by the way!) I got to sit through classes of some the absolute best wedding photographers in the country. Including David Jay, Kevin Kubota, and be still my beating heart, Parker J Pfister. I honestly couldn’t dream up a better line up. I learned so much from these guys and I’m incredibly inspired. I can’t wait for my next wedding!
Not only did I learn great techniques and business ideas, but I was also reminded of how important my job really is. I’m not just creating pretty pictures, I’m recording history. And I know that may sound silly, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say how they wished they had a better picture of a loved one that passed away. On a very personal level we lost Patrick’s grandma this past fall. I regret so much never photographing her. We have nice pictures of her, but I don’t feel that we have a portrait that truly captured who she was. Rod shared this video yesterday and it really touched me. Please watch it, but get out your tissues. Dominic passed away 4 days after this.
I know this post is a downer. But its just a reminder to me, and the other photographers that read my blog, how important photography is and what an impact we can make as photographers.

P.S. Sometimes people say that they can’t see the lines under my links so as a tip every name on this post has a link. And so does “this video”