START EACH DAY WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

We should go, I said as we sat on a log watching the sun set on the beach...I don't want to miss the ferry.  Okay he said reluctantly; he took my hand and we made our way back to the car.  As I made my way through a short cut, I felt Omar tug on my hand as he kept me on the trail, I want to buy you ice cream he said.  Knowing we were running late, I agreed - I can't help it, those puppy eyes got me hooked!  THIRTY MINUTES LATER we were back in the car.  We're not going to make it to the ferry I said - holding back the tears.  I had a wedding the next day and suddenly that peanut butter ice cream didn't seem worth it.

After driving at unforgiving speeds, we made it to the ferry terminal 4 minutes after the cut-off and that was it.  I burst into tears in the middle of the parking lot.  I'm so sorry, he said as he held me in his arms...I'll get us a hotel for the night and you can leave first thing in the morning.  I immediately felt bad about making it into such a big deal.  He wiped away my tears and I could feel a smile forming on my lips.  I may have unexpectedly missed the ferry, but I got to spend another night with my favourite person - who could complain about that?!

I boarded the ferry the next morning, coffee in hand, as I waved goodbye to my loving boyfriend and another great week at the Canada Photo Convention.  Once docking in Nanaimo, I drove straight to a wedding to second shoot with Adina, which we later realized was the one year anniversary of shooting weddings together #cheers.

Life might get in the way sometimes and make us lose track  of what's really important.  The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.  Train your mind to see the good in every situation and start each day with a grateful heart.

ONE MORE SLEEP

I'm sitting here in my friends apartment, iced (decaf) caramel machiatto in hand, sun setting through the window blinds, dressed in my pyjamas and ready for bed.  I can't believe I will be shooting my first ever wedding on my own in just one more sleep.  I am a jumble of nerves and would be surprised if I get any sleep tonight.

This is my first time ever in Victoria, and lemme just tell you, this place is beautiful.  Like seriously.  I was  left alone at my friend's apartment this afternoon and decided to take a jaunt around the block to  soak it all in.  The sun was shining, people were bustling and my hair was blowing with the wind.  I had the most amazing time.  I eventually came back, had a shower and started to put on my pjs when I noticed I left the clothes for the wedding IN THE DRYER BACK HOME!!!  Back to the store I went to buy a last minute outfit for tomorrow.  Phew, nothing like leaving it to the last minute, eh?

I wondered briefly if it was a bad omen, then shrugged it off as quickly as it came.  If we ran away as soon as something got scary, how would we know what could have been.  The accomplishments.  Dreams coming true.  Triumph.

I honestly can't believe how quickly things have been progressing.  Hard work really does pay off.  If someone told me a year ago that I would be shooting my first wedding tomorrow, I would have laughed in their faces.  But, alas, here we are.

When I arrived at my friend's apartment, I gave her a birthday/thank you gift (she will be accompanying me tomorrow as a second shooter).  She squealed, said thank you, then told me how excited she is and that it feels like she is a part of history right now.  My history.

  

Ashley, I hope you're right.

CANADA PHOTO CONVENTION : VANCOUVER

For those of you don't know, CPC, or Canada Photo Convention, is a magical time once a year where photographers from all around the world gather in one hotel for three days and cause havoc in the city of Vancouver.  Whether it be stopping in the middle of the street to get the perfect shot or sending out spontaneous wolf calls to the rest of the pack, we definitely had Vancouver on its toes.

Vancouver, you kicked my butt.  CPC, you made the trip more valuable than I'd ever hoped for.  Where do I even begin...I'm still going through my notes (half a notebook worth to be exact!) and my mind gets more and more overwhelmed each time.  The convention consisted of three consecutive twelve (yes you heard me, TWELVE) hour days, with six different speakers each day.  They each brought a little something special to the learning experience and I am so grateful to each and everyone of them who took time out of their busy schedules to help other like-minded individuals succeed in their business.

However, the most impactful aspect of the convention wasn't the speakers (although Dan O'Day's presentation left me speechless at times, laughing at others and at one time, had the whole crowd crying.  He changed my whole philosophy and way I look at my business, and in a strange way, made me want to be better not only as a business owner, but as a person.  LOVE HIM!) but the connections that happened as a result of the trip.   The events that weren’t in the plan, the conversations that couldn’t have been predicted.   I purposely went by myself, with the sole intention of creating new friendships and connections (which is so not me, and had me wanting to go home and hide under the covers by the first lunch break) and I am so glad I did.  Networking, mixing, and meeting new people for three days straight is a lot of hard work, but I love walking away with new opportunities and friends.  Like Judy, a talented photographer and lovely girl  from Prince George who I always happened to bump into and sit beside throughout the convention (Hi Judy!)

Another connection that was really fun (and actually happened after the convention was over) was with Wyn Wiley of Wyn Wiley Photography  and was one of the first speakers at CPC.  He's the one taking the the group selfie up derr ^^ I had emailed him after the convention and he is seriously one stand up dude.  He genuinely wants everyone to be good and succeed at what they do.  He also loves cats and I hear he has a killer Beyonce.  Love him to bits and can't wait to see him again next year!

Though CPC was three weeks ago, it hasn’t stopped my mind from running over with ideas and projects I want to implement in my business. Thank you to all who said hi, gave hugs, and lent insight and support. Sometimes it overwhelms me how amazing this photography community is and how lucky I am to be a part of it.

CANADA PHOTO CONVENTION: WORKSHOP WITH JASSER + JAMIE DELAINE

First things first, I couldn't find any parking.  I drove around aimlessly for about ten minutes until I threw my hands up in mercy, screw it!  I ended up parking about a block down the road and paid for parking.  I don't have time for disss!

Second things secondly, after I asked reception where the workshop was being held, I made my way up to the third floor.  But wait, what room was it in again?  Oh Gawd!  I walked around the third floor (which is a tiny cirlcle of closed doors) for about ten minutes, trying to figure out which room was the one for me.  It was kind of like my very own Monty Hall Problem, without the goats and no chance of winning a car.  That was until I noticed little monitors beside each door that said what each room was being used for that day.  Duh, Julie.  Make note, and remember for next time.

Thrice things third (wut?), I walked into the room and was the first one there *facepalm*  Way to look like an even bigger nerd, Julie.  I introduced myself to the only two other people in the room, Jasser and Jamie - the presenters - as I tried to act cool and pretend that I knew exactly what I was doing.  Fake it 'till you make it, riiight?!  

Then it was time to learn.  And boy did we ever.  The workshop began with Jamie Delaine as she discussed the business of blogging.  Which makes sense because she is practically a blogging genius.  I've always enjoyed and look forward to reading her posts every week.  Topics included finding a balance between personal and buisiness, thinking up new blog topics and why to have a blog in a world of social media.  I'm still going through my notes and integrating her tips into my blog.  And for those of you who don't know, Jamie is one of the founders of The School Sessions, along with her husband Randy.  Truly a wonderful lady, inside and out.

And then there was Jasser.  I want to start off by saying Jasser is hilarious and his dedication to helping others be the best the can possibly be is incredibly supportive and humbling to say the least.  He is also the founder of the Canada Photo Convention and is often referred to as the Oprah of the photography world.  Nobody went home with any cars though.  I guess the information and invaluable lessons and tools we learned was his version of a new Mercedes.  Marketing.  Referals.  Cash flow.  He was an open book about everything from his fallen photography empire (which takes balls) to giving everyone an inside look at how he runs his business on the daily.  He is truly one inspiring human being.  There was so much good advice given my head was spinning with new ideas by the time I left.  I can't wait to implement all that I learned into my business this year.

The best part of the whole workshop: meeting new people who love photography just as much as you do.  And they were hands down the most genuine, friendly, loving people I have ever met.  When the workshop came to an end, a few of us met for lunch/dinner at E.B.O in the Delta Burnaby Hotel where the workshop was held.  And can I just say their wild mushroom soup is to die for.  They even made it into a little presentation as the server poured the creamy soup base atop a bed of wild mushrooms and other goodies (only God knows what it was, I only know how delish it was).  I seriously cannot wait to get to know each of you better at CPC next month!

As I drove past the hotel on my way out to catch the ferry, I spotted the parking garage for the hotel.  It was literally in front of my face the whole time.  I shrugged it off knowing to remember it for next time as slipped on my shades, cranked Taylor Swift on the stereo, pulled onto the free way and made my way back home to the island.  Oh, life is sweet.

Happy Long Weekend Y'all!