ClickAway {my recap}
I was so nervous about ClickAway. It wasn’t so much being up in front of everyone as much as wanting to make their time investment in my ‘session’ worth it. Most of the sessions were on tangible photography skills…editing, shooting, composition, etc. Mine was simply about joy in photography – why we love photography and how to maintain that joy while still striving to grow as a photographer. Many of us have thieves that come in and rob our joy in photography…motherhood…marriage…life. We talked a bit about those thieves and more importantly the WHY behind picking up our cameras. I hope the ladies that came felt like it was worth the time they invested. It is a topic I am passionate about in a field where the focus can often be on the product more than the reason behind it.
Soapbox could happen right now, but I’ll spare you!
Millers (the pro-lab that is over Mpix) sponsored my program and printed out an outline and stickers for me using my blog artwork by Katie Daisy. I also conned my sister into letting me order 5×7 prints of her Everyday Is An Adventure print. I tried winning over attendees with cute little packets. I have blog stickers now…I feel the need to send random packages just to use the last few! It feels kind of official – blog stickers and a program sponsor. Official for 3 days, now I’m back to normal life. Back to life…back to reality.
After my program I went to a “Meet the Speaker” – such a gift to meet several past SnapShop students and women that read this blog. I can’t tell them ‘thank you’ enough for coming to say hi. They were so encouraging, so kind and so warm towards me. Their smiles meant a great deal to me. I’ve written before that one challenge with blogging is I never really know how I come across on a computer screen. You can’t see my face or hear my laugh when I write. It was a tremendous gift to me to hear from those women why they read my random blog and hear their stories. It was life-giving and I don’t say that lightly. They inspired me. They breathed life into me. It was also pretty incredible to see where past SnapShop students are now. They could teach me so much. I’ve always loved teaching SnapShops, but getting to meet numerous students in person really made me realize how fun it is to introduce others to photography. So good. Thank you ladies.
Chris and I took advantage of no kids to do something we basically never do – EAT OUT! And we ate good. Red Iguana and Bruges Waffles were my favorite. We ate a Bruges twice in three days. That good. We also gained about 10 pounds, but it was totally worth it.
Aside from time with Chris, the best part of the trip was meeting new friends and getting to catch up with old friends. Quick chats and meals together learning about each other. Time together catching up and encouraging each other. Friends are a gift and there are some I long to see more often and am so bummed too many miles separate us. Friends, new and old, are good for the soul.
My friend Joy taught me that to ‘inspire’ means to ‘breath life into’. These two ladies, Kate & Joy, are a constant source of inspiration in my life. They have both breathed life into me in ways I am forever grateful. It was really good to get to hug their necks again.
The women at Click Away, new friends and old, breathed so much life into me over those three days. They challenged me to do the same. I want to be a women that breathes life into those I am around. I want to start at home. Today. Breathing life into my family in my words, my actions, my expressions and my embrace….
