We're in Orlando!!!!!

Who's in the picture? From the left - Back row: Julie (my amazing friend who flew from Utah to take care of the boys during Ky's open heart surgery) Troy, The amazing DJ, ME, Heather Front Row: Andree, Suzy (my sistah from another mistah and drinking buddy!), Tenille, and Sarah (the amazing one who photographed Ky in IL back in October).

Well we made it! We are here in Orlando for a photography convention. Its 5 days of speakers and classes and FRIENDS. In the photography world, we are much like a family. Getting the opportunity to come to Orlando and spend 5 days learning and refreshing myself as an artist, and as a business person. Yesterday morning I was so privileged to spend four hours with one of my idols... David Jay. Check out his work at www.davidjay.com

I just have to say a quick note about DJ... he was possibly the most gracious, eloquent and inspiring photographer that I have ever met. I truly wish that he had had more time to hang around longer but alas he was in demand, as I am sure he always is, for a wedding this weekend.

I was so incredibly excited to meet him and get to learn under him. DJ is an amazing photographer, business person, and generally a spectacular human being. Listening to him speak... I sat in awe of how inspired and refreshed I feel. He is living the life that WE want to live... he still truly enjoys his art and his life and I know that we can too! I have been DJ's biggest fan for a while now... love every product that he has ever recommended and I finally, after listening to him speak, understand why. I truly desire to LIVE. I do NOT want to be tethered to my business. I do NOT want to burn out and I want to LOVE what I do. I also realize that I must be inspired and enjoy what I doing to be able to produce the amazing images that my clients are used to!! I am so incredibly grateful to DJ for renewing and reinforcing all those things I KNOW are true. I am forever changed .... I cannot wait to go back home and live the freestyle life!

And since we are talking about him... I mean heck... he's not bad on the eyes either! ROFL

I am savoring every moment of convention and am having a blast! Today Ky allowed a few people to snap some quick pics too.... so here she is in all her glory! These were taken by Leah Martin. She is another photog friend!! I am hoping that tomorrow or the next day Ky will let Sarah do some more pics... she has a few other outfits ( and amazingly cute one that Heather (in the pic above) made her ) that I would like to have photos of!!