I’ve just returned from an amazing week in beautiful Santa Barbara, California where I attended the 2014 UNITED Photography Conference!

When I signed up to go a few months back, I didn’t know how impact-full it would be.  It was more than workshops and hands on training…it’s was all about community!  And let’s just say ‘I found my people.’  I was thrilled to have found this community who share the same thoughts of:

– connecting and serving clients

– sharing our gifts

– the shoot & share philosophy where our clients own their complete set of images

The four-day United conference was held at the Fess Parker Hotel, right along the beach in SB.  It was jam-packed from sunrise till sunset everyday with shoots, brilliant talks and informational sessions.  We enjoyed a cocktail party, gala dinner, 5 minute fuel talks, rock concert and amazing lunches which included a fresh Mexican buffet, picnic & food trucks.

I travelled with fellow Saskatchewan photographers Taigan Fowler with Gunshotz Photography and Jessica Hunter from Jessica Hunter Photography who were not only great room mates but awesome friends.  We were warned about how welcoming this community was, but nothing could have prepared us for the amount of HUGGING, bonding and sharing that happened.

The adventure home will likely be one we’ll always remember, full of unexpected delays.  One would think the USA wanted to keep us three Canadian girls a bit longer.

My family was so excited to have me back as it was the longest I’ve been away.  I can’t thank my husband enough for taking care of things while I was away.  I took the weekend to snuggle my family and reflect on my journey to United!

Needless to say it was one of the most life-changing and inspiring weeks of my life.  I am blessed to have made so many connections with such fabulous fellow photographers.  I came away feeling energized, honoured for my art and gifts and encouraged by this community!