Imaging USA 2015 (Southern Minnesota Photographer)

I am finally blogging my Nashville trip!! I really thought I would take more photos, but when it came down to it, I was just so busy trying to learn as much as I could, then being exhausted at night, I hardly took my camera out. However, I now know what to expect, so next time, I will shoot more! 

I was so excited to take this trip with my friend Heather of Red Barn Photography and learned so much! We flew into Nashville on Jan. 31 and we were able to go out on the town that evening. We stayed out WAY to late at the fault of the shuttle driver who decided to be a half hour late to pick us up. We stay at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and it was AMAZING! It is the largest hotel in America that isn't a casino. So, we had everything we needed right there. 

Three straight days of learning, meeting and networking with new people, and I even got my first massage at the spa. Yes, I am 32 and haven't been to spa, I am a sheltered girl :-) 

We did go out again on Monday night and took some photos. I realized I am so much better at taking photos of people. Landscape and architecture photography is just not my forte, but I tried! 

These tap handles just looked really cool to me. 

I love how the lights pop in this one. 

I got Heather to pose for me :-)

I tried, and I do like how some of my shots turned out. 

There was live music at almost every bar on Broadway, I had to stop and get shots through the window. 

The three floor bar. 

One of the photographers we met brought a tripod and was trying to get traffic shots. I took a stab at it. Now, this is just bracing my camera as still as possible against my body. Not bad for my first try. 

And that's Heather. 

As photographers we are always willing to do crazy stuff to get the shot. She laid on the sidewalk, I leaned over a nasty trash can. It's what we do. 

My favorite "window" shot. 

Oh how I can't wait for the next Imaging I will attend in 2017. I am amazed and inspired. I am going for my certification in these next two years which will bring my photography to the next level. Get ready, it's going to be WAY fun!! 

Always wanting to learn...

I love photography, I love meeting new people, I love capturing moments for others to cherish for the rest of their lives. However, this isn't an easy profession to be in. I have learned from my mistakes through the last six years and like the saying goes, "if I knew then what I know now" things would be different.

But I didn't know, and I that's OK, so far, I am still here. The reason I think I am still going after all the mistakes I have made, is because I WANT to get better. I want to learn how I can service my clients better and make my art the best it can be. I am the first to admit I don't know it all. I learn constantly and enjoy that about photography. It grows, and as photographers we need to grow with it. 

For three years I have been a member of Professional Photographers of America, and am able to contact colleagues when I am in a pinch, or just need some inspiration, along with many other benefits to enhance my business. This is the best investment I ever made in my business.  

With this said, I am so excited to announce I am headed to Imaging USA this weekend to learn from the best photographers around the world. This convention is three days long and covers things from wedding photography, seniors, marketing strategies, business and more! 

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Get ready, when I get back things are going to be BETTER!