the fix :: nashville wedding photographer

As many of you who follow me on Facebook know, this past week has been CRAZY. I flew to Nashville last Sunday, ended up in Kansas City by mid-week, and finally made it back home sweet home around one o'clock this morning. I'm exhausted and overwhelmed, but so thankful that my job allows me to visit family and friends and experience new places and things.

Last Tuesday, while in Nashville, I had the awesome opportunity to attend theFIX at the aVenue (a beautiful venue, by the way... I'm looking forward to Brittany+Jeff's reception there in the fall). I was excited to be at the event not only because I love Jasmine Star (y'all know i love me some J*... girl's got charisma like no other and is just a fountain of talent and smarts), but also because I knew I'd get to see my girl Ashley, who's helping out as part of the crew of theFIX tour.

Before the event, a group of those of us attending went out to dinner (a million thanks to Cory for coordinating) and I am so honored to have met so many friendly, enthusiastic, talented, and fun photographers that I now call my friends. I look forward to keeping up with all of you (in person and via the web) and watching your businesses grow!

I have mad respect for Jasmine and her openness and integrity in an industry filled with "secrets" and naysayers, and her message at this event provided just the dose encouragement and honesty that I needed to hear right now. Throughout the evening, among other things, she talked about her own business, allowing the struggles to be part of your journey, identifying and emphasizing your strengths, and breaking the mold by being you. 

But perhaps the most important thing I heard from Jasmine last Tuesday was the real need for photographers to stop trying to keep each other down and instead, connect with one another. Not just because it will help us survive and thrive in this business (which it will) but because we truly want to see each other succeed. I believe that caring about people and helping one another will get us much further than concerning ourselves with being envious, rude or secretive because of the so-called competition.

We are much stronger together than we are apart.

In the words of J*, can I get an amen?

I know, I know... I'm really starting to sound like a broken record with reiterating this sort of message in my blog posts, but I am so passionate about seeing my peers succeed. I am passionate about helping others. I am passionate about my own business. And I know that we will be more powerful, innovative, and successful as an industry once we learn to not only work together, but to be friends, encouragers, mentors, and supporters.

That all being said, here are a few photos I snapped at the event...

Jasmine Star's theFIX at aVenue by Nashville Event Space in Nashville, TN photo by Glessner Photography

Jasmine Star's theFIX at aVenue by Nashville Event Space in Nashville, TN photo by Glessner Photography

Jasmine Star's theFIX at aVenue by Nashville Event Space in Nashville, TN photo by Glessner Photography

Jasmine Star's theFIX with Elizabeth Glessner and Ashley Goodwin Woods at aVenue by Nashville Event Space in Nashville, TN photo by Glessner Photography

Jasmine, me, and Ashley - aren't these two ladies just lovely? (Please pay no mind to my incredibly fake smile - ahem, Ashley's fault - or the extreme paleness - I need a good dose of Vitamin D ASAP)

happy birthday dr. seuss :: greensboro photographer

Image courtesy Google.

Isn't this just the best idea to instill in our children? (I don't currently have children - well, except for my furbaby Monty - but I recite this quote to him everyday) And yet, once we grow up, we seem to forget all about our childhood dreams and ambitions, or at least push them to the back of our mind. We say we don't care what people think, but we all do. We hide our emotions or our ideas because we might be ridiculed.

I have encountered way too many people lately... well, actually, throughout my entire life... who are satisfied with mediocrity. Satisfied with giving up who they are and what they want to be for the "safe" life of a 9-to-5 job and a healthy salary. Now for those of you who have dreamed of sitting at a desk all your life and who are happy to get up and go to that job each morning, my purpose is not to offend you. Not at all. I am talking to the creatives, the thinkers, those of us who have known we were entrepreneurs ALL OUR LIVES, who stifle those ideas for the easier/safer/wayyy-less-scary route.

Since I quit my full-time job as a Marketing Director over a year ago, I've had many friends confide in me their ambitions, and as long as it's not something that's going to harm them or others, I try my best to encourage and help them. To let them know that it is possible to do whatever you dream of - I know because I'm living it. But here's the thing... 100% of the time a friend or family member confides these things to me, it's followed by a "but" or "if-only." If I had more money, if I had the talent, if I had a house, if I lived somewhere else, but what will people say, but what if I fail. (Please note that these are the same people that will try to tell you that you won't be successful at {insert your idea here} because you don't have this or can't do that - IGNORE THE HATERS). That last ones the big one... I believe that most people are afraid of trying because of their fear of failing. And for those of you who don't think you're good enough, you may not be, but there's an old saying, "Fake it 'til you make it." Take it to heart.

Today, I've been listening to world-renowned photographer Sue Bryce's creativeLIVE workshop, and she made a statement that really resonated with me. She said, "Talent will get you far but not as far as ambition."

So if you're reading this, here's my advice for you: If you have the ambition, if you have the dream, if you have the idea, if you still dream of being that ballerina, firefighter or writer that you wrote on your "When I grow up..." poster in the 1st grade, and if you're not over-the-moon happy to wake up every day and do what you do, stop complaining about it. I don't want to hear it. Change it. Quit making excuses. Have faith. The struggles will only make for a great story once you achieve your goal.

If you're single, what are you waiting for?; if you're married, I hope you are lucky enough to have a spouse as supportive as my wonderful husband; and if you have children, make sure they have a home and clothes and food. But remember that you can't tell them that they can be whatever they want to be if you aren't doing it yourself. Lead by example.

And if you need someone to encourage you, holla at me!

current obsessions :: greensboro photographer

In hopes that all you fabulous folks out there in cyberspace don't choose to label me as a loser forever, I have a confession. Today, I went to a movie. All by myself. But that's not the worst of it... I may have also eaten a large popcorn with extra butter. NO JUDGING, REMEMBER?

I haven't been to see a movie alone since college, and I must admit, it's pretty relaxing to be the only one there in the middle of the day with no long lines or trying to avoid having to sit next to someone else in a packed theatre.

And it all inspired me to do a post on my current obsessions. One that appeals to the senses... what I'm watching, reading, writing, eating, and listening to this week. So without further ado, here's this week's Friday Five.

1. Watch :: My solo movie adventure was all to see The Descendants. I'd been wanting to see it since it was released months ago, but never got around to it. Now that it's in the running for this weekend's Oscar for Best Picture, I decided there was no better excuse to go to the movies. It's horribly tragic and beautiful all at the same time. I'm not certain how it will fair at the Academy Awards with so many other great movies, but it's a winner in my book.

2. Read :: Yes. I do read Oprah magazine. I have to admit, my mom's the one that gifted the subscription to me, but I've grown to love it. The stories featured in each issue of women succeeding at what they love inspire my when I'm uninspired and lift me up when I'm down on myself. Plus, who can turn down advice from Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Dr. Oz all combined in one magazine?! Not this girl.

3. Taste :: Earlier this week, in an effort to try something new, I browsed my Pinterest board and discovered a gem of a recipe. Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta. Easy, vegetarian (if you're into that - personally, I'm an avid lover of bacon) and delish! Thank you Martha Stewart.

4. Write :: While I was in Chicago, my friend Miranda introduced me to this awesome little book called Wreck this Journal, full of crazy directions for filling and destroying it's pages. My favorite: tie a string around the journal and take it on a walk. It's definitely a great way to: A. make people believe you're clinically insane and/or B. release your inner child. Go. Buy it. Now.

5. Hear :: Young the Giant. I seriously had the song "Cough Syrup" stuck in my head for weeks after first hearing it on Alt Nation, and now, it's stuck there again after seeing it on the most recent episode of Glee. The rest of their self-titled debut album isn't to shabby either. Check it...

Now go out and enjoy the weekend!