i have to tell you my big news.
it's BIG.
i am going to GoPro with Blue Lily in San Diego on February 25 -26th.
i am so excited about it….like….craaaaaaaazy excited.
wendy & tyler are my favorite.
my super duper FAVORITE.
i first found them when i saw their work at NieNie's blog….in 2008.
i thought their family photo was the most beautiful i had ever seen.
and i have read the blue lily blog ever since.
they took our family pictures this summer while we vacationed in chicago.
you can find them in a city near you this year i just betcha.
and now….they are going to teach ME.
i can't believe i am even able to write that.
at GoPro i will learn things about lighting…non-ideal lighting….confidence…..staying fresh and creative…
finding my own style….workflow in lightroom….studio lighting….
and probably a billion other things i don't even know that i don't know yet.
we have multiple shoots with real people.
(i guess why would they do a shoot with fake people…but you get what i mean right?)
i have heard we get to eat really good food…bonus!
it's at big house ON THE BEACH!
not a conference room.
not a hotel.
a house on the beach…we all stay there together!
this is like a dream workshop…for real.
i get to meet a bunch of people who are passionate about the same things i am AND we get to stay together.
have i mentioned that i am excited about this?!
more great news….
YOU CAN COME TOO?!!! i would loooove to meet YOU at this workshop!
there are still spots for the February weekend.
all the info you need is found here.
did you know that they are also teaching in London, England and Melbourne, Australia?!
how awesome is that?
how cool would it be to take a vacation there tagged onto a blue lily workshop?
or just for those of you who live there….they are coming TO YOU!
you are so lucky.
your photography skills are about to go BIG TIME.
i am so ready for an awesome (dare-i-say LIFE CHANGING???) weekend with two people i admire so much.
let's go together!
think how BEAST we will be at photography when get home?!!
🙂
and for the record wendy and tyler….i expect to do this when we are together.
go to their blog and you will be inspired….you will be soaked in color…..you will smile…i promise.
it's impossible not to smile while you read their goofy stories
and see the LIFE they capture in their photos.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
so darn excited.
Kami - I am so jealous! They are my photo heroes! I took a basic class from Wendy at SPARK in Sept. Love her!
Sarah - Awesome!!! Can you come back and redo the entire workshop for us? 🙂
elisa - I want to go!!!
Kelley - I’m waiting on Wendy to send me the invoice so I can make the payment. Soooooo Excited!!!
Julie - For realsies? Yay yay yay and then one hundred million more yays. That weekend is going to turn everything upside down for you in the best possible way. A life dream/ bucket list/ no way it would ever happen/ all in one.
I am so excited to see what you soak in under the pretty San Diego sunshine.
Lisa - Wow, sounds really amazing!!!! Can’t wait to see your posts of it all…..and in SD too! Awesome!
Jess Mead - Sounds lovely and the weather will be perfect!!! If you are like me you are already so tired of our cold snowy Midwest winter!!!
Holly - Wow. Just…WOW!!!!
Many, oh so many, congrats to you, Meg!
I so wanna go…in fact, here’s the thing: I’m going to just have to go. Starting my own photography business is something friends and family have been encouraging me to do for years.
Just. Need. That. Extra. Push. From. Within. Myself.
And, to somehow grow overnight from self-conscious, into SELF ROCKIN’!!! (Did you go thru this when you got started as a pro photographer?)
Hope. It’s an amazing thing. And I hope to be able to grow some “you know what”, just throw caution, vulnerability, self-doubt, fear of falling flat on my face to the ever-lovin’ wind and get my tail out to SD…And just DO IT ALREADY. Aside from being a mama to 3 amazing boys, my other passion: taking pictures. Especially of them, and our crazy life. Love it. To the moon and back. Its most definately evoloved into an “art”, house art if you will, over the years. Hence the suggestion from fam n freinds.
And, of course, hopefully I will be able to give peeps the fabulous gift of being able to say to me: “Ha! I told you so!”. Because I am so mature. *big sigh*.
Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!
Jenny B. - What a great opportunity! A house on the beach… learning about photography… with a bunch of fun people!? Sounds like a good time to me! By the way, I saw a bird with a french fry this morning and thought of you. 🙂
eryn - I just emailed my hubby the link, my oh so subtle way of saying, PUH LEASE baby?? We’ll see. Maybe a great way to spend our tax return, I’m thinkin’.
Julie K - If I had an extra $1000 I would be there with you! I’m looking for a workshop this year too but … I think I have to stay local – are you aware of any good ones in Chicago? I’m having a hard time finding one that I know will be reputable. 🙂
Nicole Q. - SWEEEET. So happy for you girl! I’m in the research and saving stage of buying the next up camera form my point and shoot. Might be out of my league ya think? HA!! Have a great time! How cna you not ON THE BEACH with your CAMERA!! How fun!
Julie - That’s great Meg!! You are already a GREAT photographer, but isn’t it fun to learn new things about the thing we love to do. You go girl!! Happy for you!
Stephanie@Geezees - Sounds like fun! Can’t wait to see pics!
Ashley - I’m SOOOO excited for you! That will be the most amazing experience! I wish I could go, but I’m officially on “stay in town baby watch” starting next week.
Christa aka the BabbyMama - Lucky! I’m terribly jealous. I would love to be a better photographer. Or even just a competent one!
Von - Fantastic! Just had a look at their work and can see why you’re so excited. Looking forward to seeing some of your work afterward – it’s already fabulous 🙂
karen - Good for you Meg!! Take lots of pics for us please!
julia - Simpletruths - That’s so great!! My goal is to be good enough to go to one of their workshops next year
Lori - I love your blog! It’s my favorite! Blue Lilly did both of our girls weddings last year and they both turned out beautiful! Would love to have more family photos with her soon. Could you tell me what color you paint your crystal chandelier. Is it white or cream, spray or brush? I am thinking of painting one of mine and don’t want to make a mistake.
Thanks, Lori
laurenjean - I LOVEEEE Blue lily !! I won a contest abut a year ago from Wendy and had some AMAZING pictures taken by her out where I am in AZ. You will learn sooo much !!!! I would love to go !!!!!!! She also donated a package to my MOPS group . How cool is that !!!
Tracy Fisher - I am so jealous. I love that they invited you. I read their blog stoy about Mexico (the food). So funny. So honest. If I had more minutes in my day I would join you all. I have wanted to learn how to take better photos. But for now I am committed to tshirts, art and of course the family… and the next 40 days (I am trying to lose 10 lbs…yikes). Please post your stories of your trip. I can’t wait to hear.
Tracy (www.tfisherart.com)
Lori Danelle - EEK!!! I am so excited for you! While I would love to be there with you, I cannot think of a person who would enjoy this experience more! Now you can actually enjoy that fancy-schmancy Photoshop program instead of just thinking longingly about it while it sits in the box!!! 🙂
Laura - That is freakin’ awesome! I just discovered their photo blog a few weeks ago and fell in love. You will learn so much! Your business will grow! What an amazing opportunity.
You are now moving on to the next phase of your life my dear. Enjoy every single second of it!
Kelly - I am so excited for you!!! Woohoo!!!!! Kelly
jennifer - Yeah! So excited for you! Definitely beast!
Sara - I am very excited for you, there is nothing as stimulating as learning more about something you already LOVE and are totally INTERESTED in. I’m so proud of you for going for it!
jennibell - Can’t wait to hear all about it!!!!!!! So excited for you 🙂
Amanda - So exciting!! What an opportunity! Look forward to hearing about it here. weeee!!
Kyley Ochoa - Love your BLOG! We are long lost sisters! I love anything RAINBOW and my goldendoodle!:)
Check out my blog if you ever get a chance!
http://biggirlsyouarebeautiful.blogspot.com/
jenn - WOWZERS!!! I am so happy for you!!! And so wish I could go, too! Learn lots and have a blast!!!
Lisa Currie-Gurney - JUST READ THEIR INFO ON THE WORKSHOP. WOW… SO GLAD YOU ARE ABLE TO GO. LEARN LOTS, HAVE FUN !!!
HUGS FROM MY HEART.
http://sophiemyfriend.blogspot.com/
Ariel - So jealous…wish I could. I will be on my way to Austin for my first half-marathon. Pray for me, and that I don’t die! 🙂
Keri - That’s awesome! I hope you learn a lot and have lots of fun!!
Jenn Thomas - I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this yesterday! I am so glad you will get to have this experience! I am jealous because you are going to be by the beach! I am sure you will learn a lot that will make the pictures you take in August for me even better! more unique!
Love Jenn T
Jodi - That sounds like so much fun!!! So excited for you! :o)
jeannett - green. jealous. boo.
BUT SO EXCITING FOR YOU!!!! please tell me you’ll be hanging out in cali a few extra days? right? right.
ruth - oh oh oh
whyyyyy did you have to mention london… now i want to blow all my savings!!!
Shayne - What a fantastic opportunity! Happy that you are able to embark on this amazing journey. 🙂
sarah - Ok, so I will make you a deal. YOU go on this totally cool weekend and I will wait here in freezing cold, snowy and windy Chicago. BUT, next time you are here to visit, you will use your BEAST skills to photograph my babies okay?? This way I will be less jealous:)
Heather R. - Beast for sure! 🙂 Excited for you. Can’t wait to see your mad skills on your blog in the spring.
Lisa Lentini - Sounds fun! The price tag is a bit big though. Hope you have a blast!
Sarah - I was all ready to complaining that all the cool things are in America until I saw they were coming to England. I’m nowhere near Pro but I definitely going to check out their beginners workshop, exciting!
Victoria - Well i just checked out their website and think you’re photo’s are just as good as theirs (to my untrained eye). I love how you can capture someone’s soul, and how every picture tells a story in itself! Keep up the good work!
Gemma - EEK! How exciting?!?! You’ll have great fun!
Gemma x
melissa @ the inspired room - Oh, PS, how fun for you!
melissa @ the inspired room - I need to be beast at photography. BEAST? Wha?? lol.
I need to buy a big girl camera first. Then maybe I’ll go with you. Someday.
se7en - Awesome!!! You sound wonderfully happy and I hope it is just totally brilliant for you!!!
Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode - I am so excited for you. You better blog us about your adventure.
Katy - HOW fun is that!? I’m dying inside because I wish I could go, haha! Our wedding is 3 months away so all extra money is going to that. Take lots and lots of notes and report back to us. 😉 Have fun!
Leah - This looks AMAZING and I live here in San Diego! I don’t think I can afford the $900 right now. But I’d love to meet you. Interested in doing a photo session for me?
Kacey - You lucky girl!!! I would so love to be joining you. Wendy did our family pictures back in November – something I had dreamed about for a few years. It was fabulous! Enjoy!
Trish - Oh my word… so jealous! I actually just contacted them and asked a few questions about the workshop. I’m gonna ask the hubby tomorrow… I would freak out if he agreed to let me go. It’s a long shot, but I have to try! Thanks for the heads up 🙂
shauna reed - meg.
this is so exciting!
i am so looking forward to watching you grow through this!
and just be inspired!
if i was a pro i’d love to do a weekend like this!
maybe someday…
but last year i did a simple one day workshop just for partents with wildflowers photography and it was a highlight of my year…so inspiring!
betsy - Ooooh … I want to go. That sounds like a blast. Too bad I have my teaching job. And another certification I’m working on this year. And zero money in my savings.
But now that I know about these workshops, I have a goal. I’d love to save up for something like this that is just for me! Thanks for sharing and giving me something to work towards! I can’t wait to hear about it. Please tell us that you’ll be sharing pictures of the house and the beach and the sun for those of us still stuck in Kansas 🙂
sarah - You are going to have such a great time and learn so much and be so refreshed!
I’ve really enjoyed the 2 workshops I’ve done.
I love workshops, they allow you to grow and learn.. there’s always room for that. And meet new fun creative people. I love that.
I wish i had the money to spend on another one so I could come out and hang with you and them and take pictures and meet more people and soak in more amazingness. It would be SO great. But I’ve gotta hold on to that money for my 5 year anniversary trip with my hubby 😉
Heather @ Cookie Mondays - YAY! Good for you!! I know two of those girls in the last picture, one I went to elementary thru high school with! That will be an AMAZING experience! AND I’ll just miss ya… we’ll be on our annual family SD beach house vacay in March. FUN! I wish I was a super awesome photographer like you. 🙂
april - that sounds great!!! Cant wait to see what you learn….
If I only had 900 bucks right?? lols
So close yet so far…:)