I’ve become used to seeing the updates, blog posts and Tweets from my friends at the WPPI convention each February, and each year I become steadily more jealous. For those of you who don’t know, WPPI is “Wedding & Portrait Photographers International,” and each year they host a huge convention/expo in Las Vegas for photographers from around the world. This is the first year it would have been possible to go (what with leaving m y desk job and all), but Matt and I didn’t even consider it because… well, we just didn’t plan ahead enough. It was fine with me- I hadn’t bothered to get my hopes up about it, so it wasn’t a huge let down.

Then I started seeing a bit of press regarding United. After Googling it, I discovered United is a three-day conference in Santa Barbara hosted by ShowIt with some of the industry’s top leaders, who also happen to be some of my favorite people! I tried not to get too jealous of those who were going and went on with my life, assuming since WPPI was out of the cards, United would most definitely be as well. So I pushed it out of my mind and moved on with things.

Sometimes it absolutely blows my mind how incredibly faithful God is. I’d been asking God for opportunities to grow and try new things, and He absolutely delivered- due a series of rather AWESOME events involving an email and the chance to speak on a panel at United, I suddenly found myself with my admission paid for to United!!!

Cue: MASSIVE FREAK OUT.

After calling Matt and straining not to scream over the phone and then checking flights, I was on board! I still can’t believe I get to go spend  four days in Santa Barbara- the only time I’ve been to the West Coast involved a 36 hour turnaround, leaving barely enough time to get over my jet lag. California light has no equal and I’ve been pining for a chance to shoot out there, and now I’ll finally have it! Four days full of learning, shooting and creating new friendships with photographers from around the country.

I am so incredibly blessed.

New York City anniversary session- Justin & Mary

Here’s to new opportunities, trying not to stress too much over what I’ll wear, and a God so incredibly good that words fail me at times. And y’all know I don’t have a shortage of words.

Happy Friday 🙂

California, here I come!

February 1, 2013

  1. Blythe K says:

    awesome!! congrats Abby!! Have fun!! 🙂

  2. Jean says:

    I am so excited for you!

  3. Rebekah Hoyt says:

    Yay!! So excited to see what you learn and how you grow through this experience!! 🙂

  4. Rebekah Carter says:

    Don’t stress about what to wear. You look amazing in anything! It surprises me that your are so self-conscious b/c you are so gorgeous & always look so put-together. Have a great trip!

  5. Rachel Ziegler says:

    That is such an awesome opportunity! Congrats Abby 😀

  6. Sarah G says:

    Yay! I can’t wait to hear about your awesome experiences in Cali and United! Have a super awesome trip.

  7. Christine says:

    What an amazing opportunity! Can’t wait to hear about all the fun and what you learn.

  8. Emily says:

    That is such an awesome opportunity! Congrats!

  9. That’s so exciting!! Hope it’s such a wonderful trip and I can’t wait to hear about it!!

  10. You are going to have so much fun!! I went to the WMBA in Vegas last year for wedding professionals and it was one of the best decisions I have made!!

  11. Jae says:

    Wooo!!! Excited for you! I love love love California! Don’t worry about what to wear, just make sure you don’t make the mistake of not bringing a sweater or jacket…first time I ever went to Cali, I was convinced it would always be warm..& I was wrong. Go forth and ROCK the west coast!!

  12. Sarah B says:

    I am SO excited for you, Abby!!! 😀

  13. Emilia Jane says:

    YAY! Can’t wait to meet you there 😀

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