It’s a funny thing how life works! Back in November, I attended Katelyn & Michael’s workshop in Virginia & met an amazing group of girls while I was there. Not only did we get to mingle & share our lives, loves & even struggles within our businesses – but we could all totally relate to one another.

Anna, a Polish native, was there. We chatted some during the workshop & since we all wanted to keep our friendships alive  – we all connected via Facebook! Gosh…it’s hard to imagine what life was like before the FB. It’s so great to see all of my friends’ successes & little details in their lives that I would totally miss out on if it weren’t for social media. Anna contacted me a few weeks ago & we planned for her to fly down to Texas, stay with me & be my second shooter for Leah & Josh’s wedding this past Saturday.

So, Friday quickly arrived! Yay!! I was so excited to have her! She flew all the way from North Carolina to hang out with me for the weekend at our home. Once she arrived, we just totally clicked! You would think it would be kind of awkward hosting someone in your home when you don’t really know them that well, but it was the complete opposite for us! We love having people over…and Anna was just the best guest! Friday after she arrived, we went and grabbed coffee together & came home & Daniel grilled fajitas for us! We stayed up late into the night talking & getting to know each other.

The next morning, we got up bright eyed & bushy tailed & headed to Austin for Leah & Joshua’s wedding. I LOVED having Anna work beside me. It was so much fun and I loved teaching her what I know & sharing my knowledge to help her perfect her craft in wedding photography. The wedding was a long day, but it was worth it! We loved getting to spend Leah & Josh’s special day with them out at Cricket Hill Ranch.

Sunday, we woke up early & went to take new headshots of Anna for her website & blog! I wanted to take some of her in the wildflowers – and I found a perfect little spot near our home – and Anna just so happened to bring the perfect color of dress that matched the wildflowers!!! Ahhh 🙂 We then headed into Downtown San Antonio to get a more modern look. While we were walking downtown and soaking up the sunshine – I was like – “Oh, HEY! Here’s the Riverwalk, we can go grab lunch!” Thinking NOTHING about it because I live here and sometimes forget how COOL the Riverwalk actually is. Anna was totally blown away by it and LOVED it! We went & grabbed lunch & talked over margaritas. It was just the PERFECT day and a great way to end Anna’s time here with me. I wish I could convince her to move to Texas! :))) My heart is so full & I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love making lasting friendships with other photographers in the industry. I know Anna will be a lifelong friend & I can’t wait to go & visit her in Poland one day when she decides to go back!

SOME BIG NEWS!

If you’re still reading – I have something special to tell you guys!!!! 🙂 Anna was a “test run” for possible mentoring sessions that I will be offering in the near future! I have had a bunch of photographers/aspiring photographers contact me wanting to know if I offer or will be offering any type of mentoring sessions. I always am kind of shocked when people ask me that! LOL I still feel like I’m always learning new things here & there…because let’s face it – we never stop learning & that’s one of the most amazing things in life! 🙂 I LOVE LOVE LOVE to attend workshops of other photographers that I look up to and admire. I also love to share the things I know as well! I, of course, still want to do some tweaking and make everything perfect before I (possibly) start taking them on – but – after Anna gave me her feedback about our time together – she really, really, really encouraged me that I should do this & not let this go. She said that she learned so many priceless things from our time together & she left feeling inspired and motivated to implement the things I’ve taught her into her own business! I will keep you guys posted on the Mentoring Sessions & everything that comes with it! But just know that I am so so so so so so excited about this endeavor – but most importantly, I’m excited to meet other photographers out there & teach them what I know…because it’s all about COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION!

PS – Here are a few shots from Anna’s session we had yesterday…gah, how gorgeous is she?? Happy Monday friends! xoxo