Showit Tour DC :: Photography

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Showit Freedom Tour in DC. Showit is the amazing company I get my website through and when I heard their tour bus was headed for the Capitol I was sure to get myself a seat. Because the company is committed to giving their clients a great product with great service, they chose to limit the seating to 50 people. This allowed for a more open and intimate atmosphere in which we had the freedom to ask questions and create good conversations with fellow photographers. If there's one thing I absolutely LOVE about the photography world it's the ridiculously fabulous network of other photographers. Whether we're in California or DC, we share the same common bonds of starting and owning our own creative businesses. We were lucky enough to have the day begin AND end with the incredible voice of Ms. Molly Jensen. You may have heard Molly singing on Jon Foreman's albums Winter, Spring, Fall, and Summer. If you haven't checked her out already, be sure to stop by and hear her here.

Our speakers for the evening were the Boudoir Divas, David Jay, Jim Davis-Hicks (who started the terrific non-profit organization Thirst Relief International), and the one and only Promise Tangeman. It was such an honor to hear these amazing industry leaders speak. I soaked up every last ounce of their knowledge and insight and I can't even wait to put their advice into action.

It's important to me that I never stop striving to learn. Whether it be photography, business, branding, life, or love, I want to be a woman who grows as rich in knowledge as she is old in age. Photography workshops like this are just one way for me to continue to quell this thirst for learning. I'm so thankful there are leaders in this industry (as well as every other industry out there) who are insistent upon providing outlets for those who are eager to learn.

Thank you, Showit, for one rockin' tour. You guys are really great.

Michelle

New York, New York!

I vote for every Monday being a government holiday. Colton and I took advantage of the extended weekend by jetting to the Big Apple and treating ourselves to a mini vay-cay. Each time Cole and I arrive in a new place we immediately throw our bags in the room and head straight for the Metro. Depending on what time we get into town we either find a great cup of coffee or a rockin' happy hour. Our choice bears some quality time and thought because the location often serves as a home base for the remainder of our stay. On this trip to NYC we took  residence at a great independent coffee shop in SoHo (whoa, SoHo. I just sounded SO fancy). After savoring every sip of that ohmygoshbestlattesincewelivedinoregon, we took to the streets and explored our city.

Our city, because, really, who doesn't feel like New York is their own personal discovery?

If Colton and I do one thing well when we travel it is walk. When we saw Rome I couldn't believe we made it to day five with my feet still attached to my body. And when we left Paris I was slightly disappointed my legs weren't an eighth of the size they were when we arrived - we really did walk that much. If there's any way to get to know a city it's by using the Metro system and by walking - which we both do an exorbitant amount of. On this trip we arrived in the Concrete Jungle on 34th & 8th and, because refuse to ever pay for a cab, we happily walked the entire way to our hotel on the upper west side - the one on 96th street. I like to tell myself this all makes up for the ridiculous amount of food we eat while on vacation. I do feel a strange freedom when allowing the Barista to make my latte with real milk instead of skim, and I always always always make Colton eat dessert with me. Like a vacation could actually be a vacation without dessert! Pfft.

I'm posting a few pictures from our trip. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and, at the least, were able to relax and reflect upon this ridiculously wonderful country we live in. We are truly blessed.

I've been to New York before, but I've never taken the time to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. I think my favorite part of traveling with Colton is that we never ever ever ever ever make plans. We simply promise to find good coffee, take long walks, and let our feet lead us where they want to. I'm happy they led us to the Brooklyn Bridge this time.

In the off chance you're thinking I Photoshopped myself into this gold number, you would be oh-so-sorely mistaken. I sported this shirt with pride - pure, natural, unwarranted pride.

By day three our feet could only beg for mercy. The remedy? A day trip to the beach, of course!

I'm trying to get over the fact that I look exceptionally squinty  and awkward in this picture. I'm including it with the hope that one day I'll be glad to have documented Colton and I in the big city. Together.

Oh, America, your flag gets me all excited inside. This giant display across the New York Stock Exchange in conjunction with the most incredible fireworks I've EVER seen, made for one patriotic - and beautiful - weekend. A million bonus points go to Macy's for setting up five enormous barges along the Hudson river and letting Colton and I experience the amazingness that is the NYC 4th of July Fireworks Magnifico. Way cool.

Happy Monday, Happy Long Weekend, and, most importantly, Happy Fourth of July!

Michelle