So I know this is a few weeks overdue, but here is my recap of the few Escalate Live sessions that I tuned into:

From Jerry Ghionis:

• Look for the light and slow down. If that’s all you change you’ll be a better photographer next week.
• You don’t have to be the best, all you have to do is be better than last week.
• Value what you do, don’t just sell the JPGs on a piece of plastic, and tell your clients “here ya go, do it yourself.”
• Compose the photo in your head.
• Giving the JPGs away is like loving a meal then going in the kitchen and demanding the recipe from the chef. (Don’t do it…also I think he mentioned that he charges $2000 for JPGS for a wedding).
• Don’t spend energy focusing on your fears. Spend it chasing your dreams! (yes, might be a bit corny but we all need to hear it sometimes)
• My most powerful tool is my voice, my energy, what I believe in. Not my camera.
• If you want to be like the greats, be yourself.

And I didn’t take any notes when watching Jasmine Star (who I admire as much as anyone can admire from afar) but both she and Jerry Ghionis gave SUCH great presentations. Seriously. I was actually moved and my enthusiasm cup was totally refilled. It’d be an honor to be a part of any of either of their workshops and I really do hope to be able to one day. Anyway, the one thing that Jasmine said that did prompt me to make some scribbles on paper was “get out and get uncomfortable because when you’re uncomfortable, you grow.”

A few months ago when I was going through the process of hyping myself up before making cold calls, I realized that every great accomplishment I’ve made so far usually started with me feeling terrified. Figuring out what to do after high school. Moving six hours away from home without knowing a single person there. Repeating that scenario, only moving even further, yada, yada, yada. All of these great things happened because I stepped out of my comfort zone which got another ball rolling. So I guess that’s why what Jasmine said really sparked a little something in me…’cause I know I’ve definitely grown after taking all of those leaps.

Workshops and events such as these are very reminiscent of photo church if a photo church actually existed. Lots of uh-huhs and amens and epiphanies and hope. Looking forward to attending some of these sessions in person next year.

If any of my dear internet friends have attended a workshop that you’d recommend, please let me know! From the myriad of options, it’s tough to choose which ones to invest in.

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I’d like to end this post with a few shout outs. I’ve recently started shooting more interiors and architecture which leads me to mention Ty Cole who is the most talented architecture/interiors photographer I know and have had the privilege of assisting. He just finished a shoot for Absolut Vodka’s latest flavor, Absolut Brooklyn, which completely blows my mind because I used to love this campaign when I was young and would plaster my walls with every cool magazine advertisement (including theirs) that I came across. I even owned a book full of the Absolut Vodka ads up until whenever that book was published. I worked with Ty on some amazing residential and commercial places in NYC and one of them was the Christian Louboutin store on 5th Ave. (as a shoe fiend, I was in LOVE). Each time I worked with Ty, I always learned something new, and for that and all the experiences, I am forever grateful. Even though call time was usually at the butt crack of dawn.

To my mentor, Monte Isom, I’d like to give some props to one of his latest campaigns which was for the EA Sports FIFA World Cup. Check out the behind the scenes video here. And yes, it’s always that fun when you work with Monte. As a side note, today he tweeted that he just booked his flight to South Africa to catch three games of the world cup. JEALOUS. And to brag on him a little more, he also photographed the US Olympic Snowboarding team before the games. And the Adidas campaign for the Olympics in China. And…and…

Last but not least, my lady, Shannon. She is my home girl to the core and I wouldn’t have met her if I didn’t go through what I thought were unnecessary or unfortunate events. Pit stops, if you will :) We worked on the 9/11 project together and she has taught me so much about life, love, and of course, the photo industry. Shannon launched her own blog not too long ago with some new portraits that you should definitely check out. She loooooves to geek out in technical camera speak and she is as quirky as they come. Never a dull moment :)

…Are you still reading? I feel like I’ve been going a thousand miles an hour lately so I apologize for my lack of response to emails and comments. Do know that I appreciate all of them though and I hope to get back into the groove of writing asap. Much love and big virtual hugs, H.