meganbeth.com » 2008 » August

Monthly Archives: August 2008

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David Jay, and [b]ecker.

Have you ever met your favorite celeb?
Ok, not only meet, but have you hung out with them, and sat there and had a conversation?

Well…it’s been a couple of days since I attended the Freedom to Succeed tour, and I must say I’m still hyped up. It was absolutely amazing! I still have a big olde grin across my face.

Just the other day I was feeling down because I felt I was going no where, and had no photog friends, or people to guide me. I guess I spoke too soon, cause boy did my prayers get answered.

I got to meet David Jay who is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Often people in the photography industry are in it for themselves, and only look out for numero uno. DJ was so willing to tell his story, share his struggles, and give his advice to help people like me, who aren’t at his level yet. And let me tell you…it wasn’t just any joe schmo advice. They were things that he does…his workflow(which he said takes less than two hours…WOW), efficiency, value, listening, pricing and so many more to help your photography business grow, and give you more “Freedom” in your life. Seriously though, he must have been reading my mind when he said something about staying up on your computer to the wee hours of the morning editing pictures…me, nahhhhhhh, no, not me, never. Ok that’s me.

Here I am with DJ and my new local photog friend Kristen Leigh.

After DJ spoke, [b]ecker gave his shpeal on networking. Becker had so many great tips and advice for making your way through the industry. Oh, and did I mention he is freakin hilarious…seriously, my face hurt from laughing so hard. The best part is he is so modest about his talents. I hung around with him before the seminar, and a bunch of us went to eat after the seminar, and it’s just like hanging out with an old friend.

Notice the big goofy grin as I’m thinking…’oh my god i can’t believe I’m hanging out with [b]ecker!’

Here is my great new group of photographer friends. Andreé, Kristen Leigh, me, and Peter Bang.

Me and Kenny Kim…uh…I thought we were supposed to be making funny faces.

My all time favorite: Jasmine Star. And…although her last tour stop was Boston, at least I got a picture with her…well kinda.

Here are a few more random pictures from Freedom to Succeed:
Stolen from Kenny Kim…and yes I’m aware I look like a retard.

Touring the bus:

Late night dinner at Kabob Palace, photo courtesy of Peter Bang:

It was a life/business changing seminar and I’m so thankful that I got to go and learn from some of the best in our field.

Freedom to Succeed.

It’s going to be a great day. I’m so nervous, but mostly excited that my [b]rain is about to [b]urst(which can’t be a good thing). I’m going to get ready. I will give you all the juicy details when I get home later tonight. [B]e [b]ack later tonight ;)

Stompin Grounds.

I grew up in Annapolis and I love going back now and then to check out the changes. Just recently mom and I went to eat dinner at Federal House, formerly known as Griffin’s, where I worked for three years. It’s so crazy to see how much everything has changed since I was there.

Another great spot is Mangia’s…a yummie pizza place. This picture is for my aunt, who instilled in me at a young age the importance of front row parking spaces. She and my mom taught me well, and if I do say so myself, my parking skills are phenomenal. It’s front row space, or wait for the shuttle. Rules are rules.

Mom died and went to heaven…her favorite drink of choice: Rootbeer.

Summer hair cuts.

Noelle got a hair cut.

Before. (yes that black bullet looking thing with legs and a tail is our cat)

After.

Luck is not on my side.

I came walking out of my building, up to my car and looked down and saw this atrocious sight.

I looked around… this has to be a joke. This is not real. Fixing my hair thinking it was Candid Camera or something, and any second they were going to walk out with the camera…hello, you can come out now…really funny. Ha. Ha.

No camera.

YES, that is another flat tire and NO, it is not funny. If you remember I just bought all
new four tires because I just got a flat tire a month ago! I was fuming.

The kicker is that I got it driving two blocks away. Thankfully it was a small screw and
all they had to do was plug it, and wa-la!

September excitement.

Check out these church doors. They are ridiculously ahhhh-mazing.
And lucky me, I will be shooting my September wedding there!

Yesterday I went to the church to scout out spots for pictures. And I just happened to mention how funny it would be if the bride and groom drove by and saw me there since they lived right down the road.

We got a little side tracked as we were reading the names and years on the super old grave stones, and we hear a door open from the church. And guess who came walking out…my bride and groom!!! Too funny. They were getting together some final details and the church lady actually let me take a look inside! It is such a cute little old church with old wooden pews and old dark wood cathedral ceilings. Gorgeous!

I am soooo excited for my September wedding…the bride and groom are so sweet, and I’m in love with their two year old little man. It’s going to be fabulous! Check back mid September for their wedding.

Days off.

The very few days I have off are usually spent sitting at my computer working, or at my dad’s or mom’s house. And normally mom’s list is something along the lines of…move this, hang that, fix this, write a book or two, and win a Nobel Peace.

This week I decided to take a day for myself, no bringing people food, no computer, just lots of fun. The most fun thing I could think of was…riding roller coasters. So, a day at Kings Dominion it was. I went with my good friends Shawn, Val, Andrew, and Elleni.

ps. do you SEE how pale I am, ugh yuck…that’s because computer screens don’t emit UV rays.

This picture of Elleni is priceless.

Right after the Drop Tower “dropped” us.

If you know me, you know that I take my camera everywhere I go…and I mean everywhere.

My “fun” face. It is a god awful butt ugly picture of me, but makes me laugh so hard looking at it, I had to share :)

Family times.

When I showed up and saw how good looking this whole family was,
I knew the pictures were going to turn out awesome. Here are some of my favorites.

Thanks for a great time guys!

A girl with a camera.

Sometimes I feel like I am fighting an uphill battle…on wheels…with bricks in my pockets.
When I take a step forward I always feel like I’m knocked 23 back.

There are so many things that I want to accomplish with my life,
my business, and my career but I just don’t feel like I am getting any closer to my goals.
I read my idols(yes photographer idols) blogs and see how they have a network of photographer friends.
And well. I have none. They always seem to be going out to dinner, going to seminars, shooting a bajillion weddings, and learning and growing as photographers together. None. No dinners. No shoots. Just me trying to find my way through what seems like a huge jungle with no light.

I wish my pictures were better. I wish I had a website. A nicer blog. A place to learn. Photog friends to learn with. And people who actually know who I am. Right now I’m just a girl with a camera with a passion for photography.

Where the hell is Matt?

If you are looking for a good ‘pick me up’ then you have to check out this video.
It’s amazing, diverse, inspiring, and pretty funny.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY&hl=en&fs=1]

Or click here to watch the high resolution video.