WOW, what can I say about the experience I had at the Showit UNITED conference!  I went into the conference selected as a speaker, which I was so honored to do, and came out with so much more!  I am always yearning for new keys and learning experiences in any way possible I can to grow.   Having all these amazing photographers ranging from being brand new in the business to those being around for over 10 years+ seeing and hearing their talents.

From the opening presentation by Showit CEO, Todd Watson, reminding us that creativity takes time and persistence.  He gave 3 keys:

1. Inspiration-remember to BE BRAVE and go for it!
2. Motivation-continue to WORK HARD
3. Dedication-NEVER GIVE UP!

These are all keys we need to keep reminding ourselves of over and over either as business owners or just life in general.

The talented Mary Marantz part of the beyond talented Justin & Mary is not only an AMAZING photographer but a touching speaker.  When I say touching she speaks right to your heart and makes you dig deep, think and feel your emotions.  She reminded us all that “WE ARE ENOUGH” and what holds us back is the phrase, “But I’m not ____enough.”  This holds us back in so many pieces of our business and in our lives.  Take those risks because there is nothing you can lose but to start again.  Don’t let your fears run you.  Everyone has a story, we are what we are because of our stories.  She let us in on this quote by Esther Havens, “Stories change stories.”  So true and inspiring.  She also reminded us again creativity does take time and growth takes time.  Slow and steady growth is key, using the analogy “weeds vs. apple trees”.  This really made me think, have you ever pulled a weed?  It doesn’t take much effort right, there isn’t a lot of roots to a weed.  An apple tree though starts with the growth of it’s roots (the base), and then it’s tree, then it’s fruit.  Nourished by the fruits of our labor, plant your roots first and then tend to them, nourish them and watch your hard work grow over years.  No one should want to be like a weed, one that grows quickly but then is pulled.

Photo by: Laura Hernandez Photography

Another speaker that really touched my heart was Katelyn James talented photographer of Katelyn James Photography a duo with her husband Michael.  She spoke about “Credibility through Consistency”.  There are 3 keys she noted of reasons we avoid consistency:

1. No Instant Success
2. Requires commitment to one thing
3. Goes agains the creative process

Where being consistent shows:

1. Reliable and worthy of your reputation
2. You’re established and professional
3. You’re disciplined and dedicated

We need to strive to be:

1. Technical-our work
2. Organizational-our office life and work flow
3. Presentation-our marketing, how we market ourselves
4. Your Vision- why we do what we do

Remember that “micro changes give macro results”.  Small changes along the way create big results.  Remember “consistency must be accompanied by grace”.  She reminded us of 5 areas of consistency that make the most impact on a business:

1. Connection with clients
2. Defining your style
3. Post-wedding marketing workflow
4. Your personality-only one version of you
5. Our purpose-“we steer where we stare”

She reminded us that, “Consistent influence leads to changed lives.”  This leads to changed lives in so many ways, changing your life, your family and loved ones, and your clients life.  She spoke about her first experience speaking at a conference and how she remembers seeing her picture on a poster but after the conference is over how do you truly make an impact.  This hit home for me since this was one of my first times at a larger creative conference speaking and I thought, “wow, look I am on a poster, in a book, on a website”.  Then I got to the conference and said to myself, “oh no why was I chosen to speak, am I good enough?”  I needed to BE BRAVE!  I take away, it’s what we do AFTER the conference, it’s who we touch, and we are GOOD ENOUGH!  So go out and shine!!!

My talk was all about collaboration and how true that making connections means so much.  I met some amazing people that welcomed me with open arms and we had some deep conversations, so many laughs, and talks of future collaborations.  I can’t wait to see them again, push each other to achieving our goals and work together to create magic!  This conference reenergized me and I am so happy that I was asked to be a part of it and hope to again next year in any way I can.  Even though it was a photographer based conference I took away so much!!  I have already implemented pieces that I learned and can’t wait to give back even more to my clients, vendors and my family in ways I never knew I could.  Always remember you are GOOD ENOUGH!!!