Thank God for technology. I mean, everyone that knows me KNOWS I struggle with all things “modern day technology” and I am still a huge fan of my paper, pen and rolodex. lol About 6 months ago I gave up on the iPhone and reverted back to all things DROID. I figured, ‘hey, I had it in college when it was all about the flip open phone days with no antenna lol” I will just go back to something I know/get.’ FAIL! Lol. I am so one of those people that need to enroll in one of those phone classes they offer when you upgrade to learn how to even turn it ON!

Thankfully, I taught myself to use the camera before even importing contacts. Obvi, right?! Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to capture these priceless moments of my travels cross country last week to Cali for UNITED (An amazing photography conference : P ). Below you will find some behind the scenes shots from packing, to shooting, to classes, to friendships, to star struck moments and more. This upcoming week and most likely the next, I will be share more in depth blog posts about what I learned and took away from the conference. I even have lots of amazing images to share….so stay tuned and enjoy this EXCLUSIVE behind the scenes feature, compliments of my INSTAGRAM.

Before I even packed one article of clothing, one of my suitcases was half full with gifts I brought for those people signed up for my Art of Gift Giving class….it was soooo fun! I cant believe I never grabbed a picture of it! So if you attended my class and grabbed a picture, be sure to send me one my way and I will add it in : P So, yeah, I winded up having to check two bags for one week….shhhh….no judgement! lol

In the image below, this was a total star struck moment. Due to the airlines switching my flights around, bumping me off flights, canceling other ones, they upgraded me to First Class. What a GIFT! Though I was super frustrated at the time….it was great how it all turned out in the long run. I winded up sitting with Leslie Jordan. YAY!!! I LOVED him in American Horror Story (The Coven) and even guest star appearances on Reba. He was so sweet, so funny, and so generous to offer to take a photo with me. I asked for an autograph, he said “lets take a picture instead, it will last longer”. How amazing is that!?!

First class living…warm roasted nuts, and free alcohol…and I choose Coke. Basically I am five…considering I asked for chocolate milk and that was NOT an option. No one in first class drinks that apparently lol! Lunch was garlic grilled parmesan shrimp and cheese grits with sautéed veggies, side salad, a break stick and then chocolate cake for desert. Wowzers! : P How am I ever supposed to fly coach again?!?!?! lol

Finally! Friends!!!! In LAX, I got to meet up with a bunch of fellow photographers that I had never met before…just secretly stalked on Facebook. Let me tell you…everyone of them was AMAZING! I was SO thankful to run into Lauren, Julie and her sister in Texas….poor girls saw me at the height of my frustration with traveling….but Lauren was also my roommate for 5 days and I had the BEST TIME getting to know her. She is so loving, positive and SO INSANELY talented/smart. I really felt as though I left with a new BFF! Julie and her sister were so gracious as they waited patiently for me to get flights sorted out…such compassion and concern…it was just so comforting!!! The middle image….that would be CROP CIRCLES….I never saw them before…so I thought they were cool enough to make the post!

LAND! CALIFORNIA! PALM TREES. HEAVEN!!!! This would be the first morning in Cali…and pretty much the reason I never wanted to leave! The “United” sign was on display during our welcome cocktail hour, so of course, it was INSTAGRAM worthy! : P

Dinner with friends….there was a birthday…an encounter with a star and a story that happened this night that deserves its own blog post….so hold tight for that one!

The Denny’s doing their thing…rocking that film, and making some styled shoot magic. So great to see them shoot and work together. There really is something to this whole husband wife team thing : P The styled shoot featured some lovely models and all of the gowns are from Chariot Marie…you have to look them up on Etsy! Amazing stuff!

If this model was dressed in blue and snow flakes, she could be Elsa from FROZEN…Right!?!? She rocked her crown and vintage gown…..this shoot was incredible….so different for me to shoot….but really great to witness! Look at Kristen Booth rocking it!!! She is so FAB!

Classes/speeches were amazing! I literally couldn’t take notes fast enough…at one point I just threw down the pen and literally tried to memorize everything they were saying…..good think my other roomie, Kristi writes like a type writter…I will so be stealing her notes for future blog posts! : P Below are two of my faves, Matt Kennedy and Trevor Dayley! LOVE THEM!

#kjbrides + #kjcoaching UNITED! Pun totally intended here! Meet Katelyn James, Lauren Swann and Kristi McKeag…..All three of these women made this whole trip beyond perfect for me! LOVE YOU LADIES!

PROMO VIDEO TIME! I filmed a new concept promo video while out at UNITED. This one may not be as pink and fun as the first, but I think will show a more intimate and professional side of KNP…..cant wait for you guys to see! Motivity films….you guys are simply amazing….love you guys for all your efforts and hard work making my dream a reality!!!

No Cali trip is complete with IN-N-OUT…animal style….and in Santa Barbara….stopping at Jeannine’s is another must. Just trust me on both!

Sunrise engagement shoot with Montana Dennis. He is such great people….it was mighty early….but the hour trip there and back was amazing! The whole experience was. And sunrise light in Cali….ugh….to die for! Later that day, bridal party posing class with Melissa Kliner….that girl just rocks my socks…so fun!

I love me some succulents….but this thing was MASSSSIVE! On the right…our cute little note books for the week on behalf of UNITED….love!

Out of over 26,000 images, 5 million votes, and over 1,000 entrants….my image placed 10th…..this ‘trash the dress’ category had some of the most amazing images and I am just beyond honored to be in their company. And seeing my image in a magazine…in print….alongside all my peers….just WOW! Indescribable feeling! Thank you to EVERYONE THAT VOTED FOR LITTLE OL ME….and a huge thank you to me gorgeous couple JoJo and Jim for trusting me with your most special day in Jamaica!!!

 

I mentioned I loved Trevor Dayley right!?!?! What a giving soul….such a friend….if you dont know him…your missing out! On the right, we a missing Kelli….but these are my two other roomies…I literally fell in love with them while out there. We spend so much time together and I think we all burned off at least 3,000 calories a day from laughing so hard! : P

Concert time! I missed this last year and I vowed I wouldn’t this time. Thank God I didnt, because it was amazing!!! The talent my peers have in front, and behind the camera is insane to me. On the right…yup…that would be FROZEN. On nights we called it a night early….falling asleep to “let it go” was pretty much the best ever! : P

Time to say “see you later”, never “goodbye”. What an amazing trip….UNITED 2014….you changed my world…yet again! A final lover letter to you will be written once all UNITED blog posts are up….but for now….JUST THANK YOU!

 

I hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes sneak peak….if you liked these horrible phone photos…just you wait for the real ones….have a wonderful week everyone…and stay tuned for more : P

xoxo, Kaitlin Noel