As we speak, I am in Santa Barbara, California at UNITED. For those of you who have ZERO idea what that is…that’s okay, because I am going to fill you in. This is my first ever UNITED….granted this is only the second time its been hosted….it is one of the most exiting events ever put on in the photographic community. Many of you I am sure have heard of WPPI. While the latter is more of a convention or expo if you will, UNITED is an educational, interactive, PARTY!

I have never been to WPPI, but I did attend a subdivision of it called WPPIU. This was a traveling university if you will…that stopped in different cities and hosted a variety of speakers in the industry. One of which was the fabulous Susan Stipling. In between speakers there were booths, filled with endless products for sale from software, to album companies, to client gifts. It was a heck of an experience and one I was glad to be a part of.

Below is an image of some of the coooolest showiteer girls I know from Denver…I flew from NYC to Denver and then we all met in Denver to fly to Santa Barbara! How fun!

After arriving, not only did we get picked up by the OFFICIAL SHOWIT bus…we were also immediately taken for our first Cali lunch…IN AND OUT Burger!  Yum…animal style number 2….WOWZERS!

But UNITED….Let me tell you: REMARKABLE. The group of photographers I get to meet, learn with, shoot with, eat with, spend my sunny filled days with out here are far more than collegues…they are my FRIENDS…MY FAMILY….MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS….MY ROLE MODELS. From the “GREATS” in the industry to (even though I think everyone is pretty great) to the ones in business under 5 years like me…we are all equals. We all come with our own stories, talents and experiences.

During my time here at UNITED…I will be listening to a host of speakers offering up valuable information from their own experiences in the business side of photographer. I will be up at the crack of dawn learning how to shoot in morning sunlight, then shooting at sunset learning to manage sun flare. When the sun has taken its last few moments to shine, we will transition into shooting sparklers on the beach and getting familiar with long exposures. During the days we will have a miryad of sessions to take part in….practiing details, meeting and chatting with designers about your brand, designing logos and business cards, all the way to learning how to pose clients. Clearly there is not a lack of things to do or learn on this trip, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to embark upon this adventure.

Here is an image from opening ceremonies with the ever fab David Jay! : ) Thanks for the image Chris!

It was a jump. A leap of faith. It was scary. Unfamiliar, Intimidating. Calling myself a professional photographer is still a weird thing to admit. Thinking that just maybe I am slightly good enough to even be at this event surrounded by some of the most talented, respectected and successful people in this industry. But I took that leap. I AM facing my fears. I am a professional and I am good enough to be here!

And honestly, so are all of you. I encourage you to look into UNITED next year…not only for your business…BUT FOR YOURSELF! Not every single part of photography is the funnest or easiest thing…but I can promise you that every part of it is worth it. YOU MY FRIEND AND WORTH IT!

In our businesses, there are some days we HAVE to be selfish. Not arrogant, entitled, or demanding….just selfish. I know you are reading this thinking…HOW RUDE! (In the Stephanie Tanner voice I might add : P ) But I MEAN IT! To better ourselves and out craft, sacrifices HAVE to be made. Huge sacrifice for UNITED…..leaving my kids behind for a whole week! Another one…money…because it does cost to go. Another one, time! With over 8 hours of traveling, time is a huge investment for me. Are all those sacrifices worth what I am doing out here at UNITED? Without a doubt.

I am hoping to do a week long blog series when I get back into town going over everything I learned each day. I know many of you couldn’t go that follow my blog…or you are not at that point in your business to be able to go either for financial reasons, family reasons, etc. AND BELIEVE ME….without the help of my family, other showiteers, etc…I wouldn’t be here either!

So my way to give back is to share everything I am learning and will have learned…with all of you. Only fee—reading my blog everyday! : P

The purpose of this post was really just to let you all know I made it to UNITED and I am having a life altering experience. But what this post hopefully did was inspire you to have your selfish moments….be prepared to sacrifice SOME THINGS to get what you want out of your career and your life in general. Embrace all forms of education that are offered to you and put aside fear….because success is built from change, and with fear, there can be no significant change at all.

XOXO,

Kaitlin Noel