Shot Party {2010}

Driving to St. Charles I was thinking....thinking about how inferior I felt, about how I was about to be bombarded by all these "super pro-photographers" who were far above the point that I was. I thought none of these people are going to want to talk to me- they were going to be mean, I just knew it. They will probably think I smelled like Subway and the red onions I just ate on my delicious flatbread sandwich. Before I arrived to the Shot Party I already assumed I would be sitting in the corner of a large room of unfriendly people, completely lost from the topics of conversation. I thought about the chance of meeting probably the most inspirational photographer I've ever heard of, Jasmine Star.

My assumptions were changed after speaking to the husband. I shared with him my fears and as always he assured me that I really am crazy. Nonetheless he helped to calm me down and boosted my confidence. As I walked in I did a self pep talk to myself...I am confident. I am a good photographer. Just then the greatest thing happened. A woman behind me asked if I was headed to the Shot party. (she must have spotted my new camera bag from the Byrd Boutique) She proved me wrong in the first 3 minutes I was there. Amazing. I soon came to realize that I was WAY wrong. Everyone there was just like me (and super nice and not so scary) . Well, not just like me, but there were photographers from every level. Not only was I able to see how far I've come but also where I am striving to end up. The Shot Party was great. It truly was. I feel like I learned a ton and it was so nice to be surrounded by people who enjoyed the same things that I did. :) Thanks toKelly Manno for hosting this fabulous event.

...oh and just for the record, J* + DJ are just as fabulous in real life as they are on the web. :)