This might sound cliché, but I really do remember The Fix like it happened last week. I remember signing up for it and not knowing why, or even what I would do there. I remember laying out my clothes the night before and making sure my camera batteries were charged. I remember stalking the Fix's Facebook group just to keep up to date with what was going on. I remember getting to the venue super early and asking Zach and Jody where I could kill some time in downtown Nashville. I remember walking through different shops with my dad and hearing Eric Church's "Drink in my Hand" three times within an hour (seriously, we thought someone was playing a joke on us.) But most of all, I remember a feeling that I got that night.
As I walked into the building, I saw tons of *professional* photographers and felt completely overwhelmed. Even though I had been shooting since 2008, I had only started up my business two days before The Fix. That's right, only *2* days.
Everyone seemed to know everyone else, so I decided to just sit down and wait for Jasmine to start talking.
I honestly can't remember much of what Jasmine said. Maybe I was star-stuck (pun totally intended). Maybe I was too busy being inspired. Maybe I was laughing too hard at her jokes. No matter what, I came away that night realizing that the only thing I wanted to do at that moment was pick up my camera and start shooting like crazy. She inspired me to go for what I wanted, and to not let the fear of mistakes get in my way. I don't think there is a word in the dictionary to describe the feeling she gave me - it was just really amazing. I was on fire.
At the end of the night I went over to get my copy of Exposed signed. I am *such* an introvert and was really nervous about having to actually talk to someone that night, but Jasmine has the amazing ability to make anyone feel instantly comfortable around her. I can't remember what we talked about, but I remember that we were both laughing a lot.
After I had my photo taken with Jasmine, my dad asked if she would take a photo of him and me together. It was completely embarrassing at first, but she and I started laughing and it sure happened folks! We had a group of people watching and laughing with us, and Jasmine was coaching my dad and I through a few shots. It was fabulous.
I got home über late that night (Nashville was about an hour and a half away from our farm), unloaded my photos, and then curled up and read about half of Exposed. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't like reading - so this was practically a miracle. If you don't already have a copy of her magazine you *really* need to buy it. I was absolutely glued to it until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. (and these aren't affiliate links - I don't get anything from recommending it to you. It's just too good not to share!)
Come back next week to see how on earth a night in downtown Nashville was the start to my Seattle journey. :)
Happy Friday!
~~le
