During Jasmine Star’s RESTART Episode One (and two and three) in Seattle was a studio audience of about 30 photographers. They didn’t have to be there, they WANTED to be there. Some flew in from across the country and some drove hours to be there to change not only their lives but their businesses as well…pretty amazing! The day before the taping was a photog meet-up for all of us to get aquainted. I had never been to nor experienced anything like that before and it was a really inspiring thing to be at….even though at first I sat very quietly in my chair.

I’ve heard Jasmine talk in previous courses and on her blog about the power of community and everyone working together towards a common goal and that is exactly what was happening. We were all photographers working together to run successfully branded photography studios. We all talked about our strengths and weaknesses and how we were going to use this course to better ourselves and our businesses.

What transpired over my three months in Seattle inspired me to create a similar kind of community in Sacramento…which was a little more local for me. I contacted a good photographer friend of mine, Carmen Salazar, an amazing photographer who has experience in photog gatherings. I told her about my idea and she was on board. After creating a group on facebook and getting the word out for photogs in the Sacramento area, it was time to start planning the event….

…and it turned out great! 24 amazing photographers from around the area showed up to talk about their businesses, strengths, weaknesses, life, what they had just learned at WPPI, what works for them, what doesn’t, and creating new friendships and networks. It was all about the power of community. All of us working together towards a common goal.

Thank you to each and every one of you for being there. Seriously. Lindsay Calmettes, owner of Beatnik was there as well to share her input on the industry. I am ever so thankful for her for capturing photos of our meet up…

Happy Friday!