Four Reasons I Love Photo Native

FOUR REASONS I LOVE PHOTO NATIVE

Oh, Photo Native, where do I begin?! I have had the opportunity to attend this conference for the last three years and I love it! This is me, on my soapbox, tell you all the reasons why!

FIRST, ASKING PEOPLE “WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?”

I have major FOMO. As introverted as I am, I really do not like to miss out on the party. And this year the party did not disappoint. Chatting with a girl at lunch, oh turns out she is from my home town. While at lunch with a group of girls they are telling stories, to my suprise they sound familiar. Turns out we are in the same photography facebook groups online. I love how small this world is. And the opportunity to meet new people and put faces to names I know is a highlight for me.

SECOND, JUST CALL ME SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

I enjoy being a sponge. Soaking in all the tidbits of knowledge, strategies and fluffy feelings that come when you discuss your passion with other creatives. Sam and Jessie, the founders of Photo Native do a superb job selecting classes. They always seem to have the perfect balance of classes that push your creative side and professional side.

I love the technical classes, hearing other people’s systems and finding ways to implement them into my own. It makes life simpler on the backend of my photography business. I love that many of the teachers are mothers and they share the realities of what their home life looks like. I love listening to photographers who live and breathe art. They ooze imagination and inspiration and I just sit in awe hoping to gain a tenth of their passion.

You know what else I love about the classes, the instructors disagree. In fact, sometimes they have opposing views. With multiple instructors, who have had an array of experiences and teach from various perspectives there is something you can take away from every class.

THIRD, TAKE OFF YOUR SLIPPERS AND PUT ON A PAIR OF HEALS.

What I’m trying to say is Photo Native provides SO many chances to try something outside of your comfort zone. On top of the two days of classes, there are additional stylized photoshoots you can attend. This year I chose to try something different and attend a creative conceptual shoot taught by Miesh. She is a pure creative soul. She developed three different sets with a different objective and challenge in each. I typically photograph families. So photographing models?! Terrifying. But, I survived and it was incredible. I loved trying something outside of my realm and pushing my creative limits.

FOURTH, WHO SAYS IT HAS TO BE ONE AND DONE?

You might ask me, “Rosalyn, you have gone to Photo Native three times, isn’t it a lot of the same same?” and my honest answer would be yes, but at the same time no. Every year an instructor has talked about finding your voice, being true to yourself and breaking creative boundaries. However, each of those instructors has walked a different path to be where they are creatively and professionally. Even though the message is similar, their approach to teaching and coaching you to discover these principles are different.

OVERALL, THERE IS NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP.

At the end of each conference, I have walked away with a list of attainable goals and personal epiphanies and I cant be more grateful than that.