Personal // Good for the Soul.

Have you noticed lately that my post titles often don’t have much to do with the post itself?  Just a random thought this morning. But this one actually does.  Over the course of the past 6 years  I’ve met handfulls of talented photographers right in my own back yard.  The little yard called Downriver. Downriver is a place I call home.  A place where I’ve planted my roots and I’m proud to be a part of.  I used to shy away from these other photographers, and often considered them “competition”.  I never really went to photographer meetings I was invited to, any get togethers, or followed their work.  Some former clients gone pro, some in business longer than me, some I knew personally and some that I’d never met.  But the feeling of staying away and not connecting with other photographers in my back yard started to wear on me over the past year or so, and I started to feel a little guilty that I had chosen who to be friends with and who not to be.  And I’m pretty sure this labeled me as one of the “mean girls” in certain circles, and that didn’t feel good.  At all.  I do care about what other photographers think of me, and that they see me as someone who is willing to share my own experiences with others. It’s a change that’s taken time over the past 6 months or so, but I’ve met so many wonderful people, reconnected with old friends and I know it’s what’s good for the soul.

So when my friend Caron or Photography by Caron put together the first “Downriver Photowalk” along with her friend Jennifer Gamet on a night that I had free, I jumped at the chance.  There were about 15 photographers who met up in Downtown Wyandotte that night along with our cameras, favorite lenses and a few beautiful models to shoot.  After, we met for dinner and drinks and shared our stories along with many laughs.  It was such a great time, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say this is one pretty awesome community we have down here.  So many great women together that night including Lorree Smith, Geraldine Menna, Ashley Anger, Shauna Wear, Amy Solomon, Sue Jeffries, and Bri Mason just to name a few.  And of course a big thank you to my wildly talented friend Jill Sollars for makeup on our already gorgeous models.  So great to meet everyone, hang out with some old friends and hear everyone’s story. I hope our paths cross again soon.  Here’s a few shots from the very first Downriver Photowalk and the start of something really great.