I feel like I must put pen to paper–or fingers to the keyboard–right away or I’ll lose what I want to say about this experience.

It had both it’s highs and lows. (The lowest being Monday night after extreme exhaustion when I declared that I have no talent and I’ll surely have to quit photographing. That was a low-low place.) Let’s backup.

Two years ago when Sarah and I had both attended the Winter Convention for the first time, we were so disappointed. The classes, oh, the classes. They were so old school. It was so discouraging that we decided to go to Vegas last year instead for WPPI.

This year, our group decided to go at it again with the sole goal of hanging out together and refreshing our spirits with friendship. It would be like The Photo Girls weekend instead of night. I had learned several months ago that the famous Zach & Jody Gray were going to be speakers for two sessions on Monday so, between the promise of a girls’ weekend and a chance to learn from the Grays, this convention was one I was actually looking for to.

One of my favorite things about this kind of removal from normal office/studio life is the ability to hang out with no agenda, to bounce ideas off of each other. Laura, Sarah, and I had connecting rooms with a connecting balcony and one of my favorite times was when we all gathered out on our portico and wrote down ideas, spoke our goals out loud, asked each other questions, and just learned from each other’s experience.

Saturday night Sarah and I volunteered to bartend for one of the late night parties and, as unsure of it as I was (I don’t know how to mix drinks!), it ended up being one of the most fun nights!! I haven’t had soda since I was 14 years old so when I made a rum & Coke, I couldn’t figure out why I was so hyper. Usually alcohol makes me really sleepy, but Sarah and I were both wired beyond measure. The party was a really fun way to get to meet people and, bonus, we were the cool kids on the block for those two hours since we were the ones serving free alcohol. Back in our rooms, we commenced into silly giggles, jumping on the beds, pranking each other, and laughing until we cried.

Attending Zach & Jody’s sessions on Monday was another great part of the convention. I have watched them on creativeLIVE and followed them for years so I knew what to expect, but it was so great to hear them in person, meet them, and learn from them. They speak in such a simple, down-to-earth way that it makes me think, “Why didn’t I think of that?!!” They are inspiring and motivational and I needed that this weekend.

Monday night we got dolled up in the public restroom (we had to check out of our hotel rooms at noon) for the awards banquet. While the food and company were great, we “snuck” (read: tried and failed, making a scene) out during a standing ovation (the awards just wouldn’t end…and we had a two-hour drive ahead of us) and headed back home.

I feel a sense of renewal, inspiration, and exhaustion. I’m excited for everything to come, but, really, so genuinely sleepy… No more late nights for me.