Showit Freedom Tour – A.MAZ.ING!

These last several months I have gone from overwhelmed to excited to discouraged to inspired and everything else in between…on some days I feel like everything is going exactly as planned and I am going to make my business be everything I’ve imagined it.  And some days I feel like I’m in way over my head and I feel nuts.  But the first one is far more common.  Basically it’s fear.  Fear of failing, and even fear of succeeding.

Last night I attended the Showit Freedom Tour.  It was unbelievable.  I had high expectations and they far exceeded every one of them.  The evening started out with what they called Showit Live.  Basically it was a little Q & A and how to session with the Showit geniuses.  I am not currently a Showit subscriber but it is definitely worth every penny.  The things you can do for $39 a month is amazing.  The coolest thing I learned about was +sites.  Basically you can create a site (with your url) for each and every client.  A separate domain name for them to go to and show all their friends their photos…and the whole thing is covered in your design and logo.  And you can make an unlimited amount.  Very cool…

Next Molly Jenson played a few songs.  She is so super cute and very easy on the ears.  She offered all her songs to us to use in any slideshows or on our websites or whatever.  So awesome of her….and she played You Are My Sunshine one of my childhood faves…

Throughout the night David Jay (Showit Creator) got up and spoke in between speakers.  He had a lot of good stuff to say and definitely made us laugh more than a few times.  He’s an awesome example of how to take your passion of photography to the place you want it – to make yourself successful by your definition.  I was very excited to get the chance to meet him.

Next Bob and Dawn Davis got up and said a few words.  Dawn was the sweetest lady you could ever imagine.  She talked about having balance in your life and believing in what you do.  She said something that stuck with me – “Decide who you want to be and be it.”  I thought that was so great because a lot of times my mind runs all over the place coming up with a million ideas of things I could do and at the end of the day I just need to do it.   Next Bob Davis took the stage.  One word for him – BRILLIANT.  He did an awesome demonstration using off camera flash.  And he made it look so easy and everything he said made so much sense.  I spent 4 years getting a photography degree and not one of my professors made as much sense as Bob did.  He did a give-away of his book (I didn’t win )  but I am definitely going to be purchasing it.

An awesome guy by the name of Jim Davis Hicks spoke next.  He is the creator of Action Runner (such a cool program) and did a demonstration for us as well as giving some time management tips and things like that.  He is also the President of Thirst Relief International.  Which is such a cool organization.  He took his passion of photography and passion for Thirst Relief and brought them together in such a cool way.  If you haven’t heard of Action Runner I urge you to check it out…

And last but not least Zach and Jody Gray.  I was listening to their presentation and I don’t think I have ever been that inspired.  Their story is so incredible and the advice they gave was priceless.  They started their business barely 4 years ago they are now some of the most successful wedding photographers in the business.  That blew my mind. They are so cool and laid back and funny…definitely people I do and always will look up to.  (And they’re a super cute couple).

That basically sums it up.  I left there with a t-shirt and a brain so full that I’m pretty sure I’m still trying to figure out what to do with it all.  There’s only one stop left of the tour and for anyone who can I 100% suggest going.  Or try and hear any of these people speak at one of their many speaking engagements…it is more than worth it.  The most important thing I left with last night was the mid frame that I CAN do this.  I can make my business into whatever I want it to be and that is exactly what I’m going to do.  Happy Friday everyone and have an awesome holiday weekend!!!  -L