A few months back I was getting an itch to take a risk — one that would make me become a better photographer, a better businesswoman and a better person in general. It all centered around the idea of a workshop, but I didn’t know who to seek out for the experience. And even more so, I questioned if I was worth it. When you’re starting a business of your own, the moments of self-doubt can be all-encompassing and deciding whether to invest in myself in this way was one of them.
In the midst of all this questioning, I learned that one of my favorite wedding photographers, Melissa Jill, was hosting a workshop at her home in Arizona. It was a place I’d never been, meeting a photographer I’d always admired and it felt like it could be a good fit. A really good fit. I loved Melissa’s style, her imagery, the down-to-earth persona that came across online (and was so evident in person), not to mention her helpfulness at answering my — and so many other people’s — questions via her blog and e-mail. So I took a deep breath, signed up, and wondered what would be in store for me when I showed up. As the old saying goes, the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.
I am still trying to process everything I learned from Melissa and from the 12 other wonderful women who accompanied me for two days of so much learning, our brains felt like they’d start leaking out our ears by the end of a verrryyyy long Day 2! I feel motivated. Inspired. And not just any kind of inspired. I’m talking the kind of inspiration fueled by the Energizer Bunny. On the way home on the plane, I made a list of goals (ha — me making a list, that NEVER happens (insert sarcastic laugh here)) of all the things I want to accomplish in the months — and years — ahead for my business. Here’s to knocking out every one with that bunny’s drum in hand. Because at this rate, I plan to just keep going, and going, and going ….
Our awesome group
Editing into the wee hours of the night
And finally … Melissa was gracious enough to take nice headshots of ALL of us. Needless to say, we were all feeling a little worse for the wear (did I mention this workshop was in Phoenix? Where the temperature was 100 degrees? And we’d been outside shooting for two hours? 
) At any rate, we all appreciated the time she spent doing that for us and this was my favorite photo she took of me. It’s now my Twitter profile. If you’re on Twitter, find me — my profile name is glwerner!
Thank you again Melissa for such a wonderful experience — I know there are moments from this trip I won’t soon forget!
