Early, early Sunday morning, I set off on a plane to one of the most courageous decisions in my business life. I have been using the Showit website platform since 2012, and slowly moved with them as they switched to a new base earlier this year with my new website launch. Over the years, I had heard about this little conference they had been developing as a sidecar to WPPI. The last two years, they have stemmed out on their own; in a new state, on a new weekend. I had always been wanting to go but never knew how it would benefit me, if I was big enough as a business, and more than all of them, lacked the courage.
This time last year when the 2016 conference ended, I made the jump and bought the ticket. I’ve been so excited ever since to meet so many of the leaders in the creative industry who have inspired me for so long. The time finally came and all of a sudden, I was in Phoenix, Arizona. Words aren’t even enough to explain the experience and gratitude of what these few days did to me. I always knew Showit was a tight-knit community, but you can never really know until you meet all of these amazing people in person.
I’ve been going through a lot in my life, both very blissful and very difficult. They become difficult to balance and appreciate the good without letting the bad overwhelm you. Every speaker had me in tears, letting everyone know that they still go through life and business struggles as well. They spoke about time management, booking, being intentional, branding, authenticity, slowing down, isolation, momentum, your whys, outsourcing, purpose and overcoming people who don’t think photography is a real job.
The theme of the week was ‘do hard things,’ and that we did. And this conference gives you the momentum to go home and tackle big tasks, make big changes, and believe in yourself like you never thought possible. Thank you is not enough, but big praise to go out to all those who made me cry this weekend.
Amy & Jordan Demos
Jasmine Star
Phillip Blume
Abby Grace
Field Denny
Jenna Kutcher
Natalie Franke
Hope Taylor
Ben Hartley
Matt & Carissa Kennedy
Nathan Holritz
And as always, my spirit animal, Katelyn James