Dream trip to Seattle
Its been about a month now since I have been back from my trip to Seattle and I STILL can not get over how life changing it was for me. I brought my husband along and we set out on a photographers dream mini vacation. I signed myself up for a photographers conference called Click Away 2016 and had some pretty amazing AH - inspiring moments.
I arrived on a chilly Thursday evening at the airport from a direct flight from Austin. Legs tired and ready to move, I hopped on the train and took it all the way to downtown where I had a cozy Airbnb apartment waiting for me. When I arrived downtown it was just a little wet and and dark, reflective lights in the streets from the retail stores still open. I was only a mere 3 blocks away from the apartment where I arrived in from the train station.
The apartment was lovely, and only a block away from the The Westin Hotel where the conference was being held, HALLELUJAH! It had all the necessities with some charm and I was eager to go to bed to start my first day of classes the next morning.
When I woke, I didn't realize how much two hour time difference would make! I woke up still in the pitch black of darkness of my apartment with several hours to spare. I had to take advantage of this time, something about starting your day early and going out for breakfast and coffee while everyone is still getting up is special to me. I put on my newly purchased winter attire and headed to a little coffee shop for some breakfast. And I was not disappointed, the food was amazing! The lattes were even more so. I learned that in Seattle, lattes are a big deal and every coffee shop I went to (about 5) serves their own special version of a mocha latte. I have to say now, being back in Austin, I have found my own little shop that serves good mocha lattes, I just had to!
After I explored the morning away, I walked down to The Westin and followed posted signs to Click Away. I walked inside and can see some women wearing Canon/Clickaway lanyards. I made my way to the colorfullly lit escalator with a Clickaway Canvas posted beside it, and made my way upstairs. I traveled up about three of these till I started getting closer and closer to the sound of a large crowd. As I was being lifted to the final floor, I could see hundreds of woman walking around with their camera bags, and lanyards sharing stories over posted competition images all around the floor. I was being overcome with a feeling of excitement, anticipation and just a million other emotions. My actions led me here! I made the choice to attend this conference and after long working hours to financially attend, here I was!
I can't begin to explain the impact these speakers had on me during this short weekend. I walked in seeking inspiration, advice, tips and what I got was that and so much more than I could of ever thought up. Not only was it a great workshop for my photography skills, but it was a extremely humbling experience as a person. I feel as if I have improved in all positive ways and many different ways, I even left in tears. To feel that and to feel so completely connected and understood by a stranger is such a moving experience.
So after many more food tastings and exploring of the city, I would like to share some of my work, and how I see the world through my eyes, and my experience of being in Seattle.
