United 2014 Santa Barbara, CA {Escondido Wedding Photographer)

This was my second year attending United in Santa Barbara, CA. It's a photography conference put on by the guys from PASS and Showit. Last year it was less than 200 people and while it doubled in size this year, it still managed to keep it's sense of intimacy.
I hit the road north on Sunday, stopping at LAX to pick up a couple ladies heading my way who were in need of a ride. Natasha from Missouri and Jill from Minnesota. None of us had met before, but this is nothing new at United, where photographers looking to share a bed at the pricey conference hotel just post their need on the United Group Facebook page and the offers come swarming in. I snore. Bad. So I relegated myself to the nearby renovated Motel 6 for $70 per night. I promised myself after last year, that I'd try to be more social, be a joiner and make a concerted effort to meet new people at every turn. Mission accomplished ! It was a fabulous 4 days meeting new people, seeing old faces from last year, learning about posing, shooting and workflow from some of the best photographers in the biz and generally getting and giving lots of hugs. What I love the most about this community of Shoot & Share Photographers is their emphasis on serving each other, their clients and the photographic community as a whole. They selflessly give of their time and talents to help other photographers and their community as a whole. It's not about competition and success, although, success does seem to follow ! After spending just a few days with these awesome people, I am sick with a cold, and tired to the bone, but it's difficult not to come away with a refreshed mind, feeling less jaded by the industry and looking for ways to give back. Taking a page out of Josh Newton's playbook this year, I am definitely going to be looking for a passion project to work on. Something that'll keep my creativity fueled and hopefully give back somehow.
To see some cellphone pics from last week, check out my Facebook Album.

Here're a few behind-the-scenes and shoot photos from the week:

 

Showit United 2013 Conference - Four Seasons Hotel Santa Barbara, CA

Last week, I drove 4 hours up the Coast to Santa Barbara to attend the Showit United 2013 Conference. All I knew about the conference was that a few of the photographers I admired were going to be there and there would be workshops and lectures. I didn't personally know anyone who was going to be there and I just hoped my somewhat outgoing personality could get me through the initial awkwardness that comes with situations like this. 

Well, initial awkwardness aside, it was a fantastic 3 days of learning from and socializing with other photographers from all across the country and the world ! More than 200 photographers in all stages of their career were there to learn and improve their craft and businesses. For me, it really got me thinking about the deeper purposes of my photography and business. How I want to use it to serve my clients and what greater purpose my business has, other than to make money.

I got some great tips on branding and posing from Katelyn James, Lightroom editing shortcuts from Trevor Dayley and Off Camera Lighting instruction from Justin Marantz. I could never have dreamed that so many of the photographers I admire would all be in one place at one time, never mind that they were there the whole time, sitting in the audience with us during the other speakers and having lunch with us every day. These people are some of the kindest and most giving people I have ever met ! And in chatting with several of them, it was great to find out that so many are Christians. I truly believe it was a God thing that I was at the conference this week. He is always so good to surround me with fellow Believers.

One of the most fun events I got to partake in this week was a Styled Yacht Shoot. Here are a few of the images I took during that shoot.