The very thought that I AM GOING TO HOLD AN AWARD SHOW NEXT YEAR Sends chills down my spine. Some days that idea just seems so much more real than other. 5 people or 500 could show up It doesn’t matter, this is all about honoring the industry and people in that world that have taught me anything is possible. I love the business of photography, the stress, bills, long nights of editing. The personal side of it is even better, the relationships I have made and the person it has turned me into is an experience that I would not trade for anything in the world.
When the idea of professional photography, was just that, an idea I met a woman named Melissa Hassey. Melissa made my entry into this world so seamless. She was open and kind and very giving. There was no question off limits whenever I spoke with her. I loved how she made even the hard work seem so easy. Because of Melissa’s she set a high bar for the world of photography and how I was to approach it. And I NEVER EVER had a bad experience in those early years.
Today Melissa and I have drifted she is still a super fabulous photographer and she is also part of the mom club from what I’ve seen. But I share this story because she is my inspiration for holding the Philly Photo Award. I hope to inspire this same experience in someone else. We as photographers tend to work alone and I get it, this shit is hard work especially with the entry into this being so easy. But we need to celebrate the work we do, because at some point we were all beginners and needed some one to guide us on this path. Yes sometimes we may have to develop a thick skin while building a business but we need to remember how we got here too.
