SEPPA or was it Bachelorette party?

What a great weekend I had judging at SEPPA! OK, so the travel to get there was a PAIN and remind me NEVER to let anyone issue me paper tickets again. But once I got there, it couldn't have been anymore fun! My roomies Jenn and Mary had decorated our room for a Bachelorette party. Jenny, Andrew and I took our judges class together a few years back. It was FUN to be all together again!

No more look alike here! Jenn with her hip new hair cut and all her hard work with the weight lost, there is no confusing us now!!





The ladies with J Michael! So lucky to have so many great friends all around the country! Thank goodness for judging so we can all see each other!!





Not sure in my years judging we have ever been able to hang out like this?! Mary used her charm to get us this great room. Large enough to fit all the judges in for a final 4 basket ball game!

You will have to ask Jessica how that game went!! Thanx Jessica for the invite to judge SEPPA. It was AWESOME!!

Al's quick visit

Al was able to make a quick stop from his class in NY on his way to Boston to visit his family and then off to teach at NEIPP. Fun to see him even if it was for only 24 hours. Brad and him just passed in the hallway being how much overtime Brad was working that week! Nice we got to see him being he will not make it to the wedding!!

Jodi Picoult-2012 book tour

You know when February/March rolls around I am on the look out for the next Jodi Picoult book. This year the tour kick off took place in Quechee, VT at the Simon Pierce store.



Lori got to go for her first time. She had to change around a few of her jobs but I am sure she will do it again. Trust me, you go ONCE and you are hooked!





Not sure who has lost more weight, Lori or Jodi! Brad says she looks more like her back cover photo now! Can't express how friendly and kind Jodi is to sign all these books, listen to each person and have her photograph taken with many!














I wasn't going to be left out!! Certainly one of my all time favorite authors!! I was able to get books signed for Bethany, Courtney and Whitney! All big fans as well!! Made for some great birthday gifts!!















This best part of this trip was seeing Charlene get to meet one of her all time favorites as well! Doesn't get much better for Charlene then this... Jodi Picoult, trip to Vermont and time with some of her favorite people!!

Paul wasn't going to be left out!! Brad just getting done work when we headed out that morning, Paul got to be one of the only MEN in the room besides Jodi's husband!



LOVE that Charlene and Paul got to come and stay the night and finally meet Jodi! Next time guys I will turn the heat on in the studio!!

Professional Photographers of Iowa

I don't think how ever many times you judge and speak the butterflies still get you and the stress of preparing is endless until the applause at the end. I never lose sight of the PRIVILEGED to be asked. This year my speaking/judging traveling was kicked off in Iowa.
What an event they had. 17 speakers and over 520 images. WOW!! It was awesome so see so many wonderful images and be part of such a successful event. I got to see some dear friends like J Michael (above) and Bob Hawkins. Here I am holding an image that I gave my judges Choice Ribbon to. The maker Jodi Gehman was not there but I just loved the refreshed capture of this family portrait! Best part about judging is seeing exciting new work!

Visit to the Deuso in Iowa

I was lucky to be able to schedule a few extra days before the Iowa convention to spend with the Deuso family. Even more lucky that Alyssa and Maya had diving practice one of the days to check out their new sport!

Above you can see both girls on the board at the same time!! Not even sure if they knew they were! Here is Alyssa talking to her coach after a couple of hard hits. This is one tough cookie! I don't think I would have gotten back on that board after hitting the water that hard. That is what makes her soooo good!!

So AWESOME to just hang out and catch up with everyone. It had been years since I had been there and I really just enjoy being part of their day to day lives! BUSY BUSY they are!!

New Orleans FUN!!

Nothing like a little partying in the Big Easy. SMOOOOCH!












Donna and Candace, Past and Present PPANE presidents.











So the ladies hit the dance floor, guess what that meant. Purses needing security. Go ahead try to snatch these. I think Mark's goes better with his ensemble.





Finding "Endless Love" in the Print Display area.
Can you say Master, Loan!!








Matty had a print go loan too!
Congrats Matt, looking forward to more of your thinking.














Yep, holding someone's purse again, at least this one goes with my outfit.

Posing with our roomies, Mark, Jen (wedding photographer extraordinaires) and precious Charlie.











Hey, Hey its the Whipples. It was great to have some more Vermonters in da house!!!



The couple in "Endless Love" just happens to be Nancy's parents.








That's some chunk of ice you've got there. Bet we go over on weight on checked luggage going home!









SMOOOOCH! Don printed "Endless Love" for competition, on KODAK paper. Can anyone say KODAK ELITE?





What a Night, 2nd place Portrait Grand Imaging and 1st place KODAK Elite. I'm betting they are not going to fit in the purse.











MARY, MARY!!! No one parties like Mary, we love getting the chance to hook up with her. Love you Mary!!



This is what happens when I am in a program? Donna and Bernie enjoying Hurricanes on the river walk. Looks like Bernie had several!!





Every Queen and King needs a court Jester!















AAHHHH! What a great looking couple!!









I don't believe I have the the giddy and my up to block this guy!!

IDCE-International Disaster Conference

How cool was this. I just happened to click the convention center link on Donna's itinerary and found out that the IDCE was having a convention at the same time as Imaging USA. I let her know that I would be accompanying her on the trip. Then I let her know why. It was great to network with Emergency Management professionals from around the world. I even got to hear current FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and first Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge speak!

BIG night!

To think that not just one but TWO people asked me to be their degree sponsor at the PPA convention this year was a HUGE honor!






I think the only other man I know as punctual as these two about being on time is Brad! Only seemed fitting to get them F-Stop watches in celebration of their degree's!





How handsome do these two look!!!?!!!








It is OFFICIAL! We all made it across the stage, no trips, no embarrassing moments and all with a HUGE reward of many years of hard work!




























Here I am with Bernie E Littlefield, Certified PP, M.Photog., Cr. and Mr Don R Whipple, M.Photog! Congratulations two of my favorite people you both have worked so hard for so many years for this achievement and it was such an honor to be part of your spotlight!

Career Highlight!!

At the Grand Imaging Awards at Professional Photographers of America I was awarded 2nd place in the Portrait category for my image "Endless Love". My image was selected out of over 4000 images. I am pictured here with the President of Professional Photographers of America, Don Dickson and the chairman of the Photographic Exhibit Committee, Dennis Craft.



Later that evening at the Kodak Elite reception the same image was awarded 1st place in the Kodak Elite Award. In the professional photography industry this is considered the "Oscar" of the year! With me here are two of the judges, Helen Yancy and Dennis Craft. Both past presidents of Professional Photographers of America. The evening was certainly a career highlight for me and one I will never forget! It was an incredible honor!!

SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE!!!

Our first night in New Orleans and we were surprised by Mary, Nancy and Jen with an engagement party.







When in Nawlins, do as the Nawliners do. These are voodoo doll that were picked out represent Donna and I.












No one told me it was a masquerade party?













Hey, careful with those, it feels like I'm being shaken around!!














Bride and Groom to be!











This is called a King Cake, a specialty down there. Somewhere baked inside is a baby doll. If you are the lucky one with it in your slice, GOOD LUCK is coming to you.



Mark Garber toasting our impending nuptials.

Cheers, Mary!!







Friends from around the country in attendance. We are lucky.









The whole damn gang. Thank You ..
Mary, Nancy, Jen, Charlie, Mark, Wayne, Sally, Ed, Linda, Dori, and Patty.

A great first night in N O.