I am a little behind on blogging my recap of the NAPCP (a wonderful child and portrait photographer association) retreat (seeing as how everyone else has already blogged theirs), but I thought I would share a few images from the awesome photographers retreat that took place in Napa Valley at the beautiful and relaxing Meritage Resort and Spa.
NAPCP put together some amazing swag bags for the event...and I can say without a doubt that they were, hands down, the best swag bags ever (coming from the girl who has been to a gazillion workshops!)
A few cute images of our swag bags in the resort vineyard...
Every little detail was so well planned and thought out, you would have thought we were attending a wedding! :)
A little wine tasting was enjoyed by all...
And, we all got to watch Dane Sanders and Tamara Lackey capture a live recording of Askdane.com...pretty awesome!
Happy Tuesday!
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with travel. I remember sitting in fifth grade listening to a classmate recount her "boring" family vacation in Washington, DC and thinking, "I can't wait to go there..." Fast forward fifteen years later and I'm thrilled with all the places I've been able to travel domestically and internationally and I am always planning my next trip...some trips have been to other industrialized countries, some are touristy trips and some have taken place in third world countries.
Just a few months ago, I was so fortunate to be able to visit Haiti to document the work of doctors, nurses and surgeons and when I landed in Fort Lauderdale from Port-au-Prince at the end of my trip back to the US and crossed the line through customs, the border agent took a quick glance at my previous destination and said earnestly, "Welcome home, Whitney." I literally started bawling right there in front of 500 people waiting to get where they were going...coming home never felt so good.
But no matter where I am, at the end of a long day of whirlwind travel and sight-seeing, I always have the same feeling...I am so darn proud to be an American and I think it's part of the high that I get from international travel. It reminds me of what an amazing home I have, the freedoms I have been granted that men and women I don't even know fight for and I am reminded how lucky I am to be able to voice my opinion, run a business and vote for whomever I choose. We should all be so lucky.
I read an interesting and emotional article in last month's edition of the Real Simple magazine...in short, the article interviewed a few women who recounted their stories and obstacles of becoming an American citizen...here is one quote that resonated with me:
"I love being an American. I love the fast pace of this culture, the ability to do a million things at once, and, most of all, the sense that there are infinite possibilities out there-all you have to do is grab hold of the one that you want."
-Maria Yoplac
Happy Independence Day everyone! Celebrate in style...oh, and everyone be careful playing around with fireworks! ;)
Carol says:
Whitney - my sentiments exactly! I, too, read that very moving article in Real Simple magazine. A great reminder for us to stop and count our blessings for being so lucky to live in this wonderful country of ours!! Happy 4th of July to you, Mike and Bear.......By the way - awesome photo of the fireworks!!
(07.05.10 @ 07:44 AM)
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Today I turn 25 years old. There. I said it.
Obviously my friends and family know how old I am (and being the youngest sibling, I take joy in always being younger :) ) but several industry acquaintances often ask how old I am. And I am hesitant to inform them...maybe I like the mystery. Most people are shocked when I finally tell them...hopefully it's because I look young and not the other way around :)
Time is flying by at a breakneck pace and sometimes I find myself frantically searching for the pause button on the proverbial remote controller of life. Sometimes I just stop in the middle of the day and think, "this is so not what I had planned," but I don't believe in regrets, so maybe instead of being disappointed in what I haven't accomplished at this point I will celebrate the different path in life that I'm traveling on.
They say you're only as young as you feel and if that's true than I consider myself fortunate because I don't ever want to grow up...
Happy day to all :)
Lisa Braithwaite says:
You've got your whole life ahead of you. Take it day by day and you'll accomplish whatever you commit to and focus on! Happy birthday!
(07.01.10 @ 01:51 PM)
Mike says:
Happy Birthday Whit!!!! I love you!
(07.01.10 @ 04:01 PM)
Bryan says:
Hope it has been a good one. The chocolate cake indicates that at least part of it was!
(07.01.10 @ 08:36 PM)
Natalie says:
Happy Birthday!
(07.02.10 @ 12:13 AM)
Heidi says:
Ha! To be 25 again...
You HAVE accomplished so much in your few years. You should be proud. And think of how many more years you have to get even MORE stuff done. ;)
(07.02.10 @ 10:42 AM)
Whit's Mom says:
So happy to see that you had a chocolate cake!!! How yummy and how awesome are ALL the accomplishments under your belt at the ripe old age of 25!! We are ALL very proud of you.....miss you and love you!
(07.03.10 @ 06:43 PM)
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I am sooo excited....since you probably don't know, it is about 2AM PST and I am up writing this blog post, along with laundry, packing and consoling Bear, because I am off to Napa for the first half of the week and San Francisco/San Jose the second half of the week!!! I am jetting off to the NAPCP (National Association of Professional Child Photographer) retreat in Napa Valley (!!!) and I couldn't be anymore excited!!! Tamara Lackey and Dane Sanders are speaking and I can't wait to hang out with all my favorite photographer friends!
Email is the best way to contact me through Tuesday, June 29....
Bear is really upset...I broke the news this morning and he staged a boycott by sitting in my suitcase...and then he broke it. C'mon, the suitcase never had a chance against his 80lb body!!!!
Have a great weekend!
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Two years ago today Mike and I stood on the shore of Bald Head Island, wiggled our toes in the warm sand and said "I do." If you were there, then you know I was totally sobbing my head off because I couldn't believe how lucky I was. I don't believe in luck per se, I am more of a "make things happen" kind of girl...but whatever it was that brought us together: fate, luck, God or because we made it happen, I am so grateful.
Mike, thank you for making these past two years the best years of my life...so far :) Thank you for being my best friend, my confidant, my biggest fan, and the most positive influence in my life...i.love.you!!
Linda Menesez says:
Whitney, this is beautiful in every way! The pictures, description, and joy in your relationship are all gorgeous!! Congratulations to both of you. May you have many, many more years to celebrate each other and your love.
Linda
(06.14.10 @ 02:27 PM)
Whitney's Mom says:
What a very moving testament to your sweet husband and your marriage......May God bless you both today with love and happiness as you celebrate your 2nd wedding anniversary - the best is yet to come!! We all love you both very much
(06.14.10 @ 02:34 PM)
Bryan says:
It was a joy to watch. Very beautiful ceremony. Which sand is your favorite - Atlantic or Pacific? Happy anniversary!
(06.14.10 @ 09:52 PM)
Bryan says:
By the way, he's kinda sorta lucky, too.
(06.14.10 @ 09:57 PM)
Heidi says:
Ummm, I'm a few days late, but happy anniversary! :) Hope it was a great one. Love you!
(06.17.10 @ 08:09 PM)
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interesting pictures!
(07.12.10 @ 11:28 PM)