I Can't Believe I Won!!!

I am sooo excited!!! I just found out last night that one of the photo contests I entered last month just won!! I can't believe it...

A few months ago I promised myself that I would start actively entering my photography into contests and submissions every month. One of the first one's I tried was Open Photo Contest. This idea was started by an amazing and wonderful photographer, David Jay... he is not only extremely talented, a genius when it comes to business, but incredibly generous and nice... I barely know him and yet he has welcomed myself and other photographers into his home on several occasions just to have fun and share!! I feel blessed (yet again) to have such talent right in my backyard.

So, the coolest thing about this contest, and why I feel overwhelmingly honored that my photograph is recognized... it is judged by hundreds of fellow photographers. The fact that my peers, with incredibly skilled eyes, would choose my image warms my heart and encourages me beyond belief.

Thank you so much!!!.. I guess I'll keep entering ;)

Love,
A

Here's the pic... It was taken at an amazing villa, Monte Poni, in the Chianti Region of Italia.

The Knot Wedding Submissions...

So about a month ago, I promised myself that I would start actively submitting to magazines, competitions, and anything else I could think of. In order to keep this goal fresh in my mind I challenged myself to do this once a month. .. last month was the National Geographic competition through PDN . . . this month The Knot.
I was inspired by my dear friends and fellow photographers Michael & Anna Costa who told me . .. just keep submitting, it may not happen right away but it will get your name out there and people recognizing you. So . . . here I am... ready to show the world . . . yikes!
I probably shouldn't be writing about this right after doing it (might jinx it) but it's not about winning... its about pushing myself outside my comfort zone, putting my work out there for all to see and taking my photography business to another level.. right?
Plus I kind of wanted to give props out to these special brides of mine from last year who took so much time and effort to meticulously plan each detail of their wedding by themselves. Gina, Emily and Christine . . .you girls rock . .thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of it all!
May all of you step outside your comfort zone once in awhile. . . it's kind of exhilarating!

Happy Monday!

Love,
A

My First Photo Competition

     Well, I've decided to jump into the world of competitive photography.  I did it...  I JUST submitted my first photos to a competition being sponsored by PDN and National Geographic Traveler called The Great Outdoors Contest.  I figure (just like blogging) no time like the present to start.  I'm not sure if it was laziness or nerves that's stopped me from entering competitions the past.  But man, now that I've done it I'm stoked. . .  I'm not even thinking about the outcome, I'm just excited to have tried something new. . . and now I'm ready for the next one.

     I've always believed in these two things (not that I've always followed them)

  a) Do something that scares you everyday 

  b) Try something new everyday 

     Well . . . today I've done both . . and do I feel good!  Man, why don't I listen to my inner thoughts and self-help books more often!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, try something new and do something scary (but not too crazy)

Love,

A 

     These are the pics I submitted (of course all three are of the Island. . . Mackinac, in case you haven't been keeping up).