Personal

Far Above Average

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Last week my friend Kristin surprised me with a free ticket to the Showit PASS Premier Tour.  I'd contemplated going but wasn't sure if I could make it.  A free ticket helped me make up my mind quickly :)  

I thought it would be neat to hear Promise Tangeman speak.

 

I was excited that my album company KISS Wedding books would be there.

 

I was intrigued by the new technology that Showit would be premiering.

 

But most of all, I could not wait to meet photography duo Zach and Jody Gray in person.

 

Well friends, they did not disappoint. If you are a photographer and thinking about going to the PASS premier tour I strongly encourage you to go even if you're not a "showiteer" just to hear the Grays speak.  They are just as warm and genuine in person as they sound online. Their advice on how to court, and engage with current and potential clients had me switching between writing furiously and staring dumbstruck wishing I'd come up with those ideas.  The creative thoughtful ways they care for their clients inspired me to do the same.

 

One of my favorite ideas of the evening was this:  Everyone is doing average, that's why it's called average; your job is to make a good impression and stand out from the crowd.  It doesn't need to cost a lot, but simple thoughtful gestures go a long way.

 

Reviewing my notes from the evening created excitement in me as I thought of ways to show my gratitude and appreciation to my clients. Truly, they are the ones who are far above average, and I'm honored they chose me to capture special moments in their lives!

 

Oh, and I'm super grateful to Kristin for grabbing this picture of the two of us with Jody Gray with her iphone!

Cooking like Mom

in

Of all the things my mom can cook, one of my absolute favorites is her stew.  A traditional Nigerian stew can best be described as a rich creamy red sauce, most commonly eaten with rice.  Think the best spaghetti sauce you've ever had; but ten times better.  It's a dish that's easy to make, but hard to make well. For Easter, I strapped on an apron and grabbed my wooden spoon, determined to make stew as good as my mom's. After hours of stirring, tasting, and ferverently praying I wouldn't screw up, I confess that I felt pretty darn proud of myself. If I closed my eyes while licking the spoon, my stew almost tasted just like mom's.  YES!

Then a couple of days ago, I tasted my mom's freshly made stew.  Blast it, I'd just been deceiving myself.  Nothing I made compared with her homey goodness.

 

 

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I'm grateful for all that you do, and of course for your delicious stews.  Maybe someday mine will taste as good as yours :)