It was just a year ago. I wore a pretty flowy blue dress, attempted to put on lashes (which was a mega fail) and curled my hair for the first time in months. I made Drew rush home and grab a clean shirt and tie, we were off to the Wisconsin Bride unveiling of their issue and their “Best of Wisconsin” party. I was super excited to finally put faces to the names I had emailed with over the year, to meet the people who had deemed my work good enough for their beautiful publication. As we eagerly entered, me wearing high heels that were far too uncomfortable, we found our name tags and started chatting with a few of my friends from the inter web who were tied to the magazine. I was so happy to be among some of the best in the state and couldn’t wipe the silly grin from my face. We grabbed a glass of wine and mingled our way through introductions, a photo booth, and some delicious snacks. 

Please don’t judge the above images, I should not be held responsible for what happens in a photo booth after a glass of wine… 

The awards started and they were handing out the “Best of Wisconsin” awards for every category from venue to florals, photography to dresses, and everything in between. I remember being in awe of the talent in that little room, I watched vendors accept their awards, smile for photos, and I knew I wanted to be there. I vowed to Drew as we drove home that night that I would be there in a year as a finalist. I knew it was a stretch, heck, I am still a baby business owner, I hadn’t been around for decades let alone years, but I had this hunger that drove me to desire to make the cut. As I sat in a Madison coffee shop in January, I took out my little “dream” book and a pen and I started scribbling goals, ideas, and dreams down. At the top of the list was to be a finalist for this years Wisconsin Bride awards. I didn’t want to share it with the world in fear that it wouldn’t happen, I knew it was a lofty dream, but I knew that I wanted it. 

As they opened up the contest I started worrying that it wasn’t going to happen, that things wouldn’t fall into place and I would end up right where I was last year, watching other people get recognized in a category that I was so passionate about. I prayed that it would happen and let it go, because it really was out of my control. After the lovely team at WI Bride tweeted that the photography category was painstakingly close in votes, I worried. It wasn’t until I was leaving a CrossFit workout and I dug out my phone to see a tweet from an excited friend in capital letters with tons of exclamation points congratulating me… I didn’t know for what but as soon as I clicked through my feed I landed on the award announcement. With tears in my eyes I opened it and saw my name there, I literally started crying at the gym as people starred at me wondering what in heaven’s name had happened. I did it, I really did it. No goal is too lofty, nothing is out of reach, and none of this would have happened without crazy supporters and devoted clients like you. 

I try to say thank you often, but I want you all to know that I am so grateful for you being a part of my story, my journey, my conquering of dreams, and crossing off goals in my “dream” book. Things like this don’t just happen without friends and family pushing behind me and what I do. I want to revolutionize this industry, I want to offer something new, something different. I want to change the way the vendor relationship looks like between the bride and the photographer, I want to celebrate real love stories… not the kind in fairy tales but the kind that happen everyday. I dream of falling more in love with my job as each day passes and to continue my journey of self discovery as I make my place in the world one that is known and talked about. I don’t want medals or accolades, I want people to be passionate about my work. So thank you, thank you if you took the few minutes to submit a ballot, if you said a little prayer, if you crossed your fingers and toes for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whatever happens at the award show this spring doesn’t matter to me, because I can’t stop smiling that I will be right where I dreamed I’d be just one year earlier.  

It is an honor to be recognized as a finalist in the “Best of Wedding Photography” for the state of Wisconsin. It is a blessing. 

See all of the finalists here: WI Bride Best of 2013

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