“A life with no regret” inspired by Justin & Mary

This past week I had the amazing pleasure of attending WPPI in Las Vegas. It was the culmination of 5 years of dreaming. 5 years of watching people tweet about an amazing event that I never actually thought I would get to attend. Well this year, I did. And……it was EPIC! Yes, I said it. EPIC. And I mean it in the fullness of whatever that word exudes. I always had an idea of what I thought this National Photographers Convention would be, educational, resourceful, fun etc. But honestly, I never in a million years would’ve imagined this. My life literally changed last week. That may sound crazy and out of this world, but it’s true. Because when you have a mindset shift, the actual pattern and outcome of your life are forever changed. And that is what happened. MAJOR mindset shift.

I have been a fan of Justin & Mary Marantz’s for about a year now. I frequent their blog yes for their amazing artistry, but also to hear truth. Honest words from two amazingly humble hearts. And I count myself blessed. I about jumped out of my skin when I read on their blog that I had been selected along with 19 other AMAZING photographers to do a shoot out with them during WPPI! SQUEAL!!! They were even more fab in person which is kinda hard to even believe, but it’s true! Ashley & Jeremy were phenomenal models, but I also just adore them both as amazing people.

And here is the kicker….I went to Justin & Mary’s platform class Thursday morning. After tears, laughter and massive encouragement, I walked out a changed women. Seriously I did. Mary talked about so much more than photos and that is what really spoke to my heart. She talked about her dad ( who is a logger just like mine) and how she wanted to know that she and he were living life with no regret. (insert knife in gut here) Truth be told, there are things I have been avoiding, things I have been fearing, things that keep me up and night with my face buried in my pillow. And in 120 minutes, I knew. I had to change. I had to be bold. I had to stop fearing. And I had to take a step of faith. That night on the plane ride home, I wrote a letter. A letter I have been trying to write for over a year. I put my hands to the keyboard and I wrote all the way home. Tears streaming down my face, I kept writing. And I knew. It was finally time to live my life with no regret. So thank you Justin & Mary for sharing your heart. To give me the story behind your step of faith and encouraging me to make mine. Words could never express my gratitude to you. LOVE!