There's a first time for everything!

The countdown is on for SYNC! I'm going as a "first timer" this year so I'm super excited (but also nervous!). SYNC describes the experience as: "A unique and welcoming environment where photographers can join an authentic community and grow in their photography career". I had heard of it a few years ago when one of the local photography groups I'm in (PPMA - Professional Photographers of Mississippi/Alabama) had a member who was a speaker, but have just never gone. Normally I go to the big convention - "Imaging USA" which is put together by Professional Photographers of America. It is kind of overwhelming with SEVERAL different speakers happening at once - so you have to choose who you want to listen to. According to what I have been told, SYNC is one big room with one speaker at a time - so I'm looking forward to that! I'm kind of bad at making decisions! I'm an overthinker for sure! Anyway - Imaging was in Atlanta this year, so I didn't want to go because from what I read, the conference and the hotel weren't close together (it turns out, another photographer friend of mine said you never even had to go outside - there was a walk way so had I known that I would have went... but alas - it wasn't meant to be! But SYNC was!) My friend Jennifer has a blog and she likes to do "brain dumps" on what is on her mind to clear her head (you can visit her blog at https://allintwine.com/) - so I thought it might be a good idea to make a list of what all I hope to accomplish before I leave - and then hopefully check back in after I'm back to see if I accomplished my list! So here goes!

• SWAG - SYNC is known for their swag - and I really like free stuff - so I'm looking forward to seeing what all cool things I can collect!
• Vicki Taufer - I'm excited to hear all of the speakers, but she is the one I am most excited to hear. I think she's an amazing photographer and I also love what she believes in and stands for! She will be talking about the work/life balance - which I really struggle with - so I hope to take away some life changing information (but no pressure, Mrs. Taufer)
• Friends - SYNC is also well known for friends - they even have a hashtag - #syncwithfriends - so my goal is to make at least one friend! 
• Recharge - For some reason being in a different environment and hearing other photographers speak and being able to talk with people who are in the same industry as me always gets me fired up with new ideas! So I'd like to come back with at least one thing (a lighting technique, a session idea, a new prop, ANYTHING!) to implement in my business
• Seafood - It's going to be at the beach so I'd like to eat some seafood (I feel like this is going to be one of the easiest of my goals to attain so hopefully this one will set the rest of them off for a domino effect, ha!) 
• Contest - last, but not least, I entered a contest so I'd like to win (there were a lot of entries, and only one winner, so I know this one may not happen :) - I also entered 2 pictures in an image competition though and I'd like to do well in those too!

Wish me luck and check back soon for an update on my adventures! (Follow me on Instagram to see my adventures as they happen lol)