The Group Shot

Yesterday something incredible happened for me. To be quite honest I don't know how I'm going to make it through this blog post without tears flowing freely. You see, this is what happens to the passionate. This is what happens to those who are so enthusiastic about something that they throw themselves forward, fully, into it. You put your soul into it, not just your flesh.

When I started my photography journey five months ago I knew that I needed lots of practice, lots of technical training, and models to get me through this journey. Models are important because if willing they will allow you to shoot them regularly so you can learn functions, poses, lighting, etc. I wanted to be the one to choose each of my models, very specifically, so that I could get diversity and different looks. I wasn't looking for perfect bodies, perfect hair, skin.....I was looking for personality. I was looking for individuals willing to let me pose them in awkward poses and also have a great time.

In essence I was looking for a group of people that would help me grow, stretch me, and support me. My first model was Brittany. She was incredible. She gave me a sense of empowerment. I wanted to work with both men and women so I had my eyes on a male model too. Mr. Ben. I love working with men in particular because they are more laid back and carefree. Ben was so gracious with me because when we did our first shoot I was honest and said, "So Benjamin, I've never worked with a male model. Help me learn how to pose you and your body." He did help me, tremendously and by our second shoot he was a pro!

Slowly I added in others. Michael came next. Grace has always been a model for me (that's my teenager, yo!). Than came Evan and his wonderful personality and lastly my newest model Meghan and her gorgeous face.

But last night was more to me than just my models and I getting together. The wonderful, amazing and talented Matt Vivanco of Matt Vivanco Photography came to join us on this shoot. Matt and I met at the Purple Stride race several weeks ago and instantly hit it off. After seeing his work and portfolio I knew I wanted to learn from him. He is an incredible teacher. It's a gift, truly. He taught me so much in one night and was very gracious in doing it. He went step by step explaining new techniques to me slowly so that I could absorb it all quickly.

I am like a sponge when I learn. I wake up daily with a constant sense of newness, of the thought that, "I'm a beginner today; what more can I learn?" It keeps me humble and it also keeps me passionate to learn more. To grow. To stretch.

Towards the end of this shoot I had all my models line back up on the stairs. I told Matt that I really wanted to get one of me in the center of them. I loved the way they were posed and just wanted to be surrounded by them and have a photo of it.

While I was sitting there, watching Matt adjust lighting this overwhelming sense of joy just came over me. This feeling of being loved by these people, supported by these folks, and that these 6 people have taught me so much about myself. They encouraged me. Loved on me. Helped me through moments of anxiousness and nervousness. They've become some of my very best friends.

Sitting there I started thinking of those precious moments throughout the evenings shoot when a model would come up, place their hands around my shoulders and say, "You are doing so great Meg. I can see you growing and learning. You are so passionate." Others laughing, telling me that they've always enjoyed working with me. Bringing these 6 people together, some who had never met the others, and it was like we had always all been family.

Before I knew it, I'm getting emotional. I'm crying. Matt caught the perfect moment and even though my passion may never be understood by another and how it can move me to such raw emotion; I have this moment in a photograph and I get to keep it forever. Leaving this shoot I started getting texts from some of them, "You did an amazing job tonight!" and also, "Thank you so much for inviting me! I have an incredible photographer."

I am so grateful to Matt for being willing to impart wisdom. And more importantly I am so thankful to each and everyone of these models for helping me to grow into the woman I am, right now. The photographer that I am. God is so good to me to bring these people into my life and I am eternally grateful.