I have to tell you a great story.

Back in early May, Brian and I were at the Sagamore in NY shooting Shachar and Jason’s wedding. One morning I woke up with a crazy Brown Recluse Spider bite. Over the next two weeks, the bite got worse and worse. (sorry Jeramy, not showing any photos of this one!) I was running a fever and having crazy night sweats. Blazey was asking me to try shooting webs every night (believing that my transformation to Spider Woman was just around the corner :)). But I have to tell you, I was a little stressed about shooting Virginia and David’s wedding. Their wedding event was four days long, and I knew we needed to give them every thing we promised AND MORE! I didn’t want it any other way–spider bite or no spider bite.

So I called our friend Gene Higa in San Francisco. I was wondering if he knew any photographers who could second shoot for us on the wedding day. Without skipping a beat, he said “Yeah. I know someone. I will be there!” Okay, Gene Higa is an AMAZING wedding photographer. He was just given the incredible honor of being one of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World. For him to volunteer his time…it was hard to accept. But Gene insisted. He wouldn’t have it any other way–I wanted to cry. I was so moved. And on the day of Virginia’s wedding, Gene was there and ready to assist us in anyway possible. Gene assisting us? Wow, what a gift he was and is. I’m telling you, Brian and I were BLESSED.

Have you met Gene Higa? He’s the real thing!

If you haven’t heard of Gene, get ready to feast your eyes on his beautiful work! He’s also got a cool blog too! And, I also hear he’s teaching a workshop with the awesome Kenny Kim in Italy!

Gene doesn’t know this, but this is one of my FAVORITE Gene Higa images! Don’t you love it! I could stare at this image for hours!

Community makes all the difference in this world. Life can feel so lonely at times. I don’t know what we’d do without a community that cares. Brian and I met Gene through WPPI one year, and then we continued to get to know each other through Pictage events. I have to say we owe Pictage A LOT for most of the photography friends we’ve made in the industry. Pictage does an incredible job of bringing the best photographers together (not only best artists, but the best people). If your looking to plug into your local community of photographers, check to see if their is a Pictage User Group (PUG) in your area. And be sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming Pictage Conference in New Orleans this November. Check out the Pictage website for details. BTW, after having a FIVE hour meeting (yes, FIVE :)) last week with their new CEO, Jim Collins–Pictage has an even BRIGHTER future ahead of them. Brian and I are so excited about Jim being the new CEO.

But seriously, an incredible community makes all the difference in this life.

Gene, Gene, Gene…Brian and I are in your debt and more thankful than we could ever express. You are the best. You were there without question or hesitation. It was such a HUGE gesture of support and kindness to us. You have no idea. Thank you so much for giving us so much! And Ann!…thank you for coming with Gene!! What a gift to have you there too! You two are AWESOME!

Okay Washington DC ladies!! Ready to build community together in DC?! Registration opens this week! We’ve been working out the venue numbers to keep the registration at our normal price. Hopefully we’ll be able to release Registration in the next 24-48 hours. We’ll keep you posted HERE!

p.s. Today we start our “Top Secret Sony Project” in a small, secret southern CA town. I’m a little nervous. Say a prayer for me. Brian will try to show you some “behind the scenes” photos on the blog this week. Should be fun!

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