This morning we packed the kids up, kissed Prince Phillip–the cat and Rosie–our Golden Retriever, gave the house sitters the keys, and headed to the airport. We are en route to begin a two week journey with the kids. Part of the trip is for business and part for pleasure, and a BIG part is going down to a small town in Southern CA for a big, secret Sony project that is going to be amazing.

But today it starts with Pictage headquarters.

Pictage is the online, pro lab we use for all our prints. The company has a new CEO, Jim Collins, and the word on the street is that he is awesome.

He took his new position when we were in Thailand, and so some of you have probably already met him. If you have, what did you think?

Jim has set aside two hours to sit and meet with me and Brian, AND the Pictage crew finally gets to meet our kids face to face. I’m excited to hear what Jim is planning with the company. We owe a lot to Pictage and the former VP, Jeff Jochum. Those two forces combined helped get us on the map in the wedding world of speaking and tradeshow conferences. If anything Pictage is about community. If you’ve never been to a Partner Con (Pictage conference), you MUST go! I think the next one is going to happen in New Orleans this November! If 10,000 photographers at WPPI stresses you out, Partnercon is the next best thing. Smaller classes, lots of one on one connections with the speakers, great networking–Partnercon rocks.

You can also check out Pictage’s blog by CLICKING HERE! They have fun and informative podcast interviews with industry photographers. They also have a new service called Pictage Lite. If your photography business is in the beginning stages, and you don’t need something as robust as all the Pictage services, you can try Pictage Lite. (And our 2009 workshop attendees will get the first year free as a gift from Pictage!)

Tonight we’re going to head over to Disneyland to see the fireworks! Kids have never been to Disneyland. We’re excited about that. You should hear Blaze talk a million miles an hour regarding the “happiest place on earth”!

We also have meetings this week with entertainment agents, product licensing companies and more! Then we head to the big Sony project. (oooh, the anticipation of being able to tell you all the news is killing me!)

But in the midst of it all, we haven’t forgot about Virginia’s slideshow! Stay tuned, it’s ALMOST DONE!! YEAH!!! And I know I keep saying it, but the DC workshop details are almost there! The kids are so excited to see the White House! And we’re so excited to meet all of you!

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