Me and the crew for my new reality show, Meg’s a Dork, coming to a dorky network near you. Wouldn’t that be cool? My brides are so much cooler than me because they are actually ON reality shows. Thanks to Regis for capturing 8,324,384 images of me with these two men shooting over my shoulder documenting Dana and Scott’s big day for a TLC wedding show. Maybe I’ll finally make my debut!

Before I left I was a mess. Like, seriously, my calendar was peering at me from behind the corner of my monitor as if to say, “Are you kidding me? I am not coming out until at LEAST June.” My laundry was piled high, the kitchen sink stacked with dishes from too many weeks ago, and lets not even start talking about the state of my TIVO! I was starting to envy my day-job friends- you know the ones who get to wake up, go to work, and then come home? Before I left, knowing myself all too well, I took some advice from my mom and scheduled a day off. Listen, I know some of you will look at me and laugh. Ehem! You were just in Costa Rica, missy! But guys, seriously, I was working.

If any of you have a hard time handling the insane schedule of your own business (Isn’t is so masochistic that we are literally doing this to ourselves??? Terrible ) try this  method and stick to it! Schedule a day off. Put a vacation notice into your boss. Spend the day on your couch watching TV, turn the twitter off, do the dishes, and finish up that laundry!

I’m back in the saddle, my friends. Lots of shoots to edit and lots of blogs to share. For now, here is my favorite little girl, Ivy Cat from a few weeks back.This turned into a real study of expression. I wish I was witty enough to write expressions for these- can anyone think of anything funny? I mean, the last image needs something really really good…. you’ll see what I mean.

This was a really good story she was trying to tell us.

I am sitting in the most beautiful pool in the most beautiful hotel located in the most beautiful country I have ever seen, Costa Rica. Every time I visit somewhere new I am reminded of the vast world we live in. Even if I started today and visited a new place every day until the day I died I am not sure I’d see all the world has to offer. This humid air and my anticipation to see Tim come walking down the stairs behind me might be clogging my vision but I cannot possibly see my life any other way than the way it is today. I am here for work. This is my job. This pool that extends out into the bright  blue sky, this pina colada in my hand, and this friend by my side.

I can’t help but think about everything that has brought me to this day. If I had gone to Southern Oregon University instead of Long Beach State, if I hadn’t changed my major, if I hadn’t met Heather, if I hadn’t met Tim and moved to LA, if I hadn’t met Laura who opened my heart to weddings, if I hadn’t met Stephanie who brought me to Ileana and Carlos by way of The Victorian. If Ileana and Carlos hadn’t met and fallen in love. If Lex hadn’t met Lee on a beach in Costa Rica 3 years ago- I wouldn’t be here. All of this for what? Life’s happenstance? Or life is destiny? I cannot know for sure, but I know that in this moment I feel as though I am in exactly the place I am supposed to be in. What I do is unique, it is artful, it is special. I document moments for people so that their lives don’t pass them by with a blink of their eye. If there is a God, I am certainly blessed.

This brings me to my love. Blessed, I am, indeed. Ever since I arrived all I can think of is him. I do not want one memory without him in it, not one experience that he does not share. I look out onto the view on our patio and think, “I wish you were here.” I will not lie, my heart is human. My heart has questions. It doubts. It hurts. It works to be honest and truthful. It wanders around searching for direction. It forgets. But I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine. No matter what paths our lives take us we are bound by the love we share for each other. When Tim opened that beautiful little ring box on the beach that day in August he asked, “Do you still want to be my teammate for life?” Yes, yes, yes! I gaze at the entrance to this beautiful oasis and cannot let my worries subside until I see him walk through it. I need him here today, I need him there tomorrow, and I will need him everywhere forever.

Norah Jones voices croons over the sound system here and speaks my truth, “I want to walk with you on a cloudy day, in fields where the yellow grass grows high.” Get here soon Timmy. I wish you were here.

A little bit of a taste of Lex and Lee’s magical wedding at Villa Caletas.

So much has changed since my first WPPI 3 years ago. I am no longer that doe-eyed little red-head who practically felt like crying in every class because she knew there was no way she could possibly figure out how to make this work. I no longer agonize over which album company I like the best (FINAO) or what print house is right for me (WHCC) – my notes are more about passion, authenticity, and creativity instead of f-stops and depths of fields. I have a clear vision of who my client is and who I am as an artist. I no longer try to convince myself that this is temporary- that in a few years I’ll get my fashion portfolio together, start selling fine art, start getting “serious.” I struggled early on with the voices of my college professors, “You should only shoot weddings if you absolutely have to.” I’ve embraced the truth that I simply love being a part of love stories- real ones- and that working with real love has touched me in ways that editorial and fine art just couldn’t. I’ve learned that what I do is editorial- that it is art and that I love it.

I walk through the trade show, not like a lost lamb, but with confidence. I see big welcoming smiles on familiar faces, followed by, “Hi!!!! It’s so good to see you!!!” Friends! I have friends here now. I am no longer timid- no longer intimidated by meeting new people. I am walking with my arms wide open, welcoming as many new relationships as I can handle. I am so happy and am realizing just how blessed I am and just how amazing our industry is.

I still sit in on the speakers that particularly touch my heart, like Elizabeth Messina, and still listen to pertinent business advice like how to not work 24/7?!?!? (“I am closed Mondays.” – wait, really? When you have your own business you can tell your clients you’re closed??? How does THAT work??”) So much has changed since my first WPPI. So, if this was your first year there- and you’ve returned w/ a notebook full of to-dos and must-haves that send you diving under the covers and praying for a magical fairy who will build your portfolio/business/blog-site/manage your twitter account/facebook for you/etc. etc. .etc …. know this: it gets easier. It gets less over-whelming. But it stays just as fun. Next year you’ll know more people; you’ll have more questions but find you’ll need less answers.

There is turbulence on this plane as I write this, which doesn’t feel right since my heart is so calm. Maybe it’s a reminder that there are always storms ahead- that nothing will always sail smoothly. But you know? For now, I am just going to sit back and enjoy the ride with a huge goofy drunk-happy grin on my face.

To those of you I met: HI!!! I am so excited to be friends

To those of you I missed:  Can we be friends anyways?

To those of you I will meet next year: CAN’T WAIT!

Off to shoot Lex and Lee’s destination wedding in Costa Rica tomorrow. It’s my first official international wedding and I am going to be honest: I’m freaking out. All I know is that I am carrying on all my equipment and if my body and my gear are the only two things that make it there- I’ll channel this smile I am loving right now and make it work! I am so excited to take on this new challenge and feel incredibly blessed to be heading to paradise for work. I mean, pinch!! Right? This time next week I’ll be hopefully relaxing on the beach, waves crashing, skin warming, tropical drink in my hand, and my future husband by my side.

Life is good.

IPhone | Airhorns and Lasers | Me and my new real-life-not-only-twitter-friend Brianna of Last Forty Percent Photography

xoxo

ps. I love her so very very much.

I’ll be in Vegas for WPPI Sunday-Tuesday this year. You’ll find me roaming the tradeshow floor, Airhorns and Lasers party, as many platform classes as I can fit in (bc after all, it is about learning.. )… So excited for the inspiration that is about to ensue. If you see me, come say HI!!!!

Heather and Me last year… Pictage party, I think?