Photographer: Winning Gold in the Statesman Journal Best of the Mid-Valley Award

A few months ago, I saw that nominations were open for the Statesman Journal Best Of Awards and I started to dream....These are awards that come out every year, and the whole valley really takes notice of! Having just started my business a year ago, I KNEW it was a long shot, but I decided to at least just try. Then my name showed up in the nomination list first published and I felt like it was the greatest day of my life! Just to see my name next to so many amazing photographers was truly unbelievable.

Fast forward to a month or so later, and I had almost even forgot about it... but it was in the back of my mind how cool it would be to get the BRONZE! I knew beyond that was just not even conceivable, so I diidnt even entertain the thought. Then one day I was in the middle of editing a Session, I look at my phone and I see that I have a voicemail. It was the Statesman Journal asking me to call them back and saying they had "good news for me". I started thinking..."Good news? Did I win some sort of Participation ribbon like they do in grade school? or maybe they just wanted to say "Thanks for Playing"... So I called them back mostly just curious... And when they said "Congratulations, you have won GOLD in the Best Of the Mid-Valley awards... I seriously think I may have passed out. I sat down, paused, and I made them repeat it... which then was followed with "Wait what? Are you sure? Do you have the right person? What did you say that I won?" I think the poor gal thought I was crazy. HA. When I hung up, I think I sat in shock for about 5 minutes, staring at my puppy who was worried about her mama, before dancing around my house.. (again like a crazy person!) HA! I called my husband at work and told him the news, and I think he was just as shocked as I was. Just hearing myself say those words was unbelievable. Oh and then the kicker. I had to KEEP IT A SECRET for almost 2 months!!!! Are you kidding me?! :) 

I may be a little too excited about this, but when you have only had your business 1 year, and then you win an award like this, somehow it feels validating. And when your business is your creativity, your heart and soul, than I think it even means more. Thank you to each and every one of you who voted for me. You have no idea how much you have blessed me. This is an incredible gift, and I am beyond honored and will strive to live up to this awards name. <3