After Brian and I left WPPI in Vegas, we headed to Nashville, TN for the Blissdom 2012 Conference.
I’ve got to be honest. I was so tired from all the speaking at WPPI that when the airline had a misprint of my name and wouldn’t let me board…I broke into tears. In the end, it all worked out. But as many of you know, Brian and I don’t fly together. We fly so much that if anything were to happen, we want one of us here for the kids. Let me just say that Brian was sooooo glad we were on separate airlines that day because once I started crying, I couldn’t stop. I cried all the way to TN. 🙂 But I got there, the Blissdom ladies (knowing my ordeal and thinking of every detail) surprised me with a massage at the Opryland spa. (I am FOREVER grateful ladies!) A few hours in the spa was the trick because I walked out of there a new woman!
Imagine 750 women/mommy bloggers that are SMART, INSPIRING, HARD WORKERS, and strive to experience bliss in all they put their heart to…amazing. Can I just say WOW?!! Ali and Barbara, the two mastermind, savvy women behind Blissdom, knocked it out of the park! I was a little nervous to go because of sheer exhaustion. But mommy blogging conferences, especially amazing ones like Blissdom and EVO, are off the grid in creating a nurturing, inspiring, lovely environment. In fact, instead of feeling like I was running on empty, the Blissdom women FILLED me up. I’m serious. Being around all the creative energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to making a difference in the world–while juggling kids–BLISSDOM filled me up! It was an amazing two days, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to go.
Here are some of my favorite photos to recap those two blissful days!
the awesome, beautiful ladies from Mom it Forward (masterminds behind EVO too!)
a wonderful, spontaneous dinner with old and new friends, Janice from 5 minutes for mom, is in the blue–we first met almost 5 years ago at a SONY Mommy Blogging weekend that I did–amazing lady! Our wonderful, Michelle Riddle and Christina next to her! Then the fiery programmer who goes head to head with Brian every time, Maya. 🙂 Lu Braxton (who makes me laugh so hard I almost wet my pants every time!), and the sparkly, wonderful Jenny!
Seriously, Christina (aka YoungMommy) has SEVEN kids! Check out the FANTASTIC photo of her and all the kids on her website!
Photography Session in Motion! Even the room was crazy BEAUTIFUL!!!
I also want to thank SONY for supporting me at Blissdom and also giving us a NEX-C3 to giveaway! You are going to hear (and see!) more from the winner soon!
Loved seeing all the smiles and enthusiasm in my sessions (loved the tears too!).
The evening entertainment was Joe Jonas! I kept telling Brian to get up on stage with him and throw roses to the ladies with Joe! But he wouldn’t!
I especially cherish this last photo! Brian and I have known Stacy DeBroff (of Mom Central) for a handful of years. I LOVE to pick her brain because this woman is a powerhouse! We were able to get some amazing catch up time with her and some valuable insight. (Thank you Stacy for caring so much!)
A BIG THANK YOU to all the beautiful Blissdom ladies! You are an incredible group!
xo,
m
p.s. Spend TWO FULL, JAM PACKED Days with Me Ra and Brian at their CONFIDENCE Photography Workshops for Women! CLICK HERE to see what cities they are coming to next! If you attended Blissdom, we have a special discount to offer YOU! Email info@fioria.us for the details!
I don’t know the last time that I’ve laughed and cried at the same time. You were truly amazing. Thank you for those sessions, they were amazing.
I came away completely re-energized, empowered and passionate about photography and motherhood, in general 😉
Loved meeting you and chatting briefly after your last session – isn’t Lucrecer the funniest most dynamic person, ever! I adore her.
Oh Me Ra! It was such an honor to have you at BlissDom and everyone who attended your sessions had nothing but amazing things to say (most of which included – “I laughed and I cried and it was incredible”) Thank you again for not only being there but also pushing through the obstacles in your way to get there. You are a warrior goddess!!! xoxo
It was such a pleasure getting to meet you and be in your sessions Me Ra! Thanks so much! You really are a delight 🙂
You filled me up AND you brought my best friend back from the brink of despair with her own photography journey with your words about darkness illuminating the light.
Thank you.
Me Ra you have no idea how your sessions impacted me that day. I sent you an email and wrote about it here http://groundbeefbudget.com/2012/02/i-found-my-bliss-at-blissdom-i-found-me/ I am not sharing this link to promote my site, I want to make sure you know how your photography session did much more than help me with photography…..much more. I thank you for that.
You inspire, and girl……you glow.
I felt a new sense of meaning in my photography after leaving your sessions. And you made me realize not every shot is going to THE shot.
I will look to hear you speak again!
Thank you!
It was so awesome having you there. What a privilege to attend one of your workshops (would have gone to two but I had to take pictures in another session). You did a beautiful job and I so appreciate how humble, genuine and down to earth you are. As a budding wedding photographer myself you are an inspiration to me!
Your panels were exactly what I didn’t even know I needed to hear. I cannot thank you enough.
It was so lovely seeing you talk and meeting you briefly after.