Brian and I had a special weekend with the wonderful women of the Minneapolis CONFIDENCE Workshop. It was a bit crazy trying to fly there with four delays, but the delays ended up being worth every minute. We’ve never been to Minneapolis, and I loved it! The women were all so kind and inviting. There was such a wonderful sense of safety with each other. We all cried here and there, but can I say we also we laughed till our sides hurt!
As we were packing up Monday morning, Brian said, “I definitely want to come back here next year. This weekend was awesome.” So it looks like we may be coming back ladies. We loved our time that much! And if we do come back, we should definitely organize a reunion dinner for one night. Don’t you think!
Here are some fun Group Shots! Notice the Minneapolis skyline behind us! Pretty cool, huh!
Jump for CONFIDENCE! 🙂
I love this image of the women! (Although, I’m not sure what I was doing. :)) Debbie, what were you doing?
Can’t forget about Brian (front and center)! Ladies, you missed it Sunday night! But I’m sure you’ll see the photos once I get our Facebook Workshop page set up. Brian imitating our dog and cat, oh goodness.
When I got into Denver, I had a two hour layover. I texted Jeff Jochum to see how he was doing. Jeff’s been a friend and business mentor to us for several years. He used to be the VP at Pictage, and he’s now the CMO for Smug Mug. He’s also living in Denver. And can you believe he was dropping DJ off at the airport as I was arriving! He waited for my flight to come in, and we had the best time together. (DJ, I’m so bummed I missed you. Jeff said we missed each other by 30 minutes. Next time! :))
Over the years, Jeff has given me and Brian such incredible advice and wisdom in running our business. I feel fortunate for every minute I get with him. He shared two things that I had to write down. I thought the Minneapolis women would like hearing this.
“Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.” Keep preparing ladies, preparing your dreams. Your preparation is not in vain. And opportunities will come.
Jeff told me his dad used to say, “Opportunity never knocks, so you have to keep checking the door.” I loved that one too. Check out Jeff’s website and watch The Road (link is below his photo). It’s pretty inspiring.
What a wonderful trip in some many ways.
To all our Minneapolis Women of CONFIDENCE,
Brian and I can’t thank you enough for opening your hearts to us. We loved our time with you. We watched so many of you grow leaps and bounds in 48 hours. We can’t wait to see how this workshop catapults you into the next season.
Much, much love,
Brian and Me Ra
(p.s. Thanks for your feedback on our new website!)
We’ve been building a new website friends, and the Minneapolis woman were the first (besides my mom) to get a peak at it! They loved it! Can’t wait for it to go live so you can all see too! Coming Soon!
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What about putting CONFIDENCE on your Christmas Wish List this year!!! We’ve only got FOUR spots left in the January Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop! The November Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop is already sold out! CLICK HERE to get one of the last spots!
Our Refuse to Say Cheese DVD series are now AWARD WINNING! Read the press release HERE ! If you haven’t ordered your own copy yet, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese and Beyond the Green Box , and our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the titles of your choice!
AHH! So exciting to see our pictures and to hear what a great time you and Brian had. It was an amazing weekend and I am excited to hear that you may be back. I am for sure up for a reunion dinner! Thank you again and again and again for coming to Minneapolis! You literally have changed my life. I cannot express how grateful I am to you.
Anyone who is still on the fence as whether or not to attend a workshop, go! You will NEVER regret it!
Missing you, Brian, and the laughs already!
Julie
Absolutely what Julie said!! 100%! These pictures just brought me back to that place and I can still hear your and Brian’s voices and all the laughter that took place at the same time! And Julies telling me her son said..”look at that big pillow mommy!” Love it! lol You will have to give us notices for sure when you are heading back to MN because I will do my best to be there. Wouldn’t want to miss it for the world!! Does that mean you will do an advanced workshop…or the second workshop like the one you did CA there?!!! 😉
You changed my life as well…and I know this weekend was different for everyone…but I will forever be grateful and hold you all in such a special place in my heart. I agree…everyone HAS to go to one of Me Ra and Brians workshops! There is no question! xo
THANK YOU!!!!
HUGS,
Amanda
If you loved Minneapolis, I’m sure you would love Michigan. Same midwest feeling. Even though I’m from Detroit, Grand Rapids would make a lovely location for a workshop. I just got back from spending a couple days there. It has a very artsy feeling to the city. Especially after the ArtPrize event that is going on. Just had to put in a few words. One day there will be a workshop within driving distance of me! Or pigs will fly and I will make it to Seattle.
I love these pictures! What an amazing, inspiring, enlightening weekend. I am so glad you loved it here, and will be coming back! YAYAYY! 🙂
I have felt a shift inside of myself, and I am preparing. You inspire me to dream big, MeRa. And so here I sit, changed forever; dreaming while wide awake.
P.S.
My abs were KILLING me Monday morning. Wow. I have not laughed that hard in YEARS, and to think you were all strangers on Friday. Am-azing!
I know! I miss you and Brian! We must connect soon!
Can’t wait to see the photos from this workshop!!!! And it’s awesome to read these women and know that I know how they feel. 🙂 Your workshops really are AWESOME!
I watched “The Road” on Jeff’s website and it is inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing. It’s definitely something that’s worth watching at least weekly – like a motivational push on Sunday night.
What a wonderful treat it was to spend time with you, even if it was in an incredibly noisy airport (my ears are still ringing). Thanks for sharing some of that conversation with your world, it flatters me like crazy. (turning a little red now) 🙂
Really looking forward to the next time – and lets try to get Brian included, eh? LOL
jeff
Please come back!! I missed it this time around but wouldn’t miss it for anything next time around!!
I had such a great time at your workshop! I showed up expecting to learn more about my camera – which definitely happened, but what I wasn’t expecting was to laugh so much and to leave knowing I had made such great friends!
Thanks for coming – and I will definitely be there if you guys decide to come back to the Midwest!
Ummmmmm…..well….. there must have been something shiny down there that distracted me! LOL! I have no idea what I was doing. 🙂
What great pictures — they took me right back to the moment as well. I had an amazingly phenomenal weekend.
I agree with the women who stated that if you are looking for a photography workshop do not spend a moment more hesitating. You will learn and laugh and learn some more. Me Ra and Brian are a fantastic couple who are able to teach women at varying levels of comfort and skill in photography. You will come away a better photographer but also an inspired women. Truly.
Aww, I love the photos of this talented group of women! I am SO glad that you enjoyed Minneapolis! What an amazing weekend! I am so incredibly grateful to have had the chance to learn from you and Brian, you both have inspired me in so many different ways. I truly enjoyed every minute the group spent together crying, laughing, and listening to each others stories. Not only did I learn to become a better photographer and to have confidence in my work, but I learned so much about myself.
Me Ra & Brian, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your warmth, inspiration, and wisdom with the Minneapolis group.
So glad you like the group shots. Aren’t they fun?! They take me right back to the joy of those moments. Brian and I can’t say enough how much we cherished our time with you this last weekend. Thank you again and again. Be on the lookout, email from Genie coming soon about how to prep your images for all our wonderful models. Love you!
I can’t stop smiling! I can just FEEL the energy jumping through my screen! …and Amanda!! YAY Amanda!!!! xoxo to you guys!!
I feel so incredibly blessed to have attended the workshop with such inspiring women (and Brian). I am amazed at the talented people I had the privilege of meeting and am looking forward to staying in touch and taking the journey with the group. Minneapolis ROCKS! Thank you, Me Ra and Brian – for all of your guidance and words of wisdom. I look forward to following your blog and continuing to be inspired. Wishing you nothing but the best!
What a great inspirational, confidence building weekend! Love the pictures above! For anyone on the fence about going to this- I say JUMP! If you are a beginner,intermediate, or beyond, you will get inspired not only about your camera, but your life!
Me Ra and Brian kept us mostly laughing, a little crying, and a lot of learning for two great days!
I would love to go again…
Me Ra and Brian-thank you so much for what you give to women by sharing your story… XOXOXO
Renee
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