Friends, Justin and Mary Marantz are two of those soul shaker, world mover type of people. They put together The Event with 9 industry leaders and fellow world shakers…just because. Because, who else would? I love that mentality and that’s the idea that went forth throughout all of the speakers too! You don’t need permission to pursue your passion, because no one is going to give that to you! SO instead, why don’t we all move forward confidently, knowing that we’ve got a specific place in this world and that we’re the only ones who can live that role.

It was especially nostalgic because just three short, but feels oh so long, years ago I went to What’s Next with Justin and Mary at the same venue. My business wasn’t official. I took photos for friends as little more than a hobby. And I had been second shooting for several months at this point. By sheer luck, I won Abby Grace’s giveaway to go to What’s Next for free and I spent most of the day in awe of all of the amazing photogs and bloggers in the room. And I left inspired. I left knowing that I didn’t need anyone’s permission, but still somehow Mary had given me permission from her spot on the stage. You can do this. Your dream is worth it. And that’s exactly when I started to take myself seriously and to pursue the steps to become a business owner. My business was born out of What’s Next and to be back in the same venue, being inspired by Justin and Mary all over again was just wonderful. It was such great perspective at the beginning of the year to see just how far I’d come, and to be inspired to dream for more.

I could, quite literally, type a novel about all I learned on Wednesday, but I’m going to instead tell you how I felt. And I’ll save all that learning stuff for actually putting my goals to action! The goal of the day was to inspire and move purpose driven photographers towards action. Purpose driven. I love that. At the end of the day our job isn’t to just take pretty pictures. That’s not sustaining. It has no longevity. Instead there needs to be a driving force behind out businesses. It needs to be about life changing and people loving. And all of the speakers affirmed that over and over. They shared vulnerably and honestly. Listening to Abby share on “the gentle no” and how it protects her life as a wife, believer, and friend refocused me. Watching Mary pose a couple on stage by inviting them to fall in love all over again had me in literal tears. Laughing along with Jenna Kutcher made my entire day and it reminded me that life is so much more than running a business ever will be. Our time is limited, and what we do with it matters deeply. And, as usual, Katelyn James talking about something as simple as tiny changes in our businesses…moved me to want to change lives.

David and I left refreshed. With practical action steps and also just a little lighter and a little more inspired to make it happen. And the one of the most refreshing things was hearing every single speaker say that their business was not their number one. There had to be more. And that was so good to be reminded of heading into this season of motherhood. I love this business and I love the chance it gives me to love people. But it can never be ultimate.

All iPhone photos except for this pretty Photo Booth photo by the burlap booth.