Kelsey Schweickert ...discovering beauty...: Dane Sanders Workshop in Colorado

You know those times when you sign up for something, something you know will be helpful, but really you have no idea what you're getting into? I knew Dane Sanders' workshop would be good...but I had no idea how good! It was transformative—inspiring—life-changing—and my approach to my photography and my business (and just about everything else, really!) will never be the same!

I don't know where to start, so unless you want to sit here and read for the next two days, I'll just share one thing Dane said that's been percolating in my mind: I am not my photography.

I've worked hard to become a good photographer. That's important. I love to discover beauty, and I need to have all the skills to capture awesome photos of that beauty. But that's not really the core issue. Lots of people out there can take cool photos. It's all about being the unique person God created me to be. Living that out thru my camera skills...and every other area of life.

Being yourself is compelling. It's authentic. Even if it’s quirky sometimes—it’s the real thing. :) And because I'm a unique individual, there's no one else who can do what I can do. I have a one-of-a-kind spot in the photography world, and I'm the only one who can fill it. Finding beauty in people's lives and documenting it in the way only I can...because I'm the only one of me out there. Does that inspire confidence or what! And this affects every aspect of my photography business. My photography is an outgrowth of the one-of-a-kind, creative, wacky person I was designed to be.

Actually, this is a universal truth. It applies to you too! I don't know what your unique giftings are. But you, too, were made to fill a role uniquely well, in a way that only you can. There's only one of you in the world, and there never was and never will be anyone like you. You have a part to play. You're uniquely qualified to play it. As Dane says, cooperate with reality. Continue to become more who you were made to be.

Here's a few photos from the class...we had a grand time!