We all have those items on our bucket list that we hope to one day check off… And when it finally does happen we can’t believe that we are actually experiencing it. That’s exactly what I felt as I drove up to this amazing farm in the middle of east texas this past November…

The opportunity to be part of one of the Jinky Art Photographer Retreats with the amazing Barb Uil came up last year, and I didn’t hesitate for a second to sign up. Three days of shooting, talking about being creative, and meeting wonderful people who like me crave the sound of a shutter click… I couldn’t wait for the experience to begin. I knew this retreat would change me…. I never knew how much until it did.  I learned more than I thought I would.

One of the most important lessons I learned was to value my work. Know that not everyone will like it, but the ones that do will love it just as much as I do. Value what I create… the images I capture…. and others will too. I also learned to take a few risks. Do something different and outside the box. I need to challenge myself sometimes without changing who I am and what I love. And the most important lesson I learned… I can do anything that I set my mind to. If I want it bad enough, no matter how scary it may seem… I can make it happen.

And so I end 2014 with an unforgettable memory and wonderful lessons learned. Can’t wait to see what 2015 brings… Maybe I will be able to cross something else off my bucket list!