Where do I begin?
All my life, I've felt a bit odd and different from those around me. Perhaps it was my shyness, my introversion, or just me being quirky. Growing up and being the weird kid is tough; I never quite fit in. But thankfully, through school, I found those special few people, and those friendships endure today. I was also thankful for my high school photography teacher who saw something in me and allowed me to stay and play in the darkroom until the janitors told me to go home. College was not much better, and my lack of social skills became even more apparent. As adulthood set in, making friends became even harder, especially for someone like me, who struggled with networking and socializing. You see many people think I am extroverted, but in fact what happens is I tend to talk more and say stupid or snarky things when I am nervous LOL. I know I send mixed signals.
Since 2005, I've been running my business in Rapid City, South Dakota, in some shape or form. Let's just say I really had no idea what I was doing. As an artist, I've always wanted to do things my way, rarely asking for help and often feeling like I was on the struggle bus. Then, in 2014, when I began to refocus my business, I met Johnny Sundby. He introduced me to Professional Photographers of America (PPA), where I found a community of passionate photographers. But in such a large organization, making connections was tough. If you told 16-year-old me that I would be going to a convention with 10,000 people and would become a social butterfly with friends from all over the country, she would have thought you were out of your mind.
But what got me to that place? In 2018, Russell Jensen (a friend of Johnny’s) and I were both up for Grand Imaging Awards that year at Imaging USA (IUSA) in Nashville. I’ll admit, I was too nervous to talk to him; he seemed too cool for me. But he persisted and wanted me to meet the Wyoming Professional Photographers Association (WPPA). To date, that convention is still one of my favorites. It was a wonderful experience, even if I often found myself wanting to retreat from all the socializing. But I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made so many new friends that year. I even went on a few months earlier to attend their state convention in Cheyenne, solidifying my new membership, and then I found friends I never knew were missing from my life.
Fast forward to this past weekend in Casper, Wyoming, where the WPPA held its state convention. You might think I'd be here to talk about print competition, as I often do. And while I did have a successful year winning awards, including Master Photographer of the Year, one award stood out: The National Award. This award is a surprise and is chosen by past recipients.
The text below is taken from National Award Speech. "Volunteers truly are the lifeblood of PPA. PPA has extraordinary volunteers whose efforts deserve special recognition. Seeking a way to thank these individuals, Professional Photographers of America created the National Award in 1958. Each year, PPA makes this prestigious award available to members of the Community Network with PPA – who then present it to deserving individuals. The highest honor granted by a Community Network member, the National Award recognizes those whose support for photography goes far beyond any regular expectations or contributions. The simple inscription on this plaque reads “for service to professional photography” – but we know that this award means far more than that."Each year this award is given out by last year's recipient, so as my friend Russell began to speak about why this year's recipient deserved the award, I couldn't shake the feeling he was talking about me. He said he wanted to write down words to describe this person, and the first word that came to mind was "champion" as this person strives to be the best at everything they do. He was going to put down more words, but when he looked up the definition of "champion," he said he knew no other words were needed, for a champion is also someone who pushes and cheers on those around them. At this point, I start to get teary eyed.
• I was also awarded 2024 Master Photographer of the Year •
• 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place in Landscape/Nature • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place in Pet Portrait • 1st Place in Reportage •
The exact timeline of the presentation is a blur, but I do remember (I think LOL) what then Jenni our WPPA Print Competition Chair, and friend, said. She reminisced about my humorous introduction to the WPPA group at IUSA in 2018. She then went on to say how surprised they all were that someone like me, shy and introverted, could bring such closeness to our group and how, by simply being me, I made our WPPA family that much more complete.
Even now, as I dictate this because typing isn't my strong suit, I am teary-eyed (yet again) which is not not good for dictation LOL. Upon receiving my award I asked if I had to say anything because I knew if I was expected to talk I would be a blubbery mess ( ;-) just like Russell). I never imagined finding a second family in a group of like-minded individuals. I wish we could see each other more often, but I'm thankful that with social media, we can stay connected all year long. Throughout the year, we support each other in our businesses and lives, championing each other's successes and offering unwavering friendship.
"To all my friends, thank you for accepting me as I am, quirks and all. Your love and support mean the world to me. With love, Erica P.S. I would show you the video of the whole presentation but we had a few technical details so the moment will have to live on in my memory."WPPA Connection 2024
As I conclude, let me emphasize that attending our annual convention isn't about chasing awards; it's merely the icing on the cake. The primary goal, without fail, is to soak in knowledge and reinforce the bonds I've forged with fellow photographers. Last year's absence due to my Patagonia expedition made this year's reunion with my WPPA family in Casper all the more special. Engaging in classes to refine my craft is always a delight, alongside the invaluable insights shared by our esteemed presenters.
This year brought an extra layer of joy as I had my trusty companion, Mabel, in tow. Originally slated to only model for Angela's Lawson's "Posing People and Pets" Class, Mabel ended up stealing the spotlight in nearly every session! From posing in our wedding family to showcasing her pup-pin-up skills, she truly left her mark. And let's not forget her role as a therapy dog in Club 79 on Print Competition day.
A heartfelt thank you is due to all the speakers —Angela Lawson, Chris Fritchie, Danny Douglas, David Foltz, and Heather Cook—who graced our convention with their expertise. Each class offered a unique and enriching experience. And to PPA President Mark Campbell, your presence amidst a whirlwind weekend is deeply appreciated. Thank you for being a part of my unforgettable journey.
If you've followed along this far and you're a fellow photographer or artist, I implore you: don't hesitate to seek out your own "family," whether it's through PPA, WPPA, or another group. These communities have been instrumental in shaping my path, and I only wish I had found them sooner.
P.S.S. When having to babysit a dog one does not take many photos of the event as they are too preoccupied with said dog LOL. However, this time I have pictures of Mabel enjoying the conference or modeling.
P.S.S.S. Thank you to Liz Wood for the conference photos above, to Danny Douglas for the pin-up pictures and to Angela Lawson for the photos of Mabel and I and thank you to all the members who posted pics I borrowed them for my blog ;-)
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