Pictage Chicago

I just returned from Chicago and it was an awesome time with friends and the Pictage community. I hung out with some amazing photographers. It is so great to be surrounded by people that have the same goals as you and to feed off of each other. The Pictage Conference was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel next to the O'Hare airport. We were there for two days to listen to many photographers share key points in their business success, networking, and most importantly...FUN.

Some of the greatest wedding photographers were speaking at the conference and I wanted to share a few of them with you because these photographers are the influence that helps me make Kevin Keith Photography what it is.

Mike Colon is a wedding photographer icon from California. He shoots high-end weddings along with fashion work for top wedding designers. He does a lot of work for Grace Ormonde and has only been shooting weddings for 7 years. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike at a lecture when I went to Brooks Institute of Photography.

David Jay is a super cool guy that works out of Santa Barbara, California. He has such a fun personality and has mastered the art of workflow in our industry. This gives DJ more time to spend with people and less time at the computer.

Me Ra Koh, where do I start... what an amazing woman! I met Me Ra in the food line at the conference when she came up and just started saying "hey" to everyone. I was a little intimidated cause I knew who she was so I was silent until she looked directly at me and said "hey". It was like a Seinfeld episode and we all just laughed. Me Ra has such a great story. She has gone through a lot to get to where she is now. She started off as a hobbiest photographer and used the medium as a way of helping her heal from some things in her past. In less then 5 years Me Ra has become a leading wedding photographer in the industry. She has such a heart for women and people. Me Ra has an electric personality and I just had so much fun talking to her.

Bauman Photography (Jerad Bauman and Bronson Pate) are great guys that have built up their business in San Diego in a short time. Jerad is the owner and a great photographer that understands how to treat people. It takes a lot of trust to be a photographer and hand over part of your work to someone else. Our photography is who we are! Jerad helped encourage that trusting the 'right' people is not a bad thing. I enjoyed getting to know Bronson at lunch too. Bronson and Jerad have known each other since grade school and they are both great men of faith.

The greatest thing about all these photographers is the care they have for their families and people. I find that more encouraging then their photography (and their photography is amazing). I would like to think that people would mention that about me before they talk about how great my work is. Have a great weekend!