New Friends, New Community

Last night I had the great pleasure of attending my first ever Atlanta PUG meeting. PUG stands for Pictage User Group; Pictage being the online photo lab/forum/community/arena-of-awesomeness that I am a member of. I've been a member of Pictage for a while now, but am just now discovering all of the fantastic things that it enables me to do! There is a whole community out there, and I am learning so much...be it from the forums, or from meetings like last night. 


The Atlanta PUG meets once a month, and last night was our 'April' meeting (technically). I was beyond nervous to show up to a group of people that have way more knowledge and expertise than I do...and are a whole lot better looking, too. Photographers are hot! As I sat through the meeting, I won't lie...I was a little overwhelmed with all that I had around me! Seriously...GENIUSES were in the room. Today I'm taking the time out to think and to thank... thinking about where I would like to go in this industry, and thanking those that helped me and will help me get there.


Our speaker last night was the amazingly talented and super compassionate, Dane Sanders. He wrote a book (product plug!) for photographers that has been beyond helpful to me, but really it would be great for any creative person who is looking for some clarity in who they are. Here are a few shots from last night, because it would have been rude to not take pictures in the middle of the event. 

Here is Shari Zellers, an Atlanta wedding photographer, and also the Atlanta PUG leader. She is so warm and energetic, I was happy to finally meet her after soaking in all of her wisdom on Pictage forums. I can't wait to stalk her more :)

And here is Dane Sanders, preachin' the wisdom to all of us!

If any of you are ever in the Atl area next time we have a PUG meeting, please come check us out!

p.s. The winning theme from yesterday is "Stars"... (please insert some cheesy line about fate being in the stars)