So I’m finally back from Phoenix!  I was there for the past 5 days.  At times it just flew by.  Especially on the days of mini classes.  I attended seminars from ‘organic packaging’ to ‘photoshop tricks’!  I definitely was overwhelmed at times by all the endless information.  Not to mention the hundreds upon hundreds of vendors at the 3 day trade show.  I plan on uploading some images of my favorite items I picked up while there.  So stay tuned for that.  Here’s just some simple images I was able to capture with my pocket camera. The first night we tried to eat at Pizzeria Bianco.  We arrived at 5ish and asked how long the wait was.  To our mouth dropping surprise they could get us in at 8:15!!!  With our tummies growling & our feet throbbing we decided to pass.  Dang it.  So instead we decided to take a picture of us at the restaurant we DIDN’T eat at.  But I am so going back there with Eric soon.  Right across from the adorably cozy spot was a pub that was just as yummy.  I had my first bowl of ’shepherds pie’!!!  I actually liked it.  I didn’t think I would since it would all be mashed together.  Maybe this was a more modernized version with simple layering.  But I wouldn’t have the slightest clue since I don’t know what a typical version even looks like or tastes.  Oh well I was happy just to eat.

Our group shot of the restaurant we sooooooo wanted to eat at.  That’s me on the left *wink*, Erin Durband in the middle, and Michelle Rasmussen on the right.  In the background you can see what limited space they have to work with.  There was literally more seating outside than there was inside.  The inside had a really cool bar & behind that is where they tossed the pizza dough.  Way neat.  Then I took this classic shot of Dave…Mr. Harvey. Ha.  While we road the Phoenix ‘Light Rail’.  He hates getting his picture taken even though he’s a photog.  Silly don’t ya think?.  That’s why I think this image sums up everything about his pure delight with the concept. Ha. Gotcha.  His nickname automatically became ‘Dundee’…due to bringing along his new hat.  So whenever we were lost from each other we would just yell it out.  Seemed to work in a crowd of several ‘Dave’s’ I’m sure?. Or we could have yelled ‘Mic’.

This was a secret find.  A tiny quaint court yard filled with numerous palm trees all spiraled with blue lights.  As we wrapped up dinner one night from our what seemed to be usual hot spot ‘Uno’.  A little Italian joint that served flat-bread pizzas in any flavor & was easy to access on our walk to the light rail.  My choice was the chicken BBQ.  I should have done a 360 video to get a more realistic feel of the glowing spot.  Dave started a 360 set up but then the batteries ran out of juice from all his explorations earlier.  I can’t wait to see what he posts.  I’ll make a link when he does. Amazing panoramic, fish eye, 360 shots of the downtown Phoenix area during the daytime.

Last but not least…dun dun dunnnnnn.  Anne Geddes.  Yes she gets her very own sentence.  We had the amazing privilege to see her Monday night for 2 whole hours.  I couldn’t believe how most of her what seemed to be very challenging concepts were basically well thought out, very accurately timed, and successfully accomplished due to her mega patience.  It’s mind blowing.  One word to describe it. Meticulous.  She planned shoots for days, months, and even years.  Holy cow. Talk about determination.  It was so inspirational to also see that she first and foremost photographed always for herself.  Every shoot was her vision.  Even when it came down to ads like Target.  She had sole ownership.  And they let her. Talk about taking a leap of trust with an artist.  I love a gal that can stick to her instincts and guns.  Speaks BOLDNESS.