Awesome Opportunities

I had an amazing opportunity presented to me that I got to accept this past weekend.  I was asked if I wanted to volunteer as the photographer for Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, Vincent Jackson's cause.  The foundation is called "Jackson in Action 83" and focuses on helping the children of military families and encouraging them to study, socialize, and keep a positive attitude.  I was honored to be asked and I was thrilled to get to accept the offer.  As a part of the weekend, I was given the opportunity to shoot the VIP Party on Friday night that hosted a silent auction as well.  Here's a brief synopsis of my weekend......

VIP Party: Amazing!  Great food, awesome to just get to BE there, and I got to dress up in a cute little black dress and heels.  After the VIP Party, we were able to go out and enjoy some pizza at a nice little pizza joint in Colorado Springs.  The foundation got us put up in the Mining Exchange (an amazing hotel in Colorado Springs) and we laid in the cushy bed, enjoyed the double headed shower, and just enjoyed getting to be pampered for a night.

The Event itself was great.  It was a long, long day but well worth it.  Outback catered our lunch for us and I got the shoot the before, during and after shots at the event.  The models were mostly volunteer and they were a hoot to shoot!  Some of the smaller ones were an absolute blast.  The show was referred to as "Fatigues to Fashion" and it was great.  One of the designers there has a line called "Keira's Kollection" that I fell in love with....it has a strong message for young girls (and adults) about being brainy, strong, and independent.  Vincent was an absolute sweetheart and I got amazing shots.

I will say this.  I wasn't paid for participating in money but I was paid in a completely different way...I got a great opportunity to be a part of something AMAZING and got to meet alot of fantastic people.  It meant more to me than any amount of payment would have made.  In fact, it will probably go on my list of the coolest things I've ever had the opportunity to do.  Sometimes awesome opportunities are not about the things that everyone thinks they should be...it's about something bigger and better than you could have ever imagined. :)