This past weekend I flew to Chicago for what I described to my husband as a ‘photography retreat’.   It was a group of photographers from all over North America getting together and the only thing I thought we had in common was that all of us took one of Pinkle Toes‘ photography workshops – if you are a photographer I so highly recommend it, but I digress.  Some of us knew each other from their workshops, some ‘met’ online and some of us did not know each other at all.    I did not know what to expect but thought it would be great to get away, visit Chicago and catch up with people I knew.   Little did I know that it would be one of the best weekends EVER!

We were all different ages – ranging from late 20s to 50s, from different parts of the continent, with different backgrounds yet we just clicked.We stayed up late, got up early and tried to take advantage of every minute we had together.  We talked about everything under the sun – running a business, photography, children, diets, husbands, pregnancies, 50 Shades of Grey – you name it – we talked about it!  We took a stretch limo and the ‘El’, ate Chicago hotdogs and deep dish pizza and sushi that was out of this world,  came up with inside jokes, got our official ‘camera socks’ (thank you Sarah!),  laughed A LOT, slept very little, and had the most amazing time!   I came home exhaused (those 5 hours of sleep nights can do that to you!) but recharged, inspired and so thrilled having made so many great friends!

And here are some highlights –

We shopped:

and ate and drank our way through Chicago:

took a LOT of pictures:

and saw the sights:

took the ‘El’ and managed not to get lost:

and took a lot of very cheesey pictures like this one, which I will treasure forever:

From left to right, here are talented photographers and amazing women who I am honored to call friends:

Carol with Freckle Face Photography – Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

Minnette with Minnette Demafiles Photography – Houston, TX

Heidi with Heidi Drexler Photography – St. Louis, MO

Janie with Janie Jones Photography – Kansas City, MO

Leah with Leah Cook Photography – Dallas, TX

Shona with Shona Reid Photography – Ottawa, Canada

Michele with Pinkletoes Photography – Austin, TX

Mee Maw – Michele’s sweet Mom and office manager

Sarah with Sarah Jordan Photography – Boston, MA

And not pictured here (because besides being a great photographer, she is a great Mom and had to leave early to attend her daughter’s recital) is Stacy with Anastasia Marie Photography who is serving Peoria and central IL

Thank you ladies for making this weekend memorable and fun beyond worlds!