Little Blissdom Picture List

Photos above, explanation below:

1. Yeeehaw! Just got my bliss on in Dallas. Sorry it took a little while to get in here and post about it, but I was one of the conference photographers and I had over 500 images (culled down from nearly 2,000) that I needed to edit, crop, re-name, and upload for the official Blissdom Flickr site! If you were there, you just might be in the photo pool!

{ Still wondering what someone would go to a Blissdom conference for? Recap at my intro post about why I go at the link in this paragraph! }

2. I ran in to so many people I knew – it feels great to hug online friends in person. This lovely lady is Tonia who used to write for the Home School Post. I adore her. I wanted to take her for a ride in the Corvette, but the stars didn’t line up.

3. The sponsors were amazing. I hadn’t ever heard of GoGoSqueez before Blissdom, but their fabulous booth and fun business card craft envelope pin map was so fun! The grape flavored applesauce they gave everyone in their Blissdom swag bags kept this busy photographer alive during the four days I was in Dallas! Now my fridge is stocked with apple-cinnamon and berry flavored GoGoSqueez. I also love the peach… and they made virgin mixed drinks with their products during a party, but I got there when there was only alcoholic mix left… so I never got to taste it.

4. I met the Minion! My kids call them “Bookaboys” because of how they talk. I can’t wait until the sequel of Despicable Me comes out!

5. I loved everyone’s fashion statements. Someone else with groovy socks had my same IKEA suitcase – had to get a picture. I would do an update post on what I wore, but I didn’t stop to focus on the outfits like I usually do at conferences. I will tell you that I took 3 pair of boots and one pair of red heels – and wore every one of them (with compliments).

6. I enjoyed visiting with my friend Nicole – who I had met previously at Relevant (now Allume). She said she loved how inclusive and diverse Blissdom was – with a true mix of women from all backgrounds and worldviews. It is amazing how everyone comes together to support each other in the Blissdom community… no matter their differences. I agree!

7. My roomie got sick and had to leave early. I was totally bummed out. We ate at Cracker Barrel together Wednesday night, drove around in the Corvette, ordered room service, and giggled all night Friday before she had to fly out Saturday morning on doctor’s orders. Miss you, Deanna! #submarine

8. I led a portion of the photo walk and loved talking to budding photographers and some pros. The Gaylord Texan atrium is a wonderful spot to take pictures. Fabulous hotel.

9. The keynote speakers were awesome. I was in my “sweet spot” taking conference photos, so I’m glad that Blissdom is allowing me to listen to them again from home since I was an attendee. This was my favorite shot of Scott Stratten (@unmarketing on twitter). He closed his eyes just as my shutter opened, but his awesome tattoo and smile still made it a keeper.

10. The Bliss Chicks did a super job of listening to attendees requests to make breaks longer and conference more relaxed. Alli and Barbara (and a huge team of behind the scenes women who never get credit – but work their tails off) did a fabulous job of catering to everyone, bringing the awesome sponsors, keeping the crowds fed, and being amazing. Really, it takes a village to pull off Blissdom – and they get very little thanks and deal with a mountain of criticism. I just want to thank them again for a fabulous weekend. I love being a small part of the BlissDom community.

11. Being a conference photographer is awesome. I get to collect smiles all weekend and relive the conference again when I get home to edit and upload. I’d have to say that these girls – including Shannon (who I already knew from way back in blogging antiquity) – were the most fun group I photographed. It was late Saturday night and I’m so glad I stopped them in the hall on the way back to my room.

12. Everybody loves Jenny on the Spot! I finally got to meet her in person!!! This is my prize photo from Blissdom. ♥ #stalker She had my sweet friend Rachel (the amazing Texas food blogger – Southern Fairytale) in flat form. Missed you, Rachel! Praying for your family. To Jenny’s credit, she took Rachel EVERYWHERE. They ate together, danced together, swooned over Chris Mann together, and posed for countless photos together. If I ever have to miss another Blissdom, I’m sending my flattie with the dedicated Jenny – who is certainly ON the spot!

13. Oh, my dear. Megan Jordan. I’m her fangirl. I loved her smile, loved her session, and always enjoy being around her in person. She’s the genuine article – true southern belle sweetheart. She spoke about uninterrupted thought, focus, finding where your time is escaping you (she had worksheets and homework, y’all!)… and about creating BEFORE you allow yourself to read or process anything else each day. She’s one of my favorite writers on the interwebs. If you haven’t read her blog – do yourself a favor and go here: Velveteen Mind.

I didn’t get to listen to many sessions because I was taking peekshurs for Blissdom and had to be all places at once… but I sat down in Megan’s session and refused to budge. I wish Megan was my next door neighbor.

14. The next TWO pictures are of the Handmade Marketplace at Blissdom – which is one of my VERY FAVORITE parts of the conference. I wish I was rich and could swoop up everything they bring to sell. It is like Etsy – only in PERSON. The Handmade Marketplace is Pinterest goodness happening right in front of your starry eyes. Not only are the wares wonderful, but the PEOPLE who make them are there to talk to and bombard with questions.

Like this little artist here from Monorail Studio, which I found to my delight, is LOCAL here in Austin. HELLO FIELDTRIP! She showed Sarasophia (another favorite bloggess) and I on her smart phone how she screen prints her unique monogrammed t-shirts. I fell in love with their artwork and got a shirt for myself. { They run small, so I got an extra-large and it fits great. }

Jana got some great photos of the Handmade Marketplace.

Speaking of Jana…

15. In that last photo above, Jana is taking her golden photos of Chris Mann. He came right up and sang in to her camera. She got some catty looks from jealous groupies for this, I’m sure. I mean, he practically crawled in to her lens and sat pretty for her picture. I’m no fangirl, but I was jealous of the shot she was about to get…

Great photography. Even without his background vocals.

I’ll share more as I find time this week. We are digging out of laundry piles, scrubbing crayon off the walls, drying cell phones and my FitBit in the rice jar (don’t ask), and getting on top of our post-Spring-Break homeschool homework before full swing is upon us tomorrow.

Have you been to a blog conference? Would you go to one if you had the chance?

{ I sure enjoyed getting my BlissDom fix in 2013! }

Heather

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Credits: Photo of Chris Mann, courtesy Jana Warnke.