What does it mean to be Award Winning? To be: The Best. #1 in your professional career, or in anything for that matter?

As we approach the last weekend of February 2019, many of us will watch the Oscars.. Why is this awards show called the Oscars? As the story goes, the Executive Director, who ran the show, looked at the statue that is handed out to the award winners, and said: “That looks like my Uncle Oscar.” And there you have it.  Officially, these are the Academy Awards and they are given to The Best. #1. The Winners.  In many BEST categories for Motion Pictures, or as we like to call them, the Movies.

All of this reminds me of my best award.  For the past 6 years in a row, I have been voted as THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER in several cities in MInnesota, including my hometown of Lakeville.  My award is a readers’ choice award, which carries great meaning. It means that I was the People’s choice.  Not some committee, but the actual readers’ of the newspapers in which this was published- the Sun Current, our local neighborhood publication. I feel proud to be voted in by my people.

But what does it mean to be “a winner?” Winning is not actually the point here, wanting is the point. Wanting to do your best. Always. To be your best self. Winning means you are doing better than you ever did before. You have recognized your G-d given talents, worked to develop your talents into skills and used those skills to accomplish your goals. It requires great preparation, patience, perseverance, courage, understanding, empathy and heart. Loving what you do and doing the right thing.  These achievements define a winner.

As Dr. Maya Angelou once said: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some creativity, some humor and some style.” That’s how I feel! My passion for photography and people comes from my heart. I delight in bringing a sense of fun, a creative eye, and the utmost care and calm to my mission of making your memories last forever.  I am happiest when I can connect with the community and capture your moments, so you will have them for all eternity.

My mission in life is to go forth spreading good cheer, capturing good memories, and creating a historical record of your lives so that you will never forget, leaving you a present, for now, and a lasting legacy, for later, for future generations.

I strive to honor your lives and preserve your memories.

Thank you to my Mom and Dad, my unsung heros. The ones that gave me life, love and sustenance throughout my formative years, and are still alive today at ages 92 and 90, cheering me on! To my dear friends and family, to the many communities, companies and individuals that have hired me throughout my 25 years of service, and to the countless vendors I have worked with so closely to provide such outstanding service. Thank you to G-d for giving me this talent and for sustaining me to reach this moment in time. For all my senses, for limbs that work, for good health and the awareness to both see and capture beauty where ever I am, where ever I go.  I feel eternally grateful. So. Very, Grateful.  THANK YOU!!!

I will receive no Oscar.  Nor will I stand and make a speech. What I do have- and what I will take with me always- is a desire and passion to always do my best. To be my best, most authentic self.  Now and forever.

If you have an event coming up, please contact me with a text, an email, or a phone call.  I’d be happy to provide gorgeous images that you will have and hold forever, at an affordable, reasonable price. And then, you can say: I’ve been photographed by the best! 🙂 Thank you- And Good Night! 🙂