Those things I forgot that I know - CPC Recap - Vancouver Conference DJ

Is it just me, or... does this happen to you too?

Here's what I'm talking about. There's something that you know you know. Like... way, deep down, it's in there as a general true fact that you believe with your whole heart. And yet, you completely forget about this thing and pretty much do the opposite because you got so busy/tired/pre-occupied by life/confused/distracted by pizza/... yeah - is it just me?

Last week, I was invited to provide audio for an awesome little shindig in Vancouver called the Canada Photo Convention. This is a top-notch conference for wedding photographers, and it draws talented people from all over the world. The conference founder, Jasser, lives here in Edmonton, and after following his work with CPC for the past two years, I tried to think of a way I could weasel my way into this convention, even though I'm not a wedding photographer.

Long story short, I convinced Jasser to let me work for the conference as the sound tech, and two Sundays ago, I filled a jazzy little rental car with my sound system, my favourite CDs (yes, CDs), and started driving West.

I would love to rave about the epic times I had driving and going down nostalgia lane listening to CDs, but that's another blog post for another day. Today's post is about the things you know you know but you forgot you know.

For a conference with such diverse speakers - covering a multitude of topics, ranging from customer service to work/life balance to business to general photography stuff that's mostly over my head - I walked away impacted by some definite through lines from the week's content.

These were things that I forgot I know.

Things like...

DON'T WORK SO DANG MUCH. Okay. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a hard worker, and a passionate person, and I generally throw my everything into what I'm doing. That's cool. But this habit I've picked up of working late into every evening and being attached to my phone reading every email as soon as it comes in... not cool. Guys, I just got engaged. And I am SO FREAKING EXCITED to marry the most bestest friend I have ever had. And spending my engagement working until 11pm every night is just not the dream I want to live. This is a once-in-a-lifetime season of my life, and I want to throw my everything into experiencing the fun of planning a big party, snuggling my fiancé, and sharing in the excitement of my family and friends.

MARRIAGE IS AWESOME. Excuse me while I get sappy here (oh wait, I think I got sappy in the previous point... #sorrynotsorry). I LOVE DJing weddings, because I LOVE weddings, and because I believe marriage is awesome. I love watching people make a lifelong commitment to one another, and I love helping people celebrate that commitment all night on the dance floor. I spent a lot of the week getting misty-eyed (or flat out crying) while listening to speakers talk about the couples they've been privileged to work with, their own marriages, and the importance of putting your relationship with your spouse before everything else (I'm looking at you, Benj Haisch... and you too, Ed Peers).

PEOPLE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. People are awesome, and the most important thing at any wedding is the people. I know this, but it's really easy to sweat the proverbial small stuff when wedding planning, because that's what people ask you about the most. The colours, what you're feeding everyone, what the venue looks like... yeah, I know you guys know this, but.... none of that crap matters. I can't freaking wait to have all of my friends and family under one roof, celebrating with Ryan and I. That is the most important thing.

I REALLY FREAKING WANT TO TRAVEL. Before CPC, It had been more than a year since I left Edmonton for anywhere other than the lake. Man, I love the lake, but that's not exactly the travel I've been dreaming of. I have always had huge travel dreams. I spent my early 20s moving to the South Pacific on a whim, volunteering throughout Eastern Europe and parking in New Zealand for almost 7 years. Since starting my own business, I've really let travel take the back seat... which is silly, because the whole point of being self-employed is to have the freedom to determine how you live and work.

So... you know what that means? I'm looking for ways to do what I love (playing awesome music at weddings), while travelling the world. I've had this idea in the back of my head to pursue DJing destination weddings for a while now... CPC gave me the inspiration kick in the pants I needed to run with that idea (big ups to Kyle Hepp for telling it like it is).

So... if you're a destination wedding planner or photographer (or a couple planning a destination wedding) - you'll be hearing from me soon.

Have turntables… erm, i mean… very portable DJ controller, will travel.

And now, here is some photo evidence of the incredible time I had at CPC. All Images by the awesome Dave Moss of Abby + Dave.