I recently attended the Elena S. Blair Photography Retreat in Palm Springs, California.  Two full days of connecting and learning with other portrait photographers in a relaxed and fun space was a serious vibe. Although I was a little nervous to go on my own into a group of people I only knew casually, I felt it was time for me to dive into the unknown and see what it had to offer.  After hand wringing over whether I dare do something this big for myself (and organizing child care) I made my way.

What comes to mind when you hear the word essence? For me, I think of it as the part of someone that makes them uniquely them; some call it the True Self. That part of you that is connected to something greater than yourself.