I met Ashley and Jeff when they second shot a wedding I was in on New Year’s.  Later we ran into one another at a local camera shop and exchanged email addresses.  She became a total encouragement to me and we decided to hit up the very first OC SMUG meeting together a few months back.

At the end of the SMUG meeting, I used my public affairs skills and just started networking like a fool!  I was finally able to meet a number of people in person…and I learned that they were all just as kind and as encouraging as I’d hoped they be.  The next month at SMUG, the same was true, and then the next month.

The unexpected by-product of all my photo networking has been new friendships.  I knew I’d learn a lot from speakers, etc, but I totally underestimated the fact that I’d be meeting new and various people.  What a blast it has been spending time talking to people whose work I admire, but also people who make me laugh!

This last Monday, I used my parents’ amazing Angels tickets to see them play the Yankees.  Who better to invite than some new friends?!  I had an incredible time watching a great game (Go Angels!), gossiping with Ashley, and cracking up over silly things with Jeff and Becker.

Thanks guys for coming out, having fun, and being my friends!  Can’t wait to hang out again sometime soon!  XOXO, JJ

Photo courtesy of Ashley’s camera and Becker’s long arm. : )

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