Just wanted to add that I'll keep registration open to auditors through the rest of the weekend (until the end of the day on Sunday, January 6th.) You can find more details below.
And now back to our regularly scheduled program...
I'm almost embarrassed to admit how spoiled I've been by my past students.
I've received Christmas cards, pajamas, cakes, flowers, books, necklaces, letters, picture frames, plaques, comic strips, cupcakes, gift cards to my favorite restaurants, emails, lip balm, hot pads, aprons, texts, photo books, encouraging phone calls, bracelets, stationery, junk food, videos, poems, etc.
They've even sent letters and gifts to my kids.
And when my husband was in Afghanistan, he received box after box of letters, snacks, baseball mitts, (The only baseball mitt my husband will use is the one that was sent to him while he was in Afghanistan.) Christmas decortions, books, etc. - and not only did they send enough for my husband, but they also sent enough for the guys he deployed with.
In fact, I came home from grocery shopping one day while Josh was deployed and found a bouquet of flowers sitting on my front step. No note or anything. Just a big, lovely bouquet of flowers. I still have no clue who sent them, but my guess is that it was a past student who just wanted to (and did) bless my day.
It's kind of hard to put into words how all that makes me feel. Lucky. Humbled. Grateful.
The kindness of people floors me sometimes - makes me want to strive to give more and do more.
Maybe even to be more.
A few weeks back I went to check the mail and almost tripped over a box that was sitting in front of the door. (It was dark and our porch light doesn't work.) So after checking the mail, I ran inside (Actually, I hobbled becuase my leg still hurts too much to run on it.) and the kiddos peered over my shoulder while I opened the box...
It was cookies from my good friend and past student, Kate.
But cookies unlike any I had ever seen.
They were more like little works of art that were all designed specifically with me in mind.
There were cookies with my business logo on them, cookies with pictures of vintage cameras on them and cookies with my kids names written on them.
That one had an airplane on it and the word 'kismet' because Josh Downs and I met on an airplane almost eight years ago now and we've always called it 'kismet.' (Actually, when I told Karen Burniston the story just a few days after Josh and I met, she called it 'kismet' and Josh and I have been using the word ever since.)
That one (above) kind of stumped me.
But then I turned it rightside up and realized it was a cake. (The most common phrase you'll hear in my photography workshops is "You can't have your cake and eat it too." so cake is kind of a long-standing joke between myself and my students.)
And my dream-car is an old, blue 49' Ford.
Jesus, love and photography. (Doesn't get any better than that.)
And I'm still holding out hope that I'll become an Olympic gymnast one day.
I wouldn't let anyone eat them for four days - I just wanted to look at them.
But then the thought of them becoming stale began to override my desire to display them as works of art around the house, so I poured a tall glass of milk one day while the kids were gone and I ate one. (Actually, I ate three.)
And when the kids came home, they dug into them too.
They tasted even better than they looked (if that's possible.)
So a big thanks to all of my past students.
You guys always seem to have me running the gamut of emotions...You guys make me smile. You make me laugh. You make me cry. You make me feel really, really thankful.
Recently (after I received flowers from my students who came to Oregon for my first Hometown Workshop and chocolate covered strawberries from my students in the second Hometown Workshop - both in the same week) Josh asked, "I wonder what I'd have to do to get flowers and strawberries from the people I do work for?" To which I replied, "You'd probably have to cry with them and let them know how much you love them." which was an immediate deal-breaker for Josh Downs.
And while I'm talking about all of you lovely students, I'd better mention that the next Photographers' Workshop begins on Monday, January 7th. The regular seats in this workshop are full, but I can still squeeze in a few more auditors if anyone is hoping to learn how to take better photos in 2013. (Note that the ONLY difference between auditing students and regular students is that I do not provide evaluations for auditing students. However, auditors can still post questions, comments and photos and can even sign up for a peer group where other students will evaluate their images.) Just click here if you'd like to register. (Once you register, you'll receive a confirmation email and a welcome letter and I'll get your class binder mailed of to you.)
But if you happen to be more interested in cookies than photography, Salsa Sweets is responsible for those amazing cookies.
As a past student of both the regular workshop and hometown - You deserve the spoiling, you certainly work hard for US! ENJOY!!!
Posted by: Jen S | January 02, 2013 at 07:40 AM
This goes to show you that what you put out there comes back to you in abundance. You are blessed.
Posted by: Linda | January 02, 2013 at 07:41 AM
What Linda above said. You put in 200% of yourself, and since yourself is awesome and giving, what else could come back to you?
Those cookies? Wowzers. That would have taken me all of December to frost them. And they wouldn't have looked like that. But I'm glad you ate them after you took pics.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Nancy B. | January 02, 2013 at 08:20 AM
Thank you for all you do! I'm saving up and can't wait to take a class from you! The cookies look beautiful and delicious! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Melinda T | January 02, 2013 at 08:35 AM
Thank you Karen for posting about the cookies! It was a true pleasure and delight creating them for you. Your work is beautiful and inspiring and I loved being able to do that for you as well. I also wrote about these cookies here.
http://blog.modernfrills.com/a-cookie-is-worth-a-thousand-words/
Posted by: Nicole | January 02, 2013 at 09:14 AM
Fabulous cookies and a lovely story. I would have found it hard to eat them too. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Posted by: Kathy | January 02, 2013 at 09:24 AM
As a past student (who has not actually ever sent you a gift... :( ), sitting in my kitchen in tears from reading this post, I am moved and humbled as well, and like you...wanting to give and be more. Thank you for sharing. (I never comment on blog posts but just had to this time).
Posted by: Julie Fuller | January 02, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Those cookies are beautiful!
Posted by: Kelli | January 02, 2013 at 11:44 AM
It's the love you put out there that comes back to you sweetie! (And I feel a little bad for not having sent anything now, but I know you're a sweetheart and don't expect anything from us.) Hope that the New Year is a healthy and happy one for you and your family!
Posted by: Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita | January 02, 2013 at 02:09 PM
I'm so glad to hear you're spoiled by your past students. You're been key in so many people's photography journeys that you deserve very much praise and thanks-giving. :)
Posted by: Lacey | January 02, 2013 at 02:15 PM
Oh my....what a heartfelt, artistic and beautiful gift/work of art. And, it just goes to show you that the bottom line is......relationships.......it is what we are here for....to lift each other, to listen to each other, to learn from each other, and above all else....love each other. Your blog is such a symbol of that. You are blessed...but we are blessed as well. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: janel | January 02, 2013 at 06:12 PM
Karen, I don't get paid until Friday and I am REALLY, REALLY wanting to take the auditing class. Is there a time limit to sign up?? God help me I am sweating thinking about the binder we get and just BEING in a class of yours...even if i never get to "meet" you in real life.. :)
Posted by: cindy b | January 02, 2013 at 07:14 PM
I'd say that's you in a nutshell! She's really paid attention...beautiful!
In person, your students should know you are as beautiful and genuine as you are on this blog. (And you don't give a fake hug. lol)
I appreciate how you teach and inspire us with a servant's heart.
Here's to a wonderful and prosperous 2013, Nellie!!! :)
Posted by: kat-in-texas | January 02, 2013 at 07:42 PM
Those are amazing.
Meanwhile, how excited and proud was I to open the premier issue of CLICK magazine and see your beautiful photos? I feel like I know you, so it was surreal. Just beautiful. Happy New Year.
Posted by: shelly | January 03, 2013 at 06:59 PM
Those are absolutely amazing! She is so talented!!!! Reading this has me really excited for the start of class next week, even more excited than I already was!
Posted by: MISTY | January 04, 2013 at 02:01 PM
Those cookies are amazing. She has really paid attention and captured your essence!!
Posted by: keely | January 04, 2013 at 06:53 PM
Forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times, and the confused times.
Posted by: Nike Free Run 3 Womens | January 12, 2013 at 12:33 AM
Those cookies are simply amazing! What an awesome talent she has!
Posted by: able mabel | January 15, 2013 at 05:02 PM
works of art and a work of love. How joyful to be so inspirational. Best to you and your lovely family in 2013.
Posted by: glee | January 19, 2013 at 07:42 PM