I am so sorry about the multiple posts. I would try, and it wouldn’t post; and I would try, and it wouldn’t post…. and on and on and on. After finally figuring out the problem, I corrected it, but then realized there was no way to call back my prior submissions.

Just look at it as an example of how badly I want to attend the workshop.

Aileen

Her personal story is a very private one but is one that she has shown you a glimpse of in her own post. To say that she is a survivor is truly an understatement. And yet, despite all that she has endured, both personally and professionally, she chooses to pick up her camera and capture all the beautiful moments in life: the secret glimpse of a husband to his wife, the adoring face of a young mother to her newborn child. Many people in her current situation would choose to be negative, to lament to anyone who would listen. She chooses to smile, to photograph, to move on and help others realize what is truly important in life.

I have no sisters but I do consider Aileen, my sister-in-law, to be the sister I never had. She is an inspiration as a wife, a mother, a woman, and a friend. She has always given so much to so many people and not asked for anything in return. So tonight, I am asking for her. Please consider Aileen Reilly for the Confidence workshop. You will never meet a more gifted woman….both for her natural eye for photography and for her overall ability to only see the very best in people and in life.

I am 8 years younger than my sister, but her impact on me has always been profound despite the age gap. I do not even think I would like photography if she had not introduced me to it and spent time teaching me about it. I can recall my first camera – it was a 110 film camera that my sister handed down to me when I was about 7. My bet is that she does not even recall that she did that for me. Like so many things, I took to what she enjoyed because she made it fun. Even though I was the painfully annoying younger brother at times, she always took time to watch over me, care for me, and even teach me new things such as photography. It amazes me when I think about what she went through in life that she would even take the time to worry about me, but she always has. She regularly put her needs second to my own, and did so even as a teenager. Today I see her take this same self-sacrificing position in life for her kids and husband, and I often wish she could just be a little more selfish so that she could follow all of her dreams too – but she does not have that gene it seems.

Frankly, her desire to attend your conference is about as close to something selfish that I have seen from her in decades. It is probably obvious, but she has always had this passion for photography. As a teenager with her camera I can recall her taking photos that were so unique and different that it was clear she had a talent for the art of photography. However, like so many people, she made photography a hobby instead of a profession. While she was an excellent attorney and is an even better mother, throughout life she has always come back to photography but never been able to pay it the attention I am sure she wanted to, until now. With her kids a little older, and your conference coming to her hometown, the stars seemingly aligned – that is, until she decided to again put her family in front of her needs by foregoing the conference as she is afraid to spend money they might need.

She has given me so much, so I try (and normally fail) to bring her some happiness any way I can as my form of payment for all she has done for me. Thus, when she told me about this contest and the positive emotions she derived from it, I decided to do something I normally would not and that is to post to a blog.

You see, nothing besides her husband and kids brings her happiness like photography. She wears her passion for it on her sleeve and loves getting into the details of the art. She has an eye that seems to spot emotion and that comes through in her photos. However, like most things in her life when she wants to pursue it, she wants to be the best at it she can be. As such, she became passionate about getting into your conference because she regards you as one of, if not, the best. As such, I irrationally fear it would break her heart not to take advantage of the opportunity. Thus, I hope you see it in your hearts to grant her this amazing opportunity to attend.

Her passion will amaze you, her intellect will impress you, and her skill will enthrall you. You will give her the reprieve from her daily stresses that she so clearly could use, but importantly too you will give her a chance to learn and expand a talent she so desperately wants to improve under the tutelage of someone as passionate and talented as you.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration. Her email is 6reillys (at) gmail (dot) com

Mariana has always been a very driven and successful businesswoman. She built an incredible successful career as a marketing executive for two of the best CPG (consumer goods products) companies in the world. However the road wasn’t easy, as she needed to make personal sacrifices, like leaving her family and friends in Peru to come to the US to pursue her career goals.

With her career as the center of her life, it was hard for her to find time and energy to pursue any other personal dream. However, she seemed very content with her life. But things have changed for her. After going through fertility treatments, a very painful miscarriage of our baby girl and the joyful birth of our beautiful son, her world and priorities were rocked. She realized she hadn’t focused on developing her true passions and making sure her personal growth was keeping up with her career growth. It took a while for her to get the courage, but finally, she decided to quit her job and focus on finding her true self.

She is now focused on spending more time with our son and pursuing opportunities in the not-for profit world. She wants to transfer her corporate skills to help an organization, committed to improving our world, succeed.

With more time on her side, she has finally taken my camera and started taking pictures of our son. She always wanted to do it, but was intimidated by the fact that I am an eager travel photographer and my pretty “complicated” camera. She is following your blog and has watched your DVDs many times. Me Rah’s story has been very inspiring for her. Mariana seems very happy when holding her camera and her shots are excellent! I truly believe that she has the sensitivity needed to be a great photographer, and who knows, maybe photography will become more than just a pastime.

Her photography is helping her during the self-rediscovery phase she is going through. I believe that photography will help her gain confidence to pursue her dreams and become the person she wants to be.

I really hope you pick her. She has always been very supportive and encouraging of my dreams. I hope this nomination (which coincides with our 7-year wedding anniversary) can show her how much I love her and how much I support and admire her for having the courage of pulling a 180-degree change in her life.