Back in 2017, I did something simple: I invited a few Instagram friends to meet me at a little park for a photo walk. The spot I picked turned out to be a little sketchy (thanks, Instagram), but we quickly rerouted and ended up at a local eatery—where, true to form, the night wrapped up with chips and queso. What started as a casual meetup turned into something bigger than I ever imagined.
Jon Fischer, Shari Hunt, Brad Smith, Simanta Mahanta, Chris Fitch, Lin Zabojnik, and Vineeth Radhakrishnan
Fast forward to 2020—those same DFW friends stood alongside me as presenters for the Happiness Hour. Over the years, my circle of photography friends has grown. New faces joined the group, some becoming speakers themselves. Recently, I had the joy of gathering these friends—old and new—for dinner. Watching them connect, some meeting for the very first time, reminded me why I love this community so much: photography is the thread that ties us all together. That night wasn’t just about dinner. It was about connection. About sharing stories, ideas, and laughter. About how one invitation years ago blossomed into a network of friendships and creative collaborations.
Here’s the takeaway: you don’t need to wait for a conference, a meetup, or even Happiness Hour to experience that same spark. Scroll through your feed. Think of someone whose work inspires you. Then take that leap—invite them out for a shoot. You never know where a simple “let’s go shoot” might lead
Friendships. Growth. Inspiration. Maybe even a lifelong creative posse.
So next time you’re scrolling Instagram, remember—those likes and comments are just the beginning. The real magic happens when we step out from behind our screens and share the experience of photography together.