06/08/2026
A few years ago, I hauled a tiny backdrop, some lights, and my camera into a kitchen for a branding session with a woman named Bre.
At the time, neither of us knew that photo shoot would eventually lead me to Minneapolis this week as the sponsor photographer for VA Fest.
Since then, we’ve photographed in studios, stairwells, elevators, hotel rooms, conference spaces, and probably a few places that had no business becoming a photo studio.
And somewhere along the way, I got a front-row seat to what Bre was building.
If you’ve never heard of VA Fest, think less “conference” and more “community.”
It’s virtual assistants, entrepreneurs, creatives, speakers, business owners, and leaders all coming together to learn from each other, share ideas, solve problems, and build relationships that continue long after everyone goes home.
I’ve spent the last few weeks watching the excitement build in DMs, emails, Instagram comments, and Telegram chats. People flying in from all over. Meeting internet friends in real life. Learning from people who have built incredible businesses. Finding their next collaborator, employee, client, mentor, or friend.
As someone whose career exists because people took a chance on me, introduced me to someone else, and invited me into the room, I think that’s pretty cool.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have camera batteries to charge and absolutely no emotional preparedness for what happens when this many talented humans end up in one room. ⚡️🪩📷💕📱🌈🎞️💻🎨
