Denise Watrous, Craftsman Photographer, C.P.P.

It's finally officially official. I am a Photographic Craftsman.

I crossed the stage at Imaging USA and received my medallion in front of my family and my photography peers, a moment I will never forget. 

This degree was a long time coming, and it means more to me than I can put into words. For years....decades actually...I watched photographers before me adorned with their Craftsman and Master medallions, quietly in awe of what they had achieved. For a long time, I convinced myself I would never be one of them. 

But here we are. Denise Watrous, Photographic Craftsman, C.P.P. And now also a proud member of the American Society of Photographers, an organization representing the very best in photographic artistry.

Earning this degree was powerful. Being supported while earning it was everything! 

My husband and kids traveled to Nashville to watch me cross that stage, and my beautiful daughter Ella served as my sponsor, placing the medallion around my neck. (Yes, I made the kids pick a number between 1 and 50 for the honor....and a 6/7 may have won that contest!)

The support of my closest friends in this industry is not just meaningful, it's essential. Most of us are solo business owners. We work alone. It can be lonely and isolating. Finding my people changed everything! We're scattered across the country and may only see each other a few times a year, but when we're together, it feels like home. And the cherry on top is having best friends with the talent to beautifully preserve this moment forever! Thank you to Brandy Moton for these stunning portraits, and to the rest of our group, Molly, Bertha, and Lisa, the world's best stylists, for fixing every detail and making sure we all looked our very best! 

To the rest of our group who showed up, reserved seats, cheered loudly, and then partied the night away with us, I love you so very much! Let's do this again! 

One, maybe two more degrees to go!

Grateful. Proud. Still standing.