Finding My People at the UPAA Symposium

That’s what I love most about UPAA as a whole — colleagues become friends, and those friendships turn into a kind of safety net. You celebrate each other’s wins, lean on one another when work feels overwhelming, and know there’s always someone who understands both the craft and the challenges of this world. This year I had the chance to meet Michael Pierce in person and see him recognized as Photographer of the Year, and I also reconnected with my friend Jean Fruth to watch her incredible presentation. On top of that, I met so many new creatives — each with their own stories, perspectives, and talents — and those conversations expanded my network in meaningful ways. It was also a reminder of how special it is to meet the faces behind the Instagram accounts we all follow. We spend so much time interacting through keyboards and screens, but getting to put real personalities to those digital profiles made those connections feel deeper and more genuine. These new friendships reminded me that the circle of support in this community is always growing, and it’s that constant exchange of ideas and encouragement that keeps us all moving forward.

Another part of the symposium that often goes unspoken is the team-building ripple effect it creates. Each of us may attend as individuals, but the ideas, encouragement, and inspiration we bring home directly strengthen the colleagues and staff we work alongside every day. It’s not just about personal growth; it’s about building up our teams and, in turn, our institutions. That collective impact is one of the most powerful legacies of UPAA.