What on earth happened last week in Barcelona?
Photoforum Fest, BodaF 2024
Barcelona, Spain
41° 23' 24'' N
2° 9' 14'' E
Starting with the beginning:
A few months ago, we’re kindly invited to be speakers in BodaF 2024 (the biggest european convention of wedding photographers and videographers) in Barcelona.
Although we’re not confortable talking in public, we really wanted to beat that disconfort and “fear” and do it. Firstly because it was a huge opportunity professionally wise, but above all, we wanted to be an example for our kids by showing them that everything is possible and we shouldn’t let our fears restrict you in any way.
Before it was our time to go on stage, we were very stressed and going back and forward in what our message should be. We were trully inspired by all the presentations! Of course that we relate to some works more than others, but that didn’t matter, as we brought something with us from each one of them.
Since the first day conferences were so much inspiring, we realized that some of the things we were aiming to say were beig said by other speakers, the nerve wreck was obvious.
Until this point, it was very nice to see the symphathy, cordialitty and support we were being given; by friends, by almost all the portuguese community (that was massive, I must say!), by other speakers that came and gave their support and by the organization. Everyone was so encouraging and saying: “it will be fine, don’t worry, just be you”.
It came our time to go on stage, and we were nervous, I must say, in the first 5 minutes. We were not talking in our native language, and sometimes it’s hard to find the exact words or expressions you’re looking for.
As the first minutes went by, something just changed. We were hearing the people on the audience clapping and even a few shouts, and it felt so nice to be in that unconfortable position, and receiving that support as the time went by. So immediatly, we were not nervous at all anymore!
We spoke our truths with our hearts completely open and it felt so great! But this is just and intro on the message we really want to share!
After the presentation, the love bubble began. So many people came to us saying that we totally inspired them. Not necessarily work related but personally. We got so much love, we hugged so much, and I’m really struggling not to individualize this because it’s impossible to mention everyone that touched our souls in any way, but it doesn’t feel fair in our hearts not to mention a few special people we’re grateful of.
Above all a huge thank you to both our parents, that took care of our precious kiddos while we were in Spain. A special thank you to my sister Joana that helped us out with the graphic design of our presentation. And a special word to Ze’s brother, Joao, that unfortunatelly wasn’t able to travel with us there, but was always with us in our minds.
And now, a kind word and a love recognition to some people that were phisically there:
To @Renato Ribeiro, a trully great friend since so long ago, even before all this journey begin.
To @Joao Almeida, that believed in us and brough us to the wedding community.
To @Javier Abad that is really an inspiration and was supporting us all the time.
To @Keko Rangel that stood there, in every single corner, watching us and making sure we were confortable and had our backs.
We weren’t going to individualize anyone else, as there are a lot of amazing people we want to mention, but one of the most beautiful things we witnessed and brough home was when you have your direct “competitors”, from your very own country, hugging you after, saying all loving things that you totally feel it’s not a simple “congrats, you did great” stereotype talk. They really saw us, they really saw our hearts and we’re able to witness their loving souls.
When you have @Joao Rosa saying “I love you guys” and @Hugo Sousa saying “I really like you, you are so beautiful beings”, you really feel it.
And the rest of the day, party night and the day after, we were just in this huge bubble of love!
We didn’t hugged that much in such a long time, but the most amazing thing was not the professional recognition whatsovever. It was the tons of feedback that people really saw us, as individuals, they could see our souls, and we were ourselves unconditionally.
Someone told on stage (sorry but can’t really remember who), that the most important thing was not the destination, it was the journey. And at that time we really believed in this. But not anymore.
Now, we believe that is not the journey, neither the destination. The most important thing is the community of people that surrounds you making the journey and the destination all worth it.
Thank you for this nothing but incredible experience @Carles Figuerola, @BodaF and @Photo Forum Fest.
See you next year!
