Today was my portfolio review and my final portfolio passed! I am so happy and relieved at the same time!
As the day wore on, I started to become more and more nervous. My daughter had begged me to come to my review because she really wanted to hear what they would say about my portraits. We talked to her about how she’d have to sit really still for a long time and her teacher even gave her a “practice” session that morning at school! Brian went to go and pick her up at lunch time and when they returned, they brought with them flowers and balloons! My heart melted and my nerves were steadied then! My seven year old daughter became my rock! She held my hand and snuggled up to me all afternoon behaving like a perfect angel, and when I heard those wonderful words of “portfolio accepted”, she brought me her flowers and said “I love you Mommy”! My gosh, she made me cry! The only thing missing from the event were my youngest two children but I knew there was no way they could have made it through the afternoon! This really was a family effort. My husband and my children were definately my biggest cheerleaders and supporters, as well as my most favorite models!
I had a fellow classmate, Chaz Cruz, photograph my review. It was fun to look back at them because I remember so little of the actual critique. I just remember hearing “Kimberly, portfolio accepted”
After being called to the stage, we wait to hear if my work is accepted:
Upon hearing the word “accepted”, I turn to Bri….
for a giant hug, Jorah jumps up to hug me too…
Jorah then ran off the stage and brought her flowers to me. It melted my heart and the tears started…..
Pauline started the review with going over each of my images giving me suggestions for improvement…..
And here, Bobbi continued the critique after stopping to tell us that Jorah had made her cry too!
The panelists who are reviewing my portfolio are Bobbi Lane, Pauline St. Denis and David Silver. Bobbi and Pauline both spoke at Hallmark during the guest speaker series so it has been nice to see them both again.
The reviewers gave me some great positive feedback! It was a wonderful feeling to walk off the stage knowing that after all of the worries, hurdles, sacrifices and stress, I had really done it! My portfolio passed and I will graduate from Hallmark Insitute of Photography! Let the next chapter of our lives begin!