I’ve been back home for two days now and still finding it hard to put in to words how I feel about my trip to Colorado for Dane Sanders’ Fast Track Workshop. Was it transformative? Yep. Inspiring? No doubt. Life-changing? It sounds like a stretch, but seriously, not much of one.

Dane is a photographer I’ve followed since my Rebel days. Since before I even knew what aperture or ISO was! Of a handful of open-minded, top-notch professionals who caught my eye back then, Dane stood out on account of what I perceived as his warm and genuine spirit. I always knew that his was a workshop I would love to attend but I never thought I’d get there. Not this year at least. So I couldn’t believe it when the stars aligned earlier this year and I found myself taking the plunge and signing up. Scared? Of course I was. But what I keep discovering as I grow my business is how much of a healthy motivator fear can be. And how, when I overcome it, I’m richly blessed, as I was by this experience.

Over the course of two days, Dane challenged our group to push ourselves harder than we ever have. To get serious about our businesses and the systems we need to put in place to keep them thriving. And along the way, he was the best kind of coach, encouraging us to make changes in our lives that some of us desperately need and others desperately want. And now, thanks to Dane, we all have the tools and knowledge to make those changes happen.

Dane, I feel blessed to have met you and discover first-hand you’re as real and genuine as I thought you’d be when I first stumbled across your Web site oooh….about 3 years ago ;) Your ability to communicate is so incredible (few are the people I’ve met with your skills) and I’m in awe of the way in just hours you turned 14 strangers into 14 friends. And to that I say, I’m a Fast Tracker for life! :)

I loved Dane’s enthusiasm during his presentation. He shared with us that he’s growing a beard until he finishes his next book. And his wife, Tami, hates it. So needless to say, he’s ready to finish that book! Hurry up Dane — we all want to read it now! :)

When I think of Dane and his workshop, I think of this quote from one of my Honest Tea caps: If we don’t change the direction we are headed, we will end up where we are going. — Chinese Proverb

(and by the way, I failed to tell ya Dane, but I loved your hat :) )

On the first day of our workshop, we got a little shooting action in, breaking into groups to photograph two incredibly sweet couples who braved the crazy cold for us! Jennifer and Allen (who is a Colorado photographer) were such troopers!

Seriously adorable together, aren’t they?

Below are a few snaps I caught as others got their turn photographing this pair. It was fun for us to push ourselves and find creative angles to get shots in while staying out of the way of the lead shooter. I REALLY REALLY love this next one!

And this one too! Doesn’t Allen give a good serious face? Work it!!

On the left is one of my fellow Fast Track attendees, Colorado photographer Bart Lillie. Bart is so sweet and had us over to his place on Sunday where we got to meet his partner and wife, Jenni, and their kiddos. On the right is the awesome Andrew Niesen. He and his wife, Rachel, are owners of LaCour Photography and ShootQ and were SO generous with giving us Fast Trackers their time! I’m working on setting up my ShootQ account right now!

I was catching up with the group when I turned to see Dane checking his iPhone. I just loved what street he was standing on. TOO PERFECT FOR THE OCCASION!

And finally, the Fast Track Boulder group! The best part about this workshop is the sense of community Dane fosters with each of these groups so I KNOW I’ll be getting to know these guys much more in the years to come as we all grow our businesses together. It was so great to meet all of you!

Okay, enough blogging about my travels for now! I’ve got my last portrait session of the year going up on Monday and then I’ve got a mountain of things to do implementing everything I learned last week and BOY OH BOY do I have my work cut out for me!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Friend Gail on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.