Maggie moved to Canada from Poland when she was only 16.
She attended OCAD, one of our finest art universities and in spite of her lack of English and being in a foreign country, she acquired a degree in art.
When I met her, about 7 years ago, she had been in her own photography business for about 5 years, and most recently took some seriously insane steps.
Even she admits what she had done made no sense, was at the worst time one could imagine, under less than ideal circumstances.
She had two young children at home. A husband. Mortgage, the whole nine yards. What did she do that made everyone around think she completely lost it?
It was 2009, one year after the big economic meltdown, when more people were leaving photography than joining.
Here’s the story of a true renegade.
She mortgaged her home, and paid half a million dollars into the purchase of a new mall storefront condo.
AND, she drops about an additional 100K in renos.
See, she had a vision. And the passion needed to rise about the nay-sayers and doubters.
One thing she has is passion. More than anyone I ever met. And balls. Great big audacious balls.
When she was guest speaker at my 3 day inferno, two years in a row, everyone in attendance would tell me the same comments:
“I love this lady! By far my favorite speaker.”
Her story is amazing. Her studio is rocking. She’s top of the mountain. And she helps other photographers like as if they are her own children.
This lady is my hero.
And tonight, along with her studio manager Ian Cuthbert, who also has an amazing legacy in the photography industry, they will be judging the noBs Bull Pen Print Show.
Your welcome to join in, watch and learn.
If you want to submit an image or two, it’s PHREE! And you might win #hard-cold-cash
I don’t know if there’s room to submit your images at the late time, but worth a go.
Don’t delay, it’s only hours away.
DETAILS on registration and submissions.
Hope to see you there.
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher
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