07/02/2025
4 years ago I was asked if I was "interested" in doing stage shots for Universal Miss Nationals. I was a pageant dad with a camera, far from a professional photographer. The best decision I would ever make was to say a resounding, "YES". The friendships, the family and the unforgettable memories that have been formed over the past 4 years have been nothing short of unbelievable. I have progressed as a photographer over that span, but I have grown as a human being over that span as well. I owe that to the incredible people I have had the pleasure of meeting, working with, spending time with and getting to know through pageants. From contestants and their families, to staff and friends I will cherish for a lifetime, the people in this system have given me more than a job ever will.
Season 5 was one for the record books. The Didier family pour themselves into this system. It's not one month a year, it's ALL year. Their talents and dedication are unmatched. It is apparent every time you are around them and when you are part of the pageants they produce. It's more than a pageant, it's the UM Experience. What they have done for me in the past 4 years is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. They are family to me for a lifetime of adventures.
To the contestants: You are why we all do this. There is one crown, but there are endless possibilities. There are 8 "winners" every year, but there are countless winning moments that never see the stage. The friendships formed, the lessons learned, the experiences that form who you are and the skills that go with you from every season may not be in front of a camera, but they are more impactful than any crown ever will be. One of the contestants said, "You win or you learn". There are no losers in this system. Every contestant leaves with something. Whether it be confidence, self-esteem or pride in accomplishment, those are all wins and should be cherished. We all want the title, crown, and reign, but in the end, what lasts a lifetime will always outweigh what lasts a year. That's what the UM Experience is, a lifetime of wins, with or without the crown.
I am thankful to be a small part of the bigger picture and a team of people who are true professionals and wonderful people. I hope you all had a fantastic time at Season 5 and I absolutely hope I get to see you at Season 6! THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING ME! I love you all!
