Page 110 of Embracing Trust

Merilee: Sweet! Be sure and pull your dress off. You’ll get more whistles.

I take a headshot with my phone and shoot the text to Merilee.

Merilee: Love the eyes. Great job! I was worried when the text came through. Scared you’d send a pic with your head out the roof minus the dress.

I laugh out loud. Merilee’s sense of humor and quick wit always cracks me up.

Julia: No, staying fully dressed. For now, anyway.

I add a smiley to my text.

Merilee: You look beautiful. So proud. You caught me on my dinner break. Have to get back. You’ll be great. Enjoy! Love you.

Julia: Thanks. Talk later.

I look out the window as I get a front-row seat to downtown Denver. I can make out the mountains in the distance and I imagine all the ways I could photograph the majestic landscape.

Ernest continues the drive and eventually pulls up in front of the gates at Hollingsworth Manor. It’s a large historical estate surrounded by mature trees and flowering bushes. The car travels along the brick road and stops at the front door. Ernest assists me to step out and I thank him.

I gracefully ascend the brick steps and enter through the massive iron door. My eyes are immediately drawn to the beautiful oak floors and high ceilings covered in intricate oak designs. It takes my breath away.

A woman, who looks to be in her forties with a slim figure and her hair pulled back tightly in a bun greets me.

“Hello. I’m Ingrid Spencer-Gillman.”

“Hi. Julia Crandall.”

Ingrid congratulates me, hands me a nametag, and shows me to our table. Each round table holds eight guests and is covered in white tablecloths with beautiful bouquets of red roses as centerpieces. Along with her, I will be dining with the five other winners in the competition.

I bite my bottom lip. My stomach churns and rolls around. I’m hungry, I’m nervous, and my stomach makes sure to let me know.

Alongside the dining area, a room is cordoned off with the sign, “Historic Ballroom.” I take a quick peek and six areas are set up and each is covered with a black cloth. A waitstaff makes its way through the guests with champagne, wine, and appetizers. A string quartet is set up in the corner of the dining room and classical music flows throughout the room.

I let out a breath. The acoustics in the dining area are perfect and this place is so much more than I could’ve ever imagined.

Ingrid steps to the podium and speaks into the microphone. She asks guests to be seated so dinner can be served.

Once at the table, Ingrid introduces the six of us and I get acquainted with the other artists—two women and three men.

“This is way out of my comfort zone,” Jeannie, an artist from Minnesota states as we enjoy our salads.

“I agree. The only time I attend things like this is when I’m photographing an event,” I admit.

Jeannie lets out a breath. “Me too. I have three little ones, so I don’t get out much.”

“I’m sure that keeps you very busy,” I say as I butter a piece of bread.

The woman on my right introduces herself. “I’m Debbie Garver. I’m from Arizona. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Let’s hear about you, Debbie,” Jeannie insists.

“Well, I’ve been photographing for about the last ten years—mostly nature, but I’ve recently started with portraits. How about you guys?”

Jeannie takes a drink of her wine. “I’m all portraits. I own a studio in Minneapolis. What about you, Julia?”

“I own a studio as well. I’ve been in the business a few years now—mostly portraits.”

Jeannie leans in. “I have three kids at home—five, three, and eight months. My husband is home with them this weekend. He sent me for a break from the chaos.” She laughs and her brown eyes light up.

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