dear kendra and sarah

Kendra Okolita and Sarah Wilkerson are the masterminds behind Clickin Moms and we, the CMteam, wanted to take a moment during Birthday Week to tell them how much we appreciate them.  Our thoughts and feelings are hard to put into words but we’ve done our best.

dear kendra and sarah,

To say thank you would be such an understatement. I have learned so much from both of you over the past five years, both personally and professionally. I love saying that I’m a part of ClickinMoms, and have been pretty much since it’s inception. I have learned so much from the wonderful community you work so hard at running, and I don’t know where I’d be today without you all. Not where I am, that’s for sure. So thank you, a million times over. For all of the education, encouragement, inspiration, friendships, and support. You have built an incredible place for all of us to learn, laugh, and grow with each other, and I can’t wait to see where the next few years lead!

Megan Moore

* The image I’m submitting was shot specifically thinking of an image I made in 2010. I remember it being one I was super proud of, and recall Sarah telling me how much she liked it. It combined my love for story-telling images, texture, symmetry, and clean lines – all things I’ve learned to appreciate from my time on CM.

I just want to say how radically my life was changed when I found CM. I have never found a more caring and fulfilling place than CM for growing my skill in photography and for meeting like-minded friends. CM is the highlight of my day and I wanted to personally thank Sarah and Kendra for giving me the opportunity to be in CLICK magazine and allowing me to explore my creativity in such a supportive environment. You both work so hard and tirelessly to make CM what it is today. I shout the benefits of CM to all who will listen, and I do that with the most sincere heart. Your hard work has made it possible for me to realize my dreams, and I will be forever grateful!

Caroline Jensen

I was so lost in my photography journey before discovering Clickin Moms—this amazing community that you have shaped has filled me with knowledge, confidence, and solidarity that I’ve never before encountered in an online forum. When I joined, all I wanted to do was learn how to take better photos. I never knew I would make such amazing friends along the way!

Thank you doesn’t adequately cover it. You are both incredible women who have cultivated the best online photography forum and magazine out there. Congratulations on five years!

Megan Dill

I’ve had the pleasure to meet you both in real life. Sarah, first I met you in Denver when our morning coffee date turned in to a 4 hour lunch date. How thrilled I was that we were able to relax and be in each others company that day. I was starstruck. <3 You’ve been a huge inspiration to me not only as a photographer but as a woman and friend as well. You raise those sweet babes of yours with so much sweetness, patience and love and I feel lucky to have met 2 of your now crew of 4 and thankful for bits of advice you’ve shared with me. You’re an amazing teacher and have a gift like no other that I have ever come across. Your thoughtful critiques and advice are not easily forgotten. I appreciate all that I have learned from you and thank you for being who you are. Kendra, I was so excited to finally meet you just a few short months ago at Imaging. You do so much for Clickin Moms even though you have such an incredibly busy life. Thank you both for all that you do for Clickin Moms. I’m proud to be a part of this amazing community!! <3

Celeste Pavlik

Kendra, about 3 years ago my life changed, when I came across ClickinMoms. It changed forever and in a way that I could never have imagined at the time. I just want you to express how very grateful I am to you, and to this wonderful place that you have created for us to thrive, learn and grow. Thank you for believing in me, and giving me the chance to find that part that was always missing. I will always be your biggest supporter and cheerleader.

Sarah, I think you know how precious your friendship is to me. You’ve encouraged and supported me more times that I can remember and I feel nothing but blessed to have you in my life. Aside from your friendship which means the world, you’re the best teacher I know. You inspired me to be better, to take risks, and to look at the world in a new and individual way. I can’t wait for the day when I can give you the biggest hug and say thank you in person.

Emma Wood

(Thank you both from the bottom of my heart for being exactly who you are and for making it possible for me to now take real, emotional, and meaningful pictures of my children like this one. I wouldn’t have known where to begin with an image like this, without either of you <3)

In honor of Birthday week, I would love nothing more than to take a moment to thank you for creating such a warm, inspirational and educational environment where someone like me can leap in knowing so little and gain so much in so many ways. In the past year or so, you and others at CM have taught me photography fundamentals, accepted and encouraged the direction my work has taken, offered me wonderful opportunities within this community and, most importantly, opened the door for amazing friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I hope you are very proud of the positive environment you have created and I wish you many happy birthdays to come.

Stacey Vukelj

Kendra,
Thank you is too simple. How do you thank someone for creating something that you use everyday, something that has brought people into your life that you can’t live without, something that has become a part of you? That’s what Clickin Moms is for me. When I joined in November of 2008, I had no idea just how deeply CM would impact me. At first I just lurked, learning behind the scenes. Then I came out of my shell, offering a comment or two when I felt bold. Somehow, over time and with each post, with each interaction, and with each image, CM became a part of my daily existence. I’ve never been a part of another online forum, and that’s because CM immediately became home for me. To be a part of such a helpful, safe, and encouraging community is an incredible blessing and I’m forever grateful to you for it. Kendra, you are an incredible woman and each day I feel honored that I get to be a part of this amazing thing that you created. I have the utmost respect for you and am glad to call you friend. Congratulations on five incredible years! Here’s to many, many more!

Sarah,
I keep checking for your cape, because you truly are super woman. Your dedication to Clickin Moms, the growth of our members, the education of our students, and the pulse and health of our community is so incredible. You are always there with the right words to say, the best plan of action, and the encouragement we all need at so many times. I know your input was invaluable when I was writing my workshop. You know how to stretch us to achieve our best, and that is what you’ve done in my life. I love being a part of a community that has you as a leader and feel blessed to be a part of something that you are such an integral part of. Your love for CM is inspiring and has brought our community to where it is today! Happy birthday, CM!

Megan Squires

Clickin Moms wouldn’t be the amazing place that it is without you both! You work so hard to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that it’s the best board imaginable! I can’t thank you enough for providing such an amazing platform for so many photographers to gather and share stories and tips. I wouldn’t be the same without CM! I love this place and consider it my home away from home. Thank you so much for having such a vision to create CM! LOVE you both lots!!

xoxo
Missi (Melissa Koehler)

Happy Birthday Week!! What an amazing community you have built for women photographers from around the world…I am beyond proud to be a part of the Clickin Moms team. Kendra, thank you for inspiring me to follow my own dreams and for being a picture perfect example of success. It was a blast meeting you last year! Sarah, wow, what can I say? You’ve changed so many lives with your photography + talented teaching skills…including mine. I’m most thankful for your friendship and going through these last nine months with you as my belly buddy. Here’s to a fantastic future for CM!!

Love,
Leah Cook

*this shot was inspired by one that Sarah took of baby Stella. tilt shift always reminds me of her – as do soft creams and warmer tones.

Kendra,
I don’t know where to start. Words cannot express my gratitude. You have created something so special and every day I am honored to be a part of it. Your spirit is the heart of CM and that’s what sets CM apart from the other boards. The kindness, generosity and caring tone that we foster is because the board was born from you. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities you have given me over the last 4.5 years. I am honored that I can call you my boss and my friend.

Sarah,
5 years of CM and about 4.5 with you! Time is going too fast! I think back to Vegas with baby Beckett and how CM has grown since then. Your vision and hard work has brought CM to a place that I never could have fathomed. Your 13 week long monster workshop transformed my photography and brought shooting 101 to life. I can’t thank you enough, my friend.

Love,
Lynne

Kind soul
Embracer of new ideas
Never doubting the potential
Determined dreamer
Risk-taker
Ambition that is contagious

Superwoman
Admirably assertive
Reliable
Achiever of everything wonderful
Happy presence

Karisa can’t thank you enough for
Allowing us to create CLICK, a
Really, totally fabulous magazine that puts such joy in women’s hands and hearts.
I love the community you have built and am
So proud to be part of it! love,
A happy, happy girl in Atlanta.

Karisa Gilmer

Ahhh, how do I start to even begin to thank you, Kendra and Sarah, for all that you bring to Clickin Moms? Sometimes I still can’t believe that I serendipitously stumbled across CM in a random internet search 4 1/2 years ago; I certainly had NO idea the enormous impact that my one click of the Paypal button to buy a 6 month forum membership would have on my life. Not only do I have CM to thank for the direction of my photography journey, I am so very grateful for the opportunity it gives me to share genuine and real friendships with amazing women I never would’ve met otherwise. CM is a true home for me, and it has been a crazy fun experience to be part of it since its early days and watch with wide eyes as it’s grown into something bigger than I ever could’ve imagined. Being behind the scenes these past few years as part of the mentor team has shown me first hand just how much blood, sweat and tears you two shed as you pour yourselves into making CM the multi-faceted and rich organization that it is. You give more than humanly possible, and you lead us with such class and grace. There are just no words to thank you for all you do for us! Congratulations to you both, and happy, happy birthday, Clickin Moms!

Jodi Arego

A ‘Thank You’ doesn’t begin to scratch the surface on what I owe to the two of you, for Clickin Moms. For what being a part of Clickin Moms has done for me, what it is to me, and who I am because of it. I often wonder, Kendra, if you knew when you bravely began CM 5 years ago, that it would change lives … that it would not only inspire, nurture, and educate women in photography but that it would also help us grow in friendships, as mothers, and as women. That it would become an online home, a safe haven, and an integral part of thousands of women’s daily lives. Clickin Moms is all of these things and has done all of these things, for me. I am so thankful that you are a visionary and that you trusted your instincts when creating Clickin Moms. I admire you so much and am in awe of you, and am thankful to you, each and everyday. And Sarah … recently when you went on a very brief maternity leave I wasn’t kidding at all when I said it makes me break out into a nervous sweat when you are away from CM! I don’t even entertain the thought of what Clickin Moms would be without you (I beg you … please never leave!), but have no doubt we would not be the amazing community that we are today if not for you. And honestly, I don’t even know the depth of all that you do because it is so vast. On the surface of CM we all know you are an extremely talented photographer with a very special gift for teaching, a loving, strong, devote mother and wife, and a voice of reason, experience, encouragement, and fairness. In the underground of CM… from platform changes, to legalities, to workshop development, to staff interactions… I know your expertise and influence is everywhere within CM. Yet even with these immense roles and responsibilities, you and Kendra both remain the most humble, gracious, and poised women I know. I am honored to call you both my boss, and am beyond grateful to call you my friends.

(And I have to say thank you, too, to your husbands and kids, for sharing you with Clickin Moms … what you do is no small feat and I know their support is critical to your devotion and success! So hugs to them as well!)

Love, blessings and thanks,
Lacey Meyers

When I became a member more than 3 years ago, I had no idea what a life-changing experience ClickinMoms would become. Thousands of hours of learning, debating, sharing. And making friends, real ones, dear ones. Kendra and Sarah, you will never know how much you both changed me, for good. This place has your heart and soul imprinted everywhere, it’s what makes CM so special. You both are an endless source of inspiration. I admire your talent, your vision, your incredibly hard work, your dedication to make this community a better place everyday. This image reminds me how much I’ve grown thanks to you. I would never have had the courage to be in front of the camera before CM. But you’ve taught me that I should step out of my comfort zone. Slow down. Take risks. And challenge myself to become a better artist, day after day. Thank you for all you do, and for who you are. You simply rock, ladies.

Love,
Lisa Tichané

Thank you so much for the vision of clickinmoms, the support which you constantly provide and the amazing insight to create the most innovative, forward-thinking, education-filled photography environment around. When I first joined, I never realized the extent to which I’d become involved, the love I would feel for an online community or the heights to which it would push me as a photographer.

thank you,
Courtney Keim

When I’m talking about Clickin Moms and the amazing women behind its success, I’ve started to refer to Kendra and Sarah as Lennon and McCartney! It seems when these two women — both extraordinarily special as individuals — came together, genuine magic happened, and they started to change the world! You need great heart and even greater courage to run a company (and expand a company) the way Sarah and Kendra have done it. Clickin Moms hasn’t grown just because a lot of women bought cameras; it’s grown because of the vision dreamed, shared and carried out by these two women. Their strength, grace and elegance are in every thread, every workshop, every page of the magazine. Thank you, thank you Kendra and Sarah for creating an amazing, inspiring place to work!

Cameron Bishopp

Where to begin? When I first joined CM four years ago I could have never even imagined how much I would fall in love with this amazing group of women. The two of you have created such an incredible community for us where we all feel safe and loved. You’ve both put in so many hours of your lives into this little space on the web and I can’t thank you enough for that. Meeting both of you this year has been just as awesome, seeing that you’re both working women with children who do something they love and adore is the most assuring thing to witness. I am so thankful for all that you’ve done and sacrificed for ClickinMoms. Thank you!!!!!!

Lora Swinson

For Kendra and Sarah <3 I am so grateful for the wonderful community that is Clickin Moms. For the friendships I have made, the education I have received, the opportunities I have been given, and all of the support and guidance along the way. Thank you both for creating such a wonderfully safe and supportive environment for us to grow, learn and develop our craft; and serve as a continual source of inspiration and encouragement. I am forever grateful to be a part of such a talented team of women, and excited to see what the future brings for CM.

Elle Walker

I first learned of Clickin Moms shortly after the birth of my first son. I joined, albiet somewhat reluctantly – I had never really stuck to a forum of any kind. It was immediately obvious that CM was different. The incredible amount of time, love and energy you’ve put into this community shows everywhere: The support between members. The remarkable wealth of information at every level. The beautiful pages of Click. My love of photography grew (and my sleep suffered) as I took it all in. And now, I’m very fortunate to call CM my “job” – though that term hardly feels appropriate. Now that I work with you, I know not only are you talented photographers and thoughtful, supportive bosses, you’re both fantastic people, too. You’ve built something amazing at Clickin Moms – thank you for all that you do. Happy birthday 🙂

Jennifer James

Thank you, Sarah and Kendra, for building a company that empowers women, honors motherhood, celebrates diversity, and values artistry. Kendra and Sarah are not only compassionate and insightful leaders, but they also provide opportunities for staff to lead fulfilling projects, for mentors to play important roles, and for members to grow and shine. CM wouldn’t be the same without Kendra and Sarah, and I am so grateful to be able to work with them both and call them my friends.

Amy Lucy Lockheart

Thank you so much for creating and sustaining one of the most informative and supportive online photography communities out there. You both do it with such grace and dignity. Working tirelessly to keep the board running smooth, to keep ideas fresh and new, to create the best forum possible while always showing such a caring side to all of the members. You are both so smart, talented, creative and beautiful and together make a powerful team. It has been an honor to work with both of you over the past 4 years! May there be many bright and new adventures ahead of you!

Monica Wilkinson

As cheesy as it may sound, my life has been changed the day I found CM… For this, I will be forever grateful. Thank you Kendra for creating this amazing place that has now become a family, and thank you, Sarah, for being the alchemist who turned my interest into a passion and helped me acknowledge a part of me that I had been ignoring for so long.

Anne Wick

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything you give to Clickinmoms. Your passion for photography and for the members shows in all you do. You are an inspiration: as mothers, as businesswomen and photographers. I am honored to be part of your team, thank you <3

Alicia Gould

I’m not sure if words can do justice to the gratitude I hold in my heart for Kendra and Sarah. I am so grateful to Kendra for creating such an amazing community. ClickinMoms is one of those ‘life changers’. Kendra is sweet, kind and generous in every way – a beautiful person inside and out.

Sarah Wilkerson is not only a huge driving force in this community, but also a huge influence in my own photography journey. I think we all have those momentous occasions in our career/journey that stay with us forever. Sarah was part of one those for me. She continues to inspire me as a photographer and friend. I love her strength and force in this unique community.

Thank you, both, for all that you have done and continue to do! I will forever be grateful for the both of you. <3

Stacey Haslem

My life changed when I discovered Clickin Moms. When I first joined and felt so initially overwhelmed by being on a forum, I honestly didn’t think that CM would become a very big part of my life. Almost three-and-a-half years later and that overwhelmed feeling long behind me, I can’t imagine my life without CM. Thanks to Clickin Moms and my good friend Lynne, I learned how to shoot in Manual mode. Thanks to Clickin Moms, I discovered my love of lifestyle photography. Thanks to Clickin Moms, I’ve developed some absolutely incredible friendships with some incredibly kind and oh so talented photographers. Thanks to Clickin Moms, I’m documenting my kids’ lives in a way that I know they are going to treasure as they grow. I’m the one who’s put in the time and learned about photography, but the desire, motivation, inspiration, and information all come back to CM. So thanks to you both because, without the two of you, Clickin Moms simply would not be Clickin Moms.

I struggled with how best to capture an image that expressed my thanks to you two. But, in the end, I think this one sums it up perfectly. My little girl is the reason I had a desire to join Clickin Moms in the first place, and I will forever be grateful for the inspiration I’ve found there to get in front of the camera more often and to be in the frame with my kids. I appreciate you, Kendra and Sarah, and thank you for all the ways you’ve made an impact on my life through the amazing forum that no longer overwhelms me.

With lots of love and even more gratitude,
Ashley Spaulding

I honestly do not know where I would be without the amazing community of photographers that you have created and shaped over the years. I know that you both invest an incredibly amount of your time and yourselves in our community here at CM and I am so humbled and honored to be a part of it. I just want to thank you both from the bottom of my heart for creating a “home” for me and for so many other women photographers across the world to come to on a daily basis for inspiration, learning and friendship! Thank you for all that you do!!! <3

Jennifer Dell

You both amaze me. From your constant drive for improvement, to your kind-hearted and compassionate approaches to the people you work with, to your ingenious business skills, wrapped up in super-mom ability to juggle 100 hundred things (work and kid-related) at once… I still can’t figure out how you fit everything you both do into one day. Clickinmoms wouldn’t be nearly the same without the two of you behind the scenes- rarely receiving thanks, but constantly working to provide a better experience and community for our team and members.

Kendra- I’m so genuinely thankful that you took on the task of arranging the original private forum for your photographer friends. Clickinmoms has guided me through my entire photography journey and it has been an honor getting to know you better after I became a member of the team. Your generosity, as well as your willingness and courage to take the big risks that growing a business requires, is personally inspiring to me.

Sarah- After I learned the basics of photography I knew I wanted more, and you showed me that more. I honestly would not be the photographer I am today, if it wasn’t for your instruction, support and encouragement. I have much growing still to do- but you continue to inspire me with your work, as well as your continual quest for knowledge and self improvement. After that first Composition and Creativity workshop, I knew I had met a gifted teacher, but now- a few years later- I know I also met a true friend. Thank you so much for everything you do for CM, Sarah, and for me personally. You are one in a million and I am so blessed to know you.

Megan Cieloha

Kendra and Sarah,

No words can truly express my gratitude for you and the community you have built.  This place you have created and nurtured is just as incredible as the two of you.  You’ve each put your heart and soul into CM and your love for it and every single member shines through every day.  Without this place, I would not be the photographer or person that I am today.  I’m blessed to have stumbled upon CM five years ago and to have met all the incredible people I have, including the two of you.  Thank you both for your vision, drive, and constant encouragement!

April Nienhuis

Kendra,
You cute little thing. First off, thank you for Clickin Moms. It is because of your vision and determination that we are all here. Thank you for seeing it through, for not giving up and for taking risks that turn out to be amazing accomplishments. Your desire to take better photos of your children has helped us in capturing memories of our own children. My photos would still have red auto flash eyes had it not been for you and Clickin Moms.

Sarah,
Sweet, sweet Sarah. I appreciate you oh-so-much. Your ability to teach is incredible and I admire you more than you could ever know. Thank you for believing in me, for teaching me to mind the frame, and for showing me that amazing moments are found right between the dark and the light. I only need to look. Thank you for helping me to grow and for pushing me during those moments when I thought I couldn’t.

Melissa Gibson

Thank you both for all that you do to make CM what it is!

Would you like to join us in the Birthday Week festivities?  Head over to the photography forum now to participate in the games, contests, and perhaps grab a prize while doing so!  Not yet a member?  Use the code CMIS5 and get a trial membership for free here!  And to top it off, we’ll be choosing one random blog commenter a day to receive a surprise prize.  So make sure and leave some comments throughout the week and we’ll announce each days winner on Friday!