I get a text from a friend: “Thinking of you!!!! Wouldn’t that be cool!!!!” Attached is a link… to a guy named Cory Wharton.

Naturally, my phone refuses to cooperate. Instead of opening Instagram, it tries to make me download Instagram, which, hi, I already have. Normally I’d say, “Never mind, it can’t be that important,” but something told me to go look him up anyway.

So I open Instagram manually, type in Cory’s name, tap his story… and there it is: A post looking for a photographer in NYC that weekend. I’m thinking: Who is this guy?

Cory Wharton is a familiar face in the reality television world. He’s best known for his long-standing role on MTV’s “The Challenge,” where he quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his competitive edge and big personality.

He also appears on Teen Mom OG as the father of Cheyenne Floyd’s daughter Ryder, which is where a lot of people (including half my friend list) fell in love with him as a dad.

Add in his appearances on “Ex on the Beach,” his massive social media presence, and his fitness and lifestyle content, and you’ve got someone who really knows how to connect with people.

1.4 million followers. Big personality. Great dad energy. Okay, cool. That’s enough research. Seems like a good dude.

I send him a message with a link to my website and fully expect it to go unread.

Nope.

He replies immediately. He needs lifestyle and fitness photos at the hotel he’s working with. Perfect, right up my alley.

We lock in a day and time and I’m still in disbelief. Out of what had to be a flood of photographers yelling, “Pick me!”… he picked me.

I call my friend. She screams. A bunch of my friends follow him. Meanwhile, I purposely avoid doing a deep dive because your girl gets nervous. I wanted to treat him like any other client.

I pack my lights, camera, and all my gear, and now I've got a ridiculously heavy backpack. And yes… I’m still in a boot from my ankle injury.

But guess what? There ain’t no rest for the wicked. I didn’t quit my job to go full-time photography just to half-ass opportunities like this. No, no. Your girl is locked in.

The plan: drive to Hoboken, Uber to the hotel, avoid lugging gear for blocks.

Simple.

Except I type “Pier 11/Wall Street Hoboken NJ Transit Terminal” into my GPS… and only read “Hoboken Transit Terminal.” Next thing I know, I’m heading straight through the Lincoln Tunnel on the phone with my friend saying: “Well… I guess I’m driving in.”

I find a garage, grab a dirty chai, and walk into the INNSiDE by Meliá. The hotel is adorable - festive, cozy, full of perfect little photo spots.

Cory comes down with a huge smile and gives me a hug. He thanks me for coming out and doing this for him. I immediately admit I didn’t actually know who he was (honesty + diarrhea of the mouth is truly my brand).

Honestly? It helped. All the Teen Mom episodes I’ve watched, and somehow I missed this guy. But we vibe instantly. We go up to his room, yes, I shared my location with a friend, I’m not stupid, and let me tell you:

What. A. Gentleman. He grabs my insanely heavy bag, carries it the entire shoot, holds doors, stays humble.

Someone raised him right.

The room is tiny but cute. I immediately start posing him because I always know the shots I want. He thanks me for “bossing him around,” which is when I know we’ll work great together. I tease him for rubbing his hands together as he looks at himself in the mirror. He laughs and we get real smiles, real laughs, real moments, truly my specialty.

We shoot in the room, in the lobby, in the restaurant, outside, back in the room for a quick change. We are in a groove. Then he insists on filming a video promoting me on his page. WHAT A GUY.

When he says, “I’ve found my East Coast photographer,” I swear my heart melted. My partner always tells me everyone around me sees how good I am, I’m just the last to believe it.

Then we head into the gym. THANK GOD it’s empty because I finally get to use my light. We opted to not use it throughout the public areas of our session as to not call any more attention to ourselves than we already were.

I love one light fitness photography - the shadows, the muscle definition, the mood. It’s everything. We shoot fast. We wrap clean. Perfect session.

This whole experience pushed me to finally start blogging. So many people asked how it happened.

Here’s how: I took a chance. I updated my website when I quit my job. I showcased my best work. And it paid off. I ask for press passes. I ask to share Ubers with Dave Matthews Band members. I asked a guy with 1.4 million followers if he wanted to collaborate. Sometimes you get a “no.” Sometimes you get a “yes.” Sometimes you get a life-changing yes.

Talk to people.
Network.
Build your craft.
Love what you do.

I’ve been doing photography for 20 years. It takes time. But eventually, the right people see it.

Love what you do.
Do what you love.
Take chances.