Earlier this week, I was having lunch with my friend Lindsay Schmidt – and at some point over tacos we were talking about how we are most like the people we surround ourselves with. After lunch, I did some digging, and found out that it was motivational speaker Jim Rohn that famously said that “we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” I told Lindsay that she’s definitely someone I’ve admired for a long time, and how grateful I am to have her be someone I can actually see, hang out with, talk life and business and motherhood with, and have in my corner.

It got me thinking though – if I could meet anyone in the photography/business industry to be “one of my five” – who would it be? And without fail, without even flinching or second-guessing myself – I knew exactly who I’d love to spend time with, have tacos with, and count them as friends (but since I live near none of them, I’ll just be internet friends for now, thank you Instagram!).

The Five Women I Admire Most in Our Industry

1.) Mary Marantz

Now, truth be told – we got to meet Mary at WPPI last year. We walked up to her after spending an hour crying and listening to her (and Justin) speak about their “why.” Crazily enough, she immediately recognized us from our participation in the Academy (she said, “Oh my gosh, it’s Randy + Ashley!!” and I about died of joy), and gave us the biggest hug. Listening to Mary speak about business and life and the importance of setting priorities is like having someone speak directly to your soul – if you ever have the chance to hear Mary speak, jump at the opportunity. It’s very rare to meet people you look up to and respect and not just have them meet expectations, but exceed them.

I follow Mary because she’s real. She talks about the struggles of a poor childhood and the beauty of chasing dreams, fearlessly jumping into situations and keeping the faith that everything will work out. I want that FEARLESSNESS and FAITH for myself.

And, she has two of the cutest puppies on the planet. Just saying.

2.) Jenna Kutcher

Up until about a year ago, I’d never heard of Jenna. She wasn’t on my radar, but then I took a chance and clicked on a Facbeook ad about her (at the time) upcoming Instagram Lab … and my life has never been the same. I’ve watched with utter fascination the last year as she’s rocketed from a simple Wisconsin photographer to something of a celebrity in our industry, so open and honest with her struggles, and ‘keeping it real’ in a world of constant fakeness.

I follow Jenna because she’s not afraid to be herself. She posts photos without makeup, in her bathing suit, she gives to her followers in a way that can’t translate into anything other than a genuine interest in seeing others succeed. She is unapologetically true to herself and her core values – and I want that CONFIDENCE in myself.

But, let’s be honest: if and when we ever did meet and hang out, we’d probably skip the tacos and dive head first into some tasty mac n cheese.

3.) Rachel Vanoven

Now, I’ve followed Rachel for YEARS. She was one of the first photographers who I followed back when Facebook showed you the pages you liked (actually – that you were FANS of – that’s how long I’ve followed her). Rachel is a newborn photographer, incredibly talented … but more than that, she’s a wife and a mother. She’s literally one of the ONLY photographers I know of that has successfully built her business AFTER having a family. I know it’s a little crazy, but I don’t follow Rachel for her work since I’m not a newborn photographer and have zero interest in being a newborn photographer.

I follow Rachel because of her devotion to family and being a phenomenal wife and mother FIRST. I cried watching as she went through fostering two little boys, I love watching her kids’ videos and I cheer on her success from afar, I love reading her flirtations with her husband Nick. I love not just reading her bliss as a wife and mother (and sister and daughter), but witnessing it firsthand. I want to be THAT kind of mother and wife.

4.) Natalie Franke

Natalie is the newest person I follow, and want to be friends with. She’s a photographer first and foremost, but, more than that: she’s the brilliant mastermind behind Rising Tide Society. I met her briefly at WPPI this year, she stopped by the Two Bright Light‘s booth while I was there for a couple hours speaking, and I had to pinch myself to keep my cool – but internally, I was fangirling hard core. It was so silly to be nervous, because after spending less than 5 minutes around her, I could tell she’s incredibly down to earth. But the minute she left, I turned to my friend Meghan and whispered “ohmygod, I just got to meet Natalie Franke!!”

I follow Natalie because she is the embodiment of COMMUNITY. She coined the #CommunityOverCompetition movement, which has become something I’m incredibly passionate about. I want to be a LEADER like Natalie.

5.) Abbi Hearne

Now, this is a name you might not recognize yet – but mark my words, one day you will. We met Abbi, her husband Callen and their black + white pup Charlie just over a year ago when they made their way out to Joshua Tree. I immediately was drawn into Abbi’s charisma and adventurous spirit, and when she announced they were taking their photography on the road full-time in their Subaru just a few weeks later, I was not surprised in the least. I’ve loved watching Abbi grow into an amazing artist, finding their perfect clients in locations all over the western US; not just that, I’ve loved watching their wild adventures living on the road.

I follow Abbi because she has one of the greatest spirits of anyone I’ve ever met. Truly, genuinely an adventurer, through and through; she’s doing things I only wish I could do (like skydiving, I’m way too terrified of heights to even consider it). I want that sense of FREEDOM for myself.

Whew, what a dream team of women to look up to, right?

So, if I could have a dream dinner date with my imaginary besties … this would be the crew I’d want, my ultimate #SquadGoals. Each of them incredible photographers and businesswomen – but also much, much more than that.

Tell me: who would you have in your squad if you could pick anyone?