Most days my job is really fun. Which explains why I walk around most days questioning whether it’s even fair to call what I do a job. This career-of-one’s-own-making thing has it’s drawbacks, but all of that aside, being able to do what I love, and continually hone my craft and artistic talent is so rewarding.

Then there are days when my job puts me in situations and places that I never anticipated. Several weeks ago, I accompanied Shannon Choe, founder of Premier Baby Concierge, to the set of NBC Philadelphia’s The 10! Show, for their annual Baby Shower Special. Shannon was presenting Premier Baby’s preferred baby gear picks to an audience full of pregnant women all while she was LIVE ON TELEVISION. Am I shouting? Yes. Is it intentional? Yes. Because if someone told me I had to be LIVE ON TELEVISION talking about anything, I’d be a nervous wreck. Shannon was ridiculously calm, making jokes, smiling at all of the crew.

Now, she kind of knows her stuff. Shannon is our area’s go-to person in all things having to do with baby preparation, baby-proofing, car seat safety, nanny and childcare placement, and any number of other important baby topics. Want to know the best mid-sized stroller for your price range? Ask Shannon. Confused about how to navigate the New York City cab system with a toddler in tow without having to lug around a giant car seat? Shannon will have an answer. She’s not new to The 10! Show. She’s even signed their wall of fame (see below).

So here is calm and collected Shannon, and here is me, tagging along to photograph her behind the scenes, all giddy with excitement and shaking so badly I could barely hold my camera still. I envisioned mostly Green Room shots, of which I took many, and maybe a few of her as she walked out on set, but little opportunity for much else. So when the crew invited me onto the set during a commercial break to photograph her display, I was thrilled. I was even more thrilled when they told me that I could shoot behind their cameras while she was live, as long as I wasn’t using flash. So, there I was, kneeling on the floor of the set of The 10! Show, snapping away with my camera, trying to calm my nerves and shaky hands, and occasionally smiling over my shoulder at The 10! Show co-host, Bill Henley (who probably was thinking to himself what an utter dweeb I was). Did I mention that I have a sort-of crush on Bill Henley? I do.

Like I said, most days, my job is cool. There is the occasional day though that just makes me smile from ear to ear in utter disbelief. This was one of those days.

A little Green Room prep and the Wall of Fame

The lucky mothers-to-be in the audience took home some amazing gifts! Infant carriers, baby food makers, nursing pillows, a swag bag full of smaller goodies...lucky mammas!

Swag bag gifts included custom cookies by The Flower Pot. In the flurry of excitement of shoot these before Shannon's segment I failed to notice the cracked icing of the cookie I photographed. Apologies to the very talented Stacey of the Flower Pot!

Last minute pre-segment prep

More laughs from the calm and collected Shannon and those cameras...we're live!

Shannon in action

Shannon with Christopher Byrne aka The Toy Guy ® of Time to Play