Press accreditation approved!

Today I got the e-mail I was waiting for. The application form I sent to the Stockholm Pride accreditation committee has been approved. This means I get to attend the event as a press photographer, with unlimited access to all events, including back stage and the press lounge! I'm screaming with joy inside. This will be another fun and exiting way to test my skills, and will surely be a good opportunity to boost my creativity and prepare for the Oslo Photo Marathon.

Of course I should not use this opportunity just for personal benefits. On the e-mail they specifically wrote that they wish that the pictures would be used to spread the word about the event and hopefully spur the ongoing struggle for gay rights, especially in countries where gay people are still being persecuted. And I will try my best to not let them down in this regard.

I haven't prepared this much for an event before. Plane tickets and hotel are booked in advance, and tickets to the big events are purchased (which is a bit of a shame since I can enter all of them now for free with my press pass). I can hardly wait! Ever since I got my first dSLR I have always wanted to do some street photography in Stockholm. Now I can do this, plus I get to not only see, but to cover, the event that I've been wanting to see for many years, but never had the opportunity to do so.

It's strange though. I feel that all the pieces are falling in their right places, like THIS (photography) is something that I was destined (or supposed) to do. I've never had this many opportunities come to me in such a short time span. And you bet that I will take advantage of all of them as they come along!