It was 4 years ago that I started building OSP and at the time I had no idea what it would turn into or how it would end up affecting so many people.

This place has become like a 2nd home for a lot of us and there have been so many incredible relationships that have started here and I still think we're just seeing the beginning of what this crew is going to do in the industry ... and in life in general.

A huge thanks to all of you for making this industry better and for sharing the love with everyone around you.

Last night OSP welcomed our 5,000 member. Incredible! ... and so we are certainly going to celebrate. For those of you coming to PartnerCon or those of you in the LA area stay tuned for more details!

In honor of this I'd also like to make an OSP book of some of our favorite memories. There are so many so I'm definitely gonna need your help so start thinking of crazy things that happened and collect some pictures and we'll get it put together!

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Opensourcep...-celebrate.html

Wow!! Congrats on this milestone!! You are such an awesome person for creating this place - thank you!

With that said, favorite memory? How about the crazy post that was going on during your first trip to Paris to rid of some ghosts? LOL Had that thing going 24-7 and had some real LOL conversations in there. Actually, I think we need an ::innocent:: smiley

That was a crazy thread... I think Melody saved it.

And I agree - OSP is awesome!
It's like 'Miracle Grow' for photographers!

Thanks DJ

Well congratulations are certainly in order! I'd make you a cake if I was in your town. I think the 5,000 member should throw us a party, hahaha... uh, ok, that probably won't work, but they should certainly make a very nice introduction about themselves to us.
I'm way new here in comparison to all of you, so I don't have any milestone memories to add, but I just wanted to thank you David for starting OSP and for all the hard work and time you've put into it to make it how wonderful it is today!
Congratulations, again.

Threads like "Amber in her Underwear" come to mind...

the "editing" thread. Did it get lost in the great crash of 2007?

Rock on DJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the Naked Avatar thread... not to be confused with the above

For real though, I can't believe this place has grown so big! I remember when it was just a very few of us... and you guys are still some of my very best friends! I love you!!!!

Oh! OSP gtgs have been huge for us... like OSPMC, and OSPS (the first and second!)

I love to think of the things that OSP has done... people it has brought together! It's an amazing amazing relationship building place!

(Did I say I love you guys yet?)

Where would OSP be without all the underwear threads?!! Seriously, Amber, you are correct about relationships! Our short 14 months involved in OSP has completely defined, redefined, and launched a dream 30 years in the making. Dont be strangers, we miss all you guys!!!!

I joined post 'the great crash of 07' but i'm always down for a celebration! Thanks for creating OSP. This forum is incredibly inspiring and friendly.

thanks DJ!!!

Right on, rock on! Thanks, dj for starting this great community. It's all about sharing knowledge and the love. Keep it up everyone!

Peace!
Claire

Congrats DJ, OSP has been the best and worst thing ever to happen to me. The best because I have made so many awesome friends and learned so much. The worst because since I joined, I never get any work done because I am glued to OSP, hahaha. Thanks DJ for the Love Cat you are.

Me and Trevor Meeks were just talking about how nazi some of the other forums can be with all their rules and moderations. We love how you don't delete posts and let us all do what we want. You are the best DJ. Thanks again

DJ,

For the newer members among us (me included), can you give us a brief history of how and why you started OSP?

So many awesome memories! ... and I can't wait to start collecting these!

Basically OSP started b/c all my friends were asking me how to start a wedding business and I realized that if they had these questions lots of other people probably had the same questions (or would eventually). So I figured if we chatted about it online people could come on later and benefit from the conversations.

It was pretty fun to watch it grow because it was very organic and sometimes we'd have a couple of posts a month and one new member would join that month but then it hit this point where the members took over and made it theirs and now we have 100's of members joining every month and 1000's of posts and everyone has become like this massive family.

Love you

That's so awsome, and I have to say I agree with Dustin Izatt. Best and worst thing! I am completely addicted to OSP, the people, the discussions. I told my husband that it is everything I miss about school. The fluid discussions, the feeback and critique, the mentorship, inspiration, ideas and learning and constantly being exposed to other photography. OSP seemed to fill a hole for me and I love the people and the enviornment it creates. Even if it is a virtual one. But I feel like I have in some way gotten to know people on here and I can't wait to meet some of you in person! I feel like a little part of a small community!

Thanks so much DJ for putting it together!