Photoshop Hall of Fame

[This post was written a week before Photoshop World, to be published on October 1st]

Today at Photoshop World I have the extreme honor of being inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame. It is definitely an unexpected honor, and "icing on the cake" to be recognized in this way for doing what I love to do: teach Photoshop.

I was officially told about this a couple of weeks ago and have had to keep in under my hat until now. This also allowed me some time to think about what I would say in my acceptance speech. Here is what I plan to say on stage (the people that are there will be able to compare and see how much I remembered)

I'm extremely honored and humbled to receive this recognition. I've always considered myself blessed to do what I love: teach Photoshop, so to be honored in this way is truly incredible. I must save that I'm glad that I was told about this a couple of weeks ago or for the first time in my life, I would have been speechless – and it takes a lot to put me at a loss for words!

When Scott told me about my induction, I knew immediately who I needed to call to share the news: I had to call my wife and I had to call my best friend. This only took one phone call to my wonderful wife - and best friend - Marlene. She really is my inspiration, my rock, and my number one fan. Through the years she has always been there, backing me up and encouraging me, even when I had crazy ideas like leaving a good job to work with this new thing call the Macintosh, or when I decided to start own on business teaching brand new programs like Photoshop and Illustrator. Marlene, thank you for always being there for me.

To my children Stephanie and Michael. When you were younger you unknowingly helped me by not making too big a fuss when my travels took me away from home. As you got older you have continued to be there for me, and the fact that you're both into photography and Photoshop puts a huge grin on my face.

In the acknowledgments of one of my books I wrote that it would be easier to attach a company directory than to try to single out all my co-workers who've helped me. I still feel that way - the group of people I work with is simply incredible. Scott, Kalebra, Jean, Dave, Barbie... you have created an amazing environment for us to work in. I really can't imagine how anyone can have as much fun as we do while we work our tails off. On behalf of all of the folks that work at NAPP, thank you.

Scott, thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach one class at Photoshop World back in 2001. To Lesa Snider, thank you for helping convince Scott that I should be invited back again to teach. Once the door opened, I happily burst through and have been having a blast ever since. I would also like to thank each and every one of my students over the years. I learned more about Photoshop and teaching thanks to your questions, comments and kind words.

I've always felt very blessed - I have an amazing family, a wife who I adore, and I get paid for my passion for teaching Photoshop. To be inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame is the ultimate "icing on the cake"

Thank you