There are moments in my career when I feel like the LUCKIEST photographer. Ever. These moments usually have less to do with me and more to do with amazing people I've met along the way. When I started hosting photography workshops in 2010, I suspected I'd meet wonderful people and help them get closer to their career dreams. However, what I didn't foresee was people revolutionizing their lives by way of their cameras.
An attendee from my November 2013 Workshop, Nikki, recently sent me the following email: “I didn't even have my official website up yet, but I knew that this workshop was something that I wanted to go to. That being said, this is my first official full year in business and I still think back to your workshop and the first exercise we did where you had us share why we were there and my answer was simple: confidence.
I didn't know what to expect at the workshop and then you started sharing and I walked away that day with a lot of incredible information, great peer contacts all over the country, and a deeper appreciation for you as a shooter, but someone who wants to see others succeed in this business as well.
I can say with certainty that I DID, in fact, walk away with confidence and I applied that (and other things) to my business. I got home yesterday and booked my TENTH wedding for this summer. My first year goal was three and having booked ten I can't help but send you an email to truly say thank you to both you and JD for sharing your knowledge, being two of the most genuine people I've yet to meet, and for sticking with us (your previous attendees) and caring about our growth and success.”
So–of course–I got all weepy and had to blow my nose. I am just SO darn proud of Nikki…and the other attendees who are just killing it around the world. On that note, let's dive into a Workshop I hosted a week and a half ago…
JD took this picture of me and my first thought was, Wow, I look like a scary teacher! I guess this just proves I'm passionate about shooting in natural light! 😉
“I loved the full day of lecture/exercise/shoot, but I must admit the mixer (the night before) and dinner were among my fav. I got to know Jasmine and her husband, JD, on a more personal level … We got to talk about their dreams, fears, vulnerabilities, future plans…all of which make them even more real and endearing.” – Trini Mai
Many (many, many) thanks to Stacey of Floral Occasions for the florals (addddored the bouquet!) and Melina of Beauty by Melina for hair and makeup. I'm blessed to work with such an amazing team!
Our lovely models were Katrina and Peter, a real couple who's madly in love with each other and proved to be the easiest people to work with! The attendees bonded with them immediately and later the couple joked their lives wouldn't be the same without being followed by paparazzi!
“BEST WORKSHOP EVER! Besides being in sunny California, I can't think of a better way to spend the day then at the Workshop.” – Julie Mast
I intentionally planned the midday photo shoot to be at the hottest and brightest time of day. Sure this sounds like the worst time to shoot, but that's precisely the plan. If attendees can go home feeling they can produce images they are proud of in harsh conditions, they can handle anything else with confidence! Here's a behind-the-scenes photo JD captured…
…and here's the resulting photo…
And here's my FAVORITE photo of the day…I'm a better person having met some of the most spectacular people (and photographers) around. I walked away from the workshop trusting they're bound to make a difference in their lives, business, and corner of the world. I wish them nothing but the best and I know great things are in store!
If you'd like to join us for a future workshop, feel free to sign up for the NEWSLETTER since it's announced there first.
Happy Friday!
