I’ve talked briefly about the Learnfest workshop I recently attended … and I’ve been meaning to tell you more.  It’s just taken me a while to process and come to terms with all I learned.

It was an absolutely amazing experience.

I’m gonna step back a minute and share how this whole ‘photography’ thing came about in the first place.  Hmm … maybe grab a cup of joe?  :)

I love photography, photos, pictures … love, love, love!  I’m more of a people-photography-enjoyer though.  I’ve never been too into landscape photography, etc.  Don’t get me wrong though, if I see an exquisite landscape photo, I’m the first to appreciate it.  Probably because they are hard shots for me to get, that I don’t care for shooting them.  I really admire great fine art photographers …completely impressed by them.

I feel like I’m much better at capturing ‘essence’ {you like that? I’m smiling at myself for pulling that word out! okay, and if you don’t know me … you may be thinking I’m the biggest dork ever!}.  I love capturing moments, smiles, tears even.

Anyway.

My father-in-law was a photographer.  He traveled all over and captured beautiful, beautiful sights.  His specialty was animals, birds, exotic and unique things.  There’s one image he shot though … wow, I’m tearing up thinking about it.  It hangs in the house in Exuma … it’s of a woman in Nepal, with a baby wrapped up and carried on her back.  She’s the most beautiful woman … soulful eyes, young … and I sort of get lost in that image when I look at it.  And isn’t that the purpose of good photography?

Let’s throw some images in here and I’ll get back to my thoughts …

So here are some photos I took at the Learnfest workshop.  It was a little difficult because, obviously, the instructor had front & center in showing us how to capture what she was teaching.  And then when they are done and move out of the way, we get free reign with our little models, but of course are still working around 12ish other people in our group.

The workshop didn’t focus solely on the actual act of taking photos.  It was a lot about business.  About workflow.  Managing the way you do things, so you work smarter, not harder.  Loved it!  It was the best thing I could have went to.  Especially starting out in my photography career.  I walked away really evaluating what I was doing and why.

I was suddenly faced with a very panicked feeling of “what the bleep am I doing?!?”  I’m selling one business to start another?  Seriously?

I came home exhausted.

And then rejuvinated.  Yes, as a matter of fact … I am selling one business to start another.  But this one I don’t have to manage people {thank the Lord God Almighty, cuz I absolutely suck in that department!}.  I can set my own hours {yeah, yeah … I know I was pretty loose on the whole 9-5 scene, but you know what I mean}.  In all seriousness … with this business, I can be as busy as I want to be.  And heck, no one’s come calling yet … so maybe I’ll never be busy!  ;)

When I think back … down the path this road has led to … I’m amazed.  Okay, so I’ve always loved photography.  I have.  Really since the time I had Taylor.  My father-in-law {at the time} had an SLR he let us have and I took many, many pictures of baby Taylor.

I say this oh-so-humbly … but I think I’ve been pretty good at the composition part of things {of course I’ve definitely gotten better and understand a whole lot more}, and recently have been able to understand the technical side of what makes a great image.  It absolutely excites the heck out of me!

Right.  Back to the SLR.

I’ve had a few more SLR’s after that.  And Curt got me a great DSLR … like a Nikon something or other that was MAJORLY for professional use only.  I was definitely a take-photos-on-auto kinda gal!

And so, that was me.  Happy taking good photos on automatic.

I started getting more serious about photography when Taylor started riding.  I took great pleasure in taking photos of her riding and even humored myself into thinking I could be an equestrian photographer someday.  I went to a spa in Arizona once, where they offered all kinds of ‘mindfulness’ classes … and I took one in photography.

I went to a nearby farm and photographed the horses playing there … it was awesome!  I asked the instructor what was so ‘mindful’ about photography.  She answered by asking me, “What are you thinking about when you’re absorbed in your photos?”  Um … okay, ya got me!

Then …

Enter the blog world.  I heard about a family who’d just had a baby and may not make it.  They were telling the world about it on their blog.  I’d heard of blogs before, but had absolutely no idea what a whole other world the ‘blogosphere’ was!  So I’m reading their blog.  And he takes pictures.  And as I’m reading these sad stories and sad days they’re having of their baby in the hospital … he’s taking photos of the baby and I find myself digging the photos and wondering what camera he’s using, etc.  Don’t get me wrong, I did plenty-o praying for that family.  But I especially looked forward to seeing his images.

Then he does a post on a photographer that came to the hospital to take photos of them.  Naturally, I started following her blog.

One day she posts that she’s offering private {training} sessions.  I got all giddy with excitement!  I only wanted to learn how to maybe take better photos and also learn more about running actions on photos.  {actions are an automated command you ‘run’ on a photo to enhance color, change to black & white, etc., etc.}.

When I think back, she really taught me the basis, or stepping stone of what I’ve been able to put into practice today in my photography.  She taught me about lighting … making sure your subject is in the right light for a photo.  She did teach me a lot about actions and how to get different looks with certain actions.  And she also taught me a lot about editing images.

Next, I went to a workshop with Me Ra Koh in November.  I truly went to that workshop to learn to take better photos of my kids.  Yeah … and here I am … starting a business.

Me Ra is completely inspiring.  I walked away with a fire inside me.  At that point, I still wasn’t sure I was going to sell the store.  I seriously didn’t know.  Of course it was on my mind … I even mentioned it in my introduction to the class {and then started crying!}.  But I absolutely didn’t think I would ever start a business.  It wasn’t even on my radar.  And here I am …

Along this photography path I’ve taken … I’ve also met a wonderful photographer mentor/friend!  I’m so not used to an industry where someone is willing to share information and suggestions and cheer you along.  Incredible!

I love photography.  I love trying to capture a moment.  A memory.  An image.

I love all the photos I’ve had taken of my kids, my girls.  So precious … something we’ll have forever.

And I love the thought that I could provide the same wonderful treasure for other families.  What a blessing.

Speaking of … I’d like to mention, and thank God for all the blessings I’ve been given.  How blessed I am to be able to get a new lens, to get a new camera, to have a wonderful printer, to attend these workshops … to start a business.  I don’t take any of these things for granted, or lightly.  I know that I am blessed.

Back to the Learnfest workshop … I was so nervous to go.  So nervous.  I have a hard time talking to people … getting to know people.  I guess my inner-highschool girl coming out?  Anyway … turns out I’m not as dorky as I thought!  :)

I was put in the beginner’s group with a bunch of other lovely beginner’s.  It was an incredible opportunity to learn and grow with these women!

{in this photo with me is laura and april}

I’m heading to another workshop on Thursday … to San Fransisco for another workshop with Me Ra.  I can. not. wait!  She is an incredible photographer, person, mother, wife, human being.  Yeah … it’s like that!  I can’t wait to be a sponge in her lake of knowledge {I know at least one person who is laughing at that comment right now!}.  But seriously, I can’t.  She’s completely inspiring!  Completely.

And I’m more than blessed to be able to meet with her again.  Stay tuned!

And if you know anyone who needs some portrait work done … red rover, red rover … send them on over!  :)