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COACHING SESSION WITH KATELYN JAMES | The “P” Word

View More: http://katelynjames.pass.us/coaching-jill-gum

Last week, a dream multiple years in the making for us and for our business came true.  You can read about some of the background in this post from last week.  Michael and I took a little 3 day adventure across the country.  We visited relatives, saw an architecture wonder we had always wanted to see, and then did the part I have dreamt of: a full day coaching session with Katelyn James, my very favorite photographer.

As loved ones have been asking about our decision to go, I have enjoyed telling them why we choose Katelyn, and how I knew years ago when I started following her that some day I would travel to Virginia for a workshop or coaching session with her.  I adore her work- that was what first grabbed me.  It is light, beautiful, bright, clean, and absolutely full of joy.  But as I began to follow her, it was her, as a businesswoman, a teacher, and a Christian that grabbed me the most.  Her business stands for so much, and I just love what she is doing with it.

A coaching session involves spending the day with her (and her husband, also a mac-loving and cooking genius Michael!), walking through specific parts of our business based on areas that we pre-determine.  I worked hard on my list and made quite a few revisions with Michael’s help, and knew we had a lot to discuss (and almost 6 hours to do it!). The day ends with an Anniversary session, something I was so excited about because Michael and I haven’t really gotten OUR pictures, just us, taken in the 5 years since we have gotten married- and with kids, I’m not sure how often we will! So it was so fun to prep and plan for that- beyond the small handful in this post, those images are coming to the blog (and maybe one day Katelyn’s blog!) soon!

Today, I want to talk briefly about the actual coaching.  The learning. I could write for hours about all of the life and heart Katelyn poured into our business. And all of the different areas we discussed, and how well she was able to speak into what we are doing and help us adjust and revamp while moving forward. But I am excited for some of those changes to be little surprises of ours until they come to fruition.  And really, everything that happened, everything that Katelyn gave us, comes down to one word.  Permission.  Permission.  Permission to dream.  To dream big. Permission to want to grow JGP and permission to use the tools we know of to do it.  Permission to dream together about JGP. Permission to chase the parts of the industry I am afraid to say out loud because confidence holds me back; permission to say I am a Wedding Photographer, and I love it.  Permission to be a mom AND a business owner and let each enhance the other.  Permission to take my last career of teaching and begin melding it with this one.   Permission to charge what we are worth, and not be afraid of it.  Permission to hand off some more of the duties that I have for the business and gain some of my personal time back. Permission to make this business so much more than we ever intended it to be, than I ever dreamed it would be when it began on my polka dot couch in my living room while my first baby slept in his swing.

You see the big picture here.  Katelyn gave us so much encouragement and validation and permission to move forward with where God is taking this business, and to throw our hearts into it, together and fearless.  To turn and face the wind and drizzle, laugh into it, and let our balloons sail in the air.  And we did!

View More: http://katelynjames.pass.us/coaching-jill-gum

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  1. Ruthie Steen says:

    Congratulations and
    Continued success to you! I love you and your photography for the same reasons that you were attracted to hers.

  2. Misty Adams Christensen says:

    How fun! Still super jealous of your time with KJ!!

  3. Candi Leonard says:

    Ah! I adore Katelyn James Alsop! She is an incredible business woman! So tickled that you got to do this!! 🙂 It’s a bucket list item of mine for sure after attending her workshop. Excited to see you grow!

  4. Ashley Durham says:

    Oh how awesome!!!!! So glad you had such an amazing experience!

  5. Stefani Ciotti says:

    Also super jealous!! She is my absolute favorite as well. I’m excited to see what changes and growth lie ahead for your business!! Exciting 🙂

  6. Abbie Blair says:

    AHH! I’m jealous! It seems like Katelyn James Alsop taught you so much and I am sure it is going to boost your business like crazy! God bless your business girlie!

  7. Cinnamon Ruvolo Wolfe says:

    YAY!! I was so looking forward to read this post and it did not dissapoint! Can’t wait to see where you fly!!

  8. Natalie Grider says:

    Great experience !! And great pictures!!

  9. Leslie Hogenes Lejcar says:

    So exciting and super happy you were able to do this!! I am a bit jealous tho… meeting with her for a coaching session is a dream of mine!

  10. Kindra Boston says:

    Love, love, love this. You are inspirational!! Would love for you to do a workshop. God bless

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I'm Jill, a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Chicago and Central Illinois, and available world wide! I'm also a photography educator, wife to my favorite person on the planet, mama to 3 amazing kids and an energetic Aussie, and obsessed with statement jewelry and all desserts (especially fruit pies!). 

As a past high school teacher, I have a major heart for education. After going full time in my business, I have built a business I love that gives me an almost 6 figure salary and allows me to be home part time with my kids.  I dream for you to run a business that enhances your life and lights you up, and I believe I can help you learn how to do it with a little hustle and a lot of heart!

click to learn more about me

Hello Friend!

Are you a Photographer?

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Are you a mom/hobbyist?

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You're in the right place!  As a past high school teacher, educating others is my life's work and a HUGE part of my business!  I have been teaching moms and hobbyists how to use their camera from first purchasing it all the way to coaching them into businesses of their own, and I'd love to help you as well, wherever you are (and whatever camera you have!).

I'm so glad you are here!  Teaching Photographers and other small business owners how to run more joyful, successful, and profitable businesses is one of my favorite parts of my business!  I specialize in working with photographers to make their goals a reality (or figure out what their goals should be in the first place!).  

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