Almost 4 years into your business is sort of a funny time to go to your first workshop.  But there isn’t a ton of in person photography education like this in the midwest, and I knew if I was going to make the investment and take the time away from my family, it had to be to learn from someone very special.  Last year, when Michael and I drove to the east coast in the middle of 2 crazily busy months in our life to see the lovely Katelyn James for a full day coaching session (read about it here!), it was because I had spent a ton of time learning about her and her business online from the education on her blog, and from many webinars/classes/etc and a conference I had seen her speak at. I knew it was worth the investment, and I was blown away by the result- I cannot believe it has been almost a year since I was there, and how much my business has grown since she gave us permission to dream big that day.

Deciding to go to Amy and Jordan’s workshop was the same type of deal up front.  I have been following their work for years, and knew how much I would adore them because I trusted them before I even knew them. I knew enough to know that they run a business model, if you will, that is similar to what I am building now.  They were teachers before they were photographers (elementary school teachers!), and they are a husband-wife team. They are drawn to the same color schemes as me (when their new website launched on the DAY Katelyn and I did our coaching last year, I was so pleased I had already been using blush and navy all over my site because it couldn’t look like I just took it from them!).  AND Amy can’t cook a darn thing…just like me! 😉

I had no idea how MUCH I would adore them in real life though!  I learned so so SO much information in this 2 days 24 hours workshop, and spent that time learning with 15 other amazing photographers from all over the country (none from Arizona!).  I got to know some of them quite well, and immensely enjoyed my time with them.  I traveled with my sweet friend Angie who I have gotten to know better and better this year because she has second shot for me a few times, and because we were planning this trip, and that was SO fun for me.  But beyond any of that, Amy and Jordan just pour and pour into those they are around.  They give so much energy and love (and knowledge) to those around them, and it was just completely amazing to be on the receiving end of that.  They teach extremely well not only because their content is SO experience driven (they KNOW it works for them AND many others), but because they are born teachers- so they know how to communicate information to people in a way that really makes it clear and attainable.  They are running an extremely successful business that they have hustled immensely for, and are such an open book about how they have gotten to where they are.  They just share so much heart in what they do.

There were 2 huge things that I have heard them say before that really spoke to me in the 48 hours I spent in the desert with them.

1). Success isn’t for the chosen few, it’s for those who choose.

and

2). When you are unsure about the answer to any questions, and can’t figure out the “how” to any issue, love and serve.  Those 2 words should be the answer.

There were so many more technical things about photography and business that were big moments for me- but those were the two that meant the most.  The two filters that are SO important in a business that is ever growing and ever changing.  I am so thankful for my time in Arizona, and cannot WAIT to start implementing what I learned, puzzle piece by puzzle piece.   These 2 days also gave me more and more permission to dream big, and I cannot wait to see those dreams take flight with a lot of hustle.

Oh, and the other BIG thing that I learned??  That I need to get my life in check and get familiar with Hamilton, the musical (I’m on it, guys!)!! I’m an embarrassment to my musical loving and directing self that I haven’t done it yet! 😉

Here are some behind the scenes pictures from the workshop- I can’t WAIT to share more in the future once we get to share our styled shoot images!!!

The vegetation in AZ is FASCINATING to me! Workshop time!  Amy’s face on the left is how she feels when properly posed with Jordan! haha Some super helpful behind the scenes assistants!! Jordan, this is such a fabulous face! lol
Thankful for these shots from Angie! Cell phone shots!! 🙂

If their workshop is on your bucket list…get on their newsletter list now to get early sign up for the next one! They hardly ever get to announce to the general public before all the seats sell out.  I wish I would have gone years ago and am curious where I would be now if I have- but I also think I took something very different from it now than I would have then, and it will be an AMAZING experience for you no matter where you are in your business!!!