It’s hard to believe that we just wrapped up our second Two-Day in-person workshop in our new home. It just seems so surreal every time we welcome a new group of photographers, because this was our ultimate goal! We wanted to have land and live in the country, so that we could host workshops and friends and family, and never have to worry about parking, picky neighbors or where to do the styled shoot! This past Monday and Tuesday we hosted photographers from all across the country, and it was so wonderful!
We felt like one big family, with our new friends all cuddled up with blankets in our living room while I taught through over 250 SLIDES of information!!! And during the styled-shoot we were able to out-run the rain and shoot in the fields surrounding our home. The heat was a little intense but the memories that were made are priceless! These new friends may or may not have seen me get way too excited about hopping into the chest-high weeds to “create foreground”!!!
I think the greatest joy of hosting our workshops is the intimacy of the experience. It’s just so different from attending a conference at a hotel or professional venue. My family was there fixing home cooked meals. The babies (Evy, plus my sister’s baby, Micah . . . we do only have one! ha!) were there. And my dad and some family friends stopped by to help and say hi! It just makes me so happy to share our life and family with these new friends.
Kat, with “Dear Sweetheart Events”, came with her team and created the most gorgeous styled shoot! Lauren, of “Ginger and Blooms”, did incredible florals. Our former KJ couple, Grant and Emily, modeled for us!!! And “Hello Darling Beauty” did a great job with hair and makeup!!
Here are all of our amazing vendors who contributed!! So thankful for:
Hair & Makeup @hellodarlingbeauty
Hair Clip @bridesandhairpins
Flowers @lauren_gingerandblooms
Styling: @dearsweetheartevents
Paper Details: @whimsybpaperie
Calligraphy: @offthebeatenpress
Cake: @sorbysweet
Attendee Notebook and Name Tag Calligraphy : @stephnealcalligraphy
Thank you Emy, Michael, Bobbi and Momma for making the food! And thank you Jan, Jessica, Bobbi, Momma, Daddy and Emy for the team effort in keeping Evy alive, fed, snuggled, and happy!
Bokeh boy loves welcoming everyone! Sometimes a little too enthusiastically!
Lots of notes, Bokeh snuggles and couch lounging going on!
It literally rained for about 3 mins as SOON as we stepped outside and THEN cleared up!
Creating foregrounds! ……
Ta-da! I’m sure my neighbors think I’ve lost my mind!
We try to be healthy…..
But not TOO healthy! :)
Uncle Michael being bad a giving Micah screen time!
This girl! Life of the party! :)
Thank you Tyler Herrinton for this pic!!!! I love it!!!
Thanks for reading!
— Katelyn
MORE RECENT POSTS
The day started with bubbly personalities and bubbly drinks in the historic Linden Row house in downtown Richmond. I walked in, found Leah and then one by one I met her amazing bridesmaids. From the moment I met them all, I knew this was going to be a fun day, not lacking any energy! I loved the way this day started…. however, it got even better the moment dad walked in.
It’s an exciting day in Youtube land! We have just launched a brand new series that we’re really excited about!!!! So often when I’m going through KJ All Access episodes and editing our behind the scenes coverage of our wedding days, I find myself noticing a lot of scenarios that require a lot of thought and problem solving in order to create a FINAL image that I love!!
Gosh it feels good to do what I love to do again! This was my first shoot back since maternity leave ended and I loved every minute of it! I have known Matt and Abby for years and years and so while this was a true portrait session with paying clients and outfit changes, etc…. it was also a shoot with dear friends and it was wonderful to spend some time with them!
First of all, let me just say, I do NOT endorse not hiring a professional birth photographer! As you read this, keep in mind that I desperately wanted to have my friend and fellow photographer Jill with me during my fourth birth. I was heartbroken that she wasn’t allowed to be there!
Have you ever showed up for a wedding or a portrait session and took one look at the location and thought…. “You’ve got to be kidding me!!! How am I going to make this work?!” I have. I have had so many scenarios in my career where I have thought….“Ok, how in the world am I going to make this lousy location work as a great portrait location!!?”.
It still feels surreal to tell people about what we do for a living. We photograph weddings and we teach other people how to photograph weddings. It’s quite literally a dream job for a creative like myself who loves people! Every month when we do these Student Spotlights, I’m reminded all over again how much of a privilege it is to be a part of these photographer’s lives and play a small role in their stories.
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