#AJWorkshop insights

Its been a few weeks since my time at Amy and Jordan's workshop in Scottsdale, AZ. I've finally had some time to process everything that I learned and overall recover from the excitement of it all. I wanted to take some time to share my biggest insights from attending their workshop in hopes of helping others as they might decide to attend either A&J's workshop specifically or any other photography workshop of this nature! 

This was the FIRST photography workshop I have attended in person. I've done a lot of online learning as well as a few classes on Creative Live but actually going in person was something I have wanted to do ever since I discovered that such a thing actually happens in the photography world!! When the opportunity came up I jumped on it and I am so incredibly glad that I did. I am even more excited that my first was with Amy and Jordan, two people who I have admired and respected for a very long time. 

These are by far my biggest insights and takeaways from this workshop: 

1 // I probably shouldn't do these kinds of workshops

HA! You weren't expecting that were you? Although I absolutely loved every minute I was there, focused interaction with lots of people for large amounts of time is not my strong suit. I am a classic introvert who is fine giving a speech in front of 500 people, but small talk with 15 people gives me heart palpitations. I am so much better one on one. The learning was GREAT, Amy and Jordan were FANTASTIC, all of the other photographers there were AMAZING, but I'm not 100% sure I will do another workshop of this nature. One on one coaching might be a better way to go for me. I wouldn't have really known this without attending this workshop, so I'm glad I did! 

2 // Focus everything around your WHY (your purpose for being in business)

Within the past few months this concept was really starting to gel with me, but this workshop finalized it. If you want to have a successful business that has IMPACT (on something more than just your checking account) you need to figure out what your purpose is. WHAT in the world are you trying to accomplish through your business? Once you really narrow that down, you have laser like focus and everything about your business can be centered around that reason. This really keeps you from getting off track and floundering. I have my WHY and am so incredibly excited to see where that WHY takes me. 

3 // Be INTENTIONAL

Don't do things just to do them. EVERY decision you make needs to be intentional. Why are you doing it? What is the purpose? How will it fit into your overall plan? Everything from the colors in your brand to identifying your ideal client to choosing which images to post on your blog...ALL of it needs to have some intention behind it. Again, a great way to stay focused on the mission you are trying to accomplish!! 

Alright, those are my top three insights from this workshop. They may sound serious and like we did nothing but get really deep for two days straight, but I promise we had a TON of fun as well. One of the things I love most about Amy and Jordan is their JOY. They exude joy in everything they do. We had a great time learning and laughing and just overall having a great time not only with business info but lots of photography info as well!! 

Favorite general things I learned from the workshop:

• To use an ExpoDisc correctly you need to have your camera set to evaluative metering. Duh. No wonder it was not working out for me the way I wanted. I feel like this fact is left out of a lot of online tutorials, so this tiny tidbit of knowledge was massive for me!
• White foam boards. Enough said. 
• Two words: Giggle out. 
• Jordan REALLY enjoys feeling like the President
• Curating is magical
• Chipotle has an incredibly awesome online ordering system
• Photomechanic. Buy it now. 
• KC England sounds EXPENSIVE 
• Community and Relationship are the JAM
• Amy and Jordan are two of the most amazing people I have ever crossed paths with. They are true blessings from God! 

I really hope someone considering an in person workshop finds this information helpful and if you have any other questions feel free to contact me! 

#AJWORKSHOP recap!

Well, I can't hardly believe the workshop has now come and gone. It feels like I was waiting for it forever and it was such a whirlwind of two days that now I'm totally on a low now that it is over! It was SUCH an amazing time however and I learned a ton, met SO many great people and am 100% confident that this was a great first step in the continued growth of my business!

The workshop took place in the gorgeous Clayton on the Park in Scottsdale, AZ. Everything about it was perfect. Amy and Jordan gave us a cute little grab bag filled with the most important thing of all...CANDY! Just kidding, their Top Secret playbook was in there and wow if that thing isn't valuable!! I think I might need to keep it in my in home safe because of the crazy amount of great info that is included! 

Fifteen amazing other photographers joined me at the inaugural #ajworkshop and we all had a great time chatting and getting to know more about each other and learning from each other throughout the whole experience. It was fun for me to see all the awesome camera gear everywhere! 

We dove right into the good stuff and I was lucky enough to be in the first row. I took some shots occasionally throughout A&J's teaching and I HAD to make this collage. I call it, "how to use your hands while speaking by Jordan Demos". HA! 

Probably my favorite part of the workshop had to do with posing. I learned a lot of great tips and tricks especially for posing couples! Look at how cute they are! 

Then we did a lot of work with Expodisc. I've had one for a long time and hardly every used it. I think that is about to change for sure! 

The styled shoot was in the afternoon and Amy showed us how she goes about getting all the amazingly beautiful shots that she always captures. It was great to see her in action! Then all the rest of us got in on the action as well! 

Amy's feet were cracking me up, and check out Jordan rocking his shooting stance! Love it! 

I never seem to make my way into the group getting the shot, so I had a great time shooting everyone else shooting. Does that sentence even make sense? Hope so! 

All of the above photos were from day one of the workshop and I don't have any captures from day 2 as it was mostly all about business and momentum. I have LOTS more to share about the specific info that I found most helpful from this workshop as well as some fun other photos as well, but that will all have to wait until I can get my thoughts together! This workshop was such an amazing blessing to me and I am so glad I was able to attend. Can't wait to share more!