Choosing joy daily in my life full of topknot buns, baby kisses, and flour on the floor. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Oh, and I photograph the SWEETEST people!
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The women at our Cotton photography workshop 2019 in Round Top completely blew us away! Seriously, my heart is beyond full right now guys. We spent 48+ hours with some of the best women we’ve ever met at our workshop for photographers!
These are women who are talented beyond measure, women who are listening to their hearts, and women who are truly lights in this world!
The most amazing part about this workshop for photographers though is that these women have incredibly different stories, different journeys leading them here. Each story uniquely tying us all together and bonding us in ways I did not see coming!
We spent the first night really getting to know each other and diving into why everyone started their businesses in the first place! It’s one of those things that most photographers really aren’t sharing enough.
We (myself included sometimes) struggle with sharing our story because we are too filled with self-doubt to see the incredible beauty in it! We don’t see our own uniqueness as being special but it is! And that’s what you have to show your clients, you have to show them YOU!
Each woman shared why they started, why they sacrifice SO much for their business, and why they truly want to make it succeed!
Why did we make them do this, you ask? Well, we all know people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. (If you haven’t watched Simon Sinek’s TEDtalk, catch it here!) So, what does that mean for us photographers? ANYONE can pick up a camera and call themselves a photographer. Why are YOU doing this? Why did you pick up your camera? What motivates you? What do you believe?
These are all truly necessary questions you need to not only know the answer to but need to truly lean on every single day! It needs to be in your messaging. It needs to be a part of your brand story. What you believe and why you do it is VITAL to your success!
Check out our 3 reasons to define your why here!
But sometimes it takes a little help from someone else to hold up a mirror to show you how incredibly special you are! My goal for our first big photography workshop was to give these women the tools they needed to take their photography businesses to the next level. But what I truly fell in love with was encouraging and empowering them to see what freakin’ rockstars they already were!
We spent 3 days with these women and I truly hope they all walked away feeling worthy, inspired & just downright GOOD about themselves and their God-given talents!
The Vintage Round Top was truly the perfect spot to host our workshop for photographers. Everyone stayed over like one big slumber party and I have to say that was one of my favorite parts. It felt like we were all back in 6th grade living our best life!
The first night after the chat was over and all the girls were in their rooms, I just stood in the hall for a second. I took in all the sweet sounds of the incredible women chatting, giggling, and bonding with each other. It was beyond magical.
I’ve been to a handful of photography workshops and always felt left out in one way or another because everyone always stayed at separate places. I knew I wanted this to feel different. I wanted to create the space for everyone to connect, for everyone to feel included and mostly for everyone to feel loved.
Plus, I mean… just look at this place! The Vintage Round Top is most definitely a photographer’s dream come true!
Our sweet attendee Tiffany owns Glamfetti Co. So, of course, she brought the balloon party!
You know Kinsey had to pop in here with her Auntie Alyssa! I rounded the corner as I was taking photos before everyone arrived and saw the two of them having a dance party! : D
We wanted our headshots to be a little different. Not your typical one and done headshots. For these incredible women, we wanted more!
So we told each of them to bring something special to them or something that is a part of their daily life. This way they could use them for Instagram lifestyle photos to help tell their story! So, here they are! The incredible women of our Cotton photography workshop 2019!
Kaiti of Kaiti Moyers Photography!
Briana of Briana Whistler Photography!
Shaimaa of Shaimaa Eissa Photography!
Tiffany of Glamfetti Co.!
Shaimaa & Iheny are best friends so I had to take a few of these two together!
Iheny of Videographic Productions!
Ellen of Who is Leading E Photography!
And, last but not least, Kate who is our new Studio Manager!!
Nicole of Relics of Rainbows Photography and Summer of Summer Days Photography weren’t able to make it for the headshot portion, but we loved having them be a part of our workshop for photographers too!
Meredith and her sweet daughter, Piper, drove up from Houston to model for our morning lifestyle session! We couldn’t have asked for a better pint-size model if you ask me! Plus, she’s Kinsey’s bestie so they loved seeing each other.
Meredith also spoke to everyone about the importance of staying real on social media and how to take your Instagram to the next level!
In between the two photo shoots, we tried to pack in as many business lessons as possible, covering topics like SEO, blogging, and marketing! But to be honest, there was just SO much info! Next time we will make it 3 full days because we stayed up until 11 pm trying to fit in all the topics! Once everyone’s eyes started to glaze over, we knew it was time for bed!
My favorite part about wedding styled shoots is letting talented wedding vendors do what they want! We love to give total freedom so they can create their own vision.
That is exactly what we did with Skylar of Chancey Charm and all the other incredible vendors involved. Skylar created the vision and brought all the right people together perfectly. Scroll to the end of the post for links to all of the super talented Houston and Austin wedding vendors! : )
The florals created by the lovely ladies at the Bloom Bar blew everyone away! They are the best Austin florists if you ask us!
The sweet ladies behind Etoilly Artistry, one of Houston’s best hair and makeup artist teams, created the perfectly effortless bridal hair and dreamy bridesmaid ponytail!
Can you tell we all had SO much fun at this workshop for photographers?! Including our girl, Rachel!
Nikki & Colton actually got married a few months before in Italy! Aren’t they the cutest?!
Dad life, am I right!? It was truly a dream come true to have my family there with me for our very first big photography workshop in 2019!
Jenny from A Fine Flourish calligraphed all the beautiful things for our photography workshop!
Shaimaa taught me how to do double exposure during the workshop too! Check out my very first one below! Thanks, Shaimaa! You are awesome!
Kellan snapped a few of all of us as the sun was setting. I couldn’t have prayed for a better group of women to be there for our first big photography workshop in 2019!
Each and every one of them truly touched our hearts and we can’t wait to see what kind of magic they create! They are all so worthy of success and SO ARE YOU!!!!
XO,
Michelle & the whole Cotton team
Choosing joy daily in my life full of topknot buns, baby kisses, and flour on the floor. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Oh, and I photograph the SWEETEST people!
Get 50% off Honeybook with this link!
Mama, taking photos of your littles can be tough, so let’s make editing EASY! Create frame-worthy photos in one tap with our Cotton Mobile Presets!
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