Hope Taylor Workshop Recap | Fredericksburg, VA

05

Jun

filed in

Personal

For my photographer friends, have you ever thought about attending an education workshop and thought, “how much of a return will this have in my business because it’s a huge investment?”. You aren’t alone. Trust me, I thought the same thing when I first started thinking about attending a photography workshop. When I ran across The Hope Taylor Workshop I wanted to know more before making the big investment, so I emailed her and asked that very question. I had been following her a while on social media and reading her blog, I loved how she ran her business and what she stood for so I knew her workshop would be the perfect fit for my business. Surprisingly enough, she emailed me back within hours and I was immediately sold. I talked it over with a few of my best friends that day and purchased my seat that night!

The day came to head up to Fredericksburg, VA for the workshop! I met up with a couple of girls (Erica and Shelby) on the way and got the chance to meet them and share the long ride there. I was so grateful they reached out to me before the workshop to coordinate that since I had a long 6 hour drive from Charlotte, NC. They helped break up my drive which eased the nerves of meeting a ton of girls from all over the country all at one time.

The Meet and Greet

That Sunday night when Erica, Shelby and myself were walking through downtown Fredericksburg to the meet and greet I was so nervous! We joked and talked about how it felt like we were meeting a celebrity trying to find her studio and looking for all the boutiques she talks about. As soon as we found her studio the nerves kicked into high gear for me and as soon as we walked in Hope greeted us with a big hug and smile, she’s literally the sweetest and cutest human ever, and my nerves were calmed. We got to meet all the other attendees who had arrived early and ate all the delicious desserts her momma made and we played a few games of Heads Up. Her momma made a table full of desserts from Hope’s great grandma’s recipes from strawberry shortcakes to chess squares to hand decorated cookies. I was low key excited when she brought out the game Heads Up because me and my girlfriends use to play that game all the time! It was all fun and exciting but the night had to end so we can get a good night’s sleep for the two busy days ahead.

hope taylor workshop

 

Day 1

All 16 attendees arrived at Hope’s studio for day 1! We were immediately greeted with a hug from Hope and gift bag of goodies! Huge thank you to the vendors who partnered with her gift bags!

hope taylor workshop

Paper: TWILA & CO. | Promo Code:  TONIC SITE SHOP | CHALKFULL OF LOVE | Bath Bomb:  LADYBURG | Discount Code: MONKEE’S OF FREDERICKSBURG | Necklace: VICI DOLLS | HONEYBOOK

The morning education consisted of learning how Hope photographs a wedding day and her wedding client experience! I have a long list of changes I want to implement into my business! I loved everything that she taught about her wedding experience and how she photographs a wedding day.

In the evening we all headed over to the Riddick House at Stevenson Ridge for our styled romantic blush wedding. Hope walked us through how she poses a Bride and Groom and then we all split up into groups to take pictures of each station/part of a wedding day, starting with the details, like stationary, shoes, ring shots, etc.. Then we moved to a cake station with a gorgeous cake and a vanity with florals strung throughout. Next was the bride and groom portraits, posing them with the luxurious teal couch and the floral wall backdrop. The last stop my group had was a mock reception table with the most elegant china and floral centerpiece I have ever seen! Hope came by to each station throughout the whole time helping us out on any areas that we felt we struggled in.

I was so nervous when the shoot started that I was shaking, I don’t know why but I forgot how to set my settings, a complete brain fart! Once my group got to the bride and groom portraits I was feeling a little better and more in my element giving posing instructions to our models – no they are legit models, Katie is a former MISS VIRGINIA (#dropdeadgorgeous) and her real hubby (no they weren’t acting) was a model for Abercrombie. The most beautiful people I’ve ever taken pictures of.

HYPimages_0048HYPimages_0053HYPimages_0052HYPimages_0042HYPimages_0046HYPimages_0049HYPimages_0043HYPimages_0045HYPimages_0047HYPimages_0044HYPimages_0050HYPimages_0051

*Some behind the scenes shots*

HYPimages_0056HYPimages_0057HYPimages_0055

HYPimages_0067

 

Planning: THE CAROLINE DOLL | Florals: AMANDA VERONEE | Hair and Makeup: BOMBSHELL | Rentals: WHITE GLOVE RENTALS | Cake: GOURMAND BAKERY | Invitation Suite: ENGLISH TEA PAPERIE | Dress: TIFFANY’S BRIDAL  | Hair Piece: BRIDES AND HAIR PINS  | Venue: RIDDICK HOUSE AT STEVENSON RIDGE

 

Day 2

Day 2 was filled with more education in the morning, this day Hope talked all about her senior experience and marketing. Maybe in a couple of years I’ll create a senior spokesmodel program.

That afternoon we headed back over to the Riddick House at Stevenson Ridge for a styled senior shoot with four gorgeous seniors! Although it was raining on us, which is not ideal, we had those famous clear umbrellas and the girls rocked it. This day also included updated headshots by the wonderfully talented Hope Taylor.

We headed back to Hope’s studio after the shoot for some Benny’s pizza (this pizza I swear is larger than NY style pizza) you had to have two plates to hold one slice. We then had Q&A and we could have gone all night long, all the attendees had great questions. It was like we were all bonding over a shared passion <3

HYPimages_0058HYPimages_0061HYPimages_0059HYPimages_0062HYPimages_0063HYPimages_0064HYPimages_0060

Planning: THE CAROLINE DOLL | Florals: AMANDA VERONEE | Hair and Makeup: BOMBSHELL | Rentals: WHITE GLOVE RENTALS | Desserts: GOURMAND BAKERY | Wardrobe: VICI DOLLS | Venue: RIDDICK HOUSE AT STEVENSON RIDGE

HYPimages_0068

It was bittersweet saying goodbye to Hope and the attendees that I became friends with. If you have any doubt on attending an education workshop, first email the host, and then buy the ticket! Well you don’t have to email the host, but definitely take in consideration how much you will learn and it’s a matter of what you put into it of how much you’ll get in return. I’m working off a long list of things to implement in my business and I’m almost halfway through, and I’ve already seen my business grow and I’m more efficient.

Richmond_Virginia_Southern_Wedding_Photographer_1777hope taylor workshop

 

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SHARE THIS POst

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

(it's free!)

GRAB YOUR GUIDE

A lot of moving pieces go into planning a wedding day timeline and we know it's easy to feel like a hot mess! Grab our free guide to plan the perfect timeline for your day. 

day TIMELINE

PERFECT WEDDING

five tips for a

A lot of moving pieces go into planning a wedding day timeline and we know it can be overwhelming! Grab our free guide to plan the perfect timeline for your day. 

Grab Your Guide