Artfully Curated Workshop hosted by Abigail Malone
Let me just start out by saying I am not a fancy writer and I never have been so bear with me and my blog posts haha! I can not say enough good things about this workshop. It was the second workshop I have attended that Abigail has hosted and they seem to get better every time. After I seen her post on instagram for this workshop right outside of Knoxville, I knew if it was anything like the first one I would have to secure a seat. Let me just say, workshops are the BEST way to meet some of the most wonderful photographers and create friendships within this career. I have met some of the best women at these workshops. They are insanely talented, helpful, and welcoming.
The first workshop I attended I was nervous to say the least, the entire way over there I was planning on what I would say for those awkward "lets all go around the room and say our name and something we enjoy." Can we all just be honest and agree that for people with anxiety it makes us cringe to even think about those awkward moments. But honey as soon as I got there and got that part over with I was ready to go. The amount of material that these hosts put into these workshops is insane. I learn more at these workshops then I did the entire time I was in school for photography. Marketing, editing, posing, Pinterest, social media, and more are just some of the surfaces we skim at these styled shoots. Okay y'all get it these things are awesome so lets get into what was so great about this last one.
I remember on my way to Abigails house the weather was absolutely perfect and she has the most beautiful wooded backyard so the sunlight coming through those trees during golden hour is every photographer's dream. The weather just confirmed how great this was going to be before I even pulled in the driveway. After an hour drive, because I live in the middle of no where and it takes at least 45 minutes just to reach a target (and I love target so feel my pain for just a minute), I walked around back to her gorgeous back yard and I honestly think my jaw dropped. There was purple, blue, and sunset orange colored flower arrangements on the trees, rustic tables decorated in the most beautiful shades of purple, calligraphy signs, and some of the most kind women helping finish everything up. I will add a list of these women at the end because they are AMAZINGLY talented. I wanted to go ahead and get my camera out then. I went inside and took a seat while I chatted with some of my photographer friends before abby started teaching.
We went over some of the topics I listed above and then made our way outside. I actually tried shooting film at this workshop and I swear I fell in love! I will include some film images as well! The bride and groom were perfect. The bride had on an elegant lace dress and the perfect veil from Lillian Ruth Bride located in Knoxville TN. I love lace and I think it went perfect with the summer vibes they had going on. We usually always take pictures of the detailed shots first like the flowers, invitations, menus, etc. and I don't know if any of my other photographer friends are like this but I could spend hours on detailed shots and not get tired of them. They are some of my favorites ever.
Once we finished with those, we made our way over to the bride and groom and shot for a couple hours. They were such troopers because it was hot and I can only imagine how hot they were in their dress and tux because I was in shorts and I was DYING. Although it was hot as heck, they stuck it out and did every single pose we asked. The famous veil shots, the groom dipping the bride back, walk slow and hold hands and look at each other, I could go on and on because posing in my opinion is one of the best aspects of sessions. I know they had to feel famous because we were all asking for different poses and saying "oooohhhh yesss" and "oh my gosh this is to die for." They were great and they looked incredible together. Sometimes I take a picture and I love it and I get back home and have already forgotten about some of my favorite ones and I start to edit and it's almost like I get to relive that perfect moment where I pose them and everything just works and goes together perfectly, that's my favorite.
As I worked on these images and blog posts I am reminded of how awesome my job is. I don't take it lightly. I get to do what I love because my clients trust me with such beautiful moments in their life. That is amazing to me I wake up every day and get to do something I genuinely enjoy. I feel so blessed that God allows me this opportunity and I don't thank Him enough for it. It brings me to tears sometimes. I could go on and on about it because when I was little I would ask for cameras for my birthday and Christmas and I would have never thought that I would be able to make a living out of it. This is where I also thank you. Without your help I wouldn't be able to do this and I thank you so much for your support from the bottom of my heart. I cannot wait to share these images with you and I hope you all love them as much as I do.
Vendors:
Abigail Malone Photo
Rose Moss Designs
Scruffy City Letters
All Occasions Party Rentals
Artfully Curated Workshop
Styled Darling
Lillian Ruth Bride
Alison Mitchell
