To say that I’m overwhelmed with gratitude would be an understatement.

Running a creative business while maintaining a full-time IT career is tough stuff. While I am thankful for my full time gig and I really love the people I work with, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do both at 100%. My photography business took the brunt of the consequences and I found myself feeling pretty down about it. The road to full time is a long one and I will take my time and make sure that I’m ready before I take the plunge, but I need to find balance in the meantime! I needed a change and some encouragement!

Hope Taylor is a Senior and Wedding Photographer that I have followed and admired since I started this journey. Her entire business model is focused around positivity and helping young girls feel beautiful and confident in their own skin – how can you not be on board with that?! When she announced her spring workshop, something felt different about this one. I HAD to go, I felt like the Lord was kicking me saying “BUY THE DANG TICKET!”. So I listened, and I am so glad that I did. This past weekend, I packed up my things and made my way to Fredericksburg, VA!

Let me start by saying that Fredericksburg, VA is the cutest town I’ve ever been to. The streets were lined with colorful buildings with gorgeous shops or delicious family owned restaurants. I made my way via plane, the metro, then train (THAT was an adventure in itself!) and then I met my roommate for the next few days, Ryan with Ryan Shedrick Photography. I’m pretty sure Ryan is my long lost BFF – this girl and I are SO MUCH ALIKE that it was scary! We celebrated the start of a beautiful friendship with mimosas, noodles, and serenading our fellow workshop attendees. It was a match made in heaven. Really.

Hope’s studio is the cutest studio I had ever seen – lined with gorgeous outfits and jewelry for her clients,  aqua decorations, and more sugar than any human should ever consume in one sitting. We discussed creating the best experience and loving on our clients. We talked about social media, branding, and marketing. We walked through shooting techniques and workflow. We took selfies and laughed until we cried. But most importantly, we were encouraged and loved on. Hope’s presence is infectious and she really set my soul on fire for this little dream of mine.

I want to share the behind the scenes photos first because I think it is so important that everyone sees the impact that a little kindness and encouragement can make. Sure, we snagged some stunning photos at the styled shoot (which I will share in a future post), but the best thing I walked away with wasn’t photos, it was the encouragement and lifelong friendships that were made. Thank you Hope Taylor Photography, for bringing us together and encouraging us!

PS: If you’re a photographer, you NEED to check out her workshop. She has one coming up this summer!

Photo on right taken by the incredible Ryan Shedrick Photography!

Photo in the center taken by Ryan Shedrick Photography

Thank you Ryan Shedrick Photography!

AND I got new headshots! Thank you Hope Taylor Photography!

Photo by the talented Katie Hauburger Photography!