Snowy day outside and I’m sitting here (AS CLOSE to my space heater as possible) while snowflakes fall out my window and I’m finally getting the chance to reflect on the fifth (!!!) workshop held just about a month ago. Which alsooo happened to be our FIRST two day workshop and I’m officially sold on this format. 4evz. Because having double the time to teach, answer questions, photograph the styled shoot, cover topics, and form relationships is my favorite thing. Only drawback: it made goodbyes 10x harder. But that’s inevitable. <3

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you I get a *little* emotional when talking about these workshops because to me, they’re so much more than the fun few days you see online where we eat Chipotle and I talk with my hands a lot. These workshops are game changers/life rerouters where I share powerful content that I believe in with every (!) piece of me. The kind that brings about real results. It’s two days where I have the honor of having fourteen photographers come into my home (some traveling as far as GERMANY… we love you Karen!!), and entrusting me with their growth… and that is enough reason to pour my whole entire heart into it.

And I do. It’s my joy to get to open up, share my highs and lows, watch lightbulb moments occur and see growth happen before my very eyes. I pray so hard for these days leading up to the workshop, for each specific girl, and for their lives and businesses to be deeply blessed through the words that I share. I don’t take the opportunity lightly. Ok better stop now before I actually start cryingggg…

Reliving these days is my go-to activity and I’ll be doing exactly that until the next workshop this fall!

******************

Q: What’s a workshop without my best friends/angel squad helpers?

A: Not a workshop.

… You think I’m being dramatic but I’m not. They aren’t just “a part of it” they ARE IT. They bring so much soul to the workshop, do thankless things, pray me through every moment, clear their schedules and sacrifice sleep to be there, laugh from the back at my jokes, and get teary-eyed with me as I share my heart (joys, disappointments, purpose… all of it). You name it, they’re on it and I think the thing that fills my heart most is that the attendees at the workshop have the opportunity to experience their love & light the way I do daily. Cherish, Vanessa, Preston, Truely, and Emmy… you’re the heartbeat behind it.

Q: What’s the styled shoot without my dream team vendors?!?!!

A: If I were the one left to planning it… probably paper plates from Party City and a bouquet of carnations from Giant.

But instead!! Danielle of Your Sweetest Day Events has planned the last two styled shoots and her vision, her talent, her expertise, her attention to detail, her kindness… it just amazes me every time. She goes above and beyond to make dreams come true, but even that’s an understatement. I can’t believe I have the honor of working with her and man I’ve thought so many times her brides are SO LUCKY to have her on their team!!

Wildflowers by Design, Unfading Beauty by Kristen (who’s done hair and makeup for all five workshops now WHAT, Kristen, you’re heaven-sent), and *not pictured* Treasured Events all have skills that leave my jaw-wide open in wonder… every time. They’re THAT GOOD at what they do and of course make it all look so effortless (it’s not). Not to mention our model couple who made my job far too easy and made me say “WOW” “oh my goodnesssss” and “I’m speechless!!” on repeat while shooting. I can’t wait to share the full styled shoot but seriously… these people’s support, creativity, and friendship is invaluable to me! Bottom line… IDK WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT THEM. These pics just make happy, soooo… <3 <3 <3The workshop begins the night before Day One with a Meet & Greet… AKA a chance to eat way too much ice cream, jumpstart friendship growth, and let all the walls down before the following two days full of learning…Feels like waking up on Christmas morning (with fresh snow on the ground) waiting for attendees to arrive!!!And welcoming them into my home brings me so much joy!!
There’s no better way to celebrate their arrival than spoiling the attendees with salted caramel macaroons and boxes full of swag from our sponsors!! Gotta say, Tara makes the most melt in your mouth addictive macaroons ever. And not eating them all by myself before everyone shows up is my greatest act of self control… We kick off the morning with breakfast treats (AUSSIE BITES have become a workshop staple), lots of welcome hugs, and mingling… And more spoiling for the attendees thanks to Paris Chic Boutique‘s beautiful calligraphy!!My new German friend! So honored you came. Then we jump into the morning session of teaching! We cover it all over the course of two days: how I built my business from nothing, style development, branding beyond a logo, social media, attracting your ideal client, keys to profitable business growth, transitioning from portraits to weddings, creating a remarkable client experience, anddd so much more… THANK YOU doesn’t cover it to my bffs Preston & Vanessa for shooting behind the scenes photo/video all day… and always ensuring outtakes are a top priority. Publicly cringing at my very first website (humbling)… feast your eyes, guys. … Marcela is likely pictured here taking notes on what NOT to do, regarding web design.But this? This is my face when someone says Chipotle has arrived !!! Naturally.*PRECIOUS CARGO* I’m sure my countertop has never looked more captivating.Summer enjoyed her FIRST EVER CHIPOTLE so of course we needed to document that moment. A life changing workshop (in more ways than one), it’s true.Next, we walked down the street to Lancaster’s greatest hidden gem for the styled shoot! Breaking down exactly how I shoot (lighting, angles, composition) and pose (to make your clients feel comfortable and help them have fun *and* look natural) is the highlight of the workshop!! Well, one of them. DREAM TEAM, I’m telling ya.I share my entire posing process in depth and then the attendees have the opportunity to shoot alongside me as well as pose the couple themselves!Thank you, Rene, for these photos! I also teach on shooting the reception details… my system for making the gallery full and diverse no matter the reception space I walk into!! Also offer an official dress carrying tutorial. Throw that in for free. Fifteen of the happiest photographers you know. MY HEART.After the shoot, we head back to my house for more teaching, an in-depth walk through of my culling and editing process, MORE COFFEE, and enough Olive Garden catering (read: BREADSTICKS) to feed an army !! We wrapped day two at 8:30PM because it was off to bed to rest & recharge… … for DAY TWO where we focused 100% on the backend of business! Wouldn’t be a two day workshop without some sticky buns to start the day off riiiight… Teaching the attendees everything I know about building a thriving from business, solid client experience, and engaging online presence FIRES ME UP and yeah ok guilty I did sneak Emily Henderson into my social media section… she’s killing it after all, so why not study her business and learn from her. #fangirl Each of these faces (now a part of the 60+ workshop alum family) are ones to watch!!! One of my favorite aspects of the workshop is hosting surprise giveaways thanks to our incredible sponsors! Cannot thank Showit, KISS Albums, Align Album Design, CG Pro Prints, The Light & Airy Photographer, The Palm Shop, BlogStomp & PASS enough for their unending support and willingness to spoil the attendees with swag bag loot and giveaways! *Interpretive Dance Moves Optional* New Jersey and Canada REPRESENTING at lunch (also are you sensing a theme of FOOD in this blog post)!!It was a full day of teaching (liiiike 8:30-8:30pm) BUT… anything short of pouring it all out/leaving no question unanswered for this incredible group of attendees just wouldn’t feel right. They deserve it all! And the best photo of the weekend <3 And finally, as always, a few photos stolen from the #carolineloganworkshop hashtag… And some IG stories too… take me baaaaack.

I’m so excited to share THE BEST NEWS: my last workshop of the year is coming September 23rd-24th, 2018 (with the optional Meet & Greet the night of the 22nd)!!! If you’re interested in joining, email me for more details and to save your seat before they’re gone! : caroline@carolineloganphotography.com

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors (companies I couldn’t/wouldn’t do business without)! : Showit | KISS Albums |  Align Album Design | CG Pro Prints | The Light & Airy Photographer| The Palm Shop | BlogStomp | PASS

Thank you to the dream team of vendors who donated their time and talents in order to spoil the attendees with a styled shoot that took my breath away! : Your Sweetest Day Events | Wildflowers by Design | Unfading Beauty by Kristen | Treasured Events | BHLDN | The Black Tux | Steven’s School Ballroom | The Baker’s Table | Kyrsten’s Sweet Designs | Prairie Letter Shop | Bow & Arrow | Cork Collection | Verde Studio | Poppi Paper Co | The Confetti Home | Gigi and LaClede | Tono + Co | Creative Candles

And above all, thank you again to the people that pray me through these days, excitedly await a recap after, and support me through and through… YOU KNOW who you are. <3