Saturday April 21st, five girls traveled from all different towns (+ states!) to gather here for the first ever Photo Bootcamp!!!! Pinch me, it still doesn’t seem real! please don’t get me started on how many times I’ve scrolled through #thephotobootcamp highlight reel trying to relive the day over and over again <3 lost count.

If you told me one year ago, that I would be teaching a photo camp for photographers out of my house, there is nooo way I would have believed you!!! (like, not even for a hot second!) This is something I have honestly day dreamed about for yearsss now, but was always quick to quiet those thoughts and file them under that list of pesky “one day” dreams   <– aka I let fear ride shotgun and sway my heart into believing I wasn’t qualified “enough” for something like this.

Fast forward to this February when the Lord laid his vision for the photo bootcamp heavy on my heart.  That morning I remember jotting down these bullet points in my wannabe Rifle Paper Co. floral notebook:

-An intimate gathering where fellow like-minded creative photographers could come as they are

-spend an afternoon together learning and applying themselves

-see first hand how I produce consistency in my entire shooting, editing, and posing process

-find encouragement and leave with a community of supporters, a game plan for growth and a memory card full of portfolio images

Two weeks ago, I opened the door to five incredible photographers. Each girl being a direct testimony of his sovereignty and grace. I know these girls were hand chosen by the Lord because he had me praying for each individual attendee specifically long before registration even opened. He wanted to teach me a little lesson about who he is as a provider and I’ll be honest with you! I had some BIG doubts:

“You can’t create that!” UNEQUIPPED

“You are not able to do this” UNWORTHY

“Your business doesn’t look like hers” COMPARISON

“Your words won’t be heard” UNNOTICED

 

But here is what God whispers over me as truth:

“I have been preparing you all along for such a time as this!”

“You are MORE than enough for me.”

“I have set you free from comparison. free to be YOU (fully) you are creative because of me– You were made to reflect your creator. Let that creativity shine!”

“When I am in it Hannah, you don’t even have to speak a word for my plan to unfold. watch me provide.”

 

‘Do you trust me?’ It’s what he has been asking in this season of my life and I pray that he will keep asking. Asking until my trust is fully his. Because it is in the asking where He extends the opportunity to grow us from that very place. It’s like he is saying “will you take one step closer to me in faith and I will make you new with each step..”

 

As we sat in my kitchen, I shared the ins and outs of my photography journey from age 15 to now. It was an incredibly special day that I will forever hold near to my heart.

So now I’m sitting here, overwhelmed and overflowing with gratitude because these things I day dreamed about HAPPENED. Only by God’s grace and perfect timing!! All glory to him. This entire journey came into exsistence because he orchestrated it all, not me. I only walked where he led me, and in his loving kindness he allowed me to take part in a greater plan.  And it came together more smoothly then I could have hoped because of it. God’s dreams for you are ones that can NEVER be shaken or stolen by the world. HE has some pretty amazing things in store and gives us daily opportunities to join in on the work that he is already doing, gets me every time!

Today I’m so pumped to share with you a recap of the day featuring a lot of Hannah BIG time cheesing (shocker!) because that was the best I could do trying to keep my chill and maintain a healthy level of sheer excitement  !!

 

 

Live vicariously through the snapshots>>

Just a snapshot of the goodies from our amazing sponsors

judging by the abundance of the starbucks iced lattes + chickfila foam cups filling the table, I’d say we were pretty happy  (Boot)Campers  😉

 

walking the girls through my editing workflow with a live demo in Lightroom, going through my break-down for producing consistent light and airy images

Q: what is a bootcamp without a little photobooth action!?

Right about now, I was *already* planning a bootcamp alumni reunion in my mind (AKA any excuse to get to hang with this rockstar group of girls again. sign me up!)

Behind the scenes of our LIVE SHOOT portion of the day where the girls get to see first hand how I engage with couples, create a welcoming environment, love on my clients and break down the art of natural posing..SO MANY LIGHT BULB MOMENTS!!

step by step shooting, posing (giggling) and Q + A breaks to answer any questions along the way!

Just me giddy as can be over my love for this job and clients I have the opportunity of serving. I love walking others through my fail-proof posing process to produce genuine, true to self portraits. One of my favorite tips is to invite your clients into a welcoming experience. Give them activities to do, engage with them, tell (corny) jokes, have them dance together or share secrets.  Make them FEEL (beautiful, inspired, loved) and I *promiseee* genuine portraits will no longer be a struggle!

Okayyyy MELT

Jason & Brittany = our total rockstar models who brought so much sunshine to the bootcamp experience.. I could NOT have been more grateful to have them apart of this day! true champs.

Remember these faces!! destined for greatness.

& of course, a few instagram snaps!

Alyssa (far right) traveled a total of 11 hrs roundtrip to attend Bootcamp!!! “honored” doesn’t even cut it.

A special thanks to my family, friends, & MILEY! (our official bootcamp mascot & furry fangirl) wouldn’t be a bootcamp without em’

To our wonderful sponsors: THANK YOU for believing in this day and these girls. Thank you for running with my vision and helping me shower each attendee with love and a bag full of swag! a special shout out to: Madoline of Madoline Jean Prints, and Erica of Ransom Jewelry for the custom goodies.  The absolute DREAM TEAM <3

and lastly: a HUGE shoutout to the lovely Kayleigh Lockhart for capturing all the behind the scenes outtakes for the day. Truly a gem.

To get more information about future Bootcamps and be added to the exclusive early access pre-sale list, click HERE!

^you don’t wanna miss out on this! pinky promise

 

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