Read what our alumni are saying about their B&L experience! We’re announcing our next workshop dates and location this month! 

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Name: Kristin Shyla Cook

Company: Kristin Shyla Photography

Based In: Ft. Worth, TX

Website: http://www.kristinshyla.com

What year did you attend B&L: 2011

What I have made happen since B&L, big and small:

I have figured out who I am as a photographer. I love, love and the beautiful narrative of peoples lives. I went full time as a photographer and my goal was to photograph 5 weddings as Kristin Shyla Photography—but instead I have photographed over 10! I started a blog and just had my one-year business birthday on April 17th.

What I’m working hard on now:

Work flow, consistent communication with my clients and staying inspired and true to myself as a photographer…and I’m working on a t-shirt design. :)

What I love about the B&L community:

The love, humility and togetherness. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging. It is like a glass of OJ. Refreshing.

Best advice to others starting their photography businesses:

Give yourself grace as you are chasing after your passion and be true to yourself as a photographer. There is so much free and amazing help now for newbies that you can feel like you have to do everything now in order to be successful, and that is impossible! There is only One who is perfect. Don’t get swept up in what is trending (shooting or editing styles…I tell myself this all the time). Figure out your niche (what you like, love and are passionate about), nestle into it and grow. Be consistent with the freeness of social media to attract people to you as a person and the way you photograph/capture life. Get to know other photographers! Building relationships will open the door for work and experience.

The biggest thing I learned from B&L:

That I could do it! DBA, separate banking accounts and it’s cool to be a photographer who is good at business and that getting published was possible!

Before B&L, I never thought I’d:

I never thought I had the tools to go full time and succeed. Nancy Ray mentioned in the fear talk, that Jesus didn’t die for me so that I could walk around crippled. She was right.

What’s ahead for me:

Breathing every day. Risk taking in creativity and some ideas that I have spilling out of my head. I really want to start dressing more like an adult and find a place to live in DFW. I am going to keep on falling in love with the love and beauty displayed in the narratives of peoples lives… and photograph it.

This week is all about alumni reviews! If you’re interested in joining us for B&L 2013, check out what these ladies are saying to see if B&L is the right workshop for you!

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Name: Tiffany Medrano

Company: Tiffany Medrano Photography

Based In: Rhode Island

Website: www.tiffanymedrano.com/

What year did you attend B&L? 2012

What I love about the B&L community:

I love seeing the encouraging comments on Facebook and hearing about the girls that live close to one another meeting up for coffee :) I love that when I’ve sought advice from people in the group I’ve gotten amazing feedback and advice!

The biggest thing I learned from B&L:

While attending the B&L workshop I knew that I wanted to connect with some local vendors up in Rhode Island where I lived and create a styled photo shoot with the goal to get it published! There were a few things that I took away from Emily Ayer’s talk with us. 1) Use what is unique to your area. 2) Including printed paper goods (such as an invitation suite) in your photo shoot helps you move to the top of the editor’s pile 3) Shoot as editorially as possible / tell a story. 4) Remember that the editors are real people too! 5) Submit details first.

What I have made happen since B&L, big and small:

I firmly believe that God sets people up to meet at just the right time and place. But YOU have to connect with them! You have to put your self out there. It was a true blessing to be roommates with Kimberly Ellis at the B&L workshop. Before we met she put a challenge out on Twitter to take 30 photos in 30 days. I took on that challenge the month before the workshop.  After the workshop I met the wonderful and talented Alli Coate (http://www.etsy.com/shop/allicoateweddings). She is the art director at Providence Monthly. She was looking for a freelance photographer to photograph food images for restaurant reviews and when she came across my website she saw the many food images that I had captured earlier this year because of Kim’s 30 day challenge. Since then I’ve been published in Providence Monthly and shot a cover and feature images for The Bay magazine. Separate from the magazine Alli and I teamed up on our own as well to create a styled shoot that will be published on a local wedding blog this summer!

What I’m working hard on now:

Prioritizing my time and finances. Working on the business side of my business. Learning from others more experienced in those areas. Being honest about my weaknesses, assessing them and addressing them. I’ve recently read the book The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp and I highly recommend it.

Best advice to others starting their photography businesses:

Write a mission statement, not just for your business but for yourself as well. And check out this short video for creative “beginners” with audio from Ira Glass http://vimeo.com/24715531

Happy Monday! We’re catching up with our alum all week and hearing about their B&L experiences, and what they’re up to now. Enjoy!

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Name: Kristina “Bumby” Grimm

Company: Kristina Grimm Photography

Based In: Central Florida

Website: www.kristinagphotography.com

What year did you attend B&L? 2012

Before B&L, I never thought I’d:

I’d never thought I’d be able to run a successful business. I am more confident in myself and running my business. I am eager to learn more each day and thrive on it. I never thought I’d overcome my fears of talking to my clients (when first meeting them) and vendors in the business.

What I have made happen since B&L:

I have been working hard to work through my fear of meeting other vendors in the business and clients. I make it a point to attend at minimum one networking function a month. I force myself (take several breaths and find my happy place before entering) to walk up to people and start a conversation. Since then I have made some wonderful and fun connections and made some new friends.

What I’m working on now:

BRANDING!!!! I have been working on it since I left B&L and it has been my new challenge but slowly getting through it. I am so grateful this subject was addressed in the B&L Workshop.

What I love about the B&L Community:

I love that everyone is so supportive whenever we need a little encouragement or advice.

Best advice to others starting a business:

1. Start your business right. (Get licensed in your area, get your business insurance and pay your taxes) 2. Follow people who inspire you. 3. Be true to yourself. 4.  “You have talents and gifts no one else has. Follow your heart and passion” - Caroline Joy :) I repeat this to myself everyday.

The biggest thing I learned from B&L:

How to manage my feelings and overcome my fears. It has helped me not only in my business but in my day to day life. I feel more relaxed and happy with where I am today. It has also help me with organizing my business and client workflow.

What is ahead for me:

This year I started out with 3 weddings (friends weddings) and since my B&L experience I am happy to say I have a full book for 2012 (19 weddings). I am now working on booking 2013. I am confident in myself, my business, and my art. I love what I do and I love that I get to spend more time with my family while doing what I love. So, what is ahead for me? A happily ever after! Thank you to Caroline & Nancy for giving me the encouragement and tools needed to be confident and successful. 

We can’t wait to announce the details of Branches & Light 2013 later this month! In the meantime, we’re catching up with our alumni to hear about their B&L experience, and find out about all the amazing things they are doing in their businesses now.

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Name: Ruthie Allen

Company: Ruth Eileen Photography

Based In: Boston, MA

Website: http://www.rutheileenphotography.com

What year did you attend B&L? 2011

Before B&L, I never thought I’d:

I never thought I’d be booking weddings that I love that are my own style… but I am!! I remember specifically at B & L listing out what my ideal client would be, thinking, “there is no way I’ll be booking clients like this”. “This is going to take forever!” Once you can get your mind set on what you want your business to look like and how you want to attract that perfect client, the rest is easy. You will start booking those weddings that you’ll love! It’s SO awesome looking back at my notebook from B & L and seeing how far I’ve come in my business. God is SO good! :)

What I love about the B&L community:

I have loved the friendships that have blossomed with other B & L attendees. All of them have been so encouraging and I couldn’t ask for a better network of ladies!  I’ve even had the privilege of shooting alongside one for a destination wedding in AZ (thanks Kate!)!

What I have made happen since B&L, big and small:

I’ve moved to Boston, Massachusetts and have continued to grow my business here.  Within 4 months of living in Boston I had booked and shot 2 weddings! As well as 2nd shooting with multiple wedding photographers in the area! I shot my first ever destination wedding in Aruba! One of my goals from B & L was to have my work featured on a wedding blog. Last year I was featured on 4 wedding blog… YAY! I also did my first styled shoot. Which was also one of my goals that I listed at B & L.

What I’m working hard on now:

I’ve been working hard on my rebrand (new logo, new website/blog). A whole new look for REP! I’m hoping to launch June 29th! I’m also working hard right now to stay on top of all my weddings & sessions. I’ve got a busy season ahead of me and this is so important to me so that I don’t get overwhelmed.

Best advice to others starting their photography businesses:

List your goals out! I know both Caroline & Nancy are big about this and I’m so thankful for the encouragement from both of them to do it. It seriously made such a difference in my personal and business life. It’s so fun to see small or big goals get crossed off that list every month! 

Anything else you’d like to share:

Caroline & Nancy, thank you so much for doing these workshops! I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you both. You pushed me to be confident in my work and to not give up. You both inspire me so much! I’ve grown leaps and bounds in my business and I owe a lot of that to you ladies! :)