Like wind.

Have you ever stood at the ocean and felt the wind in your hair and smelled the mix of salt and flowers.

How do you actually describe that to someone?

I feel that way about my daughter too. People ask how she is doing and all I can say is that she is doing good or tell a funny thing she did…I find myself at a loss for words on how to really put into a sentence that encompasses all the magic that she is. People have to experience her…believe me, she is an experience:)

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That is kind of how I feel about the Fast Track Roadshow. I can’t really explain it adequately…words like it was amazing, life changing comes to mind but that doesn’t really tell you anything about it. I stumble around for the right words. It’s kinda like the wind, you have to experience it yourself.

To sit in a room of amazing peers and colleagues with someone who is a leader in our industry that actually cares, truly cares, who you are and what you are going through and wants to help your business (and you!) flourish and then walk away with the tools to go home and take charge of your business and life is something you have to experience yourself. No words truly describe it.

Here is what I can tell you. In January 2010 I drove to Florida with a two year old in the car (that is 20 hours in all. with.a.two.year.old.) and I paid $750 to attend a workshop. In January, in the dead of winter for us wedding photographers (aka…no moula coming in).

And it was worth every penny and more. What I got out of it is truly worth more than double. I am honored and blessed to have been part of something so amazing.

and even more honored to have it be coming to Knoxville this time around!!!!!! So you Southern US photographers get all the amazingness but don’t have to drive 10 hours:)

and, the best part,
is that this year its only $495! For 2 days!
Without getting all used car sales pitchy on you, this is seriously the best deal in workshops out there…seriously!

and it changes your life…seriously!

wherever you are in your business, just starting out, been in it a few years, or just have the hope and dream of having a business one day…

Here is more info on it. I would LOVE to welcome you into the Fast Track family so go over and get registered!

I do have a sweet discount for those that are interested in it….email me at shann@shannonkelleyphotography.com to get in like flynn on it!

happy hump day!

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]]> http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/2010/07/knoxville-photographers-worksho/feed/ 3 http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/2010/06/knoxville-fast-track-group/ http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/2010/06/knoxville-fast-track-group/#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:41:43 +0000 admin http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/?p=2851 It’s funny, exactly a year ago this week I finished reading Fast Track Photographer. I consider it a book that changed my life. After reading it I kicked my business into high gear and went for it. I went from 12 weddings last year to over 20 booked for this year. I had the honor of meeting Dane at his workshop in Jacksonville which was another life change…I went from wondering what my future was in this industry to having goals and dreams…and working towards them.

Tonight, a year later, I am getting together with friends for the first Knoxville Fast Track Group. We’ll be holding it at Studio317. Its a night of getting together with other creatives (not just photographers), being real, chatting about life and business, and being able to meet each other where we are at. Its FEO, for each other.

I’d love to have you join us! We’ll be meeting monthly so be sure to follow us if you can’t make it tonight!

a picture from our group in Jacksonville courtesy of Scarlett Lillian

or we would be. becky and i.

It started with a simple idea of getting a senior I know, Morgan, to model for me on some ideas that I had.

and it grew.

So luckily Morgan was up for it being bigger than just me and her and we ended up with 3 awesome models and 17 photographers.

Photographers that I am proud to know and have community with.

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and now today.

Today we had a meetup with some of our local photographers to network, have fun, and announce some awesomeness.

What is the awesomeness?

The amazing nationwide company, Smugmug, has seen what we are doing and is getting behind us and I am so honored to be the appointed leader along with my co-leader Becky.

You guessed it! SMUG’s are coming to KNOXVILLE!!!

photographer’s rejoice!

Smug’s are groups of photographers getting together to learn, grow, connect, and have fun!

What does this mean? Well, we keep on keeping on with meetup’s and supporting our community but now we have the support and resources of an amazing nationwide company so we can grow and continue to reach out to our local photographers!

******

I am so HONORED.  and super excited for our Knoxville photographer community!

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]]> http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/2010/05/smugmug-knoxville-photographer/feed/ 12 http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/2010/05/photography-studio/ http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/2010/05/photography-studio/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 17:24:24 +0000 admin http://www.shannonkelleyphotography.com/blog/?p=2565 Just got a phone call that our photography studio, Studio317, was in the Knoxville news today! I love that the article focuses on community…because that is exactly what we are striving for.  Community, resources, and support within Knoxville photographers, that is what we want…and need!

While we are on the subject, Monday we are having an open  house at the studio for Knoxville photographers to mingle, have some fun, and win some rad prizes! Plus we are announcing something amazing for Knoxville photographers….like, truly amazing!  So excited!!!  If you are a photographer in the Knoxville area we’d love to have you join us!  Here is the event listing on facebook for it.

And don’t you worry, after Monday night I’ll be announcing the exciting news on here too:)

So this month we are having designers, people who have Etsy shops, small business owners that need good professional pictures of their product. I have tons of models lined up and a few designers. We need more designers and would love to work with those that can really benefit from this! Thought I would post this on here in case someone knew of a children’s clothing etsy shop or a designer that this could benefit:)

If you can just email me if you know someone or are that someone:) shann@shannonkelleyphotography.com

And if you are near the Knoxville area, we’d love to have you join us!

studio317 in Knoxville is having a monthly class for photographers called PhotogFocus! Actually, its more of a discussion than a class so we can all learn and grow our businesses! I’m so excited to be part of the journey and can’t wait to see all the awesomeness come out of this for the photographers that are a part of it!

This is a monthly class that will be focusing on different avenues of being a photographer, the business, the marketing, the sessions, the equipment…you name it! It’s held at Studio317 in Knoxville on the first Thursday of every month. The next class is on 4/1 and the discussion will be on blogging (with a little SEO thrown in there!). The how, why, and when’s of blogging. We’ll be showing some video clips of some of the greats, giving out some mad crazy info, and opening it up so you can get exactly what you need wherever you are on this journey. Even if you don’t have a blog and are thinking of getting one, this is a great place to start because you’ll know all the details of how, why, and when:)

Hope to see you there! Seats are limited so book your’s here!

There is so much that goes into where I am today. Little moments like my mom making us stop on our road trips so she could get this great picture, taking pictures on my little camera as a kid with my 110 film, getting my first “real” camera as a Christmas gift at 14, being a missionary kid and seeing the world through a different way, dreaming of how I could turn my bathroom into a darkroom. All those little things that made me appreciate photos, how they capture the beauty and hardship in this world, the little things in life, how memories will be our souvenirs.

This past week has been full of remembering those little things and looking forward to big things. This week I went all in, with much hyperventilation. Because really, if you are going all in, well, its a little scary:)

This week I leased a studio.

Not just a studio for me. But with a dear friend who helps balance my crazy! (thanks Becky:) ) I’m so excited to be on this journey with her! Lots to tell and show in the near future (first we’re going to paint…you will thank me for this since the whole place is blue when we got it I’ll show before and afters when we are done) but for now, a 5 on Friday dedicated to our studio and all the little things:)

1. Since we are keeping separate businesses we wanted to have a studio name for the place. The name kind of found us.. studio317.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2. We’re on the look out for a couch or loveseat. The one above is one that I’m loving. oh, Ikea

3. our logo. and the website that is coming…

4. Community. That is what we are striving for. This isn’t just a place for us to work, its a place to build community! So, if you are a Knoxville photog, we’d love to have you be part of some fun shoots and meetups we have planned (stay in the know here) or contact me for all the inside scoop of how you can utilize the studio for your business!

5. We are busy painting and getting stuff installed…all that fun stuff! Stay tuned for a fun open house night here in the next month or so! Here is one of the colors (above) that we are using…much better than the blue in there:)

_

So, these past few days I have spent in Nashville at Imaging USA, a annual professional photographer’s conference.  In light that I have some photographer friends who couldn’t go and for those photographers that check the blog and went, I thought we would do a little Imaging USA review! If you went too, feel free to leave your suggestions, answer the questions or just share your experiences in the comments!

What did you love most about Imaging USA?

This one is a hard one! I loved the teachers and all the learning that went on but I think my most fave thing that I LOVED was the tradeshow.  Only because I LOVE things like that where you can walk around, see a ton of fun stuff, get some freebies, and browse. You can feel the products in your hand and talk to those that know and love them! Love it! The tradeshow was the thing I got giddy about when going to.  The thing that I was most excited about.  And it didn’t disappoint!

What did you like the least about it?

The only thing on Imaging that I can think that I didn’t like was the traffic pattern for the classes.  Perhaps it was the Opryland, not sure, but they had all these doors going into a room and only one open to have enter and exit traffic creating this huge jam.  Could they not have opened a door as an exit?

What did you think about the classes?

First the giant loves that I have for all the classes! I love that there was a variety so they ran the gamut so everyone had a different learning experience depending on what classes you went to.  I loved that you could go into a class on the portrait track and still learn things that could apply to weddings.  I love that the instructors were all unique and really great speakers. You had some speakers that spoke on more intangible things, like who you are as a photographer and how to get to where you want to be. And then you had classes and speakers that provided tangible things to go home and do or just to give you ideas of what you can do. So it was a great mix and I’m in love with some of the classes I got to participate in!

I feel inspired, capable, and a little overwhelmed with all the great knowledge I got the honor to hear. It was unbelievable!

What about the hotel!?

Aside from the tradeshow this may have been the second thing I was super excited about! We have been to the Opryland so many times to look around and I have always dreamed of staying there.  I had my fingers crossed for a good view (aka…please don’t let me be looking out at the parking lot!) So, first off, have you ever realized that the Opryland is more designed for tourists and not their actual guests.  We had a nice little walk around while we figured out where the heck to check in at! Once we found that we made our way to the room.  We were in the Magnolia section and overlooked the whole delta area! So, beautiful beautiful view!! Yay! The hotel was actually quite normal but very nice.  My only complaint was that their beds don’t have comforters, just a sheet and a thin crocheted kind of blanket thing.  I like to snuggle in giant comforters so that was a little of a bummer but other than that, FANTASTIC experience!!

My roomies!

Some people thought we were crazy I’m sure but I love how things work out! I needed roomies because I wanted to share the cost of the hotel with me and a friend from Knoxville and meet some new people so I hooked up with a few girls from PPA and we had such a blast getting to know each other and room with each other.  From a scare with an asthma attack (not me…), eyelashes that looked like spiders:), a little Zack Arias inspiration, and to spicy chocolate…Great times were had by all!  Thanks Amy, Jenny, and Becky!!! You guys rock!

Things I learned:

• That regardless of where you are in your career you have something to learn here. There were lifelong photographers there and those that were just starting out. Very cool mix!
• That every photographer/speaker will tell you something a little different and there are so many ways to make it work, your job as a photographer is to find out what works for you.
• Take all the info you get, process it, and see what works for you and your business and what doesn’t.
• Famous photographers are people too and started somewhere.  I heard some people say that they felt defeated because they weren’t as good as all these great speakers but I really looked at it like hey, these people are doing all of this and more and are no different from me really. They have the same struggles.  Gives you a little hope that no matter where you are in your journey, you can do it.
• There were some themes that stood out in a lot of the talks: your job is to capture the story, the emotion, and that you have to be you.  Don’t try to copy the next photographer, be yourself!  That is what makes you you and your photography stand out!

The end…

All in all it was a GREAT time that I would do over and over again.  Yes, I returned to my to do list that is overrunning, chores, and life that goes on with all its ups and downs but I’m counting my blessings and getting to be involved in photographing life is definitely one of them! Super excited for 2010!

If you have any more questions that I didn’t touch on, feel free to ask in the comment section and I’ll add on! Oh, and a picture to end the post of our view from our room!

• Today I’m off to Nashville for  a few days to go to a big photography convention.  It’s at the Opryland Hotel and we are staying there too!!!!! I’m beyond excited! I have visited the Opryland since I was a little girl and have always imagined staying there! So, lots of learning, fun, and best of all, cool things that you guys get to reap the benefits of! Fun new products, albums, and much more!  Woohoo!
• Coming up on the blog! The New Years Eve wedding post with some awesome pictures, a behind the scenes look at a wedding, the January newsletter (sign up here so you don’t miss out!), and more!
• Yes, I’ll still be checking email and have my phone with me while I’m gone so feel free to contact me!