When I went down to Miami a few months back, I got together with one of the models I worked with here in Orlando. She moved to Miami and has been working and going to school down there, so I definitely wanted to meet up and shoot! We decided to do a boudoir session since our hotel was so amazingly awesome! Shooting with Andrea is always so much fun – lots of laughs and I always look forward to working with her!

I love little Andrea, and I can’t wait to see her again!

This may be one of several blog posts today as I frantically catch up before my trip down to West Palm Beach this weekend.

One of the things that I’ve always loved about the photography community is everyone’s willingness to share their knowledge! I know we’re all competitors, but some of my biggest competitors are also some of my coolest friends! We have lunch over new ideas, new equipment, gossip (just a little!) and what the future holds. It’s really exciting to grow along side all of these talented people, and I always hoped that one day I could grow enough that people would allow me to share what I know with them! I believe in paying it forward, and it’s through the graciousness of others that I learned my craft. So I’d like to pass that along!

So with countless emails pouring in to ask about what I do, how I do it and why I enjoy it so much (that’s the easy one!), I decided it was time to start hosting a few workshops! I had my first workshop a couple weekends ago with Percy and Carla from DeArmero Photography here in Orlando – and not only did we have a really fun time tromping through Celebration, but they got some amazing shots from our models, real couple Lauren and Jason!

Want to set up your own workshop? I’m offering a discounted rate for one-on-one weekday workshops in December! Email me for details!

You can check out their stunning work of Lauren and Jason on their Facebook Page (click the picture below). Also, be sure to check out their website!

I wanted to share their thoughts, and some great images I got of them hard at work!

“Ever since I heard about Kristen Weaver, I knew that she was not only an extraordinary photographer but also an amazing human being …and I wasn’t wrong!
When Percy told me Kristen was going to do a workshop I didn’t hesitate and i said ‘Let’s go! I have to meet this talented woman’.
Kristen, we had so much fun shooting with you, thanks for being able to answer all our questions, and share your knowledge with us…you’re an inspiration!”
- Carla De Armero

“I love Kristen’s style! At her workshop, I learned how to make the couples pose  many new and different ways. We had so much fun!
Her creativity inspired me. She was able to respond every question I had… it was totally worth it!
Thank you, Kristen!! You are such an amazing person and photographer!”
- Percy Zuniga

If you’re on Facebook, and haven’t been living under a rock today, you probably saw my 300 updates about my feature in this issue of Remedy Magazine, London! Ok, so I’m exaggerating a little bit – but this was a huge deal for me. This year has brought me a lot of amazing opportunities, but as I stress about starting my own business, and finding my place in this world of photography-saturated markets, I’m reminded about why I do what I do. It never started as a way to make money, but for many of us, I don’t think it ever does.

I started in photography as a way to express myself. It was about being someone I wasn’t. Photography made me popular, if you will. I could become anyone, or anything, I dreamed. I could surround myself with Gucci and Jimmy Choo, with models and stylists – artists and dreamers. It’s never an easy place to be, surrounded in self-doubt and competition.

This is where Remedy comes in.

What is a dream worth? It’s too often that value isn’t placed on talent. I’m reminded of this every day when I get asked to lower my prices on portraits, weddings – anything. It’s easy to take the lower prices, because bills are due and life gets in the way, but then what would I be saying about myself? That I’m not worth the price I charge? I can’t go through life doubting myself, my business, or my talents. I don’t want to get on some huge soapbox about pricing, that’s not the point of this – but if you’re a potential client (of any photographer, artist, stylist…) remember that an artist is a dream-maker. What dream can we paint for you?

Remedy was started a year ago by Farhana Jaffer. Her goal was simple: “Remedy wants to encourage the new generation to look at their own talents and be inspired by it and others around them, we only promote those who have done, or are working towards doing something positive with their lives. We offer a platform for people to promote their work on an international stage.”

Remedy promotes photographers, designers, artists, poets, singers – the list goes on. Remedy promotes the arts, and that’s why you should love Remedy, and everything they stand for. It was an honor to be selected for their magazine as a featured artist, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my dreams with so many others.

View the entire issue here: http://www.remedymag.co.uk/pages/archive/issue5/remedyissue5.html

Join their Facebook Fan page here.

I also wanted to thank the entire team for making this shoot happen -

Models: Lacey Buchanan and Victoria Berard
Wardrobe Stylist: Melanie Pace
Makeup and Hair: Jillian Caro

The full shoot can be found here.

In my last post, I mentioned how Ryan Poirier shadowed us on Sunday at the Images for a Cure event, well he took some amazing behind the scenes photos and I’d love to share them! All the credit for these images goes to Ryan, who not only gave up his Sunday to hang out with me – but was just a super sweet guy and fantastic photographer! My clients loved him and will love his photos!

You can see more of Ryan’s work at http://www.ryanpoirierphotography.com!

The team of the day – Christina and James from In Motion Video Productions, and my 2nd shooter, Reema!

My first session was with Jessica and Tim, recently engaged and so much fun!

My girl, Reema – rocking out her Canon!

Christina and James

Eye-level with my second little clients of the day, Sky and Wes!

My assistant, Angie, helping Wes

Wes is “popped-collar” cool

Ryan really got the essence of their session in this shot. Wes made that face all day, and Sky looked like a little angel

Oviedo is known for their chickens, which, yes – run rampant all day.

I should make a note not to hunch over when I shoot sitting down. In my defense, I was about to fall backwards down that hill.

I’m not sure how Ryan thought he’d get out of this one… I had to share the end of the session – Ryan made a new friend

Yes, I did a quick wardrobe change due to the insane heat for my third session, Melissa and Sean. I actually love this shot of us

Here’s my view of Melissa

I <3 Ryan for capturing this. It’s gorgeous.

My shot

Look how much fun we had! Melissa’s face says it all

I am really excited to show off my new headshot! I haven’t had a headshot in – ok, well never. Maybe my senior pictures count – but those are 10 years old.

Since Images for a Cure has been going really well, I decided it was time to buck up and get in FRONT of the camera for once. Which terrifies me. So I made Anthony take a picture with my camera. I never realized how difficult it was to try to pose myself and direct Anthony at the same time. Models, I do not envy you.

Now I couldn’t post this without being honest about the fact that I wouldn’t have looked HALF this good if I didn’t have an amazing retoucher at my disposal. Jennifer Frances is phenomenal and I am amazed at the magic she worked on this picture. Seriously blows me away.

There’s a lesson to be learned here – something about good angles, good photographers and good editing. But who cares about that right now? Here it is!