An edit using the new MCP Quick Clicks for Lightroom!

On November 3rd I had the huge privilege of hosting 9 amazing photographers here in my home in Orlando as part of the Images for a Cure Workshop!

I was so excited to open this opportunity to photographers of all levels who were interested in learning more about the business and marketing side of our industry. We ate, we talked and we shot. All in all, it was a brilliant day and I had so much fun sharing with everyone who attended.

As an even bigger perk, our group helped us to raise the most money from one participating photographer out of all 3 years of the organization – together, we brought in nearly $4,500 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation!

To help us reach our 2011 goals – visit this link to make a donation (any size is a HUGE help!) – http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kristen-weaver/imagesforacure2011

And to find a participating photographer in your city, visit our Find a Photographer page on the Images for a Cure website! http://www.imagesforacure.com/fap/

Massive massive thanks to our supportive and amazing vendors who helped us make this shoot possible – especially Lauren Grove, who gave up her entire day to help us plan, design and create this gorgeous day!

Bridal Gown: Rivini
Bridal Salon: Solutions Bridal
Hair Accessories: Lori London
Reception Gown: Alfred Sung
Model: Nicole Amidon with Prodigy Models
Horse: Ranger
Hair and Makeup: LeJeune Artistry
Location: Private Residence, Oviedo FL
Florist: Lee Forrest Designs
Misc. Table Decor: Anthropologie and Pier One
Coordination: Lauren Harper Grove
Cake Artist: The Sugar Suite
Letterpress Invitation Suite: Posh Paperie

Thanks to Alyssa for these Behind the Scenes shots!

Check out our participant’s blogs to see their photos! (I’ll keep updating this as posts go up):

Jillian Tree – http://www.jilliantreeblog.com/2011/11/16/kristen-weaver-workshop-part-1/

Purely by coincidence, in August I was invited to speak to a group of photographers with the AIPP SA (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers – South Australia). I could have peed my pants I was so excited to not just get one opportunity to visit ‘down under – but TWO!?

So here I go, bags packed for the 22 hour flight over 2 days with Anthony dragging behind. I had all 10 hours of my presentation prepared and was so ready to see Adelaide with Rosie and Jackson! When we arrived, we were greeted by 2 of the sweetest people – I honestly just adored them. I’m so glad we were able to spend most of the week getting to know each other – and SO thankful for Jackson driving us around town (that whole “other side of the road” thing was really confusing!)

Anthony and I relished our time there – in between both of us being sick and me giving an entire seminar with practically no voice (thank goodness for microphones) – we had the most amazing experience! I loved our hotel and the food was sooo yummy! I had Greek garlic french fries while listening to The Phantom Menace, got to see the sights of The Barossa (wine country – where Rosie and Jackson will be getting married in January), and had the best chocolate frog ever!!

Dale and Tracy (who organized my trip to SA) were the best – and took us to eat at some really good spots (are you noticing a trend with me traveling and eating?) and they were so great giving me feedback about my seminars! I couldn’t believe I had to follow up Yervant, who had been the last speaker they brought in. Talk about pressure!

And although I was there for work (but seriously, who can call it that?), I also got to shoot a quick engagement session with Rosie and Jackson! I even got to go to their engagement party – which was an awesome surprise – and meet their friends and family.

It’s weird – even as I write this blog post, I feel like I have so much to say about our trip that I can’t even think. My head is spinning with all the sights and food and people I met! I mean, it was life-changing. I met so many amazingly talented photographers, they were just the best, most gracious hosts, and I would welcome an invitation back any time they feel like laughing at my American accent! Just sayin

And if you happen to be reading this, and attended my seminar, I’d love for you to post a little comment and let me know how I did! I’m not a professional speaker – so be gentle!

To Rosie and Jackson – my loves! I will see you before you know it! I miss you much and I can’t wait to spend another amazing week in Australia celebrating your wedding with you!

PS: “Morning Tea” is the best thing ever!

PPS: Never teach Anthony how to say “bathroom” in another language. I’ve spent months listening to renditions of “long-drop” “dunny” and “thunderbox”.

1. Tomorrow (August 31st) is the LAST day to register for our Third Annual Images for a Cure event! If you’re already registered, the website will launch with the 2011 participants as soon as I return from Australia next week! You can register by going here: http://www.imagesforacure.com/register. I recommend the Platinum Registration because it helps us keep this little project moving forward, but everyone can participate with the Pink level!

PS – super excited about the new IFAC t-shirts designed by Sweet Tea Junkie! They’re being sold on the STJ website for $20 starting September 1st – and we’re donating nearly 75% of every sale to The BCRF! That’s HUGE!

2. If you haven’t already, you should join my NING network! It’s being transitioned in to the first WeaverWorkshops website, where I’m sharing tips, tricks and how-to’s, as well as chatting live to answer your questions, talk about current events (TMZ and reality tv shows, mainly) or just kill some time in between editing projects! Membership is super affordable ($20 for the year) and will be going up soon to $60, so sign up before that happens!

3. I’m off to Australia for the next week to speak to the AIPP SA (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers in South Australia) about my business! I have a whole day planned of amazing content and can’t wait to meet everyone ‘Down Under’!

For my current clients and new clients, I actually won’t have access to my phone or texts, but I’ll have access to my email while I’m there! We’ll be 13.5 hours ahead of Eastern Timezone, so don’t worry if my response time is super delayed.

I’m pretty excited to check out the Barossa wine country with my bride and groom (Rosie and Jackson – whose wedding I’ll be shooting in Adelaide in January), and see the toilets flush backwards.

Wish me luck – it’s a 22 hour flight

For my Australian friends, you can register for the seminar here: http://www.aipp.com.au/imis15/AIPP/Events/Core/Events/eventdetails.aspx?iKey=SA_KW_FRSH&TemplateType=A

Save the date for November 3, 2011 for the first group workshop hosted by Images for a Cure founder, Kristen Weaver!

This past year I have really started focusing on becoming the business I’ve always wanted to be. I’ve expanded my staff, my traveling and hopefully, my skills, to be a better photographer and a stronger business person. Photography isn’t just about having a talent to shoot, or the ability to edit. It’s about the business of photography and how marketing and sales impact your business even more than your creativity. It can be a difficult pill to swallow sometimes, but we’re just as much in the business of customer service as we are artists.

I’ve been hosting an array of one-on-one workshops during 2010 and have decided that I’d like to use the skills I’ve learned to host a 10-seat workshop, all benefiting my organization, Images for a Cure.

The idea actually came from a few of my chatters on my online social networking site, http://kristenweaver.ning.com. They encouraged me to host a group workshop at a reduced price that will help us achieve our goal of $18,000 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 2011! It’s a hefty goal – but one that I feel can be accomplished with the outstanding support of our industry and our clients!

But it has to start here. With me. Right now.

I’ve always been willing to share my “secrets” (they’re not really secrets… maybe just tools of the trade that has taken me awhile to figure out), but I think having this group workshop will be a way to expand our knowledge and make the industry a better place professionally!

So what will we be covering??

Photography, yes, that’s a given. Nothing technical though – I’d like to keep this more based around business, marketing, sales, being confident in your work, client relationships and working with clients at shoots and weddings.

The ideal attendee will have intermediate knowledge of their craft, but looking to expand their business. To grow and achieve a new level of success. Maybe it’s in the little things you’re saying (or not saying) during client consultations that we can work on to give a better conversion rate of lead to booked client. How do you connect with vendors and get your name out there as a top notch photography company? How will clients see your brand and marketing as a reflection of the type of bride you’re looking to book. Are there disconnects with your marketing and your pricing? How are you pricing yourself?

There’s so many amazing topics we have planned for the agenda and I’m thrilled to be offering this workshop to 10 lucky photographers this fall. For the full details, keep reading!

Date: November 3, 2011
Time: Roughly 10am-6pm
Location: Orlando, FL
Cost: $500, donated to our FirstGiving Site
Food: a little unorthodox, but it will be pot-luck! So everyone is encouraged to bring some little to munch on. We’ll be ordering lunch in.

Topics: Marketing, Blogging, Social Media, Business, Client Relationships, Posing and much more!
Shoot: Yes! We will be doing one shoot with a couple at the end of the workshop
Critique: A second option to join a one-on-one critique will be offered the following day. It is one hour and $150 (this money is paid to KWP directly and is not donated, but will help cover the cost of the workshop if any out of pocket expenses are occurred – like lunch!)

(And for a chance at a reduced price workshop, check out one seat being offered on eBay. Only one day left to bid!)

Attendance is accepted on a first come, first serve option.

How do I register?!

Use this link: https://app.shootq.com/public/kristen_weaver_photography/contact

In Event Type, select Photographer Workshop and let us know you found out about it on the blog!

We will email you back with the approval to submit your payment to our FirstGiving website if you were one of the first 10 to contact us. You only have one hour to submit your payment before your spot is opened up to the next person on the waiting list. Please note – there are no refunds since the money is donated directly to the BCRF, however you may transfer your seat to someone else if you can’t make it.

Hope to see you there!!

Oh, and check out a little peek of me at work

Style Me Pretty’s local Florida blog featured Alex and Chris’s Ribault Club wedding on their front page:

I was also interviewed on another photographer’s blog, eyefull photography! One of the reasons I love the feature she did was because I got to answer some of the best questions! So if you really want to get to know ME – definitely read my interview here: http://eyefullphotography.blogspot.com/2011/06/eye-on-kristen-weaver-of-kristen-weaver.html

And just a quick little end note; I’m debating against hosting any more one-on-one workshops. Although I love to teach and spend time getting to know all of these fantastic photographers, my focus in 2012 is altering slightly and I’m looking at new ways to help others. So I decided to start my own online networking site to help out other photographers, join my clients together – and just really feel like I have a family out in internet world! I’m hoping that everyone uses it to network, help each other out (I LOVE the forums and have been posting some of my own How To’s and topics), and even for some of my past clients to help my current clients with wedding planning! It’s such a crazy world out there – it’s really been bringing us just a little bit closer together

So if you have a moment, pop on over to KWP Online to see what it’s all about!