In early November of last year, I spent a week with women in the industry who would become my mentors, colleagues, confidants and friends.

Envision was my first large scale photography workshop. For four days, like the sponges of the sea just outside the doors of our Rehoboth Beach house, we soaked up the knowledge being so generously poured into us. No topic was left untouched-marketing, branding, blogging, submissions, client, gifts…you name it and we probably discussed it.

Not only that, we shared meals together, we laughed, and we cried. We shared our hearts, our dreams, our desires, our goals for our businesses and our thirst to make them something more for not only ourselves but our clients. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my career thus far. I have never felt so encouraged and lifted up by a group of my peers as I did with these women (especially my car buddies- Annamarie, Kimmie, and Brittany. Really, the conversations we shared in the eight hours we spent together in the car will forever be a cherished memory).

To Natalie, Krista, Laura, Katie, Jen, and Serena. Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of the Envision experience. I know you ladies worked so incredibly hard to put this event together for us and I am so grateful.

During the workshop, the hostesses created a styled shoot for us to photograph. Not only that, but we had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Laura Gordon (who is probably one of my all time favorite photographers ever. Really, her film work is so breathtakingly exquisite). It was really a dream, especially because for someone just beginning to journey into the world of film photography. Maggie Austin’s cakes are fine art. Sarah Park did an amazing job styling the shoot in frigid temperatures with style and class (and a little help from the tape holding down the details from the sea breezes!). Serena multi-tasking like a champ! Laura behind the scenes. Watching her work with the models was incredible. She has this way of visualizing during the shoot and verbalizing exactly what she wants from her clients.