Registration is open for the 2014 Savvy Workshop in Alys Beach!

The registration is open for the 2014 Savvy Workshop in Alys Beach!! To purchase your seat, click here. 

To read more about the workshop and the classes being taught, visit the Savvy Sisterhood Workshop Blog. It gives all the details you'll need to know!

Meet the speakers~

Laura Winslow ~ 

Laura Winslow Photography (website & Facebook page)

Kara May 

Kara May Photography

(website & Facebook Page)

Tamara Burross ~ 

From the Treetop Photography

(website & Facebook Page)

Kimmy Howard 

Kimmy Howard Photography (website & Facebook Page)

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Tap into your imaginative side and explore methods that will spark your ingenuity and help you release the art within. Join Tamara Burross as she demonstrates her creative process and artistic approach toward editing. She will share her extensive knowledge of action and texture application, as well as basic work flow tips to help you achieve beautiful results without compromising image integrity. 

 Images by Tamara Burross~ From the Treetop Photography

  Images by Tamara Burross~ From the Treetop Photography

  Images by Tamara Burross~ From the Treetop Photography

  Images by Tamara Burross~ From the Treetop Photography

 Images by Tamara Burross~ From the Treetop Photography

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Kimmy Howard will share all of her newborn "tricks" as well as teach on parent prep, lighting, workflow, and posing.  Her business of 4.5 years has been a success in the 3 states that she has lived in this short time & she will be sharing different tips to help grow a successful business & develop a faithful client base.

Images by Kimmy Howard

Kara May is going to work with models, hands-on, and show you how she guides her clients, making them comfortable enabling her to photograph natural, genuine emotions.  She’ll share tips and tricks on working with children and teens that she’s learned throughout her 10+ years in the industry. 

Images by Kara May

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Laura Winslow will share her marketing strategies with us and show us how she keeps her clients happy and always coming back for more. She has created an amazing business and crazy popular blog and she has great ideas to expand your network and to market yourself in field saturated with photographers. 

Images by Laura Winslow

Alys Beach, Florida

the accommodations!

the accommodations!

the accommodations!

The Worth of a Workshop

"The Worth of a Workshop"
by Dyan Witt

Remember those "Priceless Moment" commercials that Mastercard created in the late 1990's?

I believe the worth of a workshop is priceless!

Several years ago when I was an aspiring photographer charging literally pennies for my work, I never imagined I could afford to attend a photography workshop. The cost of the workshop could not be justified by the small amount of money I was making. I knew I needed to learn and grow to become better but I could NOT invest that amount of money in myself or my business. Let me tell you I was completely wrong to have had that mind set and I am here to discuss with you what has changed my business, my myself and my future to be brighter than I could have ever imagined!

Last summer while surfing Facebook instead of editing, I came across the Savvy workshop that was going to be held within driving distance of my home. I immediately thought "no plane ticket" so that was one less expense. Maybe I could make this work… after several discusses with my husband (the money man), my mother-in-law (the babysitter) and a close friend/photographer (the support network) I registered for the  The Savvy Photographer Workshop.  So 13 months ago I sat in a multimillion dollar mansion on the waters of Alys Beach Florida trying to absorb as much information as I could during the Savvy Photographer Workshop. I learned the skills to create a successful boutique portrait business. I had the industries leading female photographers help me to create strategies to become a unique high end photographer. I learned about editing, customer service, marketing, packaging, contracts, SEO, website designs, how to stand out in the industry and countless secrets from the speakers who shared every detail about their successes.   I wrote down my business goals one year- 5 years- 10 years out.  And most of all, I created bonds with fellow female photographers that continue to grow stronger everyday!  We uplift and support each other through private Facebook chat rooms, emails and phone calls. We share business ideas, marketing strategies and so much more. We are there to support each other no matter what!  
I have be lucky enough to attend both of the Savvy Sister~ Alys Beach workshops! Since the workshops,  I have had several (okay MANY) questions. Without hesitation,  the speakers that were at my workshops responded immediately with great advice. Yes, without hesitation!  I have Laura Winslow, Kara May, Leslie Kerrigan from Seniorologie, Jamie Schultz, Kelli France, Alice Park from NAPCP, Stephanie Fisher and of course Marsha Mifsud rooting me on from the sidelines and they have all helped me. How could you put a price tag on something like that?

I am so thankful for The Savvy Photographer, Marsha Mifsud, for creating such a unique retreat experience and helping me to make my dreams come true!!  In less than one year, I am living far beyond what I could have dreamed! Average sales are $1600 per client and that is a figure I NEVER imagined I could fetch. 

Check out my post from the workshop:
Who Said Learning Wasn't Fun?

Thank you Dyan!!

The next Alys Beach workshop is about to be announced! The dates are April 30- May 3, 2014...click here to learn more. Email thesavvyphotographer@gmail.com to add your name to the pre-registration list.

thank you Millers Lab!

We are excited to add another prize to the Digital Goodie Bags for those attendees that sign up for the Savvy Studio Workshops before September 16th! Thank you Millers Lab for giving each of the attendees this wonderful gift...each girl will get a custom wood USB box and custom wood USB drive from Millers! We love that lab! And I'm sure you will all love the custom boxes!! Hurry...you only have 5 days left!! Click here to see the other gifts in the Digital Goodie Bag and to sign up!

The Savvy Studio Workshops...coming soon!

I'm so excited to bring the Savvy Workshops to Atlanta...and they will be held in my own little dreamy space, The Savvy Studio. Having the opportunity to host them here means so much to me...it's the closest thing to welcoming you to my home...yet a space devoted just to inspiring others. I will be offering mini workshops monthly here along with photographing my clients on the weekdays.  Weekends will be devoted to workshops and styled shoots at the studio and around town. If you would like to join us (which I hope you do!), email me at marsha@thesavvystudios.com to get your name on the sign up list. Those on the list will have the first chance to sign up for the limited seats at the workshops and styled shoots. 

I look forward to meeting you, inspiring you, and spoiling you will a great learning experience. I think I've learned the art of mixing business with pleasure when it comes to the Savvy Workshops...learning should be fun and the environment should be a beautiful, peaceful space...with lot's of new friendships formed and information to fuel your focus!

Laura Winslow Swag from the Savvy Workshop 2012

We all love some swag...and our lovely Savvy speaker, Laura Winslow, brought each of our attendees some sweet swag! She gave each girl a bag filled with goodies from some very generous vendors...thank you Laura and thank you to the following  sweet vendors!

Print from Laura Winslow

Addie's Attic

Fanciful Frames

Handmade by Jennifer Chase

h-bphoto.com

Selah Design and Co

And a big thank you to Mya Bruce Designs for the sweet giveaway of the photographers necklace to a lucky attendee!

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We were so lucky lucky to have Laura Winslow join us as a Savvy speaker! She was a delight to be around and we loved learning from her!! You can read all about her workshop experience today on her blog...Laura Winslow Photography blog. And here's a peek at her Instagram pics...and yep, we were having a blast...you can tell by the pics!

Are you ready to attend the next Savvy workshop?

Monday is the day...we will announce the speakers and the details of the next Savvy workshop! I can give you a few details now...

The location~ Alys Beach, Florida (we LOVED it there!)
The dates~ February 22-25th, 2013 (still not confirmed dates but will be confirmed by Monday)
It will be a three night stay and two full days of learning plus 2 half days...and it will be a life changing week for you and your business! 

The ticket sales will start at 1pm EST Monday, October 29th.
If you are on the "pre sign up list", you will have the chance to purchase your seat before it opens to everyone. Email us at thesavvyphotographer@gmail.com to have your name added to the list and please put "workshop" in the subject line.

The Savvy Workshop 2012 had fabulous reviews from the attendees... here's what some of the girls had to say: 



The Savvy Workshop was much, much more than a business investment for me. I learned, laughed, cried, laughed some more, cried some more and made some truly amazing new friends. I brought back so many new tools to incorporate into my business - the hardest part is figuring out where to start! I cannot recommend this workshop enough. This is something you must not miss!

- Alyssa Albers
Alyssa Albers Photography

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The experience I had at the Savvy Sisterhood Workshop was so positive and inspiring. I really went into the workshop ready to learn all about business - I didn't think about the"sisterhood" aspect, but it had the biggest impact on me. From my own housemates, to the other attendees, to the speakers -everyone was so honest, open and giving. It was invaluable to be able to talk with a wide variety of speakers and learn the business from many different aspects. These speakers gave so much of their time and continue to offer it after the workshop is over.  I love that I am now part of a small community of photographers that are constantly looking to improve and be inspired. I really enjoyed so many aspects of the workshop and continue to enjoy the camaraderie that it offers even after it is over. Not only did I walk away with an an extremely large amount of new information that changed the way I look at photography, but I met 30+ women who share the same passions and struggles that I do. That is invaluable. 

Brooke Nussbaum
This Little Light Photography

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I attended the Savvy workshop with apprehension, as I had been in business for almost 4 years and what I was doing was working well enough.  I committed to attending because something was missing in my business, I wasn't totally sure what was missing, but it was. As I arrived, I immediately felt taken in and welcomed by some of the top photographer business women in the industry.  They were very
available to answer questions both during their talks and even on break.  One of the best things about the workshop is that the speakers never felt detached from the event, they were very connected and honest with both their successes, struggles and failures.  The workshop was amazing and I would go every year if I could!

Jennifer Burns
Jennifer Burns Photography

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I had such an amazing week at the Savvy Workshop!  This is definitely one of my favorite workshops I have attended since starting my business five years ago.  Marsha is amazing at planning this event, down to every detail.  The location was absolutely gorgeous - I am dying to take my family back for vacation and/or plan a girls trip with my friends!  The speakers were fabulous, approachable and ready to share!  I loved the variety of topics and the small, relaxed dynamic of the group.  Thank you, marsha, for making the workshop so fabulous!

Haley Birkelbach

Haley B Photography

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The Savvy Sisterhood Workshop is a lady photographers dream!  It was amazing to be around 20 plus like minded woman, who own and operate their own photography business.  Although there was photo talk the entire time, it didn't feel like work!  The environment allowed everyone to learn, discuss and reflect.  I know for me, a wife and a mother of 3, quiet time to reflect is rare & priceless.  And to have woman who "get it" to bounce ideas off of was incredible.  This workshop was everything that it said it would be and more. The deepest connection for me was meeting mommies that were juggling it all.  We all gave each other personal advice and support.  Amazing!!  Marsha Mifsud has a gift for bringing people together.  By the end we all truly felt like sisters.  I will cherish my time at this workshop forever.  It was a game changer for me!

Loreta Washington

Earth Tone Photography

Savvy Workshop 2012 Mpixpro

Finding a lab you love is one of the most challenging parts of running a photography business. They produce what you create and if that product isn't high quality, then you fail your client in delivering a superb product. When I found Millers and Mpixpro, I knew I had discovered a great find. They have continued to amaze me with their great customer service and top of the line offerings. And when two of my favorite photographers and 2012 Savvy workshop speakers, Jamie Schultz and Laura Winslow,  are Mpixpro experts, I knew I wanted them as workshop sponsors. They kindly agreed...and went above and beyond! Not only did they sponsor Jamie and Laura, they also gave a Savvy reader a full scholarship to the Savvy workshop and another lucky reader a partial scholarship to attend! Their donation gave these girls a chance to attend and if was a life changing workshop for them!

They sent lots of goodies for the attendees to see and also sent tons of giveaways for the attendees! I want to send a big thank you to Mpixpro for the kindness and generosity!! 

If you haven't found your lab yet, give them a try!!

 To learn more about attending the next Savvy Sisterhood workshop, visit the workshop blog. We would love to meet you there!!

Savvy Workshop 2012 images

Jamie Schultz showing the workshop attendees how she works her magic with a client. We loved watching Jamie shoot and teach us how she interacts with little ones and engages them. Our models were great to work with! 

 The attendees and speakers during the beach shoot in Alys Beach. 

Each of the attendees had the chance to have head shots done while at the workshop. The picture below is one of our attendees being photographed by me with the help of Leslie Kerrigan.

The styled senior shoots were so much fun! Leslie Kerrigan from Seniorologie did an amazing job choosing models, styling them from head to toe and having a makeup artist do their hair and face...and she chose the perfect outfits from the clothing company Altar'd State. Here's a peek at some of the images from one of our attendees, Beth Glisson. Next week we will show all of the images and give you the details of all the shoots...stay tuned!

The Savvy Sisters- Alys Beach 2012 Workshop

I love that we captured a picture of all of us girls!  

Here's another peek at some of the fabulous workshop attendees and speakers...there's more to show...so much more...but I have out of town company that just arrived and I've got to be the hostess with the mostess this week...I'll blog a little...but I've got so much to share it might take weeks!

I have to tell you all about the swag bags and wonderful goodies inside from the super wonderful vendors!

Keep checking back for all the juicy details.

See the picture below...that was the sitting area outside of my bedroom at the workshop...yeh, it was dreamy!