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 speakers are announced!

I'm so excited to announce this wonderful panel of speakers for the 2014 Savvy Sisterhood Alys Beach Workshop! 

Tomorrow I'll tell you more about each speaker and what they will be teaching the attendees. We are thrilled to have these talented ladies join us! 

Registration will be open on Thursday, Dec 19th!

If you would like to be on the email list to have access to early registration, email me at thesavvyphotographer@gmail.com (subject line...Savvy Workshop). The prices for the workshop start at $1400 and go up according to the size bed you choose. There is a VERY LIMITED number of beds at the lower price range. The bunk beds are the lowest price and we only have a few to offer. If you are wanting to attend and save money, consider sharing a king bed with a friend!

Here's a quick introduction and links to learn more about the speakers...they each have so much valuable information to share with the attendees and we have such a wonderful location and agenda planned!! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for this workshop! 

Meet the ladies~

Laura Winslow (website & Facebook page)

Kara May (website & Facebook Page)

Tamara Burross (website & Facebook Page)

Kimmy Howard  (website & Facebook Page)

images by Kimmy Howard

image by Tamara Burross

image by Tamara Burross

image by Tamara Burross

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.

Meet the lovely Lisa Furey!

It's Friday...and I'm ready for the weekend!
I'm so behind on posting my photographer interviews...and it's my favorite feature on the blog. I love getting to know more about people and how they were lead to a career in photography.
Today we are welcoming Lisa Furey to the Savvy blog!
I'm so excited Lisa will be joining me in Atlanta soon as a guest speaker at the Savvy studio workshop! *(we have a few seats left for the workshop...grab them while you can...it will be a wonderful two days of learning and some great styled shoots!)

Will you share with us how you started your career in photography?

It was the pending adoption of my daughter that brought me into the photography community in 2008.   It was at this time that I began blogging.  Once I started to visit other blogs, I was completely consumed by the amazing photos.  I wanted to have photos like that of my own children so I retired the Kodak point and shoot and picked up my first dslr.   Like so many, it started as a hobby and just for fun, but then it became a true passion.   In 2009 I took a few classes and found out what a camera could really do once you turned the dial past the little green box.  Within the next year, close friends and family members began to ask if I would take photos for them.  At the same time, online friends and other bloggers were asking me to share what I was doing to my photos and how I was achieving certain looks.  After a few months of wavering back and forth, I began teaching and sharing my approach to photography.  It has been an incredible experience on so many levels.  I get to do what I love, give other people photos they love, and teach photo enthusiasts how to go out there and take pictures they will love and treasure forever.

What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

My favorite subjects are my children…. or any children for that matter.  I love to capture their beauty, their innocence, and their spur of the moment actions.   I also find food photography therapeutic and fun.   I really enjoy being in the kitchen and love to cook, so before I go in for the first bite, I will often photograph what I am about to eat.

What do you think makes your business stand out from the other photographers in your area? 

I have a very outgoing yet approachable personality, yet I am always up for a challenge.   I like to explore and look for new locations and places to shoot so that everyone has a unique experience.   I never sit still and continually try to learn new things so I don’t become stagnant in an ever changing and fast paced industry.  I also try to stay true to my style and to myself instead of trying to be everything to everyone. 

Who or what inspires you as a photographer?

Children inspire me most, but so do soft colors, pretty light, and clothes.  I know it sounds funny, but when I am shopping and see certain outfits, I can visualize the photo shoot in my mind.  So it starts with an outfit and progresses from there.  I also like to frequent antique malls.  Here in PA we have more than a few and sometimes I will get lucky and find a gem.

What are you favorite products that you offer your clients?

There are so many great products available, but very large canvases are my absolute favorite.  They have such a WOW factor and there is nothing quite like delivering them and seeing the expression on a client’s face when they are staring at their loved ones in large print.

I adore your blog, The Long Road to China... when do you find time to blog?

I try to blog late at night after my kids are tucked in or first thing in the morning while the house is quiet and I can drink my coffee and collect my thoughts. 

Do you shoot with Canon or Nikon?

I am a Canon girl.  The very first camera my husband purchased for me was a Canon EOS 40D.  Since then I have upgraded twice and currently, I shoot with a 5D Mark iii.

Favorite thing in your camera bag?

This is a tough question to answer.   It changes from week to week, but for now I have to say that my 135mm f2.0 lens.  It is just DREAMY.

What's your Savvy indulgence?

A good red wine, an Italian pastry, or shopping of any kind!

Will you share with us the proudest or most memorable moment as a photographer?

There are so many wonderful things that have occurred over the years because of photography, but I think the most memorable moments come from the emails or phone calls from prior students who want to express and share that they have also found passion in photography.   One morning I woke up to a beautiful note written by one of my former students who now has a booming business.   She went on to thank me for getting her started all those years ago and for giving her a good foundation and the confidence to go out there and start a successful business of her own.  There once was a time that I doubted myself and my abilities and whenever I am having a bad day or get down, I pull out that little note as a reminder.   I love that I can help others find themselves in photography.   It has brought so much joy to my own life and it is so rewarding to watch others find their joy too.  It keeps me going and striving to be a better person and photographer.

Lisa uses the beautiful actions from Florabella and will teach the attendees at the Savvy workshop her editing techniques and will show the Florabella actions in use.

Thank you Lisa! 
You can see more of Lisa's work on her blog, The Long Road to China and 2HipChics.

Happy Cyber Monday...save 20% at the Savvy Store

The pressure was on to offer a sale today! Everyone was asking so here it is. Save 20% off today at the Savvy Store...great day to stock up on frames (hint, hint..great client gifts!) or grab a new style flooring for your shoots! Use the code cybersale and the sale ends tonight at midnight. 

Love these Chalkboard Labels from Lia Griffith

How cute are these! And they are a free download at LiaGriffith.com. 

Oh my...look at the tags below...love these! Another free download from this adorable blog... LiaGriffith.com 

The new Foil Collection at Minted

We love the new foil collection at Minted! If you haven't signed up with Minted before and you join now, Minted will give you $25 toward your first purchase of $50 or more! Also they are running a special and it ends today: 15% off holiday card orders $150+, 10% off $100+. Code: BELLS  

Join today to get your $25 credit...Minted.com. 

The Amazing Abby

Sometimes we feel compelled to share something. And today my heart tells me to share this. 

Abigail Smith. A 23 year old photographer dying of terminal cancer. Only 23 years old! 

You can read more about the Amazing Abby on her FB page. She is spending her last days telling her friends and family goodbye...with such grace and bravery. 

You can watch her video here...or below...be prepared...it will change you. 

Terminal Cancer Wasn't In My Plans from Andrew PC Smith // SMITH PIXELS on Vimeo.

Need a little "Photography Spark"?

Our friends at Photography Spark just released the Photo Boost Action Set today...21 actions that we love! Click the picture to see more of these beautiful clean actions! 

"Add spark to your portraits with this 21 action collection. This is a perfect foundation for a wedding or portrait photographer. The Photo Boost Photoshop Action Set intends to create professional quality photos so you can earn more per print while spending less time editing."

Save 20%! Special launch pricing is just $39 through November 19. Click the image above to learn more.

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Do you need the "recipe" to rank higher? Photography Spark has a great SEO COOKBOOK. Click the image below to read more about it. 

SEO Cookbook for Photographers. 23 easy recipes to rank higher.