For Photographers – Nine Dots Workshop

Some might say, that attending workshops are a fun way to meet other photographers, get a chance to improve on one or two aspects of your business or just simply a way to reduce your tax bill! Well, yes to all three, but for me, it’s about having a much need kick up the backside and an opportunity to REALLY make my business be the best it can be. I was lucky enough to come across Adam’s work on twitter a few years ago, and ever since have been a truly loyal fan of his photography. I even remember begging him to do a workshop a year or so ago, and little did I know he was already hatching something as major as Nine Dots.

Adam, Mick, Rahul and Andy are four of THE most talented, creative and inspiring photographers out there. I know there are so many in this industry who do a rocking job, but I honestly couldn’t have wished for a more accomplished team to be heading what now feels like a family. The course started with an overwhelming barrage of information, coming thick and fast from all four genius minds, and I could barely scrabble it all down before the next bout was to come. I said to myself at lunch on Day 1, how can they possibly keep this momentum going? We’ve already learned so much and been given so much invaluable insight into how they run their businesses and what makes them tick! Well I needn’t have worried, as the rest of the day and Day 2 did not disappoint! We had the super lovely and talented Hannah and Michael as our models, who were tremendous to work with and who now feel like firm friends too.

What made this workshop a little different from those I’ve been on before, was, I went with a total open mind. I knew I was starting the 2015 wedding season as excited and geared up as every other year, but I also knew I really wanted to push my business to be as awesome as I have dreamed it to be in my head. I just didn’t quite know how. What Nine Dots taught me essentially was: Be Your Own Awesome. Create Your Own Awesome and Own Your Awesome. Sounds so simple right? Well, that’s because it is! I absolutely love and admire my fellow photographer friends’ work, but now I look at it with an entirely different perspective. I appreciate who my friends in this industry are, and how their business works for them. I know who I am and why I do this, and why I won’t ever be sad about not achieving a specific shot that is Mick’s signature style, or Rahul’s awesome way with light and movement, Andy’s ridiculously on point moment capturing or Adam’s passion for breaking all the rules. That’s cool with me now. I don’t need to try and ‘copy’ them. I know what makes my heart sing. And now I’m just focusing on absolutely nailing the images and moments I love, and bringing it to every wedding or shoot I undertake. I’m no longer afraid of failing. I am just going to ‘let that shit go’ and get on with the reason I started doing this job in the first place.

 Moments. People. Passion. Tears. Hugs. Laughter. Family.

That’s the stuff for me. Sure I have learned that I need to compose some of those moments a little better, work a little more creatively with light, and not be too ‘safe’ sometimes, but essentially I’ve remembered what makes me tick and why clients book me.

I am super thrilled to be attending Nine Dots Gathering in November, as it comes as the end of the wedding season for me this year, and will no doubt set me in good stead for what is shaping up to be a bloody fantastic 2016. Thanks 9Dots guys, you’re flipping awesome.

I took my camera along but mainly wanted to learn so I grabbed a few shots just to remind me when I look at them, how I felt that day and how much it inspired me. Here are a few of my faves :)