One year ago today I flew to Seattle, Washington to attend The Heart University Workshop, a five day retreat for photographers. I realized that I never blogged about my experience because, let’s be real, I didn’t prioritize blogging last year.

I was following a different photographer workshop for a couple of years prior, hoping to one day attend, but it never seemed to work out. Finally I got the opportunity, but it just didn’t feel right. The two photographers who led it didn’t seem to be THE photographers I should invest in. Photography workshops aren’t cheap, so I wanted to make sure that I was being wise with my finances. I didn’t plan on attending another one for at least a couple of years, so the one I picked needed to be IT.

After passing up the workshop that just didn’t feel right, I found Lindsey Roman and Evie Rupp on Instagram. There was something different about them. I was drawn to their photography style, but even more so their education philosophy and overall them as individuals. I felt I could trust them almost immediately. So when they announced they’d be hosting a workshop in the fall of 2019 somewhere in the US, I *knew* it was the one that I needed to attend.

I chatted with Matt, told him when it was, but that I didn’t know where it would be held, AND that as soon as it opened that I pretty much had minutes to sign up (their workshops sell out hella fast). He didn’t even ask the price and just said, “Do it.”

Think, Real World: Photographer Style, minus the crazy drama and one night stands. Ha.

“This is the true story of 25 strangers, picked to live in a house and have their lives taped (by a videographer for five days), to find out what happens when people stop being mediocre photographers and start becoming badass photographers.”

You’re welcome for that. Lol.

Attending this workshop was truly one of the best decisions I have made in my years of business. I’ll be honest though, I didn’t walk away with the things I thought I would: with a million new concepts that I’d never heard before, a new vision for my business or even feeling like a new person.

Instead, I walked away encouraged. I walked away affirmed. I walked away confident. I walked away full of joy. And I walked away thankful.

There were moments throughout the week that I *did* feel I was too late in the game (being 34) and seeing the success some of these 22, 23 and 24 year olds were having. But ultimately, I reminded myself that we all have a different journey AND that I too had great success in the past eight years. In those moments, I shifted my focus:

1.) How can I take (fill in the blank) and make it even better in my business?

2.) How can I encourage these women in their own self employment journey?

3.) How can I continue glorifying the Lord as a business owner?

While in the mountains, staying at a stunning cabin, we spent the week getting to know one another, learning from Lindsey and Evie, learning from one another, asking questions, critiquing one another’s processes/websites/Instagrams, photographing two beautiful couples, sharing life stories, taking photos of one another, laughing, drinking wine, dancing, crying and staying up way too late.

I’ll cherish this week and these ladies for all of my days. The Heart University workshop was life changing in the most unexpected, incredible ways.