http://www.rachelvanoven.com/shop/

In my eyes, behind every great success is the wisdom of their mentor.

~

Years ago, when I set out on this artistic path of being a portrait photographer, I knew that what I needed to learn would be out there for me, but not within the confines of a university setting. I knew I wanted to work with children, this is where my heart has always been. I also knew basics about how to work with my camera in a technical matter. What I needed though, was an awesome teacher who could show me the ropes at what a session flow was like for a pro. Learning a bit more about light, styling, post-processing and those details in between I hadn’t even thought of yet.

Thankfully, in this age of the internet, it isn’t too difficult to find information, but it is seriously like finding the needle in the haystack if you’re searching for true value. Knowing that there is a lot of info that should actually be avoided when it comes to safety with children, I never bothered with YouTube videos – I went straight to the source

Years ago, while browsing on Facebook, I came upon an image by Rachel Vanoven. Her work spoke like poetry to my soul. It was authentic, making me feel equal parts cozy and hopeful. There are only a handful of photographers who move me in this way! For the past 4 years I’ve followed her journey… watching her family grow (but it’s not weird that I know the names of all the kids in her immediate family…) and photo style transform (to only become more increasingly awesome by the day!). When she began sharing material online for the hopeful photogs like myself that were asking “how does she do it?”, I knew my prayers had been answered! This seemed like the best way to have a peek into the mind of a baby whisperer! (and my assumption was right – relaxed baby is now my middle name in the game) 😉

When the release of her newest newborn workshop, I knew I had to jump on board. I already owned her first which covered basics and had me feeling comfortable enough to shoot a free session for family. In the time in between, I worked hard, applied my best efforts, and continued my education with one of Rachel’s best friends, Erin Tole. By the time this new workshop rolled out, I knew a bit of fine-tuning couldn’t hurt. But wow, was I blown away!

http://www.rachelvanoven.com/shop/

The material Rachel has shared with the latest eWorkshop covers all the bases and offers you the best view of everything from start to finish. From preparation, to posing (& how to properly handle baby), to all that technical mumbo-jumbo you seriously cannot execute a professional photo without.. it is ALL there! She shares a list of favorite vendors, answers questions directly from other photographers and is so extremely thorough when explaining her approach. Whether you prefer to learn by reading, watching, or listening, this package is truly complete to please all of your senses. Tons of photos, a great amount of video, and a very clear written packet provide you everything you need to be well on your way.

What this guide does not do is give you a magic wand to make yourself an instant millionaire or supremely popular and sought-after by thousands of customers (although I know it is possible to produce some magical artwork after witnessing this woman in action!). With any online program that is a do-it-at-your-own-pace kind of gig, it can easily sit there on your computer forever if you do not give it the attention it deserves! What worked for me was scheduling quiet time to sit down and watch the videos while taking notes. It was very helpful to be able to pause and jot down major points. Having an accountability partner, or sharing the news that you are embarking on a new learning journey certainly helps to keep my ducks in a row. Do what you need to do to make this worth it, for you!

Making minor adjustments to my own workflow bit by bit was key, making sure to bring presence to all that I do and be sure that each step brought me closer to producing the outcome I was desired.

http://www.rachelvanoven.com/shop/

Thinking about the transition that has occurred when looking at my body of work the past few years has me filled with so much emotion! I’m humbled, glowing, and smiling with happy tears because I know I did this.

I saved up my money to pay my own way for every lesson, camera body or lens, all of the props and blankets. I have given all of my heart and many late nights to this profession. What it has given back to me is immeasurable. Community, and sacred connections has been one of the greatest highlights.

There is an online tribe of women around the world who I now have contact to in an instant – I love Rachel’s private Facebook group because in there are ladies who are hustling just like I am, and we lift one another up, help motivate and inspire. Having access to a space like this is worth the majority of the price alone!

Whether you’re a hobbyist, or a professional looking to receive a bit more clarity, this is the perfect fit for your needs.

If you are looking for a teacher in the newborn or family field, seriously, no excuses!

An in-person workshop out of your budget? This is so much more affordable! Cannot carve the time out of your busy schedule to do 1:1 mentoring? Here’s a solution! Already invested a lot into working directly with a professional and just need to brush up on your skills?

This. is. it.

Mommies (or daddies!), photographers, and all of my fans, if you are even in the least bit intrigued, I point you in the direction of –> Rachel’s Facebook page <– where you will find an EPIC sale for Black Friday about to reveal itself (precisely at 12:01 AM EST on Friday, November 27th). This would be an ideal time to invest if price is holding you back. But seriously, just do it regardless of the sale. Invest in yourself. Invest in your dreams. Make that shiz become your reality! Sometimes we just need a helping hand <3 I’ve found mine here 🙂

~

If the stars align, I will attend one of Rachel’s in-person workshops and check that off my bucket list – but until then, I have gotten a taste of the best. When she opened the floor for us to share our reviews, I thought of all the people I know that have asked me for guidance. Being that I am not yet an educator/teacher I now have a place to point all my friends and fans. Even if I wanted to keep this all to myself…

I do not see other people as competition, we are all in this together… I only hope every newborn/family photographer holds themselves to a high enough standard that education is an absolute must.

When there is content like this out there in the world and I think of all the people who take responsibility to be a better business, it gives me all the momentum I need to pause, push the infinite to-do list aside, and just write. So I write because I see how hard this woman has worked to birth this creation into the world, and I want to celebrate her success. I write because every photographer deserves to know. I write because photographs are essential to honoring a life well lived, and us photogs should strive to create timeless galleries for our clients/families.

I hope this gives you that push you may have needed! 🙂

Enjoy this photo below of a before –> after of my own newborn work.

In gratitude,

Brooke <3