do you ever have those moments- when in the midst of being surrounded by people you deeply enjoy, laughing uncontrollably, and eating good food, you stop for a moment and a sort of sadness creeps in?  when life is so bursting with happiness and you experience a moment that calls to the surface all the things you know this earth was originally created for? and that sadness, just a tinge, is the result of being unable to experience these moments every waking hour of every day. that was Clayton Austin’s Share the Goodness workshop I attended a month ago.

it wasn’t really about all the things i learned, though i did learn a ton. from clayton and from everyone else. but it was about a moment- that lasted a day and a half- where 8 relative strangers came together, and shared their work and themselves without restraint. a picture of the very essence of what we are all made for. a collection of beauty, coming together, and the result being an even greater work of art, a full installation.

i’m not sure how it all happened, i just know that it did. and i know that this experience has altered me as a photographer, an entrepreneur, and a person.

i am inspired.  and i want to foster similar inspiration in the lives of my friends, my community, and my clients.

this couple from the shoot at the workshop happen to be a pair of photographers themselves who are now engaged to each other.

and as for my new friends i made. i can’t say enough things about them. you should hire them.

athena. hilarious. and i mean drop-dead funny. there is never a dull moment with this girl- and she is most definitely my bohemian idol. i would pay good money for her to be my photographer, even if it just meant i get to hang out with her sometimes.

kelsea. so sweet and so encouraging. and probably, no, definitely, the most raw talent i’ve seen in a long time. soon she is going to be taking the birthing photography world by storm.

justin. so so witty. and my new hero. his photographs make me swoon and i only wish i was as cool as him. justin, i really mean that. when it comes to creativity- i think he is at the top of the list.

dave. my long lost soul mate. it won’t be long until i hop on a plane to minneapolis to hang out with him. he is generous and he didn’t go a moment of his life without saying something to crack me up.

tanner. humble. you wouldn’t know it, because he doesn’t flaunt it- but this guy has some ridiculous video talent. AND he does really cool gigs. his humble spirit was refreshing.

derrek. this guy has guts. (and omg his wedding videos- i wish i would have had him do my wedding) but seriously- he showed up to a workshop of photographers and completely rocked out. i just block from my memory that he was in my way the whole time! : )

clayton. i always find myself at a loss for words. from the day i met him 2.5 years ago- i have been amazed by his talent and humbled by his generosity. it’s no secret to anyone how much i have appreciated working with him, now in different capacities. i’ve written like 500 reviews about my experience with him as a bride, and could do the same about attending his workshop. he fosters an atmosphere of laughter, of openness, of learning. if you are a bride- hire him. if you are a photographer- attend his workshop, follow his work, whatever! thank you, clayton.

and now, onto the photos…