Thank you all for your words of comfort and virtual hugs. I came to you from a very vulnerable place and your words held me strong throughout some pretty dark hours. Some comfort came from learning that since he was an organ donor, my cousin's heart is beating for someone else. This bit of news calms some of my anger.
I wasn't nervous co-teaching with Clare as much as I was hosting our first duo workshop in my town. Clare and I jive. There is only support and care. Genuine interest and zero drama. We work through things at different or similar paces, depending, but always with the understanding of the greater picture. In this case, the workshop, the attendees, the info dispersed and the well being of everyone. Debriefing over Prosecco each night was also a genius idea...eheheh

Over the course of the few days we had planned, the attendees participated in 5 different themed photo shoots, visited the Charleston farmers market and had dinner at Lana for on-location shoots. It was intense, and yet we made sure to have plenty of downtime to enjoy the beach house, the waves and the gorgeous weather all the while editing and sharing tips over wine and cheese each evening .
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We tried to create vignettes and photo opps at every turn of the house, providing the attendees with lots of props and surfaces from both our studios and finds that Clare had scored along the road trip from Seattle to Charleston. We might have packed more than our husbands would have liked to carry up and down the stairs but at least we had plenty to play with for 3 days!
I love Charleston. I love everything about it. The people. The places. The artisans, artists and farmers. I also love everything that is bizarre and antiquated about this town. I love how forward and backward it can be at times. Thus, my worry that the attendees would only see certain facets of Charleston and miss the good details. I needn't worry. We had an amazing group of smart, talented and beautiful women join us on this workshop. I fell in love with each and everyone of them for their generosity and wit. I left the workshop exhausted but completely inspired.
Kuddos to our super awesome assistant and kitchen manager Laura who kept us well fed and organized. Could not have done it without her! It was pretty much non stop action in the kitchen. I can't believe she's moving at the end of the month!!
I am really glad that Clare, her husband Joe and their pup Nina stayed a couple of days after the workshop. Our husbands developed a similar friendship to ours while we were at the beach house workshopping. We knew they would. They are awesome guys...!
I was curious to see how our pups would bond and no surprise there either. They loved each other. Bailey and Nina had a great puppy romance. Full of love bites, nips, runs and even sharing a bed a couple of times. Tippy, the older dog was pretty much unphased but give a dozen years, I am sure he would have fought Bailey for a spot next to Nina...


Gave us the chance to discover new and fun places to go back to like Black Tap Coffee Shop. A new favorite of mine.
Here are some of the posts written by the attendees about the workshop. Thank you ladies, it was an honor!
Shannon at No8Photography.
Paige at Simple Expressions.
32 comments:
What an incredible time! If I was able to travel (very pregnant), I would have LOVED to have attended and learned all I could from you. You are such a talented photographer Helene.
I wish I could have made this workshop happen. Time, money, life, family, small child, other side of the country were all in my way of this amazing opportunity. Just wasn't in the cards even though I would have LOVED to be there!
I can only imagine how the participants felt and how much they learned and will always cherish this gift you gave them! WOW!
Thanks for these pics :)
It's good to hear you're still well. These photos are really something! Gorgeous photos, so beautiful, they make me stop. :D
Have a beautiful day since you've proven with your camera how beautiful life really is.
Very cool! That really sounds like a dream getaway, for me at least. Just from your pictures and the story of the workshop, I picked up a few ideas.
Great photography! I wish I could do a workshop on photography. Never enough time. One day I will so hopefully I can take beautiful pictures like yours.
Wow... your post takes me back. What a fun time we had learning. Pam and I also found Black Tap on our way out of Charleston... so good, and a bit of a Portland vibe:)
Thanks again... beautiful photo essay of our workshop and Charleston.
Helene,
My condolences to you. I'm sorry for your pain. I've only driven through Charleston, but it has been on my list for years now. I can't wait to someday get up there and spend some time. Your photographs (as usual) are stunning, and only serve to stoke that fire for me more. Hope you continue to remember the good.
All my best....
Denise
This post made my perfect day even better. This day is to be in love with. Thank you.
Someday I am going to attend one of your workshops...
Lovely. I have only been to Charleston once, several years ago. Your photos make me long to return.
One day just one day.....♥ to you...
First, I am sorry for your loss and am glad you're doing a bit better. Your pictures are so beautiful, it looks like you had an amazing time!
I am so sorry for your loss. Your pictures are absolutely incredible and it sounds like this event turned out fabulously.
such posts always leave me aching for more...wish I could have been there!
I love the photos there is hope message in all of them.
Thank you so much for sharing. Sincerely, Yami.
What a charming place! Hope to visit one day:) You captured it very beautifully...
Oh how amazing this workshop event must have been! How I wish I would be able to make it to one of your workshops in November, but if all goes well I will be taking care of a newborn then :)
I'll keep my fingers crossed that you and Clare have another workshop sometime next year!
Many hugs to you and your family.
This was food for my soul.Thanx
Everything about this looks like an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing the inside scoop with us!
I wish so much i could come. meanwhile i am halfway through pixel to plate and improving all the time.....thanks
Charleston is such a beautiful town. I spent there 1,5weeks in April this year ad I must say that was the best business trip so far :)
Greetings from Poland.
Art. You picture it's
Wonderful photos! I do like this workshop. I
Wonderful photos! I do like this worshop because it shows the beauty of everyday life and the things which surround us every day.
Ann Peters
www.goalrainingen.nl
Oh my good these fotos are so amazing. I really love them.
It looks like an incredible and wonderful time.
Your pics look great! I'd love to attend a workshop like this, but haven't quite figured out how to get info about them (other than from recaps after the fact) :) So glad you went to Black Tap! That was opened recently by a good "friend of a friend" of mine. My boyfriend and I checked it out when we were there a few weeks ago. He seems to be doing well!
Also, while I'm not quite up to speed about what you've been going through, my heart goes out to you. I hate to see people in pain over a loved one. You're in my thoughts.
Love the colours in the photos!
Leila: most photographers doing workshops posts them on their site (look at the navigation bar under my blog title) or has a FB page or Twitter page that you can follow.
amazing pictures and beautiful place! and that chocolate cake up there is awesome!
When will you be doing another one there? I would so love to come. Everything is captured so beautifully in this post. The words and the pictures.
Angela: Click on the link in the navigation bar about workshops. They are all listed there. There are 2 more in November. Although already sold out, we can add you to the waiting list.
Thanks.
This is really nice. I hope I can attend one of your workshops soon.
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