Months and months of saving. Weeks and weeks of planning. Hours and hours of driving. Minutes and minutes of waiting.

I pulled up to the restaurant where we were supposed to meet for lunch. I showed up 30 minutes early…simply to make sure I was on time. Fix my hair for the 10th time in the bathroom, and try to calm my grumbling stomach down : P

10 minutes later all of that time spent dreaming, wishing, planning, prepping, saving, etc….was here. She walked towards the table….I was biting my lip so hard to remind myself to keep it together. “Kaitlin…don’t scream in her face. Don’t cry again, she will think your even more crazy….hand her her gift and dear LORD don’t drop it or smack her with it.” Lol….all true thoughts running through my head.

We sat down to lunch and within 30 seconds of our conversation, I felt myself completely relax, let go, and allow my eyes to convince my brain of where I really was.

I had finally made it to my VERY OWN Coaching Session with my most favorite photographer in the world: The Fabulous Katelyn James.

 

Before we go into how amazing and what a dream come true this day was for me…lets start by showing you a little inside look at my travels and preparation. First and foremost, my entire closet and shoe line made the trip with me. You can see that post here. Second…I made sure to INSTAGRAM my trip down here….basically, it was digital proof that this day actually happened once it all sinks in. Third…I felt this day was worthy of some car chalk and my drawing skills….OR shall I say, LACK THERE OF!

 

 

Yes…I am totally obsessed, crazy, and a freak. This I know. BUT LOOK HOW GENUINELY EXCITED I AM!!!

Anyway, this day went way beyond meeting an idol of mine. I had the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with a professional educator in our industry. I got to ask my questions I prepared for her, and receive detailed responses focused directly on me and my business. When I needed hands-on guidance during the shooting portion of the day, she was right there showing me how to adjust settings, pose, and guide me when I was doing something incorrectly.

I have NO PROBLEM admitting that I am a slow learner. I ask a lot of questions, constantly get lost or confused, and am often frustrated when I feel left behind. Basically, I feel down right STUPID for not catching on as fast as others. Katelyn was SO INCREDIBLY patient. sShe obviously couldnt teach me everything or show me everything in just one day that has taken her YEARS to learn and perfect herself, but her patience with me and her constant reassurance and FAITH in me kept me going.

I would NEVER have even taken my camera outside in FULL SUN, NO CLOUDS at high noon. But Katelyn looked around, found a spot…explained why it would work (natural reflectors and all) and shot away as if it was the “easy shooting” golden hour. We practiced using back light, trees as diffusers, and concrete as natural reflectors. We went over body positioning to make you look and feel fabulous. I mean who would have thunk that if you shift all your weight on your back leg, lean forward, tilt a little to the side…that you look like a completely different person (and about 20 pounds thinner: P) ?

She took me to spots that I would NEVER shoot in. Or lets say, HAVE THOUGHT to shoot in. The pictures below…were taken on the side of the road by a field, a parking garage wall, and the top floor of the parking garage surrounded by construction tape, men and vehicles! But yet…she showed me how you can shoot anywhere and make a beautiful picture. With amazing light, and the correct lens to create the perfect mix of bokeh….we could take a “side of the road tree” or “an under construction garage”  and create magic.

 

All three of these locations….mixed with Katelyn’s BEAUTIFUL face….just amazing!

 

After a lovely Starbucks trip for some pumpkin spice lattes we headed back to her ADORABLE home office to talk shop. We talked branding, website, blog, lightroom, workflow, post processing, lenses, and vendor services. SHE WENT ABOVEEEEE and beyond to have a whole file prepared on me….research as she called it : P. In it were color samples of my sites and branding. Textures. Ideas for improvement with font, etc. She really, really invested herself and her precious time to guide me in a cohesive and confident direction. Katelyn was so sweet, but gave it to me real when she came across things that could use some “sprucing” or “removal”. hehe

I embraced every piece of constructive criticism and left with self professed homework and assignments. I took notes as fast as I could and was excited to leave with my pounding head ache. It meant I was OVERWHELMED…and thats a good thing! I learned. I absorbed. I still have a lot to process. But the important thing in all of this…I learned.

I can not recommend a Coaching Session with Katelyn James enough!!!! I have thought about many workshops….and they all sound lovely. I am sure I will still take a few….but this individual time…this one on one connection…its TRULY life/business altering. This investment in my business was one of smartest things I have done for KNP. Not only do I have so much information to share with other growing photographers, but I have all these wonderful new resources and skills and information to share with my clients. ESPECIALLY MY BRIDES!!!

I am just so beyond grateful to EVERYONE that got me there. I am so thankful to Katelyn. I am so grateful to my husband Michael for helping with the kids so I could attend. I am so thankful to Katelyn’s husband Michael for his awesome water/ cookie skills, his vacuum skills and his pillow mountain skills to contain my little buddy Bokeh! (Katelyn’s PRESH puppy : )

I am one blessed woman and I cant wait bless others by paying it forward. Thank you for a wonderful day Katelyn James. As if I didn’t love you already….goodness! : P