artful chaos 2017

it is time. time to announce my one and ONLY solo workshop this year!

I HATE calling it a workshop because it truly is so much more than that.

this artful chaos will be a little different than last year. last year I said it was "senior inspired/focused" but in the end what I realized was we pretty much covered everything, no specific niche. bottom line, what we do at an Artful Chaos weekend is more so discovering YOU. Friday evenings we all meet up and have a chance to visit and get to know one another. we have dinner together at our home for the weekend (when I say "home" I mean... "ARE you kidding me we are staying HERE"), when dinner is done, we get our jimmies on and open the wine! we will sit around a camp fire and get into a few prompted discussions where I am working hard to peel through your layers and get back to the WHY. I want to know why you are here. we dive into each of your creative souls and really focus on how you see and feel your way through the world and everyday life...once we discover who you are as a creative, we can best navigate you through what you are doing as a photographer. Friday night is full of deep thoughts and conversation and lots of laughs.

Saturday we take our time visiting over coffee and get dressed for the day...starting it off with headshots so you can SEE and FEEL what it is like to be on the other side of my shooting...then we spend a full day dealing with the "business" part of your journey. we unearth the WHY behind your motivation (or lack thereof). Whats that saying?? "whats a goal without a plan...simply a WISH" we are NOT here to wish ourselves success...we are here to put a PLAN in place and get you going on the right path. we will do things like sit together and work through a year marketing schedule, we will work on welcome emails or website wording, pricing, etc...we will have several open discussion opportunities as well. my main goal for Saturday is to put processes into your workflow that help you lessen the burden of "work" when you get back home. you will get a TON of info...but if I send you home completely overwhelmed...what good does that do? so we spend the day discussing and IMPLEMENTING what we work through. then like a REAL workshop should be... we are back to the wine and relaxation part! ;)

Sunday we go into Austin to explore a little of "classic ATX", grab a coffee, stroll the streets, shop, visit and enjoy the morning with candid open talk before we meet up with our models and spend the evening shooting and portfolio building. we will work on posing, directing, communicating, finding light and adding movement and EMOTION to your images, etc.

This year will be a little different simply because of our AMAZING location!! This place is a highly sought after "glamping" experience that up until now... with a little begging and pleading of myself...no photography has been allowed at. BUT we get to not only stay there, but we also get to shoot amongst the yurts, vintage airstreams, and spartan. SO we will be doing headshot and shooting our models on location!!! THINK FREE PEOPLE & ANTHROPOLOGIE come to life through our lens!!

**MODELS will be chosen upon request...what does that mean? it means if you want to shoot a senior, we get seniors...if you want to work on family posing... we bring in a family! this workshop is about YOU!! I will talk with each person who signs up and hear your heart before I finalize the details because I want to make sure everyone gets exactly what they want out of this weekend with a "Spanki twist"

I hope you join me in AUSTIN!!!

May 19-21 / Austin, TX

I am in!

reserve my seat $450.00 USD pay in full $1,450.00 USD

*Dinner Friday & light breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday included.

*Payment is NON-REFUNDABLE, if you can not attend you may sell your seat...there is typically a waiting list to this workshop.

CHRISTINA // mentoring

when you mentor with me...we get to play and do really fun headshot! :)  

for those wondering what a mentorship is like...well YOU decide that. I am an open book so before we meet I will visit with you to get an idea of where you are struggling, what you are searching help out for and how I fit into that picture. we typically spend half a day talking business and mapping out goals to get where you want to be and the other half of the day is spent shooting a model and YOU and then fishing up with workflow and client process. Don't let me forget to mention LOTS of good eating, visiting, and laughing is had!!!

KALLIE // arizona

Artful | the retreat

This past year I had a rough year... I shared a little about it HERE. I was lost in what I was doing and lost sight of WHY I was doing it. I got swept up in playing it safe t make people "happy" all the while I was losing my love for my work and was sinking in a pit of self doubt and confusion. I was ready to give it all up because I really didn't even know who I was as an artist any more. I was so busy trying to make sure I was doing right by everyone else I ended up HATING what I was doing. SO, like I have said before, I ALWAYS feel there is good that comes from our dark moments... and the good from this is that I have come out of it with more clarity and have found my happy place again. I have talk to a few people about it and many have asked that I share with them what got me in this place and how I found my way out.

Whether you are just starting and don't know where to begin or if you have been in business for a while and feel like you are just in a creative rut.... I am here to help pull you out! It is so easy to get lost in who you are with so many amazing new photos popping up in your newsfeed. Or to get started admiring another photographer and using them as inspiration so much so that you forget what your OWN creative voice sounds like... I KNOW. I have created a full 5 days of self discovery, creative clarity and renewal. We will dig deep and open your eyes, heart and mind to what your inner creative is trying to speak, we will come up with ways to get your business out in your community and attract clients that value YOUR ART, and more than even that, you will have a week of bonding with other photographers who are struggling in the same way. The one thing money can not buy, beyond the shiny new equipment, past the perfectly thought out business cards, and deeper than the website you have designed....are FRIENDS who GET IT. A safe haven of friends you can be YOU and share your struggles, joy, fear and excitement with. We are going to experience AUSTIN, eat good, work hard, and have a week that you can walk away from CHANGED. JOIN US.

This will be FIVE days of learning but not really a "workshop setting" we will talk shot non stop…no question will be left unanswered…BUT it might be answered on a boat tour or while we are shopping the quirky shops of Austin for inspiration for our shoots later that evening. We will get our hands dirty and BUILD…yes ladies, bring those muscles…we are going discover ways to build our own "sets" and I will show you how you can change up your shooting even without a studio.

There will be 4 full (maybe more) sessions that will challenge you with your shooting and help build your portfolio to SHOW what your creative potential is to your inquiring clients. We will shoot styled shoots, natural light shoots, lifestyle shoots, and we will play with OCF and include some element of fun like fire, smoke, water, or…all of the above! I will show you how to communicate with your clients to have more creative control of your sessions and how to search out those clients who will BELIEVE in you and TRUST you enough to guide them in their session, and as result appreciate YOUR talent enough to PAY for it. We will go over marketing, and you will have access to ALL my workflow templates and you will COMPLETE them so when you go home all you have to do is add your images! We will also do your head shots so you show YOUR personality.

This is going to be a TON of fun but a LOT of work crammed into a full week so pack your bags, kiss your family goodbye and join me in AUSTIN TEXAS for a week that will change the way you view your business!

**ASK me about FRIEND discounts! :)

My 2014 workshops are now 5 day long retreats! My first one being in my NEW city:

AUSTIN, TX

SEPTEMBER 18-22, 2014

visit my WORKSHOP tab for more info and to reserve your seat!

testimonial from Rosie

Meet my sweet friend Rosie with Reflections by Rosie...she was kind enough to share her story of struggle, strength and perseverance. It's funny how much life has changed in a matter of two years. Seriously.

I remember tripping across Spanki's Facebook page for the first time.  At that time, I was a brand-new photographer.  I had been running my business for a little over a year, and had recently had my fourth child.  Things were going…well…okay with my business.  I had made a profit, but BARELY.   Definitely not enough of one to justify calling Reflections by Rosie a full-on, full-time, BUSINESS.

At that time, too, I had just wrapped on my second year of shooting high school senior portraits.  I was busy, but yearning for more advice on posing.  On locations.  On...well...everything!  I was fumbling through the dark.

I basically needed someone who was successful in senior portrait photography, and whose work I loved and connected with, to talk to.

In a bad way. :)

Then I found Spanki Mill's Photography page.

Spanki and I had a few things in common:  we are both photographers who are moms of four kids.  We are both strong in our faith convictions.  We are also busybodies, but in a GOOD way: we both like to keep our creative minds active.

We also had a few things that were different: she was rocketing to success in high school senior portrait photography.  She was also earning much higher numbers in sales than I was, and we were both in similar markets.

I needed her to teach me HOW THE HECK SHE DOES IT!  How did (and does) she market to this elusive group of high school seniors?  How does she talk to them in posing them that results in such natural-looking images?  How does she keep her business relevant and active in her community?

So, I e-mailed Spanki and signed up for my first "A Day With Spanki" workshop (one-on-one).

I remember my mind being blown, on multiple occasions, during my first workshop with Spanki.  She had such simple, but effective, ways to suggest marketing to me in ways that I had not even considered.   Being so new into the business, I was only thinking about the "traditional" ways to market.  I was forced to think about billboards (which I couldn't afford!) as opposed to looking at the businesses that are UNDER the billboards.   She also helped me to understand that I needed to focus my efforts on marketing to a specific KIND of high school senior, as opposed to EVERY kind of high school senior.

The posing part of the first workshop was wonderful; but honestly, I walked away with much more of a savvy business sense than I had anticipated prior to our first workshop.

After that workshop, I really dug in and focused on what Spanki had taught me.  I wanted to find local businesses that was consistent with what I wanted as a brand.  For my business, I wanted more a "fashion" feel to my images.

For a few months (no one said that it was going to be quick!), I contemplated, studied and applied what I had learned with Spanki for the first workshop.    I worked on making my images better and more consistent with what my "target" senior would want in their images.  I had also signed up for a Critique session with Angela Richardson from AMR Photography with the Chic Critique Forum so that I would have another photographer whose work I admired's opinions on my images.

Then, Ella Zane Boutique opened.   I was totally, and completely hooked!  The boutique was perfect- very modern looking clothes with a classic feel.  The inside of the store felt very much like something you would see in Los Angeles (where I lived prior to moving to the Houston area).  Clean lines, amazing clothes, sweet staff….I was in LOVE!

I remember the day that I met the store's owner, Jessica.  I also remember how flabbergasted I was when she asked me to photograph her whole line!

Score!!

The rest of the year was a total whirlwind.  Seniors started booking me at a much higher rate than before.   I had increased my rates; and I was making money; but I was starting to teeter on the edge of burnout.  I remember feeling both happy that I was seeing success, and sad that I wasn't spending the time with my family that I had wanted to anymore.

In other words, I was starting to become a victim of my own success.

Fast-forward to this past November: Spanki wanted to hold a workshop in Galveston.    When she asked me to be her hostess, I was flattered and excited, as a refresher course was something that I needed (full disclosure: I had also taken a course from Alicia Caine of Profit First Photography that was helping to re-establish equilibrium in my business and personal life).  Helping Spanki plan the workshop was a lot of fun, and the fact that Spanki was local to me probably made it easier, too.

I was excited to meet the 9 other photographers who had signed up for Spanki's A Day With Spanki.   Most of us were local to the Houston area; however, there were a few women who had commuted in from Austin.

The house- oh my gosh- was incredible.   The waves crashed right up alongside the house.   The interior decor was simple and modern…it had a California meets the Mediterranean feel to it with a little bit of a Swiss flair.    The living room where Spanki ran her class was perfect for the workshop- it was open, inviting (just like Spanki!).

The other photographers, though, were what really made this workshop special.   Being a one-on-one alum, I had missed out on the sisterhood that is A Day With Spanki workshop.  Each of these women brought something unique and special to the table.  Each had a story to share, and each had a unique perspective on photography, posing, and life in general.  Over the course of the weekend, we discussed SO MANY things that I will take back and use going into the future.   I was able to hear about Spanki's, and the other photographers, successes (and sometimes failures!).   The whole experience was both insightful, business-wise, and cathartic, personally-speaking.

Long story short, I came out of my second A Day With Spanki Workshop with both professional insight that I may not have grasped the first 'go round, but also with personal insight and friendships that will carry me through for many more years.  I also had a chance to really get to know Spanki again, and we learned that our lives continue to intersect in some amazing ways.  It was refreshing to level with Spanki on the business in a way that I was not ready, or capable, of relating to her on for my first one-on-one, and I walked away with a whole new set of ideas that I will take forward with me.  I was grateful that I had this experience- again- and I was appreciative of all that Spanki continues to teach me about photography, business, and as a friend in real-life.

In this crazy, chaotic and sometimes isolating business we call photography, it is wonderful to have friends who can truly relate with you on both a personal and business level.   I've learned that success isn't measured in just dollars and cents, but also how rich your heart feels at the end of the day.

SPANK.stagrams | real life

Life has been a little bit of crazy. A mommy of four means I have little time to just sit and do nothing... so what have I been up to lately?

1. My twins have had 2 major school projects which as you know turns into a "mommy project" I am happy to repost I can officially pass the 6th grade again! ;) (I am kidding, this time they actually did the majority of the project themselves... it is hard for me not to pull out my hot glue gun and glitter and take over, but being BOYS they seem to have an issue with me putting pink glitter on their class work...maybe my daughter will appreciate it more)

2. Yet another Valentines Day has come and gone... the hubby took me on an out of town road trip date day (ok so really that was just a fancy way of saying we had something to do out of town and threw in a "date" lunch) so we left a little something on the table so when the kiddos got home from school they'd have a little treat...candy, stuffed animals and Starbucks Mochas with a little note telling them "You MOCHA us proud to be your parents) yes people, thats as CREATIVE as this once very creative momma gets these days.

3. Our Valentines day road trip selfie. (really you all know car light is the BEST sooooo.... it was more about looking good in the light than capturing the moment) ;)

4. Oh did I mention that our Valentines consisted of walking property? Soooo romantic... funny though, our first Feb 14th SIXTEEN years ago was spent doing the exact same thing!

5. This past month I did another full day 1:1 mentoring session and they are FULL days to say the least, but so much fun. I LOVE getting to hear each story, dream, and journey.

6. We had an amazing model, Carly.

7. Not sure, but when I teach I clearly channel Vanna White and make it look pretty good...wouldn't you say ;)

8. And....it is select ball season again. This is one half of my duo, Brylen but on the field he is known as Ya-ya (because I love the Sandlot and it is just as cute as he is)

9. If it isn't baseball, or volleyball, it is running my 14 yr old from track practice right over to his 7:7 football practice... is it time for a margarita yet?

10. THIS makes all the running, laundry and stinky socks worth it.

11. Oh annnnnd.... Pretty Paysli had her very first speaking part in her 2nd grade play, if you couldn't tell by the very awesome and oh so elaborate homemade costume, she was a ladybug! (don't hate on my sewing hot glue gunning skill)

12. Pacen, the other part of the twin duo in this house... also known as Pac-man on the baseball field. He just eats it up...haha get it "pac-man...eat it up) yah I think I need that margarita now, I am so much more funny when I have been drinking! ;)

enjoy a few images of Carly from our mentoring day!

We are young...Dallas, TX senior

"Tonight, We are young, So let’s set the world on fire...We can burn brighter than the sun" We are Young by Fun

Toni. A Dallas Texas native. College Senior. Something was so magical about this session. I am not sure if it was Toni, or the first sight of that hazy warm sun that graced us, or the crisp weather... or a combination of it all. But THIS is the very reason I am a photographer. For the days that magic appears. For the clients that "get me" and can easily translate my vision into a reality. That allow my lens to catch a glimpse into their soul and allow my photographs to speak words that have never been spoken outside of the quiet of her mind. That moment that offers an unspoken connection between myself and the person I am photographing only to be interrupted by my lens. This is why I am a photographer.

SPANK.stagrams | Galveston, TX workshop

Image credit: Gretchen Blair

Another workshop weekend has come and gone. I am left with the "Workshop Mondays" ...the day I unwind from a fast and furious week of planning and organizing and a weekend full of FUN. Mondays are bittersweet. It is the day I get to relax and spend time with my family...but it is also a day I am left missing the new friendships I have made. It is a day I am reflecting on the weekend, that moment each person walked through the door with a mixture fear, excitement, doubt, insecurity and hope on their face. We hug hello and introduce ourselves.... but by the time we all part ways we hold on to those hugs a little longer. This weekend we shared our hearts and we opened our souls to one another. We are now forever a part of each others journey.

1. Hello papa.papa-razzi ...

2. some call it posing in the sun, others call it warming up.

3. The view out of the BED from our house. I will miss the crashing waves putting me to sleep each night.

4. My generous workshop host Rosie whom I mentored 2 years ago!

5. Ann. THIS is who I want to be when I grow up. LOVE HER!

6. Just taking some time to soak it all in on the beach.

7. Thank goodness for my awesome friend Shane AKA the STUD model!

8. Ashby doing what interns do, holding the camera and taking BTS iPhone shots!

9. Angela was a Simply Spanki girl turned in person workshop girl! so glad to finally meet her in person!

10. Layla taking a moment to capture the true beauty of our location.

11. Every morning we would all stand at the windows taking pics of the view!

12. Fun times with Gretchen at the shootout!

13. Laura sacrificed herself and the warmth to be our posing model.

14. Jen rocking out the light and the stud boy model...

15. Lacey enjoying time by the waters edge.

16. SHOOTING!

17. if you look close you can see our little dolphin friends who joined us for coffee.

18. It wasn't cold and windy...not at all! ;)

19. yes, we had a SELFIE portion to the workshop at the attendees request! They should all be professionals now.

20. Amy and Tisha, these ladies are a blast!

Image credit: Tisha Rackley

Image credit: Amy Jones  ...and love this image. sums up the weekend filled with reflection and dreaming.

can we be besties?

Have you ever wondered how I pick my workshop locations? How I get it all done sight unseen and MILES away from my home… well it would NEVER haven without YOU!

I asked my sweet friend Laura to do a quick write up on what it was like to be a hostess for "A Day with Spanki" workshop for you.

Spanki Workshop

I’m was strictly a wedding photographer when I asked to take a senior portrait, and instantly fell in love. It was like a girlie makeover day with outfit shopping, hair, makeup... the works! I knew I had found a passion. Showing teenage girls, on the age of woman-hood, how to be tastefully beautiful. I started tasteful stalking other senior portrait photographers blogs that I loved when I ran across Mrs. Spanki Mills. For a moment my world stopped. Her portraits, her lighting, her location, and her poses... seriously, they couldn’t get any better! I was her average social media follower for a few weeks until she announced she was hosting a workshop. All I knew is it was far away, but I going to do what ever I could to get both me and my daughter (who’s also a photographer) in that workshop.

After reading about the workshop details on Spanki’s blog, the last line caught my eye “Contact me if you’re interested in hosting a workshop in your area....” Oh. My. Word. I didn’t even second guess it. I emailed Spanki, probably sounding like a over-excited teenager talking to a movie star, “I adore your work and would LOVE to host a workshop if you’ll come to California.” In the back of mind thinking, she’ll never respond, and if she does, Texas to California is too long of a trip. To my surprise, she responded immediately with a “when should I be there?” response.

We set a date. That made things much more official and my first thoughts were, now what? Spanki made what could be a stressful idea, into a fun adventure. We both started to advertise the event. Once we had a final attendee list, now it was time to work on venue. As a hostess, part of your obligation is to do the leg work in your area. Spanki and I messaged each other 20-30 times a day (I’m not kidding), going over details. First where to host the event. From hotel meeting rooms, to a restaurant banquet room, to a house rental. Then food. We had chosen to rent a house so we chose to bring food in. The planning of what type of food. From where? Did they deliver and if not, how was it getting to the house? Supplies. We needed to fill the house of day-to-day necessities for a house that would home 8 women for a weekend. That meant shopping trip for me. And that was only lodging and food. I was so excited I even had t-shirts made!

Next we needed models and a shoot location. I scouted the area sending photos to Spanki of ideas. Once it was chosen, then we talked props. What ever we needed I was going to need to bring or build. I started my own model search. Since our attendees were a mix of family, wedding, lifestyle, and senior photographers, we needed a few of each. I ended up with 2-senior models, 3-mid 20’s female models, and 1-couple. With the help of Spanki, we hand picked 2-3 complete outfits per person. Not always is a hair and makeup artist brought into the event, but to host a workshop you HAVE to love planning, and to me this was to me part of the fun. I worked within the community of beauty consultants and had someone volunteer for hair and another for makeup, in exchange for portfolio building portraits of the models.

That was months of planning turned into a few paragraphs. Then the even weekend arrived. As the hostess, I picked up the keys to the house early the day since I knew Spanki was flying in late that night. I went to the house, delivered all the supplies, and made it feel a little more homey. Left the key hidden outside (that’s another story on it’s own), and headed home knowing the next morning the fun began. This entire time texting with Spanki back and forth letting her know how everything was unfolding.

Day of. Yes, it was here. Woke up to Spanki’s Instagram feed of “I’m in California!” I wasn’t sure who was more excited, me or her? As the hostess I had to make sure I was at the house a few hours before the workshop began. I brought bagels, donuts, fruit, and of course my Keurig machine. Arrived to see Spanki on the porch taking detail pictures of the house. We had talked so much about so many things for so long, but seeing her made it real. I was with Spanki Mills! We hugged with excitement and the weekend began to unfold like magic. All our meticulous planning and hard work had paid off and it went off without a hitch.

As the workshop attendees arrived and the workshop began, it was perfect. As a hostess, yes you have to be on your A-game and ready for anything but because how we had prepared, I didn’t miss a thing. I gained not only unforgettable knowledge of our industry, but a best friend. Thank you Spanki. You simply came in and changed our worlds.

So there you have it… it DOES require work on your part, BUT I try to help the best I can to make sure we make it a weekend to remember a LIFETIME!! I also forgot to post a few images of our cute little home away from home while we were there…

If you are interested in hosting a 2014 workshop in your area… email me with SUBJECT:  "Host a workshops in YOUR TOWN" and tell me how we can make it work there!  info{at}spankimill{dot}com

what is a one on one with Spank?

Well many of you saw a few images on my IG feed from my ONE on ONE day with Tiffanie and started asking questions. What is a ONE on ONE and how is it different than a workshop? A workshop, obviously is a group setting and is intended for those who are already started in a photography business, no matter what level you are at, but we do not go over the start up (like getting legal)… we dive right into pricing, marketing, clients, shooting and selling. It is a FAST weekend FULL of information and shooting. That is one thing so many, including myself love about the workshops too, it is a weekend FULL of laughing, learning and growing with friends. A ONE on ONE session is really for anyone, new or established, it is catered to YOUR needs and some people like the more slow paced personalized day. Some of  you learn better this way. We go over where you are and where you are struggling most before we meet so I know how to schedule our day. The shooting portion is specifically catered to help where you need the most improvement. Including going over camera settings and shooting in manual if needed.

The ONE on ONE is VERY similar to a workshop it is just formed to work around your personality and schedule a little more, that is all… and if you are interested in a TWO or THREE on ONE, let me know… you can make a fun friends trip to me….or I can come to YOU.

My day with Tiffanie went a little like this:

We met at about 10:00am ate a little and chatted, I love getting to REALLY know you and hear your story. I want to know why you reached out to me and how I can help. (we did some of this prior to meeting via email as well) We talked, and she took notes, we went over the tools and templates I use for my clients and shared my emails, promo pieces, and marketing ideas until we stopped to eat lunch. Then we started going over my client process (using the model we were going to shoot later that day) I showed Tiffany how I interact with my clients not only for booking but for location and styling to create a session we BOTH love. Then we packed our things up and walked around location scouting, looking at light and getting ready for the model. We shot our model in a few of my favorite locations and I challenged Tiffanie with lighting by shooting in a building, shooting in open shade and in full sun. I wanted her to be put in situations that my come up during a real session and help her problem solve while I was there to help so she felt better about it when she was shooting on her own. After we shot we went to dinner and while we waited on our food we uploaded our images from the day and culled… we rushed through our food because we were so anxious to start EDITING!!! here are a few final images Tiffanie sent me! WHAT WHAT…they are AWESOME!!!!

Since our day together I have been in contact with Tiffanie via email, going over any more questions she runs into along the way… when our day is over our time together is just beginning. I LOVE getting the opportunity to watch her journey unfold and take flight before my eyes.

"I had such a fabulous time on my day with Spanki. A tell all is exactly what you get. Spanki does not hold anything back!!! I feel so much more confident and I am ready to tackle the next aspect of my business!! Thank you Spanki"

If you are interested in a ONE on ONE  ( 2 on ONE, 3 on ONE, etc) email me and we will chat… I only open a few spots a year as it is a FULL and lots of emails and skypes through out the year. Can not wait to see what this next year has in store…

**to see my images from our day together look HERE

online marketing class

join me for an evening of fun. bring a warm cup of coffee or a fabulous glass of wine...lock yourself in a quiet place and just enjoy the evening with me. I will tell you my story and how I got to my breaking point and decided it was time to run my business and STOP letting it run me. I will go step by step in helping you think outside the box and reach the clients you only dream of without having to "sell yourself". We will laugh...we will cry...okay so not really (well maybe I will, I am a baby like that) we will take LOTS of notes and you will leave feeling like there is HOPE! One hour of "class" and one hour of open conversation... no question is off limits. JOIN ME.

workshops you say?

Well, why this surprised me I have no clue, but it seems like someone has opened the flood gate and all of a sudden my inbox is drowning in local workshop requests. I am not real sure why I have never really thought to host any aside from the Austin workshop... but here we go...

let the planning begin.

So here is what I am thinking and I REALLY need you to weigh in on the topic since this is for YOU. But some of you have said you'd like a workshop ASAP before the TX heat subsides and clients really start rolling in...others of you have said after the holidays would be better, once the season slows down a little and you can come up for air and have a pocket full of holiday session cash burning a hole in your pocket...because that is how it really is right? I am not sure about you but I never seem to have extra money laying around.

Any whooo. Let's stay focused and chat about what would work best...

IDEAS:

Before the holidays, like quick fast and in a hurry a workshop HERE... in my OWN HOME. Why not? kind of like a slumber party of sorts. I mean if you don't mind the luxury of sleeping in bunk beds, what is mine is yours!  ;)  I am about an hour and a half North of Houston and about 2.5 hours south of Dallas so if you need a workshop soon... this is a happy medium sort of!

Montgomery, TX: October 26/27th

Houston/Galveston area: January 25/26th  (location TBA) 

Dallas area: February 8/9th

**If you just want the SHOOTOUT and not the workshop, you can do that too, but because I like to try keeping it a one on one shooting ratio (or at least close) I will need you to reserve your seat to that as well so I have a headcount for models to get.

HERE is more info on workshop pricing and how it all goes down. $400 holds your seat!! (seats can be re-sold but not refunded)

Email me if you are ready to hold your seat. I am opening them up NOW since there seems to be so much interest. Hope to see you there!!! ----> info [at] spankimills [dot] com SUBJECT: city you are wanting to attend.

PS. If you are NOT from TEXAS, check out my next few out of state workshops...we have room for YOU!

SPANK.stagrams | Laguna Beach Workshop

Laguna Beach. "A Day with Spanki" the super cool thing about this workshop was it was a weekday workshop... so it was half the amount of attendees, it was slower paced (even though we were cramming it all in) and it was a little more laid back. We rented the most adorable house... one that was COMPLETELY different than the house for Monterey but just as much character and charm. So the girls met us bright and early and we dove right in. I cracked the whip and didn't stop for lunch until TWO! Thank goodness Denise brough her yummy homemade salsa to hold the two preggo mommas and the rest of us over!! We rode the trolly downtown and had a fun lunch, then met all the models and spent the rest of the day shooting! We headed back about dark and finished up the editing/workflow portion of the workshop before we parted ways... it was a FULL FULL day, but what a great time we had! I seriously LOVE my workshop ladies!

here are a few of the instagrams from our day together... if you want to see more from "A Day with Spanki" workshops visit #adaywithspanki on Instagram.

1. Misty and I started our journey from Monterey south. We had the entire day to make it to Laguna Beach...and we got to our house a little after midnight...we used every bit of our day!

2. We HAD to stop in San Luis Obispo and find the gum wall....eeeeew

3. After we "workshoped" we all took the trolley to down town Laguna, and stopped for lunch before we had our shoot.

4. Trolley Ride

5. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I show my girls how I pose a model I turn around and find this... I am in the line of fire! I think this post would probably be more fun if it were their "behind the scenes" of my crazy faces!

6. Stopped along our HWY 1 trip to take in the SUN...we finally had SUN!!! (this is way out of order)

7. SELFIES on the beach...this is what you get when you have a group of photogs at a beautiful sunset!

8. Crazy dog! doesn't mind heights!

9. Our little red convertible... this was the rental car Misty and I had... we were trying to fit in.

10. Group shot!!! I had a blast with these girls! Fun memories and friendships made!

SPANK.stagrams | Monterey,CA workshop

So, I m finally settling in after my week in California and getting my kiddos prepared to start another school year! I can not begin to tell you the amazing time I had in California! This time I brought my friend Misty with me as my assistant. We flew into San Francisco and had 2 of the girls (Sarah and Lea) meet us at the airport and drive us the 2 hours to Monterey. At sunset we took a little detour to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Pier. After experiencing west coasters argue over a parking spot (yes, the west coasters I was riding with...us Texans are so sweet compared to you people haha) I finally got to see my first California beach...and more importantly, lifeguard stand!!! We hung out for just a little bit before we hit the road again and made it to Monterey. We went to a little pub for dinner and had a BLAST watching people dance the evening away! I was a nervous wreck pulling up to our home for the weekend, you know renting sight unseen online is so hard, but OH MY GOODNESS we had the most adorable home ever (do I not say that for EVERY workshop) this house was out of a magazine perfect! So we got up early and got prepared and spent the day workshopping and shooting. I had an amazing group of girls join me and seriously can not wait to go back to visit them again!

Sunday we had a little time that morning while our models were getting ready to go walk around town (my first time out in the day light) to see!!! We saw REAL live SEALS! I am not even kidding! It was so magical. The shootout was PERFECT! Our models... I can not even put into works how great they were... you will see when I post their images! We had a local news anchor and her beau for our couple and OMG were they HOT! We even had a few girls aspiring to become modes some got into...YES, IN TO to the water that was ICE (what they would do for an amazing image) It seriously made for the BEST time! When we hit the bed that night we were exhausted but on a high from the past few days.

Monday started a new day and new journey as we drove from Monterey down the coast through LA and to Laguna Beach to the next workshop... images for the next workshop and the "real camera images" from this workshop are coming soon!!! Until then enjoy our instagrams and to see more check out #adaywithspanki on FB and IG.

1. I could NOT wait to see my first lifeguard stand on a California beach!!!

2. getting our workshop on! Gosh I talk with my (man) HANDS!

3. Sweet sweet Laura... my Monterey workshop hostess did an AMAZING job!!!

4. Shooting! We had a model get IN the cold... I mean FREEZING COLD water for us.

5. Behind the scenes of the girls shooting our amazing models.

6. One of the most fun nights I have had in a long time... we went to a pub and watched people dance!

7. The group out sight seeing.

8. Um. Why didn't I really "get" how cold it was going to be until I got there!!!

9. Shark weeeeek!!!

10. Misty and I looking for seals!.

11. Oh how I can not express how amazing our models were!

12. Me 'splanin how the shootout will work...bossy.

13. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Our house had to be the cutest house in all of Pacific Grove!

14. Mia and myself just defying gravity...or playing with the hill we were walking down!

15. Chucks and sea creatures.

and the BEST for last... yes we merged two images together... but this just sums up our time together... SO FUN!! (we are missing Aaryn and thanks to Misty who took this image)

Simply Spanki ATX girls weekend

So when the SIMPLY SPANKI group met up for a girls weekend in Austin, TX...obviously being a group of eight ladies PHOTOGRAPHERS... it was natural, we HAD to do headshots. Oh My goodness did we have a BLAST!!!

SPANK.stagrams | ATX workshop

Behind the scenes at the Austin, TX "a day with Spanki" workshop

1. friday night, Amy and I relaxing  and we are ready for the morning!

2. gave the models the camera!

3. Kelly shooting a model.

4. The entire group at Sundays shootout.

5. P. Terry's hamburgers and chicken burgers...BEST.LUNCH.EVER.

6. Lorena getting her shoot on!!!

7. Brandie, Kelly, Cheri, Amy and I on the streets of downtown ATX.

8. Food trucks and cupcake man! yes we got a few free samples ;)

9. HOMESLICE... best pizza in Austin.

10. Don't ask.

11. Yes, that is the assistants "Spanki list" and yeeees there is a reminder for me to wax my lip!

12. We had to try that one out... and it was goooood.

13. Brandie (the hostess) and myself at the end of the day!

14. I had a BLAST with the models!!!

15. ooop there we are drinking our f'heck yeahs.

16. Enjoying the evening at HOMESLICE.

17. shootout models were GREAT!

18. yeah...look at that muscle...oh wait...there IS NO muscle!

19. workshop workbook and task timer.

20. waaaait... I knew that 5 seconds on the timer wasn't going to be enough so I never stopped running, turned around, and reset! :)

yep, our house was amazing!!!

The Austin, TX photography workshop was ah-maaazing. It started the minute I stepped foot into the house. EVERYTHING I had dreamed of and more. I searched high and low for a house that I felt was the heart of my brand... THIS WAS IT. everything I am and everything I want my business to model was right here in this little 1,000 sq ft house that rested on a curvy tree lined road. even complete with the adorable kittle that just sat in the window seal the entire weekend. P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

CREATIVES

so much to say

WOW. there is so much moving and shaking around here! I wanted to give you all a little heads up as to what I am doing and where I am with some of my workshops and online events! First up: the Fresh and Beautiful: Photographers Guide to Makeup 101. This class is open NOT ONLY for photographers this is a great educational class on how to properly apply makeup! BUT for you photographers who are having a hard time finding a reliable (lets face it we BOTH have very busy schedules) artist or it is hard just to coordinate with an artist to come to your sessions... We are hosting a class to help TEACH YOU not only how to apply makeup to your client BUT how to help cut your editing time in HALF with proper application...sooo this is not only helping add value to YOUR business from a clients prospective, it is saving you time in post as well. FIND MORE DETAILS HERE!

NEXT on the agenda... AUSTIN workshop!!! it is almost here and it is going to be AMAZING!!! Join us April 20 for the full day workshop. Email me at: info@spankimills.com for more information!

ATX SHOOTOUT is open to ANYONE on Sunday, April 21st. Four hours of shooting on your own or watching me pose, instruct and shoot the models...add fresh work to your portfolio in ONE day of shooting. These shootouts are so much fun and a great way to get you back in your "shooting groove"!! email me for more info: info@spankimills.com subject:SHOOTOUT.

and LAST to chat about: SIMPLY SPANKI my three month online workshop. INFO HERE the next SS will NOT be May 1st as planned. After hosing my first session I am seeing how much we are as a group putting into this workshop. It is intense and FULL of information. We are getting all of our ducks in a row to hit marketing and wowing our clients, together working on pricing, and promo materials, shooting and problem solving. In a nut shell it is a TON of information packed into what seems to be a very short amount of time and to give it and YOU, my ALL... I want the time it takes to do so and feel like I'd be cheating you, myself and most importantly my family the summer if I did one during the time my kids were off... SO the NEXT SIMPLY SPANKI will not start until August 1st. Keep an eye out for registration as I do have a very long waiting list started and seats will be limited.

So that just about has it summed up. I am busy busy but very excited about all that we are working on and LOVING all of you I am meeting and becoming friends with!!! xoxo

2013 workshop dates

I am so excited for 2013. This year is all about helping others. I am an open book, ready to give you my heart, my hopes, and my dreams...and I am ready to hear and share in yours. Join me for my in person workshops "A Day with Spanki" in a city near you...don't see a city close by, email me (info@spankimills.com subject WORKSHOP HOST) about hosting a workshop in your neck of the woods! :)

The Sunday AFTER the workshop we will be doing a portfolio building shootout open to ANYONE. 10 models beautifully styled and ready to help you build your portfolio and use for promo pieces.

Austin, TX  |  April 20, 2013 (shootout 4/21)

Myrtle Beach, SC  |  April 27, 2013 (shootout 4/28) 

Sacramento, CA  |  May 18, 2013 (shootout 5/19)

Monterey, CA  |  August 03, 2013 (shootout 8/04)

South Jersey (Mt Holly, NJ)  |  October 05, 2013 (shootout 10/06) 

READY TO SIGN UP? Email me {at} info@spankimills.com with the CITY OF WORKSHOP in the subject. ex: Monterey workshop

CLICK on WORKSHOP tab to see the details!

more locations are being added... check back!