Goodness! When we set out to create the AJ Workshop last November and teach ONE in Scottsdale earlier this year, we could’ve NEVER imagined that one would turn into SIX and two of those would be on the other coast! But this is the crew that made it happen! In the spring, Miss Erikka Mills reached out to us and asked if we’d ever consider coming to her hometown of Virginia Beach to teach a workshop. “Sure!” we told her. We loved the idea, but didn’t know if it would ever happen. “If you can find eight photographers to commit, we’re in!” Well, she did. FAST! Like, lighting fast. Within a week, she had a group ready to roll, so we emailed our exclusive email community and asked if anyone else was interested. Sure enough, within days, the Virginia Beach workshop that we hadn’t even planned on doing had SOLD OUT! Before we even announced it online! At that point, we had a problem — a good one — but a problem all the same: photographers from all over were emailing us saying, “Wait! You just announced that Virginia Beach was sold out and we never even got a chance to sign up!” So, that’s how we popped another workshop in Richmond, Virginia for the week before… and that one sold out, too! Is God so good, or what?! Two things we hadn’t planned on doing just, well, happened. And we couldn’t be more glad or grateful they did, because this group of fifteen photographers from Virginia to Ohio is incredible, and there couldn’t have been a better way to end our two-week East Coast trip!
Before we get started with a recap of the workshop, we want you to meet the attendees! From left to right: (Row 1) Courtney and Robert, Jami, Audrey, Courtney, Elizabeth; (Row 2) Sarah, Corrin, Laura and Michael, Erika, Jessica: (Row 3) Candice, Courtney and Robert, Christina, Judy, Laura and Michael.
Erika arranged for us to teach the workshop in a house… ON THE WATER! So this was our view for a few days! Confession: we never actually made it to the beach… even though we were in Virginia Beach… even though it was just a few blocks away… but we l-o-v-e-d this view, and we’ll catch the rest next time!
That view, though. And that pelican gnome, though.
We ACTUALLY spent most of Sunday night’s welcome event inside (because it’s HUMID in Virginia Beach and us dry-heat desert-dwellers could only breathe/not suffocate and be dry/not melt for a limited time), but we had fun for the few minutes we WERE outside!
You’re drowning in humidity, Jordan? Welcome to the South!
Amy’s shirtsleeves. Rolled up within seconds. Her hair. Going flatter and frizzier (how is that even possible?!) by the second. What’s up with that, Virginia?! How’s a girl supposed to survive outside!?
Then you have the locals. IN SLEEVES! And smiling! And not even drinking water. Just holding it.
Also, how CUTE are Laura and Michael together?! We just LOVED what they said about their time at the workshop:
“I can’t say thank you enough. Words can fall so short sometimes. They just can’t express our level of sincere gratitude for all the knowledge and wisdom you passed along. But also for all the laughs and encouragement, and inspiration, and hugs, and JOY. You two have such beautiful hearts and we are so very grateful for you both.”
To read THEIR full blog post about their entire experience, click here.
Day 1 got off to a typical start: Jordan says something outrageous to embarrass Amy. You know, just an average Monday…
Thankfully, the two husbands in the room thought Jordan was funny… which just added fuel to his shenanigans the whole time!
Left: I’m telling you guys, the bug I saw the other day, its antennas were THIS long!
Right: So you think it’s funny that I’m terrified of ALL the insects in Virginia, do ya? Well, my BITTEN UP arms and legs resent that!
It was all fun and games during the posing section… until Jordan realized that the two things over his shoulder WERE THE BUG ANTENNAS! Just kidding. But, seriously, the bugs were that big in Virginia Beach.
Jami clearly didn’t think it was a threat.
Somebody must’ve killed all the bugs in Virginia… and ended I-95 traffic. There’s just no other explanation for these giddy faces.
WARNING: the worst thing you can do, ladies, is egg Jordan on.
We felt so honored and humbled by what Erika and Audrey each wrote about their experiences at the AJ Workshop.
“I can honestly say I got 200% more than what I was expecting from this workshop. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t even hesitate. I’d pay double for this workshop because I really feel as everything I learned is WORTH that! I left with more tools to implement into my business that I’m not sure this time next year my actual business will even resemble where it stood Sunday. It will be so much BETTER and more FOCUSED. Stronger and more rooted in what matters. For that I am so thankful.”
Read Erika’s full post here.
“When I saw that they were coming to VA Beach to host a workshop, I didn’t hesitate at all! I was on that like white on rice! And boy am I glad I did! These past two days were everything I was expecting and more!”
And a HUGE thank you to Audrey for capturing a few of these behind-the-scenes photos for us, like the one below!
The styled shoot on Day One was UN-real. Amanda Veronee and her creative team knocked. it. out. of. the. park! If you need a floral designer in Virginia, folks, this is your girl. TRUST US on that one. We can’t wait to share more with you from this shoot soon!
Amy does such a great job of teaching and shooting at the same time. It’s never easy when you’ve got fifteen other cameras going, but she handles it like a pro!
And you can always find Jordan in the back somewhere. Talking. Helping. Laughing. All the things he loves!
And Periscoping! He loves giving people a LIVE behind-the-scenes peek at our life and what we’re up to, and we love giving our workshop attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the Croc Hunter! Wanna see what was ACTUALLY happening in this photo below? Check out the videos underneath! And, friends, if you’re not on Periscope yet, do. it. now. It’s tons of fun and it’ll give us a chance to connect with YOU whenever we’re out and about. Our user name is @amyandjordan. Hope to see you there!
Take 1: Behind-the-Scenes
Take 2!
THESE TWO! This photo! This might just be one of our FAVORITE #DemosSandwiches eva! Why? Because Caroline and Anna are two of the sweetest, beautiful, most talented, God-fearing women and loyal, trusted friends we have in this world. We couldn’t have done this workshop out-of-state without their help, and we’re so thankful for their real, genuine friendship and fellowship all the time. They helped us with everything from food to photos, logistics to scheduling, and everything in between! Thank you ladies!! We adore you. And we’re so glad we took this picture before Day 2 humidity took over!!
If it’s a hot, skinny, Vanilla (talking about the drink, not Amy!) latte in hand, it MUST be Day Two! On the second day, it’s ALL about how to get and sustain momentum in your business by loving and serving others and putting people first in everything you do.
It’s also about laughing, because laughter’s what makes the learning stick, we think!
There’s so much going on here. Where do we even start?! First, we didn’t teach with shoes on during Virginia Beach workshop — and we LOVED every minute of it. Second, we think this is what’s happening in the photo on the left:
Amy: I can’t BELIEVE he’s still talking about the bug’s antennas!
Jordan: I’m serious. Those bugs need to be put on a government watch list.
Someone must’ve killed a bug. Because that’s a pretty excited thumbs up!
Corrin thinks bugs are funny. Jessica’s helping Jordan think of an extermination strategy.
One of our FAVORITE parts of Day Two!? #DemosSandwiches! It’s worth noting that these were the HOTTEST #DemosSandwiches in recorded history. It was 100 degrees with 1,000 perfect humidity. That’s right. 1,000 percent.
But the group photo turned out SO cute! You’d never even know that we were all sweating up a storm! We love all of you guys and we’re SO thankful that we had the chance to spend a few days together! Keep working hard and hustling! You’ve got two people in Arizona who are cheering you on every step of the way!
Ready to take the next step in your business? You’ve got ONE MORE CHANCE this year!! We’ll be in Scottsdale, Arizona on August 31 and September 1 and there are just a few seats left!
Past Workshop Recaps
Feb. ’15 | Scottsdale
Feb. ’15 | Scottsdale 2.0
Mar. ’15 | Scottsdale
Jun. ’15 | Richmond
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A special thank you to Erika Mills for hosting us in the beach house and Amanda Veronee and the outstanding creative team that made our stunning styled shoot (that we can’t share yet!) come to life, and our generous workshop sponsors and partners who invested in our attendees with incredible giveaways to help them grow their businesses.
Creative Team
Sponsors & Partners
Showit
PASS
ExpoDisc
KISS Books
Two Bright Lights
Photo Mechanic
Blog Stomp
