When we were elementary school teachers, we had a pretty simple philosophy: education is serious business, but learning should also be fun — a lot of fun. Why? Because laughing does more than open our mouths. It opens our hearts and minds, too. Plus, if you’re going to listen to two people talk for two days straight, it better make you smile, right? Right.
Or, as one of our attendees said at the end of this workshop:
I have trouble paying attention. Normally in situations like this, after a while, I start looking around and counting the lights on the ceiling, but I was so glued to what you were saying that, this time, I didn’t have to count the lights.
That, in a nutshell, might be our favorite testimonial. Ever. Because it encapsulates everything we wanted our classroom to be when we taught fourth and fifth grade — and it’s everything we want out new classroom to be today: a place where everyone — everyone — can feel safe to laugh, learn, grow, improve, be and do more than they ever thought they could.
This was our eighth workshop in less than sixteen months. From the outside in, you might be thinking, That’s a lot of the same thing over and over again. Aren’t they tired of it? Or bored.
watching businesses, marriages and lives change forever doesn’t get old
[ezcol_1half]The answer? We’ve never been more energized. Because watching businesses, marriages and lives change forever doesn’t get old. Seeing moms spend less time in front of their screens and more time with their kids because shooting better in-camera and editing faster than ever before doesn’t get old. Meeting high school and college students who are juggling AP classes and sixteen credit hours while building a business on the side doesn’t get old. It gives us hope. That in a world that’s doom and gloom these days, there’s a next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and industry leaders with hearts to love and serve people well.[/ezcol_1half][ezcol_1half_end]Hanging with husband and wife teams and helping them get on the same page and attack a common goal together. Witnessing that kind of unity, that oneness, take place. It doesn’t get old. How could it? That’s what makes looking at these sixteen faces so special for us, because they represent so much hope and promise and possibility, not just for themselves, but for all the clients who haven’t met them yet. To those clients, whoever and wherever you are, we just have one thing to say: these sixteen are preparing to meet you; and, when they do, get ready to have your socks knocked off, because they’re foot soldiers in the “love and serve” revolution — and you’re next.[/ezcol_1half_end]
So, without further ado, from Washington, Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts, here’s the eight graduating class and newest alumni of the AJ Workshop.
From left to right: Row 1: Michelle, Alex, Erica, Elizabeth; Row 2: Jessica, Brittany, Lauren, Mary; Row 3: Jennifer, Julia, Iris, Jon; Row 4: Lauren, Ryland, Tiffany, Michelle.
Now, let’s get to the outtakes!
Amy: Did Jordan just pass gas in the middle of the workshop?
Amy: IS HE PASSING GAS RIGHT NOW?!
Jordan: Look, you in the second row, passing gas is a normal part of life.
Amy: I think he’s embarrassed, you guys.
Amy: He won’t stop. What do I do?!
Amy: Something weird with my hands, apparently.
Posing. Jordan’s FAVORITE part of the workshop.
Now, a few posing tips…
Tip 1: Make sure to demonstrate so your clients know exactly what you want them to do.
Tip 2: Try not to pass gas while holding her that close.
Tip 3: If you do, make sure to give her a warning so she can cover her nose.
Tip 4: If it was a good one, congratulate yourself.
If you get bored, play Marco Polo out of water.
Caught her!
Time to pass gas again.
NO MORE!!! PLEASE!!!
Amy’s smiling. Because she’s passing gas. Right now.
Life buddies. Gas buddies.
In all seriousness, if you want to get your clients to pose naturally…
… you have to cast a spell on them.
Step 1: Point your wand high in the air.
Step 2: Spread the spell everywhere!
She looks WAY too happy. And guilty. She must’ve just passed gas.
Keeping her back to the attendees. Smart.
And the clients. Well played.
No comment.
Enough joking around. Time to learn camera stuff!
And hang out with new friends 🙂
The desert styled shoot is always a highlight for the attendees!
Standing behind Amy after a day like today = a mistake.
Group photo Number One!
Group Photo Number Two!
Jordan: Okay, I’ve had it up to HERE with the fart jokes.
Amy: Annnd he did it AGAIN!
Jordan: Let me explain…
Jordan: There’s an art to it. The gas-passing.
Time for head shots!
Laughing. Maybe because we’re gas-passing.
Ready to start winning in your photography business? Join us at the next AJ Workshop!
Our May 2016 workshop sold out before we could even announce it online. If you want to be notified as soon as the next dates are announced, sign up here and we’ll add you to our priority access list for the next one, and send you some helpful photography and business tips and tricks in the meantime to get you started.
Still on the fence? Click the links below to see why over 125 photographers in the last sixteen months have invested in the AJ Workshop.
2. Past Workshop Recaps
