Wow. Where do I honestly begin with The Reset Conference that I recently attended? This conference was life changing for me… literally. I know it may sound silly to some that a photography conference could carry so much positive weight in my life, especially if you are unfamiliar with it or aren’t a photographer that has attended before and I completely understand that. But, I mean every word… it was life. changing. This was my first year attending and it was worth the investment. THAT previous statement is the understatement of the century! I’m literally looking forward to next year with so much anticipation (in Waco, TX!!! and this year’s just ended). Incredible is the only way I know to describe it and that is not even close to enough.
For starters, I hit the road with the best company as we traveled to Lexington, KY! Two local photographers that I admire and am so grateful for, Ashley Shy (Ashley Shy Photography https://www.facebook.com/ashleyshyphotography) and Mallory Jackson (Mal Jack Photography https://www.facebook.com/maljackphotography). They are talented photographers beyond belief but are even better friends. We had such an awesome time together. I am so thankful for friends that live in a very similar world as me, that just get it. Friends that are so relatable on so many levels that are truly committed to living the community over competition mindset. Valuable.
Learning alongside of them and so many other photographers from around the world and learning FROM them was just so awesome! I’m SO thankful I made the choice to attend. The investment was pennies compared to what I walked away with, and that says a lot because… well, it ain’t cheap, haha. I have never been more confident about a choice than I feel about having attended this conference, ever.
We took full advantage of the opportunity to have FUN together and to soak up all of the knowledge we could. And of COURSE, that involves updating each others headshots! Here are some from the set I did for Ashley Shy! Isn’t she gorgeous?
So, what IS The Reset Conference? It’s a conference specifically for photographers from around the world and is a huge educational opportunity. It is a week of fun, learning, photographing opportunities and just truly the chance of a lifetime to dig into all you want to learn about photography. (http://theresetconference.com/)
My first shootout was a gorgeous mommy and me duo! Being away from Reagan for a whole week was hard. This session had me all in my feelings because I value pictures like this personally so much more since becoming a mom. I encourage all of you moms to take all of the pictures, book all of the sessions, savor every second… it goes by WAY too fast!
I am committed to being the most phenomenal photographer that I can be and I truly believe that if you ever get to a place that you don’t think you need further education then you are way too comfortable. I know that I am a great photographer because I have put countless time and energy…. and money… into my education, but I also can humbly say that I strive for educational opportunities because I know that there is always something to improve. I am honestly so proud of that and hope that my clients are able to see that their investment with me is more than just the images that they receive. Of COURSE I want them to love their images, it is the total end goal of our relationship together, but I want them to love their EXPERIENCE just as much!
What does that mean to me? I want my clients to be comfortable in front of my camera, even if it’s the first time we’ve met. I want them to trust wholeheartedly that their images are going to blow their expectations out of the water, even before they’ve seen them. I strive to bring the same clients back for all of their photography needs because they know in their heart that their investment with me is worth every dime, every single time, and, I’ve learned that the education that I seek and participate in behind the scenes of my photography business is worth knowing that booking with me is worth it.
Next up for my shootout opportunities was a 2pm family session that stole.the.show. Y’all, just LOOK at this beautiful family! You get to choose the shootout opportunities that you participate in and I just really love to have families in front of my camera. Give me all of the education and practice because I want to nail these sessions every time!
It’s not all about the perfectly posed, gorgeous, smiling family… It’s the moments in between full of laughs, dancing, hugs, twirls. It’s the messy and the chaos… the mom and dad that never get pictures alone anymore. It’s the entire experience for me that I’m focused on and it’s being confident that even when a family with multiple kids running in different directions gets in front of my camera, that I can still provide images they will cherish forever.
Have you ever had that session that you just felt your insides tied up in the tightest of knots all throughout… if you’re a parent you know what I mean. You spent hours getting those outfits perfect only for Susie to refuse to nap (of all days right?) and little Johnny to want to run full speed into dirt during your session! It’s the baby that’s hungry and you feel like all you had was chaos… but then your gallery hits your inbox and all is right again? Your mind is like HOW DID SHE DO THAT?
THAT is my goal every single time… THAT is what I strive for with Ashley Dorton Photography. I’m committed to it, friends!
Last up, the golden hour. And all of the photographers said AMEN! Golden hour is the hour of all hours for photographers… it’s that gorgeous glow across the horizon as the sun sets in the evening and it’s a small window of time where you really have to be ready to take advantage and make the magic happen. For obvious, aforementioned reasons, I HAD to take this shootout opportunity! This session was taught by Mallory Jackson and I am honored to call her a friend! She did amazing and I am humbled to say I was able to learn so much valuable knowledge from her!
It’s no secret that 2019 was not my year, and honestly, 2020 wasn’t much for me either, but The RESET Conference was more than photography for me. It was a true reset, professionally and personally. I left so encouraged and confident that life is not what happens to you, it is what you make of it and that is exactly the mentality I am choosing to live in moving forward.
I went into it with photography-based expectations but I left with so much more. I felt challenged, in GREAT ways, professionally and was able to hone in on areas that I’ve been wanting to improve on for a while and in areas I wasn’t necessarily looking to improve on, but am of course thrilled to feel more confident in all areas. What surprised me about this conference is that I felt challenged personally. I expected to leave The Reset Conference an improved photographer and I found SO MUCH value in attending this conference in that way, but I left a better person too. A more confident Ashley, a more driven photographer… excited for the future and expectant of the great things that are to come! This was a true reset opportunity in more areas of my life than photography and my heart is so full from this trip!
This mountain of education that I received was worth far more than I spent to go, the memories I left with were equally valuable, and the reset in my heart feels amazing, too. I’m making huge changes in my life after this conference and I can’t wait to share more on that. I am so excited for where my photography business is heading and I am more grateful than ever to be the one behind the camera here at Ashley Dorton Photography.
Love you guys!
Xo,
Ashley
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