Earlier this year (February, to be exact) while roadtripping to photograph an engagement session, these text messages with my studio manager (Erika) were exchanged:

Me: “I’ve decided imma host a retreat for photographers in savannah this May. 3 nights; teaching, branding photo swap, simple styled shoot. Yeah? Good idea?”

Erika: “100%”

Me: “Any interest in being my wingman if we can work out the dates?”

Erika: “I wouldn’t let you go without me!”

And this was the start of The Good to Gold Workshop that we hosted for 8 photographers in beautiful Savannah, Georgia this past May. 

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My heart in planning for this workshop was always rooted in wanting to share everything that I knew as a photographer and business owner, as well as providing an over-the-top incredible experience for my attendees. After traveling in from Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and California, the girls were welcomed to the flat with swag bags (many thanks to Megan of Delighted Calligraphy for the most beautiful handlettered nametags), a charcuterie spread and delicious “paloma” cocktails made by the amazing Erika. 

After settling in, we all walked down for an ice cream treat at the world famous Leopold’s. From that first night, I knew this was a super special group of women and that our time together would be well spent!We kicked off day one with a biscuit bar for breakfast, which led into a very full morning and early afternoon of teaching time. For our first two education blocks, we talked through finding purpose, branding, marketing, pricing and sales and client experience. 

After our third block of teaching time that was all about styling invitations and wedding day details, we all headed up to another flat where the girls were met with the most incredible styling bar that was put together by the most talented Chelsea of Blooming Branch Creative (fun fact: I photographed Chelsea’s wedding many years ago…definitely click here to see what she created for her own wedding…she really is an incredible visionary AND cares about every little detail). 

Each attendee received her own little styling kit to take home that included a set of small ceramic dishes, a velvet ring box and a spool of silk ribbon, as well as a custom created invitation suite made just for our workshop by Megan of Delighted Calligraphy. 

We were spoiled by The Locust Collection to use the most beautiful styling mats, ribbon, risers that they sent over. I own several of my own mats from this company…the quality is unmatched. 

Seriously, the invitation suite and custom vow booklets were to die for.

After our styling practice time, we all loaded up and headed to Bethesda Academy for the most stunning styled shoot led by Chelsea with Blooming Branch Creative. It was everything I could have hoped it would be! 
It was important to Erika and I that each attendee get individual shooting time for each vignette that we had available. 

I spy Cali Stott (right; Charlotte based hair and makeup genius) doing touch ups on our model. Love you Cali…still can’t believe you drove all the way down from Charlotte to be a part of this!

The shoot itself deserves it’s own post, so keep an eye out for that soon! Here is a very small sneak peek!

There aren’t appropriate words for the gratefulness and honor I feel to have had this team of vendors on my side for this shoot. I really can’t wait to show you more of their amazing work. 

VENDOR TEAM: Blooming Branch Creative (design/styling) | Ladies of Lineage (gown/accessories) | Cali Stott Artistry https://www.calistottartistry.com/ (beauty) | Ivory & Beau (florals) | Vanilla and the Bean (cake) | Delighted Calligraphy (paper) | Nuage Designs (linens) | Eventworks (rentals) | Callan’s Classics (vintage car) | OMJ Clothing (groom’s suit) | Emi Conner Jewelry (rings) | The Balloon Wrangler (balloons) | Megan Annaliese (model) | Locust Collection (styling surfaces) | Enfield Post (stamps)

Day two proved itself to be quite interesting, as I woke up that morning realizing that I had lost my voice….just about completely. I had felt it starting to go the day prior, but never in a million years would have thought it would have landed where it did. You can imagine the stress I felt, as I had a full day of teaching and leading a workshop ahead of me! Somehow we all managed. Me, drinking a million cups of hot tea (made lovingly by Erika all day long), throwing down honey cough drops like it was my job and “whisper shouting” as loud as I could throughout the day. The attendees, scooting in as close as they could for our teaching blocks and just being so very gracious and patient with me. By day’s end when we were heading out for dinner, they all agreed that they couldn’t remember what my actual voice sounded like anymore. Oh boy. 🙂 It took me four more days before I got my voice back! This was a great living example of doing the best you can with what you have. Lol. 

Seriously though…I couldn’t have asked for a group of ladies that were more kind, fun, motivated and hungry to learn than these 8 were. All of them had hearts of gold and I count myself blessed to have gotten to know them!

Okay, on with the day. We kicked off day two with impromptu “confetti headshots” with their confetti poppers that were in their swag bags before heading out and about in downtown Savannah to explore and swap branding photos with each other. 

How gorgeous are they? Not to mention, they were champions as we sweated our way around town. Mid-May in Savannah is QUITE WARM. 🙂

Our teaching times for day two were focused on Workflows and Systems, having boundaries, taking care of yourself, fighting imposter syndrome, creating goals and business planning.

After a shopping and coffee break we all headed to Forsyth Park and Jones Street for a session with the cutest and sweetest of couples. Again, each attendee got her own individual posing/leading/shooting time.

Just a couple pics that I took of them.

Gosh, do I love the charm of Jones Street!

Once the shoot had wrapped, we headed back to Forsyth Park for our “Surprise Activity”, which was a luxury picnic with drinks and charcuterie! It was the cutest little set up that let us relax and chat before heading to our final dinner. 

Y’all, there are just no words for these two. Erika and Chelsea – there is no way I could have done this without you both. The workshop wouldn’t have been a tenth of what it was without you. You both served your butts off for me and for the attendees….for days on end. I am grateful to have you in my corner, for your friendship and for helping me to make my dreams come true.

THANK YOU…a million times, thank you.

Thank you to one of our attendees, Laura Greear Photography, for the kind words in her review of the workshop (READ IT HERE) and sharing of her images from the wedding styled shoot!

If you are interested in receiving information about future Cheyenne Schultz Workshops for Photographers, click here.