It was like a dream. Everything I had worked for, Victor had worked for, surmounted to this. Every year Victor and I set aside for our business expenses a budget for our continuing education in our craft and business management skills. This time last year we decided to go big. We believe in education and that there is always more. Our hearts are set on not necessarily being the best in our industry but serving others the best, so we took a chance and enrolled in a film workshop to take place in Normandy, France with renowned photographer Kayla Barker.

Funny thing, I had written in my bucket list to travel to a foreign country by myself, and here I was flying across the Atlantic Ocean for the first time–destination: Carsix, Normandy, France. We had shot a doubleheader (two weddings in a row) that same weekend, and a couple of hours later Victor drove me at 3 am to the airport to catch my flight. After several delays, caught in British immigration, lost baggage, and reschedule train tickets twice, I finally had made it. My wonder and amazement superseded my exhaustion. I couldn’t believe that I somehow managed to get there in one piece.

We pulled up to the Chateaux, and I tried not to cry because I had seen this place before. I quickly remembered all those times my little brother, and I would watch English movies always centering around the beautiful English Countryside. And although I wasn’t in UK territory, it brought me back to those moments of pretending we were in a castle and that we had acres and acres of garden beauty in our one bedroom apartment. Maybe it was the severe jet lag, the wedding photographer hangover or the fact that I had written this dream down several years ago when we started our business that pulled on my heart, but this was it, and I had arrived.

I can’t say enough how many times I felt this was a God-given privilege. I sat there in the biggest backyard I had ever seen in my life, and we dined at sunset with the most beautiful tablescapes designed by the incredible Joy Proctor with florals by Bows and Arrows. I kept saying thank you to God, the universe and to our incredible colleagues and teacher for making this experience one that would mark my life. I kept my mind, heart, and eyes wide open to marvel at the beauty of the French countryside while also being challenged to new horizons in my craft.

This is the first part of the workshop series I share, in the next entry find out 3 things that challenged my photographer perspective. {If I could share all of my captures, you’d be scrolling endlessly but here, enjoy}

Workshop Host: Kayla Barker
Design & Styling: Joy Proctor
Floral Design: Bows and Arrows
Guest Speaker: Style Me Pretty
Cinematographer: Ale Vidal
Hair and Make-Up: Honorine Makeup Studios
Paper: Written Word Calligraphy
Gowns: Yolan Cris & Jaclyn Jordanny
Linens: La Tavola Linen
Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes
Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic
Venue: Chateau de Carsix
Engraving: Paper Birch Designs
Candles: Creative Candles
Lingerie: Madeleine Fig
Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab
Film: Fujifilm & Film Supply Club

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