ROCK WHAT YOU'VE GOT photography business workshop

I needn't have worried. I stressed, and lay awake at night, for nothing.

"Empowering" - Andreana



My first ever ROCK WHAT YOU'VE GOT photography workshop was on Sunday, and the day went off without a hitch. The television didn't fall off the table, my presentation worked, there was enough food for everyone, and I remember to speak slowly to people could understand me (well, most of the time).

"Helpful, insightful, inspiring" - Glenn Hair




I couldn't have asked for a more perfect group of people to share my first workshop with. They were beyond awesome, and really helped me to relax and enjoy the day with them. It felt like a conversation, which is exactly what I wanted it to be.

"I am much more confident and inspired to start now" - Sherriden Harding



This is my 'when all else fails shut your eyes and hide' look.



'Meaghan, you are a bundle of energy and information. Thank you' - Sara Taylor


Look! People smiling! I was excited when I saw this shot because it's evidence that for at least a millisecond I was somewhat entertaining.



The workshop was totally a group effort, and I couldn't have done it with out:
*Lyndel at The Loft where the workshop was held. All that glorious light, and the opportunity to do some creative dance if we so desired.
*Carol at Noble Foods. We were totally spoilt.
*MJ from Something Special. Her cupcakes really do rock the house.
*The team at Press Here for all their help putting my books together, and not rolling their eyes when I asked silly questions.
*Sarah Bowen for helping me set up and keep the day running smoothly. And putting the kettle on.
*Lauren Bent for these great photos from the day.
*Amba for looking after the children all day so I could spend the day talking.
*Miles and Ryan for putting in a brief, but extremely cute, appearance.



I'm really looking forward to seeing where all these wonderful people take their photography careers. They are all bursting with talent and enthusiasm, and I have absolutely no doubt that they will go on to do some pretty amazing things.

I'm 100% humbled by the response, and exhilarated from the day.

And because it seems the workshop wasn't so bad after all, I'll be announcing more this week. Sound like a plan?
Sign up to the newsletter at the bottom of my blog and facebook for the dates to appear later in the week. I'll also pop them here too.

* Meaghan

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The good kind of tired

I'm curled up on the couch, watching old Big Bang Theory episodes and eating left over scones. My first Rock What You've Got photography business workshop has been over for a few hours now. And I'm so tired.

But I realised that it's the good kind of tired. That one where you can hardly keep your eyes open, yet you feel really content. Despite being exhausted, and having a scratchy throat (got to expect that after talking for seven hours), I'm feeling blissfully happy. It's kinda like the hard earned thirst VB talk about, but substitute the beer for my bed. I've had such a big day, and feel I've really earned my sleep tonight.

The workshop was great. So great. Beyond great. I'll talk more about it later in the week though (with more pictures than just the door to the loft where we had the workshop). For now for me it's back to the telly and the scones.



Thanks to everyone who sent their words of encouragement and support before the workshop. I carried your thoughts with me through the day.

* Meaghan

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Nerves of steel (or a lack thereof)

My first ROCK WHAT YOU'VE GOT photography business workshop is tomorrow. And oh my gawd, I am so nervous. When I'm nervous I get really really cold. Physically freezing. So I've spent the day with two jumpers and a scarf on. My hands are like ice, and Miles wouldn't let me rub his back like I do every night before he goes to sleep. 'No mum, your hands are colder than the freezer'.

The emotional manifestation of my nerves is that I loose the plot. I 100% forget where my head is. I can't think straight. I have to think hard to remember my own name. When I'm nervous I turn into a puddle of cold custard on the floor.

This happened to me before pretty much every one of my weddings last year. The nerves always set in the morning of the wedding. I consequently do ridiculous things such as lock my keys in the car, drive off leaving my camera bag on the front step, or get half way to a wedding and realise I have no shoes on. We've learnt to deal with it by putting Amba in charge of getting me ready. Before I leave the house he makes sure I have my camera, lenses, memory cards, batteries, and that I'm completely dressed. It's a system that seems to work as I always have my shoes on when I get to the wedding (knock wood).

So knowing that I get flustered is making my nerves worse about tomorrow. It's not that I'm having to talk in front of people (although I'm convinced I'll look like a peanut at least some of the time), nor is it having to talk about how I run my photography business which is causing me grief. It's the logistical stuff like 'what if I can't get the TV to work?' or 'what if I talk so fast that no one can understand a thing I'm saying and it's all over half an hour after it starts?' I've got visions of tripping over my own feet and going face first into the morning tea. I'm not very co-ordinated, it's a very real possibility.

I think I'll just have to warn the people as they walk in the door that anything that can go wrong, most likely will. And could they kindly refrain of taking any photographic evidence if I do happen to end up making love to the scones.

And here's a gumball machine from Luci and Vladimir's shoot. It's pretty. And I'm using it to distract myself!




Wish me luck!

* Meaghan


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Tickle me mummy

I've learnt a new skill. I can simultaneously tickle Ryan while photographing him. Yep, mulit-talented!



* Meaghan

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Shiny and new

New things make me happy. At the moment my new hair cut is making me very happy (bye bye mumsy bob. Hello funky short hair). I'm listening to some new music which is making me very happy. And I'm kinda giddy over our new front garden.

This shiny and new wedding album that I've added to my collection is also making me quite happy indeed. Tickled pink even.









Ahhhh. Hello happy. I love you.

* Meaghan

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Getting my kicks

So my baby ain't no little baby anymore. Ryan turned three this week, and we are all well and truly ready for it. I'm not one of those mothers who wants to stop time so their kids stay little. Nah-ah, I'm all for them getting older, and the great things that come with it.

Don't get me wrong, I loved it when they kids were babies (if by 'loved' I mean 'tolerated' then yes, I loved it when the kids were babies), but every day the children get older is so much better. Ryan turned on the TV for himself this morning. It was a proud moment.

Happy 3rd birthday Ryan - I have no doubt you'll carve it up.





Amba and I had a few hours to ourselves yesterday and found ourselves under the spell of the bright lights in the shopping centre. New pair of kicks. Much needed as my last pair looked like they stepped straight out of my mother's wardrobe. These ones are considerably more fun and impractical - which obviously are the qualities that one looks for when choosing a piece of footwear. They are masquerading as a belated birthday present from Amba, but I'm well aware they are so I over look his impending purchase of a skateboard.



Have a wonderful weekend. Go and buy yourselves so new shoes.

Meaghan x

ps I'm in the Geelong Advertiser today. No, that's not me in the crowd mourning the defeat of the Geelong Cats. I'm on page 20 of the GT section. Eliza Sum has written a really sweet article about me and my career. (Also on the page is a far more interesting Megan, of the Washington variety).

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Baking

* Meaghan

I've had people asking about the possibility of taking my photography and business workshops on the road. But where would I go? People have been kindly suggesting place over on my facebook page. If you'd like me to come to your city or town, leave me a comment and let me know.


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Sweetheart Session - Claire and Stu

Brrrr! Isn't it meant to be spring? When I met Claire and Stu on the Portarlington foreshore we were all clutching our jackets around our bodies and trying to blink through the wind. F-f-f-reezing. I received some beautiful scarlet fingerless gloves for my birthday, and I really should have been wearing them.

We pushed on though, and had a whole heap of fun hanging out on the beach. This was one of those shoots where I almost forget to take photos. The conversation flowed fast, covered a wide range of topics, and made me completely forget that I was actually there to work.







Claire and Stu are magnetic. It warmed me up just being near them. Real, honest love. Heartwarming.







I hadn't been back to Portarlington since we lived there for a few months earlier in the year. Portarlington is safe from the hustle and bustle of some of the other touristy coastal towns in the Geelong area. No wonder Claire and Stu have chosen Port to have their wedding.





You've noticed too right? Claire's smile. Ah-mazing.









I shot this entire session with the Nikon 35mm f/2 lens that I hired from http://www.benshire.com.au/. (Ben's great. If you're wanting to test run a lens I recommend getting in touch with him.) I'm head over heels in love with this lens and am already writing to Santa for one.







Thanks for a stella afternoon Claire and Stu. I can hardly wait for your wedding. I'm so honoured to be there to witness you guys tying the know.

*Meaghan


Did you know I run workshops for photographers?


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There goes the fear

There was a time when I was scared. I never wanted to leave the house with the two children. Heaven forbid something should go wrong! I dreamt up wild and crazy scenarios that I convinced myself would happen if I ventured out (usually the scenarios involved either one or both children, a nappy not doing its job and public humiliation). This fear was worse when Miles was just a baby, because I had absolute no idea what I was doing and was convinced someone would be able to tell if they saw me struggling in the street with the nappy bag, pram, wailing child and the weight of expectations.

So I stayed home a lot. At least at home when things went wrong there was no-one there to see that was over the age of 2 (oh what those children have seen!).



Recently though I've I realised I can juggle the nappy bag, pram, two wailing children and the weight of expectations, all with a smile on my face (albeit a kinda strained one). Something seems to have clicked at that over bearing fear of an outing with the children seems to have lifted. I'm still fully aware that things can go horribly wrong, and they most likely will involve an ill-timed toilet stop, but I've realised that I just don't care.





Miles, Ryan and I zipped up to Melbourne for the day today. I needed to hire a lens that I've been wanting to try out (the oh so lovely 35mm f2), and had to pick it up from Ben's Camera Hire. Usually a trip like this would be riddled with anxiety on my behalf, a complete lack of spontaneity and not a whole lot of fun.







But this trip was different. I realised the fear was gone. I didn't give a shit if it all went wrong. Meh, so what? This lead to a rollicking day filled with tram rides, jumping puddles in Bourke St and hanging out at the museum.









Sure, it wasn't all peachy. I did let out an almighty scream as Ryan reached to open the toilet door right as I was in the middle of going which made someone on the outside call out to see if I was alright. But really, that's not so bad.









Heck, I even threw in a trip to Ikea, ignoring all signs that I should go home such as Ryan begging me "Mummy, can we go home now?'



So maybe I am getting the hang of this parenting thing. Or maybe I just don't really care anymore that I have no idea at all.



* Meaghan

Info and news about my photography workshops HERE