If you are following my Facebook page you have seen that it's been inundated with pictures, updates and messages about my recent trip to San Diego, California to the Boudoir Divas Retreat.This trip was one of those that you are dreaming of forever but can't see yourself ever make it happen.
How could anyone's dream be travelling all up 24 hours on 3 different flights just to stay for 4 nights, turn back and do the same travelling home?
Well...
Yes, I'm the kind of person who:
1. LOOOOOVE to travel (but hate packing)
2. Love to do things that make no sense to most people (just to prove that we should all fight for our dreams because no one else can make them come true)
3. Try everything in my power to make things happen if I really, really want them (even it takes years of waiting - which in this case was about 5)
It was not as crazy at it seems by the way. If you travel often you would just look at it as another airport, another check-in desk, another flight, another serve of plastic food (which I actually like!), another delay (because there will be at least a couple if not more if you take 5 flights return), another smiley flight attendant.
I would also like to add that I find the time spent in the air priceless because this is the only time where my productivity level raise to the max. Where else can you get hours without mobile phone reception, wireless internet and phone calls?! Not many spots left for that in this World guys! Try to embrace the time you get to yourself on planes.
Moving on to the reason of my trip (that I meant to write about before I got totally off topic); I went to San Diego to spend 5 days with the Boudoir Divas and 6 other like minded, passionate boudoir photographers to talk about all things boudoir, shoot styled models and basically learn from who I consider the best in the industry: THE BOUDOIR DIVAS!
The retreat exceeded my wildest expectations; not only the beach house we were staying was amazing, not only I saw the biggest fridge in my life (fully stocked I may add), not only we shot all up 9 gorgeous girls in all shapes and sizes, oh and not only we've been catered with the healthiest and yummiest food but I also made friends with some fantastic girls who I will stay in touch forever for sure!
I made a new best friend before I even got to San Diego - what better start I could have asked for!
What I found absolutely priceless that even tho we are all doing the same thing in theory; our photography studios couldn't be run any more differently! It was so good to see the different business models, brainstorm ideas, collaborate and dream together. It just showed me how much more this industry could be if photographers would not be afraid of sharing their knowledge. No one can be good at everything so why not show off what you are best at and hope it will help at least one person? How could anyone "steal" your ideas or "copy" your business when your business represents YOU? You, who is a unique individual therefore no other photographer will be able to do what you do!
I came back to Australia with a huge amount of inspiration, a much clearer head about all aspects boudoir and making new friends.
Tell me how it would have not worth every cent or every hour on the plane?
But because I'm a photographer and not a writer, I may be better off sharing some images that shows what a bunch of amazing women I spent those unforgettable days with and no doubt; a once in a lifetime experience.
Spending an entire day in the Boudoir Divas' studio and see Marissa&Kimberlee in their element was definitely one of the highlight to me!
The below image shows you how much fun we had while shooting the models in the La Jolla beach house. Krystyn from Flash Photography and Miss Reese from Urban Jungle Photography
This is what it looks like when you let a few boudoir photographers onto the beach to shoot a beach set. :)
This is Denise from Modern Love Photography and Natasha creating their magic.
This big smile belongs to the sweetest girl I've ever met. Krystyn and I shared a room in the La Jolla beach house and became good friends pretty much straight away. She is a bubbly, inspirational and hardworking girl who owns Flash Photography and I'm blessed to call a friend.
Aren't you just envious of Maggi's husband (Maggi Woo Photography) who was getting a sneak peek of the process of model shooting. Lucky man for sure!
I met Peggy in Las Vegas last year when I booked my shoot with the Divas and Peggy transformed me into something beautiful! I was thrilled to have her with us at the beach shoot. She is a sweetheart and makes me laugh every time I think about the stories she was telling me in Vegas :) Definitely one of my very favourite hair&makeup artists.
I just adore Jennie form Pink Photography firstly because she reminds me of another dear photographer friend but also because I got to spend a little bit of time with her at the end of my trip which was really nice! Check her work out! She built some amazing sets in her new studio since the workshop!
This lady is Natasha and she is not just an amazing photographer but also introduced me to the craziest 20 minute workout I've ever done; Insanity. What better way to start the day than an exhausting workout!?
We've also done a bit of shooting together which was great because I've never shot boudoir with another photographer. It was nice to be able to collaborate and create together.
That moment when all we wanted was a photo of the 2 of us and it ended with Krystyn from Flash Photography getting pushed over by a wave. (Eventho she believes it was me who pushed her! :))
And this is how a pro sets up for a group shot which she wants to be included in :) Amazing sprint, Marissa! :)
And if it was not enough goodness already the Divas surprised us with one last gift pack at the end of the retreat! I can't tell you how much I loved every bit of the time I spent in San Diego! It definitely worth the 5 years wait :)
Big thank you to the whole team at the Boudoir Divas' studio for pulling off such a big project! You guys rock!
Stay Beautiful,
AgiM
