I’ve been trying to put this workshop into words for well over a week but to be honest, I am feeling so stuck. There are so many things I want to write down but it’s almost like every time I go to do so, I freeze. As a former English teacher, I am going to go ahead and give myself the same advice I would give to my students when they felt this way…. brain dump. Set a timer, write as much down as you can, make it messy, and make it count.
So here’s a real live brain dump. Imperfect. Messy. Entirely mine.
I began dreaming up this workshop longer than I can remember. I always wanted to host a space for photographers that felt cozy, intentional, and life changing…
Own Your Eye was my little way of telling the photography world that we have gotten it all wrong.
In an industry that thrives off of hustle culture, controversy for likes and views, and trends, I wanted to be intentional, kind, real…I didn’t want to just make another pretty styled shoot and call it a day…I wanted to slow down, reflect, get back to the root of why I started shooting in the first place, and I knew if I felt this way, others out there had to as well.
So here’s a little glimpse, a little bts if you will, of the workshop that changed my life, that I just so happened to plan and host myself.
Preparation
I was doing a 100 rejection series on TikTok and had this crazy idea of hosting a workshop. I dreamt of hosting one for years… but the last one I hosted was in 2016. I had 0 experience back then as a public school educator, and had maybe 7 people learning from me in my mom’s living room.
I knew I hadn’t just come a long way as a photographer, but also as an educator. I taught public middle and high school for 7 years, obtained a masters in EDU, and felt confident in that area of my life. But… there was one thing holding me back…
Stupid social media.
Yep, you read that right.
Too many opinions of people I didn’t even know badmouthing other photographers for hosting workshops without enough photo experience…. but here’s the thing… I’ve been photographing weddings since 2012 so I technically have more experience being a wedding photographer than an educator. Then came the wave of people claiming that people teaching photography are just washed up photographers who need to make money and can’t figure out how to keep their business afloat. I was nervous I would come across the same way and didn’t want to be placed into that category. I felt too prideful, which is so dumb. But here’s the thing… all of those people posting their opinions were just random people saying whatever they thought made sense to them… (or maybe for likes and views…) but for me, having experience in both worlds, I can confidently say they were so wrong.
It literally FUELED me, and this workshop. *Do it by Stray Kids just came on and I can’t help but laugh*
So anyways, I did the dang thing and here’s how it went….
IT WAS MAGICAL!!!
Welp. That pretty much sums it up, ha! We can just end this brain dump here…
Okay, no? I’ll share more. We are getting to the good stuff here…
Day 1
Two beautiful and sweet photographers joined me. Ruth and Jaqueline. Originally I had anticipated 6, then I dropped it to 5, and at the last minute, everyone I thought would be able to join had to back out for one reason or another. But God knew what he was doing because it all felt perfect while there.
We shared stories over dinner, and tears. We laughed and bonded over our fears and what holds us back from living the lives we want to live. We set intentions for the workshop. We busted myths of the wedding industry. We prepped for the styled shoot for the next day, and we parted ways for the night, with a little bit of homework, and prayers.
Day 2
It was a foggy, ethereal morning.
We recapped over breakfast (don’t even get me started on the bacon jam), we dreamed up our shoot, and set out to accomplish the things we wanted to work on.
Alyssa and DJ , our models, made an already magical morning even more magical. It was what styled shoot dreams are made of. Especially since we all had time to shoot how we wanted without competing for time or angles. We shot for a little over 2 hours and then it was pool, lunch, and lazy river time.
If I was still an English teacher, I would say this would be my favorite part to write about. The smell of the Jasmine flowers blooming, the gentle push of the water mimicking the gentle push I was trying to give to these girls to show them what they’re capable of… the fresh salads, the surround sound music, the clouds parting and the sunshine filling up all the darkness and doubt that was first there when we all arrived. It felt like a true creative retreat.
After lunch, we went back inside, sat on the couch, and chatted like old friends. We talked about the difficulties of the industry and how to combat fear. We had girl time, where we literally just put on bad bunny while backing up photos. Jaqueline curled our hair, we sipped cocktails, we talked about kdramas, it was girlhood at its finest as we prepped for our final shoot, dinner, and farewells.
Time seemed to go slow and fast all at the same time. I couldn’t believe the weekend I prepped so many hours for was already almost over. But we still had so much to look forward to.
The 2nd styled shoot was just as dreamy but in a different way.
You saw confidence take the lead and fear take a back seat. Every aspect of it felt elevated, curated, and intentional… and it was.
Before we knew it, dinner was served, we were sipping champagne surrounded by candlelight and dreams. We stayed way later than anticipated because the conversation flowed, and I don’t think any of us were ready for the night or workshop to be over. But as we all walked to our cars, loaded up, and parted ways, we all knew this was just a new beginning.
Plans with the girls are already made. Our text thread is strong, and we have encouraged one another over and over again to keep chasing after our dreams.
I had hoped to build a community but we all became more like family.
Okay… brain dump over. Not super whimsical. I didn’t do this weekend justice, but what I did do was get it down. So maybe soon I’ll do the revised, elevated version, but for now. Here’s the raw, real, train of thought, as a matter of fact rough draft.
I wanted to say a special thank you to all of our OYE vendors. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for trusting my vision, choosing to work alongside me, and creating something meaningful and lasting. It wouldn’t have been even close to the same without one of you. I am so grateful for your vision, time, intuition, expertise, and friendship.
Photography Workshop Host: @ownyoureye @jennygarrettco
Photographer: @jennygarrettco | Jennygarrett.co
Planner: @weddingsandeventsbymp Weddings and Events by MP
Candles: @luxury_candles_california
Rentals: @Surfcitypartyrentals
Custom Guest Calligraphy: @Seralune.calligraphy
Dresses: @belovedcoturebridal Beloved Couture Bridal
Model couple: @alyssamariefields @djfields
Bridal Model: @alllison.joh
Florals: @stemspetalsandvines
Invitation Suite: @itspapercliche Paper Cliche
Catering: @i_b_lee_ve
A special thank you to the owners of this gorgeous private estate who allowed me to host a bunch of strangers and take over your property for two days. God really does move and do incredible things in and around your home. Your generosity and your belief in me and my business is overwhelming. I am so grateful for your friendship!!!
I also want to thank Jaqueline and Ruth for their boldness, vulnerability, and kindness. This workshop wouldn’t have been possible without the two of them. Their energy, their warmth, their passion, their creativity… they were both so inspiring to me.
The growth I saw in 48 hours from both of them was unreal. Maybe I a biased but I could just see the lightbulbs going off in their heads and their confidence growing.
I cannot wait to see where these friendships take us!
Oh yeah, and one more thing…. of course another workshop is already in the works 😉
To stay updated on all things OYE, make sure to follow along on instagram!
6/02/26
