My husband and I took a trip to Arizona recently for a photography conference, called Showit United. It was easily one of my favorite trips we’ve ever been on! We started in Tempe and Phoenix for the first five days for the conference, then we traveled to Sedona and The Grand Canyon for the last part of our trip! Before I get to share some highlights of the trip, I first want to talk more about the United conference.
This was an educational conference with speakers, breakouts, styled shoots, and so much more! I realized I cry more than the average human, no big deal. The speakers were beyond incredible. I felt renewed, inspired, and loved. I met some amazing photographer idols who I’ve followed for yearssss (including Jasmine Star who I got to meet and hug and obsess over)! I got to dress up for a beautiful gala with my hubby, made new friends, reunited with old friends, and grew closer to my dear friend from home. This was SO much more than just a photography conference, friends.
We all have a purpose. I have a purpose. YOU have a purpose.
You are heard, you are seen, you are loved, you are intelligent, you are beautiful, you matter, you are MORE than enough. We all have our valleys and challenges. You are not alone. Be generous, be kind, love hard. Put your mental health first. Give and give some more. Stay focused, be intentional, change your perception, be confident, and make sacrifices.
This is everything I took away from the conference. I mean, this was a photography conference, you guys!… Can you believe that? I feel like it was more of a spiritual journey. Don’t get me wrong, I learned A LOT about how to improve my business… but those are the topics that stuck in my head the most. These are the things that matter most to me. These are the things that will empower me to run a successful business. If I keep working hard towards being a good human, living intentionally, putting others first, and doing the things that make me feel whole, THAT is the only way I can foster this business.
A community that teaches these life lessons is a community I will forever be proud to be a part of. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference and to have witnessed the support, love, and kindness that it was built on.
Now moving past the mushy gushy stuff, here comes the fun! This is where the awesome desert photos come in! I had so much fun photographing this stunning couple alongside two alpacas and the beautiful details. I knew I signed up for the “fiesta desert” styled shoot, but the alpacas were the best surprise EVER!
Thank you, Raelene for this amazing experience! Vendors listed below–
Host- Raelene Schulmeister Photography
Florals- Bloominous
Cake- Sugar By Tracy
Gown- Bella Lily Bridal
And just for fun, I’ll share some shots I got of Alysha of Blessed Beginnings Photography, Jaimi of Jaimi Bailey Photography, some of my new headshots, and some fun traveling photos!
Oh, I remember it so clearly. This time last year, I was crying, complaining, and felt defeated. My husband witnessed the worst of it (sorry, Eli!). I had maybe 3 people on the books for the Spring and I was so confused as to why I wasn’t booking more clients. Here I am exactly one year later, and I have an incredible amount of clients on my schedule and I am getting new inquiries almost every day. Normally I would say, “Woah, I don’t know what happened!” But I actually do know… That’s what I’m going to share with you today!
“If we don’t have dreams, what do we have?” I heard this on some random Netflix show I was watching the other day… It spoke to me. If we aren’t dreaming and fighting to get where we want to be, then what are we doing!? It’s time to reach your goals and begin living your dream! YOU are the only one who can make that happen. It all starts with YOU. So, let’s get you going!
Here are some ways to grow your business and start booking more clients from my personal experience! These tips worked for me, but keep in mind it took an entire year to get there. I have practiced, worked hard, tried new things, followed through, and taken chances. I went for it and I made it happen. It’s not going to happen for you overnight, but it will happen over some time and on YOUR time. So stop comparing your business growth to someone else’s because it doesn’t work that way. This is YOUR experience and YOUR story. Soon you are going to stop feeling defeated and start feeling refreshed with a newfound perspective and confidence!
If you’re interested in an educational opportunity with me, check out more information about my “Shades of Pink” Workshop on June 18th!! Find the registration and investment at the bottom of the page! Mentoring is fully booked until the Summer- if you are interested in some one-on-one time, shoot me an email! I can’t wait to hear from you!!
To sign up for my Education Email list, click HERE!
Do you know your worth…? Have you ever really thought about that before? Have you ever been put to the test about knowing your worth? I always knew what that question meant, but I didn’t know the true meaning of it until I had to step away from all the things I was doing and really take a look at myself. I had to dig deep, I had to be honest with myself, and I had to make some changes.
It feels good to be valued, doesn’t it? But it feels terrible when you’re not. When you are just starting to understand your worth, it can still be hard to make confident decisions about what you’re doing, who you’re working for, or how you’re being treated. After starting my photography business, I had to make some tough decisions. There were times when I just didn’t think I was worth as much as something or someone else, but then I grew to know my value. I have been challenged and tested time and time again. Certain situations and people have come in and out of my life by way of soul-searching and contemplating whether I was adding value or having it taken away from me. There are jobs, moments and people that are put into your life for a reason… they force you to soul-search, test your will, and grow.
I’m sure a lot of you have been in positions where we have felt undervalued and been given unfair circumstances. Let me tell you… I have been there a few times. After a while, it gets tiring. I am all for working hard, going above and beyond, and making a sacrifice for the greater good, but when I don’t get the appreciation or respect I feel I deserve, I begin to feel a lack of value as a whole. After a full year of going full-time as a photographer, I am now confident enough to say that I KNOW my worth. I know what I deserve and I know how I should be valued as a person and photographer. I decided I will no longer give away my hard work, time, and my personal space to a situation that doesn’t create value for both sides. I know that each and every one of you wants to feel that you earn value when you make an investment, and I believe everybody should dig deep to find that source of positive gain.
Now, think about it… Are you also confident enough to say the same? Do you know your worth? It took me a solid year in business to figure it out and I continue to work on it daily; maybe you need some time to figure it out, too. Take a step back, give yourself the time to really think about how far you’ve come in your career. Look at your business and your life. Are you getting what you know you deserve? Think about why you think you should be valued, and the changes you might need to make. Are you making sacrifices that seem unfair? I can tell you now, it’s okay and it’s going to all be worth it in the end. These things happen for a reason… to make you stronger, to teach you how to speak up and stand up. When you’re sacrificing and doing the best you can, you should be so proud of yourself. Just know that the right thing at the right time will be placed in front of you and it will pay off. You are always rewarded in the end.
Sometimes it seems impossible to get out of a situation or lifestyle after being committed to it for so long. I know, I’ve been there too. Weirdly enough, every time I put it in my head that I belong somewhere else or I don’t feel right in a position, I start making natural changes that push me in the right direction and I end up exactly where I need to be. Doing the right thing is never the easiest decision. It takes strength and courage to speak up for yourself and it takes hard work to make your worth a reality. Just know your value and don’t let that slip away from you. When it comes time for a change and you’re ready to step out, that will be your moment. It makes the world of a difference to know your worth and be confident in your strengths. If you don’t recognize your worth yet, maybe you need to make some changes, or maybe you just need space to grow. It takes time to really know and feel it, but I just wanted to get this thought into your head.
With faith, comes joy.
So have a little faith, do the right thing for yourself, and remember you deserve to be valued and you deserve to be happy!
Most people don’t talk about depression, anxiety, broken hearts, or anger all that often on social media. I know I don’t because it’s not something I want to share through my business brand. My brand is happy, cheerful, colorful, bright, and exciting! I want people to see my brand, my website, and my social media and feel joy. That’s why I don’t normally bring up the other feelings when I’m actually feeling them. On a bad day, I usually don’t post on social media at all! I’m a real human though, I’m not a brand… I just built this brand for my business. I have ALL the feels ALL the time. I’m actually an extra emotional human. I take everything to heart, I take everything personally even when it might have nothing to do with me. I feel sadness, I get mad, I get anxiety, I cry, and I feel every emotion just like you. Just because I’m not sharing these thoughts and feelings with social media, doesn’t mean those feelings aren’t there. That’s important for you to know.
I’ll be honest, I’m not always happy and I’m not always doing what I love. I have to do whatever I need to do to survive and build this business. I’m hustling every day and I love what I do, but it’s not always easy. I’ve been given situations time and time again that challenge me in ways that push me to try harder and to be a better person. I learn something new through every emotion and every obstacle. I have nights where I can’t sleep because of the anxiety. I have days where I want to delete my social media. I have things happen in my life that you might never hear about because I choose to keep that private. I don’t think all my specific problems in life should be announced for the world to see, but I do think it’s okay to let you know I feel all the same things as you. I’ve been hurt, taken advantage of, put down, stressed, annoyed, confused, mad, sad, all of it.
I want you to know that I’m not always a confetti throwing lunatic and I have way more going on in my life than what meets the eye. I do however try to turn all my negative feelings into a positive outlook and that’s what I want to share with my followers. I want to spread joy and light to the world. I choose to share happy thoughts, encouraging words, and a colorful life because maybe that’s what someone else needs at the time.
Just know that you are not alone. Next time you see me holding a glass of champagne toasting to a big announcement and you’re over there crying because life is weird when you’re in your 20’s- just remember that’s not real life and I feel it too. Here’s to living a purposeful life day by day. Here’s to discovering our true selves with an open mind and heart, to the imperfections, adversities, and emotions that shape us. To those suffering in silence. Here’s to the people who don’t show it or share it but feel it and live it every day.
If you joined my Education Mailing List, then you already read about my big clue! Now it’s time to share it with everyone else!!
Over the last 8 months, I have grown to really love my one-on-one mentoring sessions, like almost too much! After my first mentoring lesson last summer, I knew I wanted to do something more for other photographers who are trying to get their business rolling… something BIG… something different. I learned that mentoring isn’t just about the education. It’s about the guidance, the support, and the love I pour into the relationships with my clients. The girls I have already mentored have become more than a “mentee”, but actually a friend! I LOVE these girls and I am so thankful for the support that goes both ways!
There are so many different phases of becoming a photographer, especially when you’re on the way to full-time. I remember when I was first trying to get my business started, but people weren’t taking me seriously, which made me feel discouraged. I decided to kick that thought and start being my own cheerleader. I pushed myself and decided to invest in more education to take me to that next level.
When I first started, my goal was to become a wedding photographer, but that didn’t mean I was going to jump into strictly wedding education. When making the decision of where to start and keep growing in education, I knew I had to start with the basics, I couldn’t rush into all the things. I needed to invest in education that would teach me everything I needed to know about portrait photography first, like posing, lighting, camera settings and techniques, marketing, branding… I mean everything! Then, I knew when I felt confident enough in my skills, I would then be ready to take on the wedding world! Through this process, I met other photographers who were there to encourage me, inspire me, and cheer me on throughout the process. That’s truly one of the best parts and it’s so important to have that support system in our industry. Maybe you’re interested in doing the same thing I did, maybe you’re only interested in wedding photography, or maybe you’re only interested in portrait photography- either way, you’re on the right track by coming to my blog, because something so amazing and so special is coming thisJUNE and I have a feeling it’s perfect for YOU!
So to sum up the big clue– This IN-PERSON experience I’m offering is for those who want to grow their business and those who want to create strong friendships with women who will encourage them every step of the way. This is for those who want to make that next step because they believe in themselves! I believe in you too, and I will be there to guide you through it all. I’ve been through it all and I want to lift up a team of women who can embrace their differences while empowering each other! We all share the same passion, but we all offer something different and special… now that’s something to celebrate!
If you’re interested in joining the RTP Education List, click HERE to sign up! I’ll be sharing my heart, my photography tips, and upcoming exciting announcements! This list will be the first to find out about details, events, secrets, and the first place registration will open up!
Yep, it’s true… little Remy is overwhelmed because her dreams are so big they take over her tiny head. Have you seen my head? It’s small… My to-do list keeps growing and growing, which means I need to calm down! Can anyone relate? Let’s all take a deep breath together… yeah, that didn’t help me either. The winter can provide lots of downtimes, but the planning time for the Spring can be so overwhelming.
I’m overwhelmed with new ideas, creative planning, my crazy work schedule, my emotions, and the balance of work life and the real world. When I get like this, I know I need to slow down. I shouldn’t be in a rush to get it all done at once. I need to remember that my timing is God’s timing. He has this path laid out for me, and I need to walk through it, not run! If I start rushing, I know I’m not doing things to their fullest potential. When I start planning something big, exciting, and totally out of my comfort zone, I‘ve learnedthat I need to take my time with it so that I’m enjoying the process, rather than stressing about last minute things.
I always want to put my best foot forward, I want to be all there, and I want my whole heart to be present in everything that I do. I get it, sometimes it’s hard to live in the moment when you’ve been dreaming about something for so long and it’s finally coming to life! But I know that I need to focus on the present while slowly planning for the future, rather than pushing forward too quickly and carelessly. I want to give it all I have, don’t you?!
So instead of running or maybe even hiding, let’s learn to slow down and do it all on our own time. I’m cheering you on every step of the way! If you are taking leaps instead of steps, start trying to reach those small steps and see if that helps you get out of that overwhelmed mindset. Remember, do things on your own time and give it your all! Sending you snowy kisses!
Last year I told myself, “I’m going to make 2017 my year”. Now, let’s review what happened since last January…
JANUARY- Eli and I moved off Hatteras Island and into a cute little duplex in Carrboro, NC to start our life together.
APRIL- I became an official business owner and really started to build my brand.
JUNE- Married to the love of my life!
JULY- Started offering weddings and launched my new website and brand.
AUGUST- Started offering One-on-one Mentoring.
OCTOBER- Started working as The Caroline Doll photographer!
NOVEMBER- Eli and I made the move to Richmond, VA!
DECEMBER- Eli and I are living happily in our first home together!
Wow… This really was my year. I pushed myself to take chances, to just go for it, whether it worked out or not! Through the wedding planning craziness, traveling all over the East Coast for sessions, mentoring and shooting weddings, leaving the country twice, moving twice, making big life decisions, working two jobs and other small jobs on the side, and trying to grow my photography business… it has been a challenging, yet very joyful year. To think that I did all of those things within a year makes me so humble and thankful! It seems like every year gets better and better with my husband by my side, supporting everything I do.
I made several business goals last New Years and I accomplished every one of them. I did so much more than I could ever imagine and I sometimes can’t believe I did it all. When you really set your mind to the goals you want to accomplish, you WILL get there! You can’t be afraid of what people might think, or concerned you won’t be good at it, or just hold off until you feel more comfortable. Get out of your comfort zone, have a little faith, believe in yourself, make moves, and be your own cheerleader! TAKE CHANCES.
If you weren’t satisfied with what you accomplished in 2017, then 2018 will be your year!! Start your goal sheet now. Write them down, type them out, make sure they are right in your face every single day. Push yourself to make shit (pardon my french) happen!!!!
Let 2018 be your year of taking chances, new beginnings, big accomplishments, lots of success, and happiness!
“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10
Sometimes my Dad decides to send a family group text and include his morning devotion. August 25th, my birthday, he sent this message to us. I saved it on my phone because it was strangely relatable to a lot of conversations I’ve been having with friends lately. I used to try doing the morning devotional routine, but then I figured out that I’m 100% not a morning person and I would just fall back asleep after 30 seconds of reading… maybe someday I’ll get there. Lately, I’ve been finding that a lot of my spirituality comes out in my writing, so here’s an unexpected message I thought I would share with you all.
“If you are not experiencing love, joy, and peace, you have settled for less than what God intends for you. If you have been making excuses for why you are not experiencing an abundant and joyful life, determine today to settle for nothing less than God’s best for your life. Stop following the world’s way of finding satisfaction. Instead, listen to the Savior’s voice, and you will find true fulfillment.”
Your 20’s can be weird, right? Once you’re out of college, it’s like………… huh? What is life? Or maybe you’re still finishing college, or maybe you decided not to go to college… either way, it can feel weird. Overwhelming interviews, figuring out where to live, the pressure to do this and that, finding what you’re meant to do, comparing yourself to friends, deciding whether to get married or not to get married, discovering everything you dislike about your job or where you live, feeling alone, feeling confused, and feeling unfulfilled. This doesn’t just go for those of you in your 20’s of course, but I’m 25, so I’m speaking from my point of view and based on some of my experiences.
I get all of these feelings and obstacles, and I think we ALL do to a certain extent. Most of us have been there, done that… if not, it’s going to happen sooner or later. These struggles last longer for some more than others, because we are all different no matter how close in age we might be. I’ve been hearing the same thing from friends over and over. To sum it up, they’re feeling unfulfilled and they know there is more for them somewhere out there- but they don’t know what, when, where, or how to get there!
It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re confused about what you’re doing, where you’re living, or maybe even who you’re with. Maybe this means it’s time to find your courage and make a change. Or maybe this means it’s time to simply look at your life differently. Whatever it is that needs to happen and whatever you are confused about, does not have to lead you to feelings of unfulfillment, sadness, or anger. It doesn’t mean you can’t be joyful and thankful throughout the process. It does not mean you should settle for less than what God has intended for you. Let’s try to not make excuses and, instead, open our hearts to an abundant life. Instead of listening to the world and what society says, take a moment to listen to the silence. Be with yourself in peace and listen. You will find your answers and you will open the path to living an abundant life.
Eli and I love Trevor Hall- there is a peaceful and calming feeling that comes over us when we listen to his songs. His “Chapter of the Forest” album is especially our favorite. One of my favorite songs on the album is “Green Mountain State” and it says “there’s a way, there’s a way. there’s a way…and there is always.”
There is always a way. Always a way in and a way out. Choose joy. Choose fulfillment. It can take time and effort, but just remember that you are intended to live an abundant life.
If you enjoyed this post, you might be interested in some of my other blogs!
One of my favorite things about being a photographer is getting to know my clients before their session, and then finally meeting them in person! The best part comes when I greet them with a hug and we instantly feel like we’ve been friends for a long time. This is exactly what happened during the 30 minutes I had with Danise. We had an awesome time chatting throughout the entire session about our businesses, our personal lives, our hubbies, and how we absolutely have to get together when I visit again! When you instantly click with your clients, it makes everything feel easy, comfortable, and fun!
Danise was SO sweet and I am SO in love with the business she has created. The Busy Bee Productivity Coaching is meant to encourage and inspire those who are ready to reach their goals and live their dreams. Danise offers coaching services to help manage your time, set goals, get organized, and live more intently. I mean, seriously!? She is amazing. She works so hard at everything she does, and her passion for helping others just shines through her! I love a badass chick who can follow her heart and just go for it! Danise is so empowering to woman in the many jobs she strives at, and I was so excited that she asked me to take her headshots. If you want to take your business seriously, and you want people to know who you truly are, it is so important to have quality images to share. Danise is one heck of a boss lady and a stunning busy bee!!
Well, I think the title may have given away the big announcement! 🙂
YAS, it’s true!! I am now offering one-on-one mentoring to budding photographers who are looking to improve their skills, invest in their education, and grow their businesses! Mentoring is the best way to take your business to the next step and start making your dreams a reality! Having a mentor, someone to push you in the right direction, and someone to encourage you to keep going, is the most valuable resource you can invest in! Over the past year or so I have been getting a lot of emails and messages asking photography-related questions. I LOVE that so many people choose to come to me for questions and it makes me feel so honored! That’s when I knew I had to start trying this whole mentor thing, to take helping other photographers to an entirely new level.
When I first started photography, I felt seriously confused about EVERYTHING. I decided to reach out to just about every photographer I could find and asked if they were offering any type of mentoring. Some people just didn’t respond and most didn’t offer anything. Then I found workshops, and decided to go that direction instead. I love workshops, but I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my business when I attended my first one! I wish I would have found someone to sit down with me and break it all down piece by piece. I was frustrated, discouraged, and totally annoyed that I couldn’t find anyone in my area to help me. You don’t need to feel that same way.
Now, it’s MY opportunity to help YOU. I want to offer mentoring to those photographers who are starting out just like I did. If you are willing to work hard, learn, grow, and chase your dreams, this is for you!! I am here to guide you, teach you, encourage you, and help you succeed in the business you are meant for! This is your time to take advantage of something that could completely change your business. I want you to feel confident in your brand, style, skills, and the goals you have for the future!
If you are interested in knowing more about my One-On-One Mentoring, please email me for details at remybthompson@gmail.com! I would LOVE to get to know you and everything about your business! It’s time to celebrate, because you are about to start investing in yourself and making your dreams reality!!
For the past few months I’ve been planning a 6-Hour Mentoring Session located in Midlothian, VA with Colleen Megan Photography. Colleen originally messaged with a question a while back. After we spoke, I learned she wanted to really grow as a photographer, so I offered her some mentoring packages to choose from. She was ALL about it! Finally, the mentor day came to life this past Tuesday! We both met at a coffee shop to review the power point lessons that I had prepared and we talked for hours. I LOVED hearing her goals and being able to push her closer to achieving them. We had an awesome day getting to know each other better through our passion for photography! Our time together was jam-packed with a ton of material and great conversation, but the fun didn’t stop there…
The package she chose included a portrait session at the end with a model. I ended up surprised her with a full photoshoot including three stunning models, a variety of session types/outfits/props to practice with, a makeup artist, a florist, and a beautiful venue! THIS WAS CRAZY FUN!!! We started our session in the golden sunshine and finished just after sunset to practice the new lighting techniques she had just learned. She left feeling SO confident and she killed it during the photoshoot!! I was so proud to see her practicing the new skills I taught her during the lessons and learning more and more as the night went on. We were both exhausted by the end of the night, but our hearts were so full! I will never forget my first One-On-One Mentoring Session thanks to Colleen, these awesome models, and amazing vendors. I am so excited to share the beautiful images from the photoshoot!
Before that, I want to share Colleen’s testimony from after our Mentor Day together! She is so so sweet and I love her enthusiasm for life! She is going to be so successful as a girl boss and I can’t wait to see her business take off!
“When starting my business I was struggling to keep a float in the photography world. As many say it is an intimidating, overwhelmingly lonely game, and I couldn’t agree more, that is until I met Remy. She went above and beyond to comfort me and remind me I am not alone in this. Driving away from my mentor session I was ready to take this adventure in my business head on! Her fun loving attitude broke me out of my shell, and allowed me to drastically step out of my comfort zone. I went from hiding behind my camera to taking control of it. The future is is bright for Colleen Megan Photography, and that is all thanks to my incredible mentor Remy, her words of wisdom and, guidance ignited a fire inside of me I didn’t know could exist. I am a better photographer because of her, and for that I am truly humbled for the opportunity of working alongside her! If anyone is looking to grow their education and business Remy Thompson is a game changer!” -Colleen 8/8/17
First… headshots, of course!! 🙂 Isn’t Colleen stunning?!
NOW.. the photoshoot!! Huge shoutout to the vendors and models, they killed it!
AnnMarie is SO talented, I was thrilled to have her as a vendor!! Check her out on Facebook and Instagram @makeupbyvnnmarie_
We started off with a mini graduation shoot of these two cute friends, Compton and Maddy. Next we moved into bridal portraits with Brenna! You’re about to be blown away…
AND IN COMES THE BEST PART!!!…
Just wait until you see the horse with it’s owner, Compton. SO CUTE!!
