Historic Cedarwood Weddings + Pursuit 31 + Karen Stott

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to attend Karen Stott’s Pursuit 31 Nashville Workshop. I had zero intention of attending until the last minute when Karen made one last attempt to get through to me. I’m not sure why I was fighting her on it for the last two months. I offered my assistance but felt guilty for taking anything from her in return. And I am here to say that if I had missed this workshop simply out of guilt, I would be kicking myself!

Karen bravely shared her story with us about how fear was always holding her back. She never had the confidence to do what she truly felt like she needed to do because of fear. Then she told us how her fear of failure quickly turned to a fear of succeeding. But she knew she had to do it. It felt like I was sitting in church and the preacher was preaching one of those sermons that you just KNOW God meant for you to hear… you know the kind where you feel like the preacher knows something about you that you didn’t know he knew? Yeah… that is how powerful her story was. She was talking directly to me and only me the entire day… or at least that is how it felt.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~Marianne Williamson

When Karen shared the quote above with us, a spark instantly ignited within! I knew she was right! I have continued to suffocate my own dreams for years because I have always feared failure. I have always second-guessed myself about everything in this business. But no more! Hearing Karen’s story has encouraged me to stop allowing fear to get in the way, and to stop worrying about the negative.

Thank you Karen!

On the second day of the Pursuit 31 Nashville workshop, we all spent the day at the BEAUTIFUL Historic Cedarwood in Nashville for a gorgeously styled shoot. Our GORGEOUS models, Dustin and Katie were a dream to follow around with the camera! We all had an opportunity to take the reigns and direct the models to the location and poses that we wanted.

The styling was prepared by Cedarwood Weddings! Even though I live in Nashville, this was my first time ever shooting at Cedarwood. Words cannot describe how elegant, chic, and beautiful they made everything! There was a french, vintage feel to everything… seriously people I was blown away! I can’t tell you how much I want to shoot there again. The Historic Cedarwood seriously rocked my world. If you are looking for a truly romantic outdoor wedding venue, this location WILL NOT disappoint! I was FLOORED!

Among the many fabulous things that Karen shared with us at this workshop, she also taught us about fusion, and 2Duce2 Videography was there to help us out too. They are such a hoot! Anyway… this is something that I seriously can’t wait to offer to my brides. I will play around with it at my next few weddings in order to hopefully SURPRISE the couples that I have booked the rest of this year. And I can’t wait to see what I can put together.

If you are a photographer and you are looking for an opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry, you need to check out Karen Stott’s Pursuit 31 Workshops! I seriously can’t tell you how inspirational and educational this two day workshop is. I know she is scheduled for five more cities throughout the rest of the summer and fall, and you really should consider it. It has changed my life and my business forever!

If you would like to see more from this amazing workshop… watch the slideshow! The details provided by Cedarwood could not be more amazing! And Katie and Dustin are fabulously gorgeous! And did you see that dress?!! WOWZERS! Be sure to check out all the vendors who made this possible!

Vendors:

Cupcakes by: Cupcake Divas
60 25th St NW Ste. 2
Cleveland, TN 37311
423-473-2788
Web: cupcakedivas.net

Dress from: Boutique Couture
Emily Goodin – Owner
1269 Market St.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Web: www.theboutiquecouture.com
Email: info@theboutiquecouture
423-648-5246

Matchless Limo ~ Vintage Jaguar http://www.matchlesslimo.com

Venue, Floral, decor, design, and styling by:  Historic Cedarwood  www.historiccedarwood.com

3831 Whites Creek Pike
Nashville, Tennessee  37207
615.876.9999
Web: www.historiccedarwood.com
Email: info@historiccedarwood.com
Blog: www.cedarwoodweddings.com/blog