I am still riding high on a serious case of workshop euphoria and I’m not sure when the buzz will ever end.
On Saturday (the 25th May) Tam Braun of Tapestry and myself held a full-day photography and styling workshop with the intention of inspiring and teaching those who attended. Our WHY was that we wanted to create an opportunity for like-minded people to get together in an encouraging environment, and spend the day getting their creative cup filled. We wanted each person who attended to leave with knowledge, a happy heart and some amazing photos that they couldn’t wait to edit.
From our very first meeting, Tam & I decided that we wanted to truly spoil our attendees and every choice we made regarding our partners, the items for the Goodie bag and the practical parts of the day were focused around that.
Were we nervous? Oh heck yeah. Standing in front of a group of people and trying to coherently explain why photography makes me pee my pants with excitement was a little daunting but with everything we had planned, we felt secure in knowing that when you love doing something, that’s all the motivation and pep-talk that you need.
Taking our love for being snap-happy and feeling appreciated, we made sure that our attendees felt truly special from the moment they sat down…
We created and printed a beautiful A5 manual that attendees could use throughout the day, as well as being used as a referral guide going forward. This was placed on their desks along with clear perspex name plates which featured the attendee’s name in gold cursive. Next to this, we placed two Boft prints of photos that we had lovingly chosen from our attendee’s Instagram accounts – this personal touch just helped to further instill that we cherished having each, individual person there.
We began the day with a run-through of the goodie bag that was filled with specially curated products from incredible local vendors, housed in a grey denim bag made by Tiger Lily Tots for the workshop alone. Each item was something that we would, ourselves, love to get – nothing was a throw-away thought.
A run-through of camera settings, manual application, composition and troubleshooting was followed by styling advice and tips and then the hard-work began.
The best way to really increase your photography knowledge is to practice, practice and – you guessed it – PRACTICE. To encourage our attendees to use the new skills learnt and to really challenge themselves, we set up a number of demo shoots for them.
The Goodie Bag Challenge
We asked everyone to bring a special prop (or props…and people brought suitcases with them) to style alongside an item from the goodie bag, that would tell a story or speak to their personality. We had a range of styling boards on hand from Flatlay Boards SA, or attendees could use the different textured surfaces of the venue. The person who shot an image with the best connection and utilization of skills learnt won their own set of styling boards.
Everyone’s images were phenomenal and people pulled out some incredible moves to capture their best image.
Butterfly Tree Flowers Floral Demonstration & Frosted Raspberry cookie icing
Photographing inanimate objects that you have styled was just one aspect of the workshop, we wanted to give our attendees the space and unique opportunity to photograph moving subjects at varying angles and light. Thanks to the most amazing women, Dee of Butterfly Tree Flowers and Claire-Ann of The Frosted Raspberry, we were able to offer these two demonstrations that really tested our attendees and allowed us to celebrate two incredible creatives.
Couple, child & Mommy & Me posing
We were so fortunate to have the beautiful Demi and daughter June from Tonian Closet drive all the way through to us so that we could try out new styling skills and posing prompts. We even roped in Dad for some couple shots.
The portrait challenge
Another key aspect of the day was to encourage participants to take photos of each other, testing out different aperture settings and poses – we then asked for attendees to send us their favorite edited portrait shot, and the one that we felt displayed the best use of light, settings and skills learn would win a prize…it’s going to be a tough call but we’ll be announcing the winner on the 29th May.
When I look back over everything we achieved, I’m still surprised that we managed to fit this into one day! Again though, it was important for us to make sure everyone felt that they had been hit in the face with inspiration and spoils!
Would we do it again?
We’re already planning the next one!….with less talk and more interactive styling moments and practicals. If you want to be the first to know the dates, then pop us your email address to flashesoflight@gmail.com – I’m also going to be sharing a post with some of my favorite images taken on the day by attendees.
AND if this post wasn’t enough to motivate you to brush up on your camera skills, and in case you missed this workshop because you were a silly sausage and didn’t book in time, you can get in on some of the action by winning your very own Flashes of Light goodie bag!
*WIN A GOODIE BAG*
The Little Banner Company banner
Love Letters Stationery notebook and pencil
Da Luca mini bubbles
Sugar Swan artisanal cotton candy
Sugar & Vice greeting card
Woven Whimsy key ring
Silistraw & Kids Emporium – Silistraw
Skin Creamery samples
Frosted Raspberry cookie (the cookie will differ from the one photographed below)
Boft print voucher so you can print your memories
Tiger Lily Tots grey tote bag (not pictured)
You can get your hands on one of our Flashes of Light goodie bags, full of the same beautiful items that our attendees got,
To win:
- See my Instagram post here, like it – make sure you’re following me and Tapestry
- Comment on both posts with what you most want to try from the bag
- Follow each of our workshop partners on Instagram (you can see who they are on our FOL Workshop highlights reel or click on my Instagram photo for all the tagged sponsors)
Terms & Conditions
The competition is open for SA only and ends on 3rd June
The winner will be notified via direct message and has 2 days to claim their prize, failing that, another winner will be redrawn
Spam entrants will be blocked
This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You acknowledge that all information and material that you submit to enter this Promotion is submitted to the Promoter and not Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and you agree that Facebook, Instagram or Twitter shall not be liable to you in any way in respect of this Promotion.
The Prize will be sent by us and there is no cash alternative
We had the most incredible sponsors, so many of whom gave above and beyond what we asked. We loved styling and photography unique photos for each sponsor – please note that these photos were created by myself and Tam and cannot be used without our expressed permission!
Special thanks to:
Boft
Boft is a high quality printing kiosk that offers instant prints direct from mobile or instagram. Boft kiosks showcase first class design and build, plus reliable hardware – a 32” waterproof touch screen with HD camera displays your pictures in the brightest colours so you can adjust (for example to include your IG caption, or not) and print them.
“Boft gives people an easy way of printing their favourite memories. A print of your special moments is something that remains timeless, whether you stick it on your fridge, in a memory book, or give it to someone special,”
Butterfly Tree Flowers
Butterfly Tree Flowers is a team of talented floral designers and creatives that are passionate about bringing floral dreams to life. They pride themselves on style, quality and innovation and bring their strong sense of colour, design and a genuine love of flowers to every job they do.
Da Luca
Celebrating great Sicilian winemaking, Da Luca is a toast to the finest Italian grapes. A blend of Merlot and Raboso from small growers in the Veneto region in Northern Italy, it has a gorgeous fruity bouquet and vibrant notes of raspberry and strawberry.
With Prosecco, every day is a special occasion.
Flatlayboards SA/ Backdropshop SA
Backdrop Shop SA was grown from a drive and passion to design, source and create beautiful images which then transformed into creating the perfect canvases for photographers. They aspire to assist creatives in capturing those “picture perfect” moments with a vast range of beautiful, sturdy and easy to use styling boards and backdrops. Creating a dreamy scene of fantasy and wonder, or providing the perfect background to showcase your product, their backdrops and styling boards offer hassle free photography with endless options. Each piece brings with it a sense of personality – enhancing the mood and feel of the shoot and ensuring the photographer has the perfect scene to capture.
Frosted Raspberry
Started by Claire-Ann as a creative outlet after leaving her teaching job, Frosted Raspberry offers bespoke baked goods (cakes, cupcakes, cake pops and the most beautifully decorated cookies).
If you love edible art and all things delicious, then give Frosted Raspberry a follow (and be sure to check out Claire-Ann’s process videos on her Instagram Stories, its incredible to see the level of detail and amount of work that goes into each of her beautiful creations).
Hide and Sleek
From the love of leather, the love of handmade and the love of creativity – the idea of Hide and Sleek was conceived. Using premium leather, a pop of colour and a drizzle of passion, their quality products are purposefully crafted knowing that an accessory can be all you need to brighten up your day.
IMJ Studio
IMJ Studio is run by Inge Marais, jewellery designer, maker, mom, gardener, cook, amateur birdwatcher and so much more. She works from her home-studio in Bellville, Cape Town and finds inspiration through everyday ‘normal life’ and having loved ones close. Those interactions feed into her work and she therefore often describes her work as autobiographical.
Kids Emporium & Silistraw
Kids Emporium is the largest chain of children’s boutiques in Southern Africa, with over 30 stores across Southern Africa and over 200 suppliers, Kids Emporium stores can be found in all major South African cities. The Kids Emporium brand prides itself on providing parents with access to quality, on-trend and internationally acclaimed products for themselves and their baby.
Their product selection and service excellence is motivated by their core philosophy – an unwavering passion to be the best and most valued choice for parents, babies and toddlers with regards to quality, price and service.
AND
Silistraw is a reusable silicone straw that can be easily cleaned, folded and stored in a convenient small capsule. Sold at Kids Emporium stores, these straws are durable, foldable, BPA-free and dishwasher friendly.
Lakari Creative Studio
Lakari, a family collaboration built on inspiration, love and creativity, offers beautiful handmade packaging and designs for professional photographers and creatives.
Their products are unique and specially handcrafted to bring an artistic look and feel that inspires. By offering distinctive and stylish products and packaging solutions, they help creatives to save time and energy, freeing them up to focus on what they love doing best: making art!
Love Letters Stationery
Love Letters Stationery designs and creates beautiful personalised stationery, paper and gifts for those who appreciate high-quality, one-of-a-kind goods and keepsakes. Their carefully curated collection of unique products, combined with attention to detail and efficiency, set them apart from other online stationery businesses.
Lunar Straps
Lunar is a Cape Town based creative company whose focus is on producing unique camera straps which are locally designed and manufactured. Comprising of two industrial product designers, the brand allows users to creatively express themselves through their range of camera straps. Lunar prides itself on unique and high quality products that enhance the local beauty of South Africa.
Pulse
Pulse Dermatology & Laser is located in Durbanville, Cape Town, and excels in offering ahead-of-the-curve treatments, focusing solely on non-surgical aesthetic procedures.
It is run by Amy Bowie, a pioneer in the industry of dermatology who trained in London alongside world renowned dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Her client list included A-listers of the world and during her time in the United Kingdom, she led and trained teams of medical therapists at E.F. Medispa – the top clinic chain in the UK – where she also led the team to receive the UK’s Gold Standard Aesthetics Award in 2011.
Skin Creamery
The Skin Creamery vision is to instill a daily ritual of simple self-care, which translates into a loving appreciation for who you are, just as you are. The range, founded in 2014, by Hannah Rubin, with a commitment to natural, simple living, aims to strip bare your daily routine to the essentials that naturally nourish and nurture the skin. The Skin Creamery ethos is to be kind to the earth, and kind to your skin.
Sugar and Vice
Sugar & Vice is all about creating a more beautiful life. Natalie van Dijk (nee Vice) always knew two things: that she wanted to run her own business and that she wanted to incorporate her creative talents into this business. She has managed to make both dreams a reality and illustrates and designs homeware products, jewellery and gifts, which are all handmade in Cape Town, South Africa.
The impetus to make this happen eventually came in the form of her retrenchment from her marketing job in 2014. Rather than acknowledge defeat, Natalie saw this as an opportunity to reinvent herself and make that business idea happen!
Sugar Swan
The Sugar Swan is an artisan flavoured cotton candy company and is a first of its kind in South Africa. The Sugar Swan has taken a fresh spin on the magic of cotton candy, by creating mouth watering flavours with a dash of whimsy. They offer a variety of delicious flavours, from their pina colada with toasted coconut flakes, salted caramel popcorn, rose water, lavender, galaxy, black midnight vanilla and lemonade with a tangy fizz (and so much more).
The Little Banner Company
The Little Banner Company, started in 2014 by Claire Choudhry, is a small business aimed at creating handmade goods with love and sharing them around the world to inspire others and brighten your home. Made using fabric and felt, each of the items are unique, customizable and one of a kind.
Claire can also be found online at Gathered by Claire, a blog inspired by her joy of gathering and foraging, and what started as a creative outlet whilst on maternity leave has developed into a beautiful online space where she shares her journey into joyful motherhood, chasing dreams and self-fulfillment through creativity.
Tiger Lily Tots
Tiger Lily, a local business fueled by passion, offers a variety of decor, toys and accessories for little people and their parents.
Fabric components of this contemporary range are made in-house, often using a variety of textures. Tiger Lily love texture and the variety of fabrics they have chosen are proof of this, with most products boasting a combination of fabrics. Not only do they look great but little people enjoy the textures and contrasting colours too. They have also recently added a range of handcrafted wooden products that complement their handstitched products. The wooden items are hand carved from Linden wood by crafters in Russia and then handpainted in-house to provide a beautiful range of monochromatic toys that assist with learning through play.
Vivolicious
Vivolicious is a proudly South African brand making beautiful active wear. They transform art, inspired by nature and human emotions, into quality fitness apparel, resulting in stylish, statement active wear.
They are passionate about nature, and make a difference by pledging a percentage of all sales to the Flower Valley Conservation Trust for fynbos flower conservation.
Their core philosophy, “Everything has to work – It has to be pretty AND practical” has brought many a repeat customer, not just for the lovely prints, but for the utmost functional comfort.
Woven Whimsy
Woven Whimsy is a collection of woven and punch-needled wall hangings and home decor items. Danielle Smith, the incredible creative behind Woven Whimsy started weaving in 2018, after searching for a creative outlet whilst on maternity leave with her second child.
Woven Whimsy is all about fibre, pattern, and a love of making “touchable art”. Every item is unique, and will not be reproduced, so you can
No Comments