I thought I would try to answer some of the questions I've had recently in my inbox.
The BIGGEST thing I've been asked recently has been how did Learnfest compare to The Secret Workshop.
Honestly, I don't even know how to begin to compare them because the experiences were so very different.
The Secret Workshop is definitely geared towards someone just starting out in the pro arena or just getting ready to go pro. It is 40 people in a lecture style environment for most of the time. It is a good start for learning more about putting together pricing and packages and great for getting Photoshop tips. If you don't do much post processing now the Photoshop stuff is valuable. I would consider myself somewhat advanced when it comes to Photoshop and I even learned a few new tricks. I think a part of what you would get out of it would depend on your secret guest. Our guest was shy and didn't really share much about her technique. Her answers to questions were brief and I personally didn't feel like I got much out of her segment although I really wanted to. She specializes in those wonderful interactive family portraits but didn't really tell us her secret for getting them. But I know some of the other guest speakers were very well received. The shoot time was very generous although papparizzi style but you can leave with a good number of portfolio photos. The biggest strength that the Secret Workshop has going for it is Cheyrl. She is so motivational you'll definitely walk away feeling like you can do it too. My average sales pretty much doubled after going to Secret Workshop because of the way I revised my pricing. The tuition in line with many other two day workshops out there. Future workshop dates and locations unknown.
The Learnfest Workshop is more of an immersion experience. You room with other participants and have meals with the other participants so I know I left with a whole new group of friends. And although there are 60 participants, you are broken into smaller groups based on experience level. So if you are just starting out you'll be with the other folks just starting out. If you are in year 3 of your business with six figure revenue, you'll be with other people with the same level of experience. I thought this was brilliant because then everyone gets what they need and can ask questions openly. Also, because of the size of the groups, I felt like the instructors were more accessible. The amount of time learning is longer, I think, then most workshops and since it is all inclusive it is a higher tuition but at the end of the day I felt like it was totally worth it. My sales have doubled AGAIN after this workshop. If I were just starting out I would have loved to have been able to go to something like this because it is such a great head start AND gives you an idea of what is possible as far as the business side of things. Yes, yes, we creative types may be dragged kicking and screaming into the business part but if you are going to have a successful business you do have to take the selling, marketing, and budgeting parts seriously too. I do wish there had been a workbook from the workshop but I'm a big workbook kind of person (I loved Photoshop World because we got a huge manual of all the presentations at the end). And it was, um, challenging, to get to our workshop (two flights, a shuttle, a ferry, and another shuttle) but the area was beautiful. The upcoming workshop looks like they worked that part out to an easier to get to and JUST as beautiful location (stunning actually). Future workshop April 6-9, 2009 at Chateau Elan near Atlanta GA. Registration opens November 15th!
Some of your Questions about Learnfest:
I'm just starting out
- learning everyday about photos and deciding if I can start a business.
Would this week be a good learning experience or too advanced? Would it
be more appropriate for someone with an established business?
As I said, I wish I had gone to something like this when I was first starting out. It may seem a little overwhelming if you are just starting out but at the same time I think it would give you such a HUGE head start. The photography portions are not technical photography lessons. They are more about learning how to interact with a client and positioning for the light. The business portions are huge. And you'd be paired with other folks just starting out so you could feel safe asking your questions.
I started my photography business this year
(I've been photographing for several years, but not commercially). Things are
moving along, but I do want to learn a lot to help my business grow. Do you
think that this workshop is geared for newbies as well?
If you can afford to make it happen I think it is a good investment in yourself an your business. My sales have increased with a boost from the workshop. You'll get help with how to market yourself and how to price yourself too. Even with an established business it was enough to make my head swim BUT in a totally good way!
What
level of skill and equipment is required for LearnFest?
Technically, you could attend without a camera. The portions with Tamara and Audrey include going out to see what they do and you can observe without taking any pictures. I saw everything from a point and shoot to high end DSLRs so it didn't seem to matter. However, since it is not a technical class you should be comfortable with the settings on your camera because that is not what you are going to learn. I think both shoot in manual mode.
Make sure you read through the Learnfest website to find out more about what each of the instructors cover during their portion of the experience. And the FAQs are a good way to get more information too.
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