We're Moving! | Kelsey & Nate Move to Forest, Virginia

I’m not sure what the bigger news is: that I blogged, or that we’re moving to Virginia. 

Still, it’s appropriate to give both of those things their moment. *Celebratory pause for blogging* and now, on to Virginia. 

Saying goodbye to our house in Charlotte after we walked through it and bawled our eyes out from the memories.

The Backstory

Near the end of 2020, with Nate’s job at Till Agency being completely remote and my continuous travel to VA for weddings and photographing family and engagement  sessions, we re-evaluated our life in Charlotte and asked “what’s keeping us here?” 

I mean there’s incredible benefits of living in a major metropolitan area. We’re in the midst of 7 different Targets, 5 movie theaters, 2 Trader Joes, and 1 international airport. However, the main reason we’re in Charlotte right now is because of family. Which, by the way, is a good enough reason to move/stay anywhere and that principle happens to be part of our family values. So why the move then?

Because, another part of living out our values is creating a habitat for our family, for our children to grow and thrive. A safe haven for them and others needing respite to experience peace and refreshment. We’re constantly fighting to be intentional and unhurried in a culture that promotes busyness. To help combat our own inclination for busy, we want to live in an environment that aids in deep breaths and togetherness. We know this will not only help our children, but our marriage and family thrive in this season. Even more, it sets us up to give to others what cannot be bought — peace, rest, restoration, and love. 

In short, our current location and space isn’t as conducive for us to live out these values in this season. I hope it’s clear that this isn’t what everyone should do right now. Heck, we won’t always occupy the space we’re moving into because our next step after this is to find land (like lannnnnd) and build. But this is what benefits us most in this season; just like North Carolina did these past 4 years.

We’ve been out and about for a month and visted Sarah Pascutti and she grabbed these treasured photos on Sullivan’s Island.

SO. We’re moving to Forest, VA into an already redone 1880’s farmhouse on the most beautiful, peaceful, and still 2 acres. The cows are our neighbors and I’ve imagined our kids climbing in and playing under the giant weeping willow and running down the tree-lined driveway. We also have a vision for how to make the space our own and I’m honestly excited for those projects. Aside from the house itself, there are mountains there -- “Hills” for my West Coast Friends -- which are incredibly grounding for me. (Don’t worry, still an Anna Maria Island beach girl at heart forever and ever. and ever.) AND we have community. It’s been 4 years since we moved from our Downtown Lynchburg Loft to NC and our community is still strong there -- another incredible treasure that cannot be bought. Lastly, Kelsey & Nate is still rooted in VA and I cannot TELL you how excited I am to keep growing our business, serve more families & couples, and use our property for photo locations. 

gIDEON rain & afton Mercy — we were privileged to bring both babies home to our first house

Afton at 2 weeks old and again at 2 years old celebrating a pandemic birthday while waiting for her brother to be born

Some General Q & A’s

Will we miss our family?
Are tankless hot water heaters the best? If you don’t know, you’ve never had one and I can’t answer this question without crying.

Will we ever visit North Carolina?
Absolutely. We still have family, weddings, friends, family, counselors, an airport, Madewell, fave restaurants, and did I mention family there? Right now I’m driving on 29N at least once a month so we’ll just flip that and reverse it. 

Can you take our photos?
HECK YES. I’d love to. Contact me here and let’s get you set up!

Can we visit you?
Again, heck tankless hot water heaters yes. We’ll be adding onto the house after we move in so we’ll have a completed and separate guest space for you. Another one of our values is hosting so having a place for you is v important to us. 

How did you find this slice of heaven house?
Through our incredible realtor & friend Johanna Calfee. We’ve known Johanna for years and even traveled with her to Thailand to do photo/video work for Freedom 424. When you go around the world with someone, you get to know them pretty well so it was an easy decision to work with her to find this amazing place that never went on the market -- that’s how good she is.

Well friends, if you live in Virginia, we’ll most likely be seeing you soon. Mainly because there’s one Target. If you have more questions, drop them below and I’ll answer!

Much Love, 

Kelsey & Nate, Afton & Gideon, & Henry

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5 Reasons Why You Should Attend The Ordinary Workshop | Charlotte, North Carolina

Last week, registration for The Ordinary Workshop went live and a couple of those 8 spots have already been taken!! So you’re still on the fence? Let’s get you over to the other side, here’s 5 reasons why you should DEFINITELY COME.

Reason 1 | You don’t have to shoot film like me. But “whhhhhhhat? Isn’t this where I learn film?” Yes! BUT just like digital, two people using the same equipment and shooting the same subject doesn’t equal the same photo. So in film, if two people are shooting the same format, same film stock, and even using the same scanner, it doesn’t equal the same photo. Why? Because the biggest variable is YOU and your preferences. For example, here are two photos edited 3 different ways.

They weren’t even scanned different scanners - just edited according to different preferences. So come learn film with me but don’t think that what you shoot HAS to look like my work. Our goal is to help you explore and find your preferences!!

Reason 2 |  The FIND Lab. They are freaking sponsoring this workshop and will be providing some awesomeness for attendees. They know their stuff and even if you don’t want to use them (seriously, no pressure), they are an INCREDIBLY helpful resource.

Reason 3 | The workshop is a business expense - read: tax write off. Investing in yourself and your business should absolutely be a priority. I could write a lot about this, but I’m jumping off my soapbox because there’s still 2 more reasons.

Reason 4 | Payment Plan. Look, We’re not stupid, this workshop is extremely affordable on purpose. We really love film and teaching and WANT to make this as accessible as possible -- and part of doing that is a payment plan. Don’t want to pay the full amount upfront? No problem. Three easy payments of $250 will get you where you need to go. Send me an e-mail here and I’ll get you set-up today.

Reason 5 | You get to learn from someone else! Surprise!! KC Lostetter will be joining us to teach sessions and help with the workshop. She’s another amazing film photographer and when I met her, she hailed from Hawaii. She just recently moved to Colorado with her adorable family and if you stand close enough, you’ll get a dose of her fantastic humor. She’s a serious color master and her double exposures and light leaks basically transport you to another world. Check out her Instagram here.

R - photo by KC Lostetter | L -  photo by Annie Groves

So let’s go! Grab a friend, sign-up together, and let’s get this Ordinary party started

*Check out the FAQ's here to get the skinny on The Ordinary Workshop

The Best Film Photography Tools | Find in a Box

I’ll make this short and sweet. Here are the top three things I recommend for EVERYONE in the film world and the top two for everyone in the photography world. Big statements I know, but I can back it up.

LEFT: Dimly lit church? no problem | HP5 +3
rIGHT: COLOR FILM STOCK AT a reception?! yep. portra 400 +2

FIND IN A BOX
Aka Film is Not Dead in a Box.

Basically everything you'd ever need and want to know about film straight from the film master himself (Jon Canlas).

I'm telling you, it's the best way to learn film photography since before sliced bread existed.

These videos and 8 Lessons (with over 400+ PDF pages) take you from Film 101 to 401 and give you insight to what you actually need to know instead of floundering on your own spending time and resources on the wrong things. In regards to film, this little slice of heaven is what’s changed our business the most and I will spend forever and ever recommending it.

Plussssss, purchase of this incredible workshop give you an all access pass to the best place on the internet -- the FIAB Facebook group where we continually learn from each other, ask questions, sell and buy gear, and have a ton of fun. Read: no question is stupid and there’s no meanies. Plus, Jon’s active in the group and you get to pick his brain continually which is worth every penny.

THE BIZ GUIDE

Have you ever seen anything so beautiful that automates sales for you? No? well now you have. 

Whether you’re a film shooter or not, running a business is something we all have in common and need to be good at to sustain said business. This guide basically walks you through business basics that are straightforward and easy to implement.

One of the greatest assets of this guide though is shows you via video lessons how to set up Instaproofs - the greatest proofing and delivery gallery known to man. Seriously.

If you’re a photographer and not selling prints, you’re LITERALLY leaving money on the table. While Instaproofs does have a high learning curve, it’s a beast of a machine that will change your business and you don’t have to be scared of it because Jon walks you through it. Lastly, another takeaway from TBG is that your business should work for YOU -- it shouldn’t be a copy of whatever someone else is doing. And precisely how is that done, finances and all? With this guide.

THE OHANA GUIDE

Family session on Portra 800 +1 | Pentax 645nII | no auto focus ya'll

Take family photos - but actually do it well. Again, this guide is not specifically for film photographers; though film photographers will benefit from watching Jon in action at sessions using film #manualfocus. This info is all you need to show up to a family session and rock it’s face off and not take forever doing it. You'll learn exactly what you need to do and gain the confidence to do it.

So there you have it -- all the film photography tools that have immensely helped us! Like all good learners, if you have questions, drop them below so other's can benefit from the answers! If I don't know something, I'll do my best to find it and answer you on here. 

P.S. I’d be shouting these praises forever for free (and I have) but Jonathan has arranged for me to get a few bucks each time you sign-up for one of these workshops.

The Ordinary Workshop

YOU SEE, THERE'S THIS LIE.

This lie of an idea that we subject ourselves to. The idea that who we are isn’t’ enough. That we need to be different, more, and extraordinary. Even the idea that we should conform to other's expectations.

But the ordinary – that’s where freedom happens. The not caring – where you’re unleashed to be who you are and you can savor your life as it is – even when it may seem insignificant to others. 

This desire to live life fully and shamelessly is where The Ordinary Workshop was born and lives. And right now, that means using film as my medium and teaching others how to shoot confidently to capture their ordinary.

WHAT is it?

A two-day, hands-on experience where you’ll be introduced to film and leave best friends with your favorite stock. Learn the basics and ask all the questions in a low-pressure and high-communal atmosphere. 

DETAILS

Where: Forest, VA
When: September 10 (1:30-8:30 pm) 
           September 11 (10:00-4:00 pm)

INVESTMENT

Early Bird Special of $625 (until August 1) | Cost: $700

So don't wait, sign up and start capturing your ordinary, because that's what ends up being extraordinary.

SIGN ME UP