How creativeLIVE Changed My Business & My Life: Seattle Alumni Speak!

Wondering what is so different about experiencing a creativeLIVE workshop in Seattle as part of the studio audience versus participating online at home? I was curious so I asked our studio audience alumni. Wow! I’m blown away by their inspirational stories of how attending a creativeLIVE workshop in person has grown their businesses and changed their lives!

I hope to see YOU in Seattle at an upcoming creativeLIVE workshop! We are now calling for video submissions for upcoming workshops with Tamara Lackey, David Nightingale and Rick Sammon!

Candice Benjamin: “Just a couple of things that happened in the 2 day Jasmine Star Workshop...I quit my full time job. Since April my business has been growing by leaps and bounds. It's amazing that it all started with a simple video of me acting goofy. During the workshop in Seattle, I met 6 other people that I now consider family. We instantly clicked and totally cried when we had to go back home. A Legit photo family. Since the other students were from around the US, I now have contacts everywhere. I've shot a wedding in Denver, an Engagement shoot in San Fransisco and will always have a place to stay in Hawaii. :) Some of us are even trying to move closer to each other...and if that isn't love I don't know what is. And it all started with creativeLIVE.” Building your Wedding Photography Business with Jasmine Star

Erin Oveis Brant: “Attending creativeLIVE was a life-changing experience!! I left with a wealth of information to take my business to the next level AND a small army of new supporters (love you Jets!) to help hold me accountable as I work toward my goals. Submitting that video was the best chance I've ever taken!” Building your Wedding Photography Business with Jasmine Star

John Payne: “Being a part of the creativeLIVE experience was absolutely incredible. I came away from it empowered with a sense of commitment and determination that I've never had anywhere else. I don't think I could have grown nearly as much in the last four months if it had not been for creativeLIVE. All from submitting a video. It put me on the path to be doing what I love everyday. I'm so thankful for the experience.” Building your Wedding Photography Business with Jasmine Star

Tim King: “I've heard time & time again from several photographers that workshops are pivotal, not necessarily because of the information you learn - but the connections you make. After attending the Jasmine Star workshop, I've found myself in a tight community that holds each other accountable for our never-ending growth. THAT, is invaluable - something you just *can't* get watching the computer.” Building your Wedding Photography Business with Jasmine Star

Jef Gibbons: “Being at Vincent's workshop was an incredible experience. creativeLIVE has since inspired me to keep studying and keep learning, and I've already branched my business into photography and video and have set a vision for the future with the tools I have acquired.” HDDSLR: Moving From Still to Video with Vincent Laforet

Mackenzie Dupuy: “The opportunity creativeLIVE provides is something unrivaled in the industry today. All too often artists become protective of their how to's and tricks of the trade and put them under lock and key. Simply put, creativeLIVE shatters this paradigm by providing a unique opportunity to learn and ask question directly with professionals in the field. You can't pass this up.” HDDSLR: Moving From Still to Video with Vincent Laforet

Daphne Chan: “The best part about being at creativeLIVE is completely immersing yourself in this amazing learning experience and participating in a creative community. The connections you make can shape who you become as an artist.” Foundations of a Working Photographer with Zack Arias

David Noceti: “Being on creativeLIVE is not about the exposure. It's not about the contacts. It's not even about the learning. It's about accepting the challenge to LIVE. If you're ready to make a change in your life, being a part of the creativeLIVE team will change you forever.” Foundations of a Working Photographer with Zack Arias

Kathleen Flinn: “It's a cliche to say that something changed your life, but my weekend with Penny de los Santos at creativeLIVE truly did that. It kicked off a journey that's since opened up an entire language to me. I can't even begin to explain the value of getting this experience in real time, in studio. As a bonus, I made such close friends with my on-air comrades that we're in contact almost daily. If you're wondering if it's worth the hassle or the time, all I can say is just go do it.” Food Photography with Penny De Los Santos

Loren Root: “Being in studio at creativeLIVE not only introduced me to one of my "heroes," it almost instantly formed lifelong relationships that center around common passions. I encourage anyone looking to follow their dreams to submit a video, or, as my creativeLIVE instructor, Penny de los Santos would say, "dream big and leap!".” Food Photography with Penny De Los Santos

Rodney Bedsole: “When creativeLIVE announced that Penny De Los Santos would be teaching a workshop, I knew that I had to be there in person. But how? I'd never shot a video before. I didn't know what I was doing. I was scared to death. But I picked up my camera, made the video the best I could, spoke from my heart, and was chosen by Penny to be there in person. I met some amazing people while I was there, and made some friendships that will last a lifetime. I have gone from being an amateur photographer to being one of the staff photographers for Edible Brooklyn and Edible Manhattan. creativeLIVE is a great vehicle to take your photography to the next level.” Food Photography with Penny De Los Santos

Diana Johnson: “Being in the live audience for creativeLIVE is an incredibly valuable experience. You get to spend time behind the scenes with some incredibly talented and genuine people, as well as build relationships with new friends and mentors who are passionate about the same things you are.” HDDSLR Filmmaking with Gale Tattersall

Jenny May Finn: “creativeLIVE gave me the biggest opportunity of my life to meet my filming and photography inspirations who then gave their time to teach me their tricks. There is no substitute for learning from the best in person. I feel so inspired, lovely and full of knowledge. It's helped me realize what I, personally, need to do to be the best I can be in my work.” HDDSLR Filmmaking with Gale Tattersall

Michael Kleven: “It was a wonderful experience to learn from Gale Tattersall, hanging out with my classmates for a few days and getting to know some of the interesting people around creativeLIVE. This is a unique opportunity to learn & grow while having a really good time.” HDDSLR Filmmaking with Gale Tattersall

Alan Matthews: “Do you want to rub shoulders with your favorite photographer by day and possibly even go out for post-day pizza? Do you want to glean from your photographic idols those critical intangibles which contribute to their success? The most important thing I got from Jeremy Cowart was seeing how being relaxed with your subjects enhances your own creativity and your resulting images...and it is ok if an idea doesn't work but be fearless in what you try.” Experimental Portraiture with Jeremy Cowart

Christian J. Sweet: “Community breeds inspiration. Being physically present in the classroom tears down the walls, allowing you to witness firsthand that these renowned artists are simple people like you and I. And if that's not an encouraging thought, I don't know what is.” Experimental Portraiture with Jeremy Cowart

Katie Fulton: “creativeLIVE changed my life. Being part of the live audience helped me to find a confidence I didn't know I had. Not only did I get to meet all the amazing people involved, but I have been able to meet several other amazing photographers and now friends through twitter and email. I still go back and watch the downloads and each time I do I learn something new. creativeLIVE is the gift that keeps on giving.” Children's Portrait Photography with Tamara Lackey

Jesse Clements: “creativeLIVE was truly a launch pad for me on this journey of chasing a dream. I will definitely be trying to go back LIVE and of course watching via interwebs. Going to Seattle was an experience I won't forget in this life.” Children's Portrait Photography with Tamara Lackey

Alison Henrie: “For 15 minutes to make a video, I was lucky enough to see a new city, watch Tamara Lackey work her magic, take in fantastic behind the scenes, and most importantly, bond with amazing people with whom I now consider among my best friends. I'll be watching so go make a video!!! Thank you again and again creativeLIVE! I have since opened a studio and am confident that the courage to finally do it came from the resources I learned while at CreativeLIVE!” Children's Portrait Photography with Tamara Lackey

Nikki McArthur: “Being a part of the Tamara Lackey CreativeLIVE weekend last year definitely changed my business entirely. No, being on CreativeLIVE didn't get me more clients, nor did it convince my clients to pay me more. It did give me the confidence to grow my business, value myself as an artist and realize that the word 'artist' doesn't have to automatically bring to mind the word 'starving'. It gave me the kick in the butt to really do this. Today my average sale is 5x higher than it was last year. I owe that to CreativeLIVE and the relationships I formed while there.” Children's Portrait Photography with Tamara Lackey

Jim Catechi: “I know you all have dreamed about scoring that elusive backstage pass to your favorite concert. Coming to CL as a student is like having a 72 hour backstage pass.” Children's Portrait Photography with Tamara Lackey

Stephanie Miller: “Without creativeLIVE I wouldn't be in business today. The entire Jasmine Star/creativeLIVE experience was remarkable providing me with the tools, the confidence, and the support system I needed to make this work. The cast and crew are like family to me. I don't think there was any better way to jump start my career.” Wedding Photography Course with Jasmine Star

Victoria de Martigny: “My experience as an in-person student on CreativeLIVE was the single best investment I made in myself and in my business last year: J* for five days changed the way I approach my business and I've DOUBLED my bookings in just one year!! But wait, there's more: candid discussions over lunch and "off-camera" breaks, chillin' with the crew from creativeLIVE, networking with photographers from around the world and developing a REAL connection with the other students (The creativeLIVE 5) who are still tight, with our own Facebook group, Skype chats and lots of e-mails supporting and encouraging each other as our businesses grow and change. Seriously, what are you waiting for?! Send in your video now!!” Wedding Photography Course with Jasmine Star

Rachel Thurston: “Lets face it, in this business connections and education are everything. creativeLIVE gives you both. I was SO impressed with my weekend with the CL family. I was on a learning high and made connections with some really amazing people that continue to inspire me through their work and passion for photography. I feel like the fellow students I attended with have become dear friends...and now Zack Arias actually knows who I am and gives me advice on the regular. PRICELESS. What an amazing, inspiring weekend. Wish I could do it again and again.” Studio Lighting with Zack Arias

John P. Dunnigan: “Seriously, just get off your butt & do it, but be prepared for the time of your life. Workshop transformed my thinking!” Lighten Up and Shoot with Mikey & Andy

Fran Ruchalski: “If you're even considering submitting a video at all for creativeLIVE, DO IT. It is without a doubt one of the biggest game changers of my photography career. Everything, my vision, my photography, my confidence, my business model, my professional and personal relationships have all changed in a big way as a result of being at creativeLIVE.” Lighten Up and Shoot with Mikey & Andy

Terri Keefer: “I would like to encourage anyone and everyone to produce a video submission for any creativeLIVE workshop! It doesn't have to be crazy or fancy (like I felt mine should be!). Just make sure your submission is entertaining enough to get you noticed. Be yourself and state why you feel you deserve to be in the audience. It's also fun to watch Twitter to see what people are saying about your video.... and the waiting to see if you're picked. I LOVE being a creativeLIVE alum, and I plan on submitting a video again in the near future. The friendships and support I gained have elevated my photography to the next level faster than I ever could have imagined. It's an amazing opportunity that I surely would have paid big money for. I learned so much from Bambi Cantrell, that many of her techniques are innate. I don't even have to think about them... they are part of my craft now! Just do it, you deserve it!” Posing and Lighting with Bambi Cantrell

Come join us in Seattle!

~Kenna Klosterman