NOVEMBER 1, 2015

Cape May, New Jersey

Have you ever been perusing Facebook and came across someone, usually a celebrity of some sort, and instantly felt that “Hey if we met in person, I know we would become best friends” type of feeling?  You either have the same sense of humor, style, excellent taste in movies or tv shows or something along those lines.  Well, for me that was Kaitlin Noel.  I’m sure if you are reading this post you have already checked out her AHHHHHH-mazing wedding and portrait photography, so you know what initially attracted me to her, but as we became “Facebook Friends”, it became so much more than that!  When I decided to pursue my passion for photography as a full time business it was pretty much because of her making it look oh so easy.  I fell in love with each couple she photographed and made such a connection with their love story.  I sat at my computer screen pretty much every day saying to myself, “THAT is the kind of photographer I want to be.”  She’s not just an unbelievably talented wedding photographer, she helps her couples pick vendors, schedule out the whole day down to the minute so nothing is missed and no one is running late and most importantly she stays so connected and builds such an awesome relationship with her couples that they become friends & family to her.  How could I not want to build a business like that?

As we became friends on Facebook, I got to know her personality a little better.  I learned we both have an obsession with Gilmore Girls and pretty much all shows that air on ABC Family’s daytime television.  We love all things that sparkle and shine.. including but not limited to glitter, sequins & gold foiled accessories.  When we are at home we are most definitely in some sort of oversized hoodie and both of our lives run on an abnormally large amount of caffeine.   It’s then I decided that in order to take my business in the direction I wanted to go, I had to learn from a girl that was just like me.  She some how figured out how to balance her booming business with having two small children at home and husband that worked full time.  The thought of somehow finding time to actually build a business while making sure my family’s needs were met was completely overwhelming to me.

My ever-so-supporting husband, Matthew, was picking up on all my hints on how if I am ever REALLY going to make the most out of my business that I  NEEDED to do a mentoring session with Kaitlin Noel Photography.  I am the type of person that HAS to do everything to the best of my ability.  I am not going to show up on a couple’s big day and not be able to photograph it to the best I possibly could.  While I had a decent children & family photography business going, I knew that my passion was in weddings.  How could it not be?  I LOVE everything about them from the graphic design on the invitation down to smallest detail of the Bride’s engagement ring; weddings are absolutely beautiful.  However, the workflow of photographing one completely terrified me.  I had so many questions about the flow of a big wedding day that I knew I needed answered before I could take on this industry full time.

Well, back to my adorable husband- we were away for our anniversary on a trip to Mexico back in August.  Here I am thinking this vacation was my present and one night while we were on our way out to dinner he pulled me aside into one of those cabanas and sits me down.  Me being me, I was more concerned with the humidity in Mexico making my hair an afro then to realize what he was up to.  He takes out his phone and starts videotaping me as he hands me a card (that video will never be shown because of the the afro mentioned above).   In the card was a ONE-ON-ONE mentoring session with the one and only, Kaitlin Noel!  I squealed… A LOT!  He apparently had been going back and fourth emailing her and she knew he was going to surprise me for my anniversary and had the information sent to my in-laws house.  I had NO idea!

We got home from our trip and I got in touch with her to set up a date!  November 1st it was all going down- my dream day with my all-time favorite photographer!   I COULD NOT WAIT! 

November 1st came and I got up super early to do my hair and make up, got dressed in my one outfit and packed my fancy outfit for my head-shots.  I headed down to Cape May, NJ with an XL coffee in hand, so unbelievably excited for the day ahead of me.  I got to Starbucks and within minutes she walked through that door (like the local celebrity that she is 🙂 ).  I got up to say hi and gave her probably the biggest hug ever because it seemed like we had been best friends for years at that moment.

Not to go into all the technical stuff, but we talked for HOUR and HOURS…. and HOURS about everything under the sun.  We drank TONS of coffee, eventually made it to lunch and had some fabulous tacos.. talked some more.  Hurried around to find a fabulous spot for some head-shots because at this point we might have talked a little too much, lol.  After, we went back to .. where else? Starbucks! For some hot coco and some more talking.  She answered all my questions, gave me the confidence I needed to kick some wedding ass, and honestly became an awesome mom/boss lady friend that showed me you can have an full-time business and be there for your kids when they get off the bus.  We probably would have hung out all night if I didn’t have to go pick up my kids and drive back to Connecticut in time for school Monday morning.

Being apart of an industry that has quadrupled in size and has become so unbelievably competitive over the last few years, it’s a comforting feeling to have such a down to earth mentor.  I can honestly say, Kaitlin is exactly the girl I thought she was the first time I came upon her page on Facebook years ago.

SO! I just wanted to share with you all the AMAZING and business changing experience I had with Kaitlin Noel Photography and thank her for a day that honestly changed my me & my business forever.  I recommend it to anyone and everyone that is looking to jump-start their dreams.  I also want to thank my adorable husband for making it all possible & for the best day ever (other than our wedding day & the birth of our two rugrats of course!)

Take a look at some of my favorite headshot below and if you don’t already, go follow KNP on Facebook- I promise, you will not regret it!

KAITLIN NOEL PHOTOGRAPHY- FACEBOOK

Tulle Skirt – Bliss Tulle 🙂