December 30, 2013: The 2013 Year In Review

Last year my during my 2012 year-in-review blog post, I poured my heart out about the ups and downs of the year and what I learned going forward. I started an experiment called 52 Chances. Every week I put myself out there in some way: entering contests, teaching a workshop, sending out a packet or email. It was a great experiment that opened doors for me. Though many good things came out of that experiment, one of the things learned was that I was focusing more on promotion than work. I am not a fast worker. It takes time for me to plan my images and, for lack of a better term, the spirit to move me. Some months I can get 3 solid images in and some months I don't take my camera out of the bag. This year put myself out there, but made sure that I worked consistently to shoot and finish my series The Heart and The Heavy.

The year started out perfectly with a retreat in New Mexico with David Bram and Jennifer Schwartz's Flash Powder Projects. The retreat came at a perfect time for me.  I was spinning my wheels and needed solid direction. I left New Mexico with a 12 month plan and I am happy to say that 10 months later I have stuck with that plan. You can read in detail about the retreat here.

Shortly after the retreat I taught a wonderful group of women at my Savannah workshop. I was extremely impressed by the outcome of the photos from that day. I have shared this video before but I feel it is worth sharing again.

Of course one of the highlights of the year was the Project Imaginat10n experience. What a wild night that was! If you missed the blog post you can catch up here (celebrity photo bombs and all).

Throughout the year I took some of my favorite images to date and completed my series The Heart and The Heavy. The series was shown at two galleries, one in Durham, NC and one in Atlanta, GA.

Overall I would say that the year was a success, but it wasn't without its ups and downs. Many days came with elation, recognition, rejection, self-doubt, defeat and confusion. Despite this, I wouldn't change my occupation. Creating is a fight, a good fight. Completing an image that has been wrestling within me for months makes all those uncertainties worth it.

I spoke about these ups and downs recently to a creativity class at Wake Forest University. I have found through my short time in this profession that if you only look towards the end goal then you will be disappointed. There are so many small events and chance meetings that lead to bigger things. You may not see these at the time. When I woke up this morning I found this quote on the internet by Dr. Seuss:
  
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

This holds true for all aspects of life though particularly resonates for me regarding my work. Every small thing has the possibility to open the door to experiences one never dreamed.

So what does 2014 hold for me? I am moving forward with clear goals yet an open mind and space to allow events to unfold. I am starting a new project soon but will continue to put myself out there and await serendipity.

I sincerely wish all of you a Happy New Year and thank you for your support.

Heather

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April 13, 2013: Savannah, GA Workshop Wrapup

Almost a month has passed since my workshop in Savannah. I only conduct a few of these workshops a year and always come back inspired by the camaraderie and creativity of the participants.

The forecast was iffy. I was actually hoping for a little rain. A misty, cloudy day in Savannah is a perfect scenario. Savannah is a haunting city and I wanted to capture that spirit in the photos.

The first day of the workshop included a presentation, creativity exercise and a "getting to know you" session. Day two started with a planned shoot. Months before I was struck by the size and beauty of atlas moths online and was fortunate to locate a dozen from a humane dealer. (The moths live full life spans, dying of natural causes.)

Below are a few of the images:

Experimenting with real Asian atlas moths!
© 2013 Heather Evans Smith Photography

No photoshop other than color editing. Just the right placement of bodies.
© 2013 Heather Evans Smith Photography

The participants then split into two groups. Each participant had an allotted time to shoot their vision with other group members assisting. It became an informal morning that flowed organically. There were combinations of groups working together and single photographers shooting ideas planned in advance or inspired by the moment. The weather was perfectly cloudy. We could shoot anywhere without worry of patchy light.

One favorite spot among the participants was this horizontal tree. I couldn't resist taking a shot myself.

The famous tree everyone fell in love with.
© 2013 Heather Evans Smith Photography

We took a break for lunch when a downpour started. Lucky for us, the sun began shining through the mossy oaks during our second session of shooting. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with headdresses and flowy dresses along the avenue of the oaks before parting ways.

Black and white hipstamatic images by Melissa Hall.

I am so impressed with the photographs that have come from the workshop. Below is a video featuring some of the participants images. Take a look!

Thank you all for sharing and creating with me. I look forward to following your photography adventures. Thank you Tracy Moore for hosting me in beautiful Savannah. Also a big thanks goes to models Morgan Marlowe and Heather Richards, makeup artist Amanda Joiner and hairstylist Samantha Fletcher.  

The next creativity workshop will be held in the UK in September. Stay tuned here and on my site for further information.

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December 1, 2012: 2013 Spring Workshop Registration Now Open!

Registration is now open for my spring creativity workshop in Savannah, GAA! Below is a general itinerary for the workshop.

Savannah, GA
March 22-23, 2013
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Friday
4 p.m. - Until
Join Heather as she discusses her progression into conceptual photography and how shooting for yourself can benefit shooting for others. Heather will also discuss idea boosters to overcome creative blocks, concepting with clients and making time for you. The discussion will end with a creativity exercise. Dinner afterwards is optional where workshop attendees can continue this open conversation. Participants are encouraged to bring samples of their work so we can get to know each other and each other's photography styles.

Saturday
9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Today is a full day of shooting. Two to three models will be on hand with a professional makeup/hairstylist. Heather will set up unique shots in various locations, all the while discussing styling and ways to incorporate these ideas into client work. Everyone will get a chance to jump in and direct the models to their vision. Lunch will be provided. Shooting will end around 4 to leave plenty of time for a Q & A and wrap up of the weekend.

A limited space of 10 is available for this intimate engagement.

Workshop is appropriate for all levels of photographers. However, this workshop discusses creativity primarily so a basic knowledge of camera techniques is encouraged.

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Testimonials

As a professional photographer with more than a decade of capturing weddings I am frequently asked why I continue to attend workshops each year. It's so simple to me in that it's a great way to keep our creativity flowing and always bring something fresh to our clients. I've experienced many different workshops but by far the best was our recent experience with Heather Evans Smith. I have been a fan of her work for a long time so I jumped at the opportunity to attend. It's hard to accurately describe how much I feel that this workshop pushed me forward into new ideas and new ways of approaching our images. I photographed a wedding the weekend after her workshop and there are images from that event that I feel are some of the most creative that I've ever done. For me the chance to attend this workshop was genuinely a game changer. I'll be attending again just as soon as the schedule allows. It doesn't get any better than her workshop.

Debbie Peacock
Peacock Photo &Video
Atlanta, GA


If you want to go to a unique and inspiring photography workshop, check out Heather Evans Smith. I participated in her workshop in Knoxville, TN in April and it changed the way I think about a photography session. If you are stuck in a creative rut, this will knock you out of it and get you thinking in ways that you haven't before.

Kortney Jarman
Jarman Photography
Knoxville, TN


I recently had the privilege of seeing Heather create some amazing portraits right in front of our eyes...in a small room. Her endless creativity, "out of the square" ideas and inspiration constantly have me in awe. I'm always looking forward to seeing her work and hope to once again be in her creative presence, to learn and watch her work her magic.
Charmaine Otto
Charmaine Otto Photography
Yarraman Qld, Australia


In her two day workshop we not only learned what makes her mind tick but also how to unlock our own imaginations. I think this weekend confirmed my decision to move full time into photography. I LOVE what I do!

Rebecca Holland
Rebecca Holland Photography
Greensboro, NC


First, I wanted to tell you how again how much I enjoyed the creative workshop. It was facinating to hear about your own creative process and how you use personal history, music and the landscape to develop your vision. And I loved your narration of your Beatles project. Of course, I'd recommend your workshop to anyone wanting to shoot more than the average norm that seems to be so popular!

Tracy Moore
Warner Robins, GA


Her workshop gave me a creative boost. I left seeing things differently and full of ideas. If you can make it to one of her workshops I highly recommended it, and if you don’t know who she is you need to find out.

Derek Martinez
Derek Martinez Photography
Nashville, NC


I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. We had two great locations, adventurous models, and a group of wonderful people to share it with. I feel like there was a lot of great information, but I think the biggest thing I think I took away was that we should develop and use our imaginations to create images that we love. If we do that, then others (clients, friends, etc...) will love them as well.

Torey Searcy
Torey Searcy Photography
Greensboro, NC

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