Flourish was FABULOUS!!!!!!

Here are a few photographs from our studio sessins from Flourish workshop. This is the amazing Leah. She is a regular girl off the street who came in and modeled an AMAZING Palmoa Blanca gown. WOW! Check these gowns OUT!


This is Erica. She was so sweet and we spent a lot of our time laughing. She was stunning in a Ramona Keveza bridal gown that I have to admit I've been lusting after for my OWN wedding!

The gowns were all on loan from Bluegrass Bride. The girls' STUNNING makeup was done by Ana Ana Crane-Simpson and Rodney Farmer was the hair stylist. A BIG thank you to all of the behind the scenes staff!

Flourish adventures!

This is the sight that greeted me this morning when I opened my door at the 21C hotel/museum. My buddy, Meredith got WILD AND CRAZY with the penguin, then deposited him at my door.


Ok, so I'm having the most AMAZING experience at Flourish workshop and can't wait to implement some of the fabulous ideas into practice for our spectacular clients!


We will be photographing all day tomorrow, but I thought I'd post a photograph. This is my own engagement ring. I LOOOOVE this photograph! Obviously, because it's my ring, but also because I ADORE blue. The ledge in the bathroom is this RICH blue and I dig it!

This image reminds me of Kristin and Matt's wedding from this summer.

Where in the world is Karen?

At a museum .... which also happens to be an AMAZING hotel!


No, I'm not drinking Mint Juleps all day (or all night). I'm at a fabulous workshop called Flourish. I'll be spending the week honing my business and photographic skills so we can better serve our wedding couples and portrait clients. This is going to be an AMAZING week, and I can't wait to share photos over the next few days!


The wonderful ladies who are putting this together had amazing welcome bags waiting for us! I've only been in Louisville, Kentucky for a few hours, but I LOVE it so far!

Preparing for Flourish Workshop!

In about two months, I'll hop on a plane and head to Kentucky for a FABULOUS workshop called Flourish to continue my visual education. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! My confirmation for my plane ticket came in the mail last week ... and I'm ready for Jan. 20 to be here NOW.

I've got some excellent building blocks, and I'm anticipatig that the fantastic women who are running this workshop (Angela, Kim and Kitty) will help Mike and I service all of our clients in a more fabulous way!

In advance of attending the workshop, I'm sending in a questionnaire for the Flourish Blog. I pulled a few favorite questions and post it for OUR blog readers here!

Enjoy!

Name: Karen Mikols (pronounced: Michael's)

Where do you live: Kansas

How long have you been in business: Complex question! I've been a photographer since I was 13 years old, but worked through high school, college and a few years after as a newspaper photojournalist. I started Heartland Photography in November 2005.

Show us one of your favorite images you took recently: This is Max, my best friend's adorable (and only) nephew. He has 3 sister, including new baby TWINS!


Show us an image you wish you took: UGH! This is tough because there are SO MANY in ALL SORTS of ways! I'm a BIG fan of Heather Essian's work. Two of my favorites are: THIS and THIS

From what do you draw your inspiration: Oddly enough, my own personal relationships. The sweet way my fiance treats me ends up in my photos. If a couple doesn't quite know what to do, I draw on Erik's cues and give them some direction (why don't you kiss on her neck a little? It works like a CHARM! (example below)


I'm also being more influenced by colors than I EVER was before as a news photojournalist. Perhaps that's because the color won't be awful and out of register on 50,000 newspapers... I also enjoy watching movies ... and pay close attention to the lighting, ESPECIALLY the moody lighting.

There are TONS of questions and I don't want to ramble on forever, so be sure to check the Flourish Blog to see what I have to say!