posy, please email your shipping address to friends@wallflowerfriends.com. and we sure hope that santa brings you what you wished for.

we also wanted to share this testimonial we recently received from vanessa falle regarding the wallflower friends information we recently shared at the NAPCP retreat. her words absolutely took our breath away...

....Then on the last day [of the NAPCP retreat], you held your workshop on finding our style. I was hesitant at first. I wondered how on earth someone else could teach me my style. I have to admit, I didn't approach it with a very open mind. Then something amazing happened. You started to share stories about your personal history and something really resonated with me. You spoke about having events in your past that have shaped who you are and how you see the world and therefore, the way those experiences influence your style as an artist.

I'm sure you noticed during that workshop that every time someone in the group spoke up and shared something about their journey, there were tears. It was what I imagine being on the Oprah show is like -- gut wrenching, deeply personal stories, laughter and of course, tears. I didn't dare speak. I was too choked up listening to these other brave souls share their story.

I also looked inside myself and saw that despite how much I dislike many of my own stories and negative experiences that make up my past, they are the reason I am the woman I am today and the reason I am compassionate, sensitive, emotional, sentimental and deeply committed to celebrating relationships between mothers and their children.

It was your workshop, listening to your words that I had my 'Come to Jesus' moment that showed me why what I do, the images I create, cannot be copied...because my life, my experiences shape the way I see my subject and how I choose to capture them. My joys, my pains and my own unique perspective cannot ever be copied, duplicated or ripped off.

You gave me that opportunity to see that for myself. To see that IN myself. That has been a tremendously freeing experience and a HUGE gift. I no longer worry about my 'copycat'. I know that what I create comes from a very authentic, real and sustainable place inside of me. I'm not afraid of my clients ever being confused or misled by someone trying to duplicate what I do. They know me, my art and many know my story.

Thank you so much for helping me find my style and more importantly the source of my inspiration. Without having attended that workshop and discovering my reasons for doing what I do, I would be stuck in a place of fear. Now I am operating from a place of freedom, empowerment and confidence. Thank you for that gift. You have forever impacted my art, my business and my life.

Giant hugs and lots of love--
Vanessa

we are so very blessed to do what we do. 

also, please be on the lookout for more giveaways in the very near future!  :-)

how can you enter to win this awesome bag?

simply post about our upcoming wallflower friends spring retreat on your social media sites [facebook, twitter, pinterest or your blog] and be sure to like our facebook page.  then share the link to your post, in a comment below.  we'll be picking someone at random, on thursday, december 8th, from all who shared and commented.

please note that a link to your post must be included in the comment, to be eligible for the giveaway.

good luck!!

our spring 2012 wallflower friends retreat will take place at the spectacular seal cove inn, near half moon bay, california and is limited to 14 photographers.  we have the entire inn reserved for us!!  all the details and registration information can be found here.  

we are also thrilled about the possiblity of a wallflower friends spring retreat in australia -- NOVEMBER 2012. we've started a wait list for all interested in an australian retreat [location TBD, based on wait list feedback].

last but not least, stay tuned for a ketti camera bag giveaway in the next couple days.

hope you all had an awesome thanksgiving holiday.  we're sure grateful for you and your continued support.

we hope you a very happy thanksgiving.  xo

The wallflower friends retreat will definitely live up to your expectations, if you are ready to take your creativity and editing to the next level. The retreat is a place where you can feel safe to share, learn and grow with other talented artists. It was wonderful to unplug from the daily race and just move into a quiet and creative space. Leah and Deb are wonderful teachers and truly inspiring. They shared so much of themselves and their art. I felt completely at ease with all of the ladies at the retreat and the best part is I've made a whole new group of friends! Trust me, you don't want to miss this one!

Karen Forsyth

When I first read testimonials of previous Wallflower Friends retreat attendees, I couldn't quite understand why people would say things like "there are no words to describe how amazing...incredible....", and here I am feeling the same way about my experience.  It was such a treat to get to know Deb & Leah, as well as every single friend that attended.  I felt important during every event.....Deb and Leah made such an effort to keep things intimate and personal....even down to visiting during mealtime.  When I signed up for the retreat, I was hoping to come away with a better understanding of who I am as a photographer and a sense of confidence that I can carry with me daily.  And, I walked away with so much more.  Much thanks to Deb, Leah, and all of the other incredible photographer friends who made my wonderful experience complete.

jennifer harr

thanks B family for driving all that way to be with us.  we sure hope that you love all your photos!

we were excited to see that dad brought his ukulele with him (he brings it on all overnight road trips) and decided to incorporate it into the shoots.  it was so fun to hear him play and really helped break the ice.  it was great to incorporate something their family so enjoys.

J family, thank you for sharing your family with us and being such troopers when not feeling well.  we hope that you love all your photos!!

we're so grateful to all who attended; each person brought something unique and special to the group, making it the perfect mix of friends.  as one of our attendees shared with us, upon her return home:

[the retreat] attracts such genuine and kind participants. that they are also talented and very funny is an added bonus.

truly, it was such a wonderful and talented group of photographers...who we are so happy to also call our friends.

we'll be posting photos from the retreat in the next day or two but we wanted to share a few wallflower friends retreat updates --

the next large group wallflower friends retreat will not be until 2012 (most likely spring); however, we are in the process of discussing a new retreat offering--an at home with friends retreat.

the at home with friends retreat will be for small groups (approximately 6-8 photographers).  the information taught will be the same; however, location will be determined by the host -- someone's living room, a studio, a simple location.  we're super excited to launch the at home with friends retreat.  stay tuned for more information in the upcoming weeks.

register between now and january 25th with a friend and you'll EACH receive a $300 discount.  

we've made some changes with this retreat and we're so excited to share -- a time of exploration, discussion, growth and discovery. 

while we have no idea what the future holds, we have decided that if we continue to hold wallflower friend retreats, they will be an annual event.  the winter retreat, february 11th - 13th,  will be the only retreat for 2011.

we have just a couple seats left and we hope to see you there!!

please visit our main wallflower friends site for additional information.