Wow the last time I blogged was November, what?! That’s crazy.  I had seriously thought I blogged last month but I guess not!

December was crazy.  I took on a new project and opened up shop with a dear friend to start a new inspiration magazine for photographers.  Smidgen Magazine is still in the works and nearly completion of the first issue.  I’m so excited, and so VERY nervous, lol.

Then I just took time off for the holidays.  I used to be horrible about working all day and all night.  As the holidays approached I knew this was something I no longered wanted to do.  And I’m pleased to say I don’t! YAY!  It’s so hard when you work from home.  Some nights when I sit down to watch some reality tv I try to talk myself into working rather than just sitting around.  BUT we all need relax time in our lives.  I need to learn to step away and enjoy life in other ways.  And truely I’ve been much happier since.

The new year came and what I wanted to do with the blog hung in the air.  Did I even want to keep blogging. Did I want to put the work into it.  I couldn’t say no.  But then it was how much to blog, how many days, how much to share, how much to not share.  And mostly who even is my blog audience anymore?  Who am I writing to? Who SHOULD I write to?  After lots of consideration with the blog I have finally decided that I WANT to continue blogging.  I WANT to continue sharing.  And, I’m GOING to do it more often.  So here’s to one of my many new adventures!

It wasn’t long ago that I was a new photographer myself.  I had a couple friends around the country that would answer questions for me occasionally but often felt all on my own.  I’ve been so excited to help out other photographers lately.  It kind of felt like out of no where people wanted my advice or opinion.  At first this threw me off guard a little, what did I know?  What I do or don’t do may or may not be the “right” way, but it’s right for me and I was happy to share it with those that asked.  Conversation after conversation I realized there were things that I ended up talking more and more about, and the other photographers wanted to know more and more about.  From that The Breakout Experience was born.

The Breakout Experience covers selling YOU, recognizing who YOUR client IS and what client you WANT, how to ACCESS them, provide them with a TOP-OF-THE-LINE EXPERIENCE and RELATIONSHIP, push BEYOND your fears, and think of the FUTURE of the industry and sell it!

I’ve been to a few workshops and the downside to them was always the class size.  20-30 people.  Some people took over the whole class leaving others hidden and to shy to ask a question, or answer one.  I would become great friends with just a handful of people (or less) and because of the size there would start to be distinct groups.  I hated this feeling.  And to this day I still kinda relate the word workshop to that feeling of division within a group striving for the same goal.  I didnt want this to happen with The Breakout Experience.  So instead The Experiences are limited to a max of just 8 people.  Making us a smaller group, where some aren’t shadowed.  But I also have high hopes that by making it a smaller group these 8 or less people build connections, and friendships.  That the experience leaves with them and carries on.  That this group will love each other, care for each other and help each other to succeed from here on out.

I’m jacked!  The Breakout Experience launches in Las Vegas over WPPI.  There are 2 separate ones happening there, one for the wedding photographer about couples, and the other for those trying to break into the Senior scene and succeed.  I can’t believe it, I only launched the website a few weeks ago and there is just 1 seat left in the Couple Experience and only a few left in the Senior Experience.  I’d love to meet you and have you join in on such a great time in Las Vegas.

If you’re not going to Las Vegas there are currently a few other Experiences starting up for other cities, like Vancouver, BC; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; and Richmond, VA.  If you aren’t near any of those areas but need this to come to you, let’s talk!! I’d love to work something out to make it happen.

I couldn’t feel more blessed for such an amazing opportunity to help others succeed in their dreams!  Check out the Website for more info!!!

Last year Joe and I took our first trip ever to WPPI.  We signed up for some meet ups with photographers, a couple shoots, etc.  As soon as I found out about the Thirst Relief Mentor Auction I started reading on every photographer listed, watching the auction, and bidding.  I bid on alot of auctions, I think Joe was VERY nervous for a while there, haha!  I set a budget for myself and in the last seconds lost out on an auction I wanted badly.  It didn’t matter, I believed in Thirst Relief.  I believed in the work they were doing and I wanted to help.  Even though I didn’t win I still donated that money to Thirst Relief.  A couple days later the mentor I had been bidding on found out I had been bidding on him and asked if I was willing to give a little more to Thirst Relief he would give me a mentor session.  I said HECK YES!

This mentor session forever changed me, forever changed my business.  I’m forever grateful.  And this year, it’s my turn to give back! YUP!

So first if you don’t know what Thirst Relief is GO CHECK IT OUT!!! Jim Davis-Hicks and his wife are great people who have started an amazing organization that saves lives! Or here, let me help you

Thirst Relief Short from Anton Lorimer on Vimeo.

I am so excited to be a part of the mentor auction this year with MANY other AMAZING photographers!  I have always had the desire to give back and help out other photographers and I can’t wait to find out who I get to spend time with!! Each mentor is offering a 90 minute session along with anything else they’d like to give.  I’ll be offering 1 year of free Showit, PASS software, 1 year subscription to the upcoming photography and design magazine Smidgen, and a photo session with me! YAY!!!
Go check out the auction!