I have a confession. When I was told about The Scobey's, I have to admit I didn't know about their awards, their images or that they had at one time lived very close to me in Connecticut. Now, as Atlanta-based wedding photographers, they are winning hearts and minds for their soft, immersive approach to capturing meaningful moments in a couple's life.

Now, as busy photographers, I have to also admit that it was very difficult to pin them down for an interview. I was eager to speak with them as I found out that they were speaking at Inspire Photo Retreats in February, 2015.

So here we were talking to each other like old pals and I had not even met them before! That's just how they made me immediately feel about them. I trust their presentation is going to be one I will not miss at Inspire Photo Retreats.

Here are some of The Scobey's award-winning images:

For more information about the conference please visit the site. If last year was any indication, registrations will fill up and the conference will be sold out. So, I urge you to register early.

If you are still on the fence, please take a look at all the speakers who will be coming to Portland. I believe speakers like Jane and others have one mission: to inspire you to do your best work in the near year. Everybody needs that kind of motivation year-in-and-year-out. If you agree, I expect to see you at Inspire Photo Retreats in 2015!

I hope all of you have checked out the first episode, where I interviewed New England photographers, Doug Levy. Starting this month and running through October, I'll be posting short interviews I've conducted in partnership with Inspire Photo Retreats. The interviews will be of each of the presenters and some sponsors, to get a better idea of who they are and why they feel attending Inspire Photo Retreats is important to them.

Ok, so for this episode, I spoke with Jane Ammon, a child photographer who serves clients in central New Jersey and part of Pennsylvania. She will be presenting at Inspire Photo Retreats, from February 9-11th, 2015, in Portland, Maine.

When we spoke, I asked Jane about one aspect of her future presentation; why it was important for her to submit a proposal and finally what drew her to Inspire Photo Retreats.

Here are some of Jane Ammon's wonderful portraits of children:

For more information about the conference please visit the site. If last year was any indication, registrations will fill up and the conference will be sold out. So, I urge you to register early.

If you are still on the fence, please take a look at all the speakers who will be coming to Portland. I believe speakers like Jane and others have one mission: to inspire you to do your best work in the near year. Everybody needs that kind of motivation year-in-and-year-out. If you agree, I expect to see you at Inspire Photo Retreats in 2015!

Doug Levy is a New England wedding photographer and a good friend who knows his way around off-camera lighting. In fact, the first few times I ran into him were at the Inspire Photo Retreats where he taught a packed room of eager photographers the art of using off-camera lighting at wedding receptions. Subsequently, he conducted his own lighting workshop, which I attended.

Listen to our conversation about Doug's start in the business and what he looks forward to the most at Inspire Photo Retreats.

Doug will be back to teach at Inspire Photo Retreats, which will be held this time in Portland, Maine, from February 9th through February 11th.

Here is a sample of Doug‘s work:

Here is a list of other speakers who will also be presenting.

Register for this amazing conference here and now.

I am thrilled to announce a new partnership between Tiffinbox and Inspire Photo Retreats.

After attending the annual gathering for the last three or four years, I was impressed by how and why the organizers emphasize fostering a community of photographers. Indeed, the very idea of working together came about because it was clear to me that Inspire's vision matched that of Tiffinbox; to inspire photographers by elevating their craft and business skills through education, practice and honest feedback.

What is Inspire?

Inspire is a retreat-style conference for professional wedding and portrait photographers. The conference is comprised of sessions on a variety of subjects, from business practices to shooting techniques, to artistry and personal vision. Inspire retreats are structured to enhance opportunities to foster deep relationships with other attendees, build community, and create a culture of ongoing peer-to-peer mentoring and support in our industry.

Inspire's Mission:

The Mission of Inspire is to invigorate photographers of any level with vision, ideas, and a community of support through intensive workshops focusing on vision, craft, and business.

The next Inspire Photo Retreats takes place in Portland, Maine, from February 9th through February 11th, 2015. Some of the speakers have already been announced. If you would like to submit a proposal to speak at Inspire, do so before the deadline on May 9th.

Curious to know what the Inspire Photo Retreats feel like? Check out these videos from 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

And, lastly, here is a slideshow of images by Kate McElwee, an awesome Boston wedding photographer.

What Can You Expect?

At past Inspire gatherings, I have really enjoyed speaking with the organizers and speakers who put their heart and soul into this intimate gathering. It struck me that we should record our conversations and make them available to you. So, while we are working on a slew of neat surprises between now and February 2015, I hope to part the curtain a bit through a series of co-branded interviews.

These short clips will give you a chance to better understand how you too can be a part of this inclusive annual gathering. I hope you will join me and Inspire Photo Retreats on this journey to improve your/our photography craft and photography business in a radically new way. For good measure, bookmark and visit the Inspire Photo Retreats blog as well so you don't miss anything.

Also, if you are an Inspire alum or considering attending in 2015, please sign up for my weekly newsletter in the blue box above! I have begun canvassing deep discounts on high-quality photography products and or services, just for photographers like you. Right now, the second you opt-in, you'll see a special 25% off code for Zack Arias' OneLight 2.0 lighting workshop. Look out for other such offers in your inbox!

When I was in high school, I rather grudgingly went to summer band camp. Don't laugh, but I was instrumental (no pun intended) in leading our marching band to local championships by playing the … cymbals.

Yep, that was me crashing my cymbals in front of my face, sometimes catching a bit of my lip. Sometimes, I had to carry those heavy cymbals and march backwards, holding them up so that the snare-drummers had their shot at hitting it. Sometimes they missed the cymbals and they hit my fingers instead. It was painful. It wasn't fun and I didn't look forward to it at all.

But every April, I would need to sign up if I wanted to be a part of the marching band (and I didn't after the novelty wore off) and so I did. I was following a script given to me. As a teenager, I resisted and looking back, I was a cranky mess. I didn't want any part of it because it simply wasn't fun.

How many of us have businesses like that – that are simply not fun anymore? Do you think your business requires you to lock-step with what your competition is doing? How many of you have forgotten the real reasons why you picked up a camera and decided one day to make photography not just a hobby but a profession? How many of you dear readers remember the look on the face of your first clients who simply LOVED you and your work? Now, wasn't that fun? Wouldn't you like to experience that again and again and again?

I know deep down that one need not work in isolation. So much of our work as photographers depends on connecting and creating relationships with a slew of different people who are now an integral part of our lives. Still, we often hold these people off at arm's length, afraid of letting them into our lives and perceiving that you would be intruding in theirs. Imagine how much stronger your bonds with them could be if you get to know them?

How would you like to rekindle that feeling for what you do … again? Is there a way for you to fall in love again with your business, make it truly your own and become a part of a community of go-givers?

I say, YES, there is. That way is through Brand Camp.

This is an event that Kristen Kalp of Brand Camp Blog, with a whole host of presenters, is coordinating for 4 days – May 27 to May 30th. But Kristen is front-loading that actual camp (think cabins and s'mores and even a Ferris wheel) in May by providing valuable master classes that not only lay the groundwork to the full camp experience but also help you in making money and paying for the camp before you arrive!

And yes, I am going. I feel like this is going to be a very good thing for my business and me. Will you join me at Brand Camp?

I spoke with Kristen Kalp recently and this is what she had to say about what you can expect at Brand Camp:

I also spoke with Brand Camp presenters Anna Kunnecke and Josh Solar.

Brand Camp registration closes on April 4th (that's this Friday). Again, why go? Because you are worthy and you are tired of going to yet another cold photography convention. If you have been to one, you know and you know that there has to be better. That better is Brand Camp.

As a fellow Tiffinboxer (I just came up with that), I urge you to join me. I look forward to working with you, seeing you grow as a photographer who loves your business and even more than that, blossom into a compassionate human being.

Yes, it's possible. Just join Brand Camp before April 4th. You with me?

Here's a list of presenters who won't just present and disappear but will hang out with you and chat with you about you and your photography business (how different is that from the usual run-of-the-mill conferences?):

Bob Goff, Jenny Shih, Jesh de Rox, Brian Andreas, Kendrick Shope, Josh Solar, Jonathan Canlas, Anna Kunnecke, Katie O'Farrell, Michelle Waters, Nicole Polk, Jenika McDavitt, Jeanette Leblanc, Michelle Cormack.