The Weekend Lens From The Click Retreat

AE_Tracey

I spent the greater part of last week in the Outer Banks with a wonderful group of women at the Click Blogger Retreat. This event was hosted by Today's Mama and sponsored by Southwest Airlines, HP, Snapfish, Sony, Avery, National Geographic Kids, KIND, The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Carolina Designs Reality, SAGA Construction & Development, and epiphanie bags.

The 50-60 attendees and organizers stayed in two huge houses next door to each other right on the beach and it was so much fun.

Tracey Clark and I led a casual session where we talked about everyday life photography and Project Life. Everyone who attended the retreat went home with a 12x12 Project Life album, page protectors and a Jade kit. For most of the women at this event Project Life was new - some had heard something or other about it online but for many of them it was completely new.

It was so cool to get to have a conversation and introduce people (especially women who are already into taking photos) who might never consider traditional scrapbooking to give this sort of documentation a try (completely remembering that it can be anything you want it to be). It's such a great introduction to memory keeping.

AE_dunes

One of the fun pieces of this event was getting to try out some new cameras from Sony. I was most interested in their new Alpha NEX 7 camera - a super small little camera that does a whole bunch of cool things but the thing I thought was the coolest part was that as you make adjustments (like increasing the shutter speed or ISO) you can actually see how that will change the shot you are taking on the screen or through the viewfinder. That's a huge learning tool in and of itself to be able to see what's going to happen if you up or decrease any of those manual settings.

I think I might have finally gotten over my mental block and moved into manual mode with my camera thanks to my new friend MeRa Koh (who was shooting with that Sony camera I mentioned above). For some reason what she said in her presentation clicked and I shot in manual the rest of the event. But my favorite part was sitting next to her on the shuttle to the airport and having one of those life conversations that will stick with me for a very long time.

A couple favorite shots:

AE_Alma

AE_lights

AE_Beach

Big thanks to Rachel at Today's Mama for inviting me to participate in this event. She's so down-to-earth and fun and together and this event totally reflected all those qualities. Loved every one who was a part of the team for this event.

One of the biggest benefits of these events is the opportunity to connect in person with like-minded creative people. In this case it was a lot of super tech-savvy women who I loved learning from in all the different conversations over the four days. So worth it.

Check out Tracey Clark's post on this event here.

I also wanted to take a minute today to say thank you for being here. I know you have a choice in how you spend your time online (and in everyday life) and I so appreciate that this is one of the places you visit. Hope you have an awesome Monday.

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49 thoughts

  1. Christina says…
    10/14/2013

    Thank you Ali for this words. Wonderful picture. Great post.
    Best wishes,
    Tina

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Brooke says…
    10/14/2013

    Love your return of the weekend lens. I have been taking a break from my camera the past few weekends. Enjoying being at big events that can be captured through the eyes of others.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jo-Anne from ZA says…
    10/14/2013

    WOW looks like everybody had a FAB time at the retreat. LOVE your photographs!!!

    I am SO with you on shooting in Manual mode:-) I am totally in love with the idea of being able to see the picture on the screen first if you change any of your settings. I think that can REALLY make a difference and make a person MORE CONFIDENT about shooting in manual.

    I am sure everybody that went home with a PL kit is going to be hooked in no time:-)

    Have a FAB week ladies!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Debra says…
    10/14/2013

    I enjoy spending time here with you. And Katie too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Chrisy@GoodNorthCoast says…
    10/14/2013

    I always appreciate that you don't take your readers or class participants for granted. Love how you often check in with a word of thanks and always include a section of gratitude at the beginning of a class. A great thing to do.

    Ditto what Debra said above, l love visiting your blog and spending time with you. I choose to visit here because l leave feeling uplifted and inspired. You're great at doing that.

    Take care Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Judith says…
    10/14/2013

    You are always on my list of places to drop in on for inspiration...

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Cathy says…
    10/14/2013

    You're welcome.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Louise says…
    10/14/2013

    What a kind & thoughtful thing to say. Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Rosa Nissenbaum says…
    10/14/2013

    Looks like it was a lovely retreat. Love those kinds of getaways. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Esther says…
    10/14/2013

    your blog and the stuff you write about makes it worth visiting, so you're welcome <3

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Rachael says…
    10/14/2013

    Dude. Thanks for such a great recap! And THANK YOU for making the event awesome! If I show up on your porch to hang out . . . I'm not a stalker . . . I'm just enthusiastic! :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      10/14/2013

      You are welcome here anytime!

  12. annette allen says…
    10/14/2013

    wow that looks like the perfect getaway..

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Debby S says…
    10/14/2013

    Love the photos you took Ali, especially of the lady who looks like she is jumping in the air. You stopped movement beautifully and captured what looks like a moment of JOY. Love it!!

    Also love the scenery. Just beautiful! Glad it was a great weekend for you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. becky h says…
    10/14/2013

    I am glad you had a wonderful time in OBX, and I am glad the weather didn't dampen spirits. I live in Virginia Beach and it is still raining.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Alida says…
    10/14/2013

    Visiting your blog is time very well spent for me, and a daily lift I wouldn't want to miss. Love the photo's. I saw Tracey Clark's photo's of the same retreat and it's interesting to see how you each captured it in your own style. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. kelsey says…
    10/14/2013

    You are the first place I go to visit everyday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Angie says…
    10/14/2013

    You've got such a cool vibe, Ali - it was lovely to meet you. -Angie

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Alma Loveland says…
    10/14/2013

    I knew you had a crush on me. Such a great recap, and it was so fun meeting you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Debbie says…
    10/14/2013

    Ali,

    Will you be purchasing the sony? What did you like most about it?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      10/14/2013

      I might. I still love my Canon but the smaller size and the ability to see my adjustments via the viewfinder and the screen on the back was really, really cool.

  20. Shivani Cotter says…
    10/14/2013

    Love this post Ali! So great meeting you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Robyn says…
    10/14/2013

    Sounds like a great trip Ali - and THANK YOU! for having my favorite first thing in the morning go to site! I get excited every morning I open up to a new entry from you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Jill says…
    10/14/2013

    Your blog is a daily read for me! Lots of personal and crafty inspiration here :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Phaedra says…
    10/14/2013

    I've been following you since you first appeared in CK and the reason I do is because your blog is so well-rounded. It's not only about scrapbooking layouts/projects/products (although you do provide lovely links for fun things I very much enjoy), it's also a wonderful reminder to stop and think about the Why in my daily life & how I can express that with the projects I choose. The posts often remind me to be more mindful with my family, at work, with friends, and in general. Thank YOU for providing something that's at the top of my day's list!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Just Shireen says…
    10/14/2013

    I'm so glad I got to meet you! Even if you did kick my butt at the duck race.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Melinda says…
    10/14/2013

    Isn't Me Ra the best? I learned to shoot in manual from her too! Sounds like a fantastic retreat.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      10/14/2013

      She's awesome!

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