Nope…. this is not a workshop led be me.  I’ll just be hosting it.   I don’t really have many brilliant things to say when it comes to being an organized photographer other than to call on Regina of The Organized Photographer to revolutionize your work-flow!  I just spent over 4 hours with this amazing lady while she schooled me on getting my act together so that my daily grind  is streamlined and savvy.   Her first question to me was, “What would your perfect day look like?“  I answered, impulsively saying that I would love to wake up, enjoy a cup of strong, steaming black coffee,  write in my journal, drive to Boulder, take a long hike up Sanitas, then head to the Boulder Cafe for Happy hour.  I’d then probably come home, watch an episode of Mad Men and go to bed early in freshly laundered sheets.  She said, “How often do you do this?”  Never was my answer, of course.   I never have time!  The only thing I do on this list on a regular basis is the strong black coffee!  It’s ironic actually, I’m a person who fully embraces freedom and “quality of life” and I preach it on a regular basis to others, but I’m never actually walking what I talk–albeit the travel of course, which if you ask my husband, I don’t have time for either.  Regina however preaches about literally making space and time in your life and in your work to do the things that you love, so that you are living your dream day–be it spending time with your children or hiking Sanitas with friends.  Sounds nice, eh?
I don’t want to spoil the workshop, but let me put it this way…  I didn’t even have a portrait contract before Regina met with me.  I didn’t have a filing system or database for my clients or future clientele.  I didn’t even have a trash can under my desk.  I simply accumulated a years worth of unnecessary junk and somehow stuffed it into every corner of my studio.  It looked nice to an outsider coming in of course.  I could present myself as an organized photographer but I dreaded the day I would have to go through every loose data DVD lying around, or send a mass email to my clients…   Today however, Regina did that for me, and with me.  And she’ll do it for you too!  I am so excited about Regina’s mad skills as an organized photographer, business coach, and artist (did I mention that she is an esteemed and incredible photographer of 10 years) that I am going to host a mini-clear the clutter workshop to get people started on the right foot!  Come learn new ways to create a work space that nourishes you, work more efficiently and align your values with your daily to-do list. Bring a notebook and a friend!  Whether you are just starting your photography business or simply want to gear up for the wedding season, this workshop is for you!
The mini-clear the clutter workshop will be held at 7pm on June 1st at my studio: 2405 West 32nd Ave Denver, CO 80211.
The cost is $35 which will include cocktails, food and a serious education!
Please contact Regina at regina@recherche-photography.com  by May 25th to RSVP. Hope to see you there!

This is not really a workshop, and I’m sorry if I have led some of you want-to-be photographers on with this headline. It’s actually a weight loss support group that I am hoping to lead. I probably should have titled this entry, “Bikini Meltdown”, because that is what it is, really. I just arrived home from the most needed vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC. It was complete with long evening walks, mint juleps, the best and freshest seafood I have had in years, kayaking, sun worshiping etc, etc… it would have been absolutely perfect had I not put on the dreaded bikini. All I can say is serious, meltdown! This sounds vain, I know, but I was in hysterics about the muffin top that loomed above my bikini bottoms and wouldn’t even take my towel off so that Jesse could see me. I have never, ever been a bikini girl, mind you. I have always been the good ole’ sports tank swimsuit girl who wears cover ups and slowly de-robes as she enters the pool, inch by inch so as not to get it wet, but still remained covered at all times. I really wish I would have gone this route in Hilton Head, but Jesse encouraged me to put on a bikini– telling me there is really no reason I should look like a mom before I am one in that frumpy one piece tank. So I gathered all the courage I could muster (liquid of course) and bought a bikini from the TJ Max down the street. It was all downhill from there.
This may be TMI for most of you, but I’m blogging about this because for some reason, putting my thoughts and opinions out there on the inter-web for others to see and read, somehow seems to be a catharsis for me….It becomes “real”. I try to blog about everything from inspiring sabbaticals to Paris to some of my more trying moments with clients. Today I’m blogging about my shame and long life battle with my body image. I wouldn’t call myself fat by means—maybe a little “pleasantly plump”. But I have, since the age of 14 struggled with food, eating issues and body image. You can ask my mom, after every singe meal or snack I would ask her, “Do I look fatter to you”? Logically, of course there is no way that one could look fatter after eating one healthy meal, but that gives you a better picture of my relationship with food. Food has been both my enemy and my console. And every minute of my life feels like another minute of failure when it comes to self-acceptance and/or looking and feeling the way I would like.
Enough is enough. The bikini did me in. I am going to make some serious changes to my lifestyle… both with food and also with how I view myself. It’s ironic that I see every body so unique and beautiful when photographing it, but with my own there so much disgust and shame. I am 32 years old. If I don’t start loving my body now, I never will. So without further ado, I am starting a weight loss support group. Let me preface this by saying this is not a diet, but a program that changes the way we view food. The program is called Prism and is based on biblical principals and address the whole person–body, mind, spirit. The bible verse that inspired this program is Romans 12:1-2 which says “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Amen.
I am hoping to get a group of 10 together which will meet at my studio once a week on Monday evenings to encourage and inspire each other to commit to this lifestyle change. There will be no humiliating weigh-ins, and I won’t be a Nazi leader up there telling you what “not to eat” or that have done “wrong” each week. Because, let’s be honest here… I’ll be on this road with you. I want to foster confidence, a change in the way we view our bodies, how we deal with our emotions and anxieties and how we view food. And I’d like to drop 15 pounds, of course! If any of you are interested please reply to this blog or shoot me an email to Julie@julieharrisphotography.com. I’m hoping to kick this off on Monday April 19th at 6pm at my studio on 2405 W 32nd Ave Denver, CO 80211. Please come and check it out. There is no pressure and I won’t ask you to commit until you are ready to. I can’t think of a better time to get working on those bikini bodies (and minds) and support each other each week. And of course it will be a great excuse to get together once a week for fellowship and laughter…