HI, IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU
JESSICA FREY
Austin Native, Disney Fan, Boy Mom,
Taco & Craft Beer Aficionado, Enneagram 7
This is my twelfth year as an international wedding photographer. I’ve taught and designed seven styled wedding photography workshops in California and Texas, but this year’s international retreat is going to be one for the books!
I have a business background and a degree in Marketing from Texas A&M (Whoop!) and love getting to share my knowledge and help guide other photographers. We talk about the aspects of shooting but also how to grow a successful business.
I am a natural born cheerleader, just check my Enneagram. When we meet, I’ll probably hug you. It’s just my natural personality...and I’ll also probably be wearing glittery tennis shoes. Gotta bring the sparkle with me wherever I go!
Photography to me is...
Workshop Host
Jessica has been published in The Knot California, The Knot Texas, Weddings in Houston, Weddings of Ireland, Austin Wedding Day and has been on numerous online publications such as Disney Weddings Blog, The Knot Blog, Wedding Chicks and others. She has been awarded TheKnot.com Best of Weddings 8 years and has achieved a Hall of Fame award.
All about serving your clients well
You have to do more than take pretty pictures
Finding your style and niche in our industry is something that takes time. It wont happen over night. It takes experiments with styles, medium and it takes a lot of practice. As a creative entrepreneur, you will always be growing and always learning to keep your creative mind and clients healthy and happy.
I believe that serving your clients and be present for your family are equally important. We need to build a business utilizing systems, tools and client management programs to give quality service to our clients and create free time for for our families.
As a wedding photographer, you are with your couples for (on average) eight months to a year, of their lives. You can build a business that serves them well and leave them raving about you more than any other vendor they hire.
We are in the service industry. The key to success will be learning to serve your clients well.
Being a professional photographer means so much more than using your camera. The ability to affect an emotion with imagery is a great responsibility. It is a skill that can be taught at any level. Knowing the technical skills behind your craft is the first step, but the second step is to take it further to create something beautiful and full of meaning.
I am a mom to a energetic and Star Wars loving toddler with personality bursting at the seams. Being a creative entrepreneur, wife and mom takes a lot (undeerstatement) and with 15 years of marriage and 5 years of mom-hood under my belt I definitely have learned a but about following your dreams and enjoying family/work balance!
I like where this is headed, keep going....
Are you ready to go on an adventure?
This retreat is so much more than photography. I am looking forward to having real conversations, (with optional tropical drink in hand) and diving into everything we know about the luxury wedding market and mastering our craft.
Travel can be so refreshing, fun and bring new perspective into our business and creative hearts. If your soul aches for a breath of fresh life, then this is for you.
FIND JESSICA HERE
You too? Me too!
• Can't decide Which is better: Game of Thrones, Harry Potter or Disney
• I was a military Wife for ten years.
• Always cheer for our Alma Maters: Texas a&M and the Naval Academy
• Obsess over the Austin, TX Craft Brew Coffee Scene
• Have lived in TX, FL, MD, VA, DC, and CA
• Sold our home to travel the globe: 4 months, 11 Countries.
• Did a disney college internship where I learned my princess stance
Breanna McKendrick
Lab Nerd, Film Shooter, Coffee Adverse, "The Office" Addict
I have a background in Microbiology and Biochemistry. I worked for the University of Utah's medical research laboratory before I was a photographer. With my background in the sciences that means I am hella detail oriented. You have to be when working in a lab. The technical aspects of photography thrills me and it also means I have spent a fair share of my braining addicted to learning.
I've learned so much about the ins and outs of running a successful photography business and how to produce images that make your creative heart soar. Even though scrolling through Instagram, we feel like the perfect image is magically impossible, I am here to tell you it's not. It is a formula that you can learn, and master for yourself.
I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT....
Guest Speaker
The Things that matter most
Are often the things we overlook
I remember exactly where I was, sitting on the leather couch mid morning on a memorial day weekend. Honestly, I am still navigating the emotions of losing a parent.
The technical photography business shifted that day as I saw my family automatically reach for photos we had for my Dad.
We sat on the ground in the living room, planning a funeral with 4x6 photographs scattered everywhere as we laughed and cried as we recalled each memory.
Those photos mean the world to me. They mean the world to my family.
Storytelling power along, along with learning to master your craft are the fundamental tools that will set you apart in your market, allow you to charge more, and create a better experience for your clients.
As photographers, we are entrusted with more than taking just a pretty photo.
Yes, you gotta know your stuff. You gotta know how to find great light, how to market your business, your camera's ISO capabilities, how to shoot in dark churches, rainy days, and harsh light. And I can teach you all that.
But I see more clearly- far more clearly than in the early days of my business- how your photography can do more for your clients. I know how to look for connection, heart and stories in images.
My business took this fundamental change in 2016 when I got a phone call that my Dad unexpectedly passed away.
I got the feelings, let's keep talking....
For reals, I can't wait to meet you
I do best when teaching in small groups. Which is exactly what we have planned for you. I have taught one on one piano lessons, 25 student chemistry classes and both for photography. This retreat is the most comprehensive photography teaching I have done to date, and we are holding NOTHING back.
I wanna know more about you and share a drink over our creative similarities.
FIND BREanna HERE
You too? Me too!
• Watched "Friends" for the first time in 2018
• Have never broken a bone
• Have lived in TX, NM, OR, HI and UT
• Ran a Disney Marathon with my Sister
• Drives stick shift
• Currently addicted to shooting film
• wanted to be "rachel" but I'm totally "monica"
• Sorted into Hufflepuff
Jessica upton
Owner, Uptown events & Travel
Travel Fanatic, Girl Boss, Master Schedule Juggler, Expert Overthinker, Bravoholic, Queso Lover
I've been helping couples design and plan their special day since 2008. I worked for a wedding venue and hotel, then launched Uptown in 2012. Since then I've planned hundreds of weddings in Austin and internationally. In 2015 I launched the travel division, where I help couples plan their honeymoons, anniversary trips and baby moons.
I am a mom of two of the worlds cutest boys, wife to my hilarious hubby, and a master at juggling all of our schedules. Take a look at my iCal and you'll see it all in action! In my spare time you'll find me watching anything on Bravo. Chatting about the 'Real Housewives' is my love language!
As a travel fanatic and avid planner, I adore curating one of a kind experiences for my clients and I can't wait for you to experience all that we have in store for you at Embark. I look forward to sharing with you the insider tips I've learned along the way that will help you to be the best resource for your destination wedding couples.
Coordinator & Travel Agent
The Things that matter most
Are often the things we overlook
I remember exactly where I was, sitting on the leather couch mid morning on a memorial day weekend. Honestly, I am still navigating the emotions of losing a parent.
The technical photography business shifted that day as I saw my family automatically reach for photos we had for my Dad.
We sat on the ground in the living room, planning a funeral with 4x6 photographs scattered everywhere as we laughed and cried as we recalled each memory.
Those photos mean the world to me. They mean the world to my family.
Storytelling power along, along with learning to master your craft are the fundamental tools that will set you apart in your market, allow you to charge more, and create a better experience for your clients.
As photographers, we are entrusted with more than taking just a pretty photo.
Yes, you gotta know your stuff. You gotta know how to find great light, how to market your business, your camera's ISO capabilities, how to shoot in dark churches, rainy days, and harsh light. And I can teach you all that.
But I see more clearly- far more clearly than in the early days of my business- how your photography can do more for your clients. I know how to look for connection, heart and stories in images.
My business took this fundamental change in 2016 when I got a phone call that my Dad unexpectedly passed away.
I got the feelings, let's keep talking....
For reals, I can't wait to meet you
I do best when teaching in small groups. Which is exactly what we have planned for you. I have taught one on one piano lessons, 25 student chemistry classes and both for photography. This retreat is the most comprehensive photography teaching I have done to date, and we are holding NOTHING back.
I wanna know more about you and share a drink over our creative similarities.
FIND BREanna HERE
You too? Me too!
• Watched "Friends" for the first time in 2018
• Have never broken a bone
• Have lived in TX, NM, OR, HI and UT
• Ran a Disney Marathon with my Sister
• Drives stick shift
• Currently addicted to shooting film
• wanted to be "rachel" but I'm totally "monica"
• Sorted into Hufflepuff
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