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A complete step-by-step Masterclass equipping photographers to invite real emotion in their photography (every time) using our proven method of Invitations™.
our best-selling, five-star masterclass
A waitlist of 5,000+ people can't be wrong
A QUICK PEEK INSIDE:
5 Training Modules with 32 Teaching Lessons, Virtual Second Shooter footage with 2 real couples, Photo Stories of real shoots with couples, groups, and individuals, 12+ downloadable email templates, checklists + cheat sheets, 100 downloadable Invitation Cards, 'Creating Your Own Invitations' bonus course, 'How to Build Your Portfolio' bonus course, Private FB Group for Members, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee + more
LIFETIME ACCESS
Embracing Connection Masterclass
A QUICK SUMMARY OF WHAT'S INSIDE:
Best-Selling Masterclass
5 Star Rated
500+
happy students
5 Stars
all 5-star reviews
50k+
free workshop views
Being Photographed Can Either Be Awkward Or Awesome
we're on a mission to always make it the latter
There's a reason it's always so awkard
We have polled our audience multiple times over the years, asking 'What is the #1 struggle you face in your photography?'
EVERY SINGLE TIME easily 90% of people say Inviting real emotion and connection.
You know what this tells us? There is a massive need in this industry for education on inviting connection.
The Problem
There has never been a better time in history for photographers to carve a new path towards real connection - people are over photos that aren’t the real deal.
Everyone is longing more than ever for real emotion and true connection, which means there is now a higher calling for Photographers...
The Calling
And this is a problem, because of the unprecedented current cultural climate of fabrication in photography.
More people take photos than ever before... and with the addictive side of Instagram culture that demands engaging content no matter the cost, we are INUNDATED with fast, fabricated, filtered images.
But it's become clear in recent years that people are fed up with fabrication and are sick of fake.
The Context
We get it. They’re staring at you waiting, they’re uncomfortable, YOU’RE uncomfortable, so you opt for what seems easy. Specific direction (hug her), asking for emotion (give me a laugh), and fabricating a ‘moment’ (pretend you’re really excited and jump up and down together)...
Is there anything wrong with this? Not necessarily. But it’s lacking. It’s lacking truth, it’s lacking meaning, and it sure as heck lacks the ability to ground them in the present moment. To really experience what is real. To really connect without facade. And what does that mean in the long run, when Instagram is replaced and they forget how many likes it got and they’re left with just that photo in their aging hands?
They don’t see a window back into a special moment of real emotion to help them VIVIDLY remember what it smelled like, sounded like, felt like. They’ll see a photograph without any triggers to memories of their hearts.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: faked moments in photos might look good on Instagram, but they won’t mean anything in 50 years.
You find yourself choosing to fake moments out of desperation for ‘great photos’...
Woah hold up. Don’t let our Western culture of ‘The Extrovert Ideal’ hold you back. What do we mean? Well, if you’ve been in this industry for longer than 60 seconds, you might have wondered at some point, ‘Have I entered a culture in which being outgoing and able to ‘make people feel comfortable' are the two most important factors of success?’
We want to be upfront with you right now. Your success as a photographers who embraces connection is NOT dependent on your sociability, your extroversion, your small talk skills, your excellent eye contact, or your ability to ‘fill the silence’ well.
In fact, it’s the opposite. Every portrait is a gift. You cannot steal it, force it, or fabricate it. We need photographers who build not their own egos, but build up the clients they’re with. We put too much emphasis on performing and producing, and not enough on humanity and presentness and joy.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Every portrait is a gift. You cannot make (or break) it because of your personality.
You don’t believe you have the personality required to ‘get’ your clients ‘comfortable’
If you don’t want to be a photographer who poses, you might swing the other way and adopt the philosophy of giving NO direction at all - in hopes of avoiding fabricated moments.
We completely understand this. In everyday contexts, people truly CAN be more themselves without interference or direction. But how many of us are really ourselves when we’re uncomfortable? When we’re with someone we don’t know, or in an unfamiliar place? Or with a MASSIVE camera in your face? At best we become image-projectors, putting on a show for the camera; at worst we freeze up and become a shadow of our true, colorful self.
It’s our privilege as photographers to help our clients forget the camera is there and use connection-based Invitations™️ as an opportunity to set them at ease (+ have a legitimately fun experience).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: People need help experiencing emotion in front of a camera, and that’s more than okay - it’s actually your privilege.
You’re still not sure if ‘inviting’ anything at all is best with clients (and have always thought it’s better to stay silent and let them be themselves)
Imagine this experience for you and your clients:
Every Photographers Dream
goodbye awkward
You never again not know ‘what to say’ or ‘how to prompt’ while photographing someone
goodbye fake
You’ll never again have to fake or fabricate moments of connection because they will be occurring NATURALLY
goodbye anxiety
You overcome shoot anxiety and walk into shoots CONFIDENT
hello mentors
You get mentors you resonate with, and who can give you 10 years of experience in one course you can watch forever.
hello tools
You get real, practical tools - Invitations Cards, Virtual Second Shooter footage, downloadable Templates, Checklists, Cheat sheets etc.
hello income
You get to increase your revenue + fill your calendar with dream shoots - with clients who RAVE about their experience with you.
Here's our secret...
During our near-decade career as photographers, we’ve learned from others in our industry, taken hundreds of thousands of photos, invited real emotion from hundreds of people, and
we developed a step by step, proven method we call Invitations™️.
We want to teach YOU all about Invitations™️ and help your clients have POWERFUL shoot experiences...
Invitations™️ have been our ‘secret weapon’ for photographing hundreds of people every single year WITHOUT forcing emotion.
now, it's your turn
INTRODUCING
A complete step-by-step Masterclass equipping photographers to invite real emotion in their photography (every time) using our proven method of Invitations™
Embracing Connection
Masterclass
LIFETIME ACCESS • GO AT YOUR OWN PACE
for
future photographers
for
professional photographers
for
intermediate photographers
Who is this Masterclass for?
for
beginner photographers
You're interested in photography and want to learn how to start well
You're just getting started and have no idea how you're going to interact with your clients
You're over awkward shoots and NEED a new way of photographing your clients!
You want new tools to grow your business - happier clients, a stronger portfolio, and higher financial success
Our clients have said their shoots were:
What's Inside the Masterclass?
Embracing Connection
Module 1 is all about connection - a foundational mindset and method to ground and support you and your clients in ways nothing else will.
module 01
LESSON 01: the heart of connection
We teach you why we called this Embracing Connection, and about creativity, vulnerability. agenda, ego and perspective. We uncover the real reason why people want photos, and the rise of the selfie. Finally, we discuss the all important perspective on why why Memories Matter More than photos. Don't miss this grounding lesson!
lesson 02: the mindset of connection
What are Invitations? And how do we know when it becomes Fabrication? We explain our method in full, discussing the all important mindset of moving BEYOND posing.
lesson 03: the pace of connection
We reveal the Thief of Connection (hint: it’s hurry), and share why slowing down matters for connection. We unpack the powerful science behind slowing down, and talk about what hurry is incompatible with… Then we get practical and share phrases to invite the true pace of connection in your photography. One of our favorite lessons from the entire class, and voted Most-Loved by our students.
next module
PREVIOUS module
Inviting Joy
We unpack all our Invitations on JOY, equipping you with more than something to memorize, but a mindset to adopt.
module 02
LESSON 1: setting the tone for joy
We teach you exactly how we set the tone in the first fifteen minutes using introductory joy invitations
LESSON 2: drawing on personal history
A POWER-PACKED lesson that will transform your shoot experience with individuals, groups or couples on our two favorite Invitations
LESSON 3: getting them present
With focus on wedding days, this lesson is the METHODS behind the pace of true connection
LESSON 4: mindset > memorize
A vital lesson with TONS of Invitation examples, to illustrate how they can occur naturally and be offered seamlessly in your shootswith focus on wedding days, this lesson is the METHODS behind the pace of true connection, introduced as a MINDSET in M01
LESSON 5: individual portraits
Exactly how we invite joy when we're shooting portraits, with Invitation examples and photo stories of our techniques + tools
LESSON 6: group portraits
Never be intimidated by shooting groups again! We teach you how to draw out joy from ANY group of people - family, bridal party, etc.
LESSON 7: joy that has integrity
An essential conclusion to the module. Must watch.
next module
PREVIOUS module
Inviting Movement
We unpack all our Invitations on MOVEMENT, equipping you with more than something to memorize, but a mindset to adopt
module 03
LESSON 1: what movement does
Movement without purpose feels fake - this lesson covers the three changes movement with intention makes in a shoot experience
LESSON 2: movement with purpose
This lesson is all about the psychology of movement and of communication (with discussion on the differences between men and women), and virtual second shooter footage of our two favorite, fun movement Invitations
LESSON 3: movement to invite emotion
Invitations toward movement can actually evoke deep emotion. We talk all about how with multiple Invitations showcased in our BTS shoot
LESSON 4: movement that is natural
Exactly how we offer movement Invitations consecutively, in one fluid experience
LESSON 5: movement in group portraits
Our best invitations for inviting movement with purpose in groups - bridal parties, friends, family...
next module
PREVIOUS module
Inviting Intimacy
We unpack all our Invitations on INTIMACY, equipping you with more than something to memorize, but a mindset to adopt
module 04
LESSON 1: the power of vulnerability
All about vulnerability, and the power of good instructions for your clients
LESSON 2: repeating the same invitations
How to reuse invitations first offered for joy, and how to reuse them with integrity
LESSON 3: words of affirmation
The power of words of affirmation, with emphasis on the psychology behind it and the difference between what men and women need
LESSON 4: sensory invitations
Specifically designed to awaken and enliven the senses, to ground them in the present and therefore create powerful memories
LESSON 5: first invite trust
The natural order of vulnerability always begins with trust, so how do we build that?
next module
PREVIOUS module
LESSON 6: individual portraits
How to invite powerful moments just with one person
LESSON 7: approaching sensitive topics
MUST WATCH before using Intimacy Invitations, also SUCH a need in the industry right now
Shoot Experience
Your A-Z guide on the entire shoot experience, with every practical tool we could fit
module 05
LESSON 1: preparing yourself
physical, vocal, mental, emotional and creative preparation
LESSON 2: preparing your clients
all our templates for a great client experience from initial enquiry to final delivery, and tools for next level shoot experiences
LESSON 3: the role of personality
spoiler: you DON’T have to an extrovert with the most magnetic personality on earth to use these Invitations
LESSON 4: pricing yourself
how to price your craft and use value-based language
LESSON 5: client management
why this matters and how to do it with ease + profitability
next module
PREVIOUS module
LESSON 6: complete editing workflow
from culling through to delivery
Downloads
ALL COURSE
preparing for a shoot
Checklist + Packing List
preparing your clients
Email Templates + Questionnaires:
Responding well to an Initial Enquiry (email)
Research - REALLY Getting to know them (questionnaire)
Setting expectations for a powerful shoot experience (email)
Setting practical expectations (email)
Post-shoot encouragement and reminders (email)
Pre-Wedding communication (questionnaire)
Next-Level Ideas for Intentionality with your shoot (email)
answering tough questions
Email Templates:
Can I get a discount?
Can I have the RAW files?
Can we get more photos?
Why do you charge a travel fee?
Can I have you for more time for the same price?
workflow editing cheat sheet
Culling
Post-Processing
Export + Delivery
next module
PREVIOUS module
plus
Live behind-the-scenes footage
be our second shooter!
We have been basically preparing for this Masterclass for our entire career, but our very first ‘pen to paper,’ ‘rubber-hits-the-road’ moment was when we gathered with a small group of people in an empty, unremarkable room in Seattle and photographed real connection.
We didn’t begin with a marketing strategy, a module outline, or a social media plan. We began with them. The clients. We decided the very FIRST thing we would do in building our Masterclass would be to capture the raw, unedited footage of HOW we photograph real clients. There was no fancy clothes, no insane mountain view or sunset, nothing of significance in the empty room - it was just us and them.
Our Virtual Second Shooter footage is one of our favorite parts of the entire Masterclass. It’s also the part that STILL makes us cry (well, Athena cries).
plus
BONUSES
You probably think 100 is a nice sounding number we came up with for marketing purposes, and we’ve scraped and fluffed and puffed up a few dozen Invitations. It’s not.
We literally spent YEARS on these. To give you an insight - when I (Athena) first began learning from mentors and others in the industry, I learned the concept that it’s not about what I can say but what I can INVITE from my clients. I was given about 20, maybe 25 powerful “prompts” to work with from various workshops and mentors. That was 5 years ago.
Since then, Camron and I have probably given 1000 completely unique Invitations to our clients (and that is a modest guess). Invitations are INFINITE, because human beings are infinite.
However, we understand the need for concrete starting points for Invitations, so we put together our BEST 100 Invitations for Couples, Individuals, Groups and Families.
"I printed all of them and take them with me to shoots!"
Sarah
100 Invitation Cards
BONUS 01
+ Instant Download +
"I read over them before every shoot and incorporate them into the experience!"
Ashlyn
"I have a terrible memory, so they help me remember my favorites!"
Jamie
"I use them for a quick refresh, and now inviting joy comes easy!"
Sydney
+ Bonus Digital Course +
Creating Your Own Invitations
You will already have 100 of ours and would have learned the MINDSET behind them, but in this Bonus we give you a practical step by step framework towards creating your own - both in preparation, as well as spontaneously during the shoot experience based on whomever is in front of you. In this Bonus we give you our ‘magic questions’ to ask yourself that will help you create invitations
BONUS 02
LESSON 01: THE MAGIC QUESTIONS
LESSON 02: THE MINDSET QUESTIONS
LESSON 03 - THE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
LESSON 04 - when it doesn't 'work'
+ Bonus Digital Course +
How to Build Your Portfolio and Fill Your Calendar with Dream Shoots
We are going to teach you ALL the practical next steps for you to build a scroll-stopping, eye-catching, connection-focused portfolio, and how you can fill your calendar with DREAM shoots!
BONUS 03
LESSON 01: The 2 secrets to building your new portfolio
LESSON 02: Your ideal client + a portfolio you’re proud of
LESSON 03 - Filling your calendar (upselling + other ideas)
LESSON 04 - Social media as your digital portfolio
LESSON 05 - Building a website to convert enquiries to clients
LESSON 06 - Social media with integrity (*must watch*)
+ Bonus Lightroom Preset +
Embrace 01 Lightroom Preset
We created Embrace Editing Suite to equip portrait photographers with the Lightroom tools they need.
As you begin implementing the Masterclass lessons into your photography, we want to make sure you're equipped with a high quality preset that was specifically designed for portraits!
EMBRACE 01 is a color Lightroom Desktop Preset. It has warm, elegant, and simple tones. It is great for any and all portraits, especially ones you take outside in natural light (though it can be used for indoor photography too).
BONUS PRESET
And the truth is, we probably should. It’s THAT good, and the results you can experience are massive.
you're likely thinking
Geez, does this class cost thousands?
This is just a sample of what it did for our business
we gave our clients powerful experiences
we landed prestigious awards for our images
we generated a 6-figure income each year
we booked out our calendar with dream shoots
Therefore, the logical industry-standard total cost of this Masterclass should total at least $2,000...
The truth is, this Masterclass should be AT LEAST be the cost of booking one wedding, because with the tools you'll learn, you can
The average cost of wedding photography in the US is around $2,000
secure multiple bookings that you can charge $4,000+ for
spark the interest of your dream clients
gather genuine photos for your portfolio
GUARANTEE your clients a powerful shoot experience
$$$
what comes with
Embracing Connection Masterclass
Embracing Connection Masterclass ($2000 Value)
5 Training Modules with 32 Teaching Lessons
Virtual Second Shooter footage with 2 real couples
Photo Stories of real shoots with couples, groups, and individuals
12+ downloadable email templates, checklists + cheat sheets
Delivered Instantly in a password protected member site
Private FB Group for Members
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
LIFETIME Access with ALL lessons PRELOADED
BONUS: 100 Invitation Cards ($97 Value)
BONUS COURSE: Creating Your Own Invitations ($97 Value)
BONUS COURSE: How to Build Your Portfolio + Fill Your Calendar With Shoots ($97 Value)
FAST ACTION BONUS: Embrace 01 Preset from Embrace Editing Suite ($149 Value)
TOTAL VALUE: $2,440
But we dream of a world where there are no more awkward photoshoots, so we're taking
(SAVES $2043USD)
84% OFf
PLUS, YOU’LL BE JOINING RISK FREE WITH a…
30-Day Money Back Guarantee
You can join our Masterclass with full confidence because we offer a 30 day money back guarantee
if you feel it didn’t live up to the promises we’ve made.
This eliminates any risk you might feel in purchasing, but this Masterclass isn’t meant to be opted into lightly. We are looking for serious action takers - this is a completely comprehensible Masterclass the better part of a DECADE in the making. With that in mind, you’ll need to show you gave the program a try before requesting a refund. We are not looking for tire-kickers, but true go-getters that want to dive in and see real transformation.
If you do the work and implement these tools on a shoot and you’re still not satisfied, show us the work within 30 days of enrolling and we will GLADLY give you a refund. For more details, click here.
Masterclass Alumni Share Their Experience
It seems like a lot of what you teach is for wedding photographers. Will it honestly be helpful if I don’t shoot couples or weddings?
This Masterclass is for ANY photographer who struggles with knowing how to invite and capture true connection and real emotion, and offer a powerful shoot experience from beginning to end.
While we have spent the last few years as wedding photographers capturing COUPLES, our experience and therefore this Masterclass covers many other kinds of photography.
Our Invitations cover everyone from Couples to Weddings to Groups to Families to Individuals. The Virtual Second Shooter Footage is only of couples, however we include photo stories of other shoots.
Because a human is a human, whether their partner or friend or family is next to them or not, our method of Invitations will help invite them to a place of real emotion. So YES, it will be helpful for you!
You can join our Masterclass with full confidence because we offer a 30 day money back guarantee if you feel it didn’t live up to the promises we’ve made.
This eliminates any risk you might feel in purchasing, but this Masterclass isn’t meant to be opted into lightly. We are looking for serious action takers - this is a completely comprehensible Masterclass the better part of a DECADE in the making. With that in mind, you’ll need to show you gave the program a try before requesting a refund. We are not looking for tire-kickers, but true go-getters that want to dive in and see real transformation.
If you do the work and implement these tools on a shoot and you’re still not satisfied, show us the work within 30 days of enrolling and we will GLADLY give you a refund.
For more details, click here.
What's the 30-Day Money Back Guarantee policy all about?
Yes! If we’d had this training when we first began our photography, our journey would have been REVOLUTIONIZED from the start!
If there is one ‘secret’ to our success it is this, and if you can get it into your hands early on that is a WIN. While we consider ourselves experts in this area, we take you through step by step of the entire mindset and methods, which means no matter where you’re at with your journey, whether amateur or professional, you can adopt the practices within and see your clients experience powerful shoots (and you too!).
Is this for beginners? What if I’m just starting and don’t have any shoots booked yet but I want to become a full time photographer. Is there anything in here for growing my business?
With 5 Modules and 32 Lessons each, this Masterclass isn’t like a netflix show you watch in the background while you edit (we know you do that!). It is a deep dive into meaning and truth, with Virtual Second Shooter footage, tons of photo stories, and engaging teaching segments from us in every single lesson. You are worth this time. Lay aside distractions, and focus.
We guarantee after you’re finished the Masterclass you’ll want to rewatch or listen back to sections, so we included both Video AND audio that can be downloaded and watched offline or listened to on-the-go like a podcast.
In terms of actual hours, the Masterclass totals around 5 hours.
How many hours should I be setting aside to work through the Masterclass?
If we had chosen just to share our 100 Invitation Cards (worth $97), though ‘cheaper,’ we would have been doing you a disservice. To receive the Invitations without the training and education behind them would be irresponsible of us. Invitations are not a trick, and what we teach you are not ‘tips.’ This Masterclass is our heart, a manifestation of the greatest thing we’ve learned during our career - that connection is at the heart of a powerful photograph, and that truly the experience and moments matter more than the photo ever will.
As for our video content, besides the fact they are MUCH longer than youtube videos, the value lies not only in the complete step-by-step instruction, the virtual second shooter footage, and the lengthy stories and practices of real shoots, but also in the downloads. No youtuber will also give you their entire template set of questionnaires, email templates, checklists, and insider training on systems and workflow.
Keep in mind, we are offering ECM to you at 80% OFF of the actual real-world cost. We have sought to remove every barrier possible for those that are genuinely committed to growing in this area. If that’s you, we can’t wait for you to join and get started!
I’ve seen Posing Prompt Cards for <$100 and free youtube videos about posing your clients. What makes this worth the investment?
While we do include an entire lesson on our editing workflow as it pertains to you and your clients shoot experience, we don’t go into depth on our editing process as this is a Masterclass on Connection, not on Editing. We will give you information on ALL the tools we use, and briefly talk through how we keep connection and people at the heart of our editing, but we do not give you specific instructions on how to edit.
We have an entire Editing Workshop included with our Seasons Preset Bundle (Desktop + Mobile Presets, worth $149US). If you decide to join Embracing Connection Masterclass, at checkout you will be given the opportunity to add our entire Seasons Preset Bundle (including our Video Editing Workshop) for the exclusive member discount of 40% off.
Does your Masterclass also teach about editing?
If your question hasn't been answered, reach out to us via email at hello@athenaandcamron.com and we will respond to you as soon as possible!
Still have questions?
The thing is, you COULD continue on as you are, without the framework, steps and tools for inviting connection. You don’t join the Masterclass, you don’t learn about Invitations, you don’t watch the lessons and do the work on growing and changing your own and your clients experiences, and you’re in the same place this time next year in a big open loop - still not having the experiences you desire, still not capturing the photos your clients want, and still not booking the work that you love.
OR, the second option is that you can 100% commit to changing the way you photograph THIS YEAR using our PROVEN practice of Invitations and the education offered in our Masterclass.
If you’re ready to change, we want to invite you inside the Embracing Connection Masterclass!
Still undecided?
You have two choices
join the waitlist
No I don't want free education on photographing emotion
Get INSTANT access to our 1 Hour Workshop - "Goodbye Awkward: How to invite REAL EMOTION in your Photography!"
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