Guys! We were featured over on Dainty Obsessions!! We’re chatting all about Community Over Competition and our Alex + Val Education venture! Take a look at the article:

Community over competition. Unfortunately this concept is easier said than done, and two Ames, Iowa wedding professionals are doing something about it. Valerie Duvick of Val Marlene Photography and Alexandria Hinders of Everlasting Love Photography are combining forces to host workshops that promote #CommunityOverCompetition and bettering yourself in your field (not to mention making new friends in the process). They’re taking reservations for their first workshops that will be held April 23 and May 7, so we chatted with Valerie to find out what they’ve been up to.

Congrats on your new endeavor! How did you two come together and decide to join forces?

Thank you! We are over-the-moon excited and so blown away by the support we’ve received thus far!

Over the past three years over endless lattes, photo sessions traded, and inspiration shared, we have cultivated a friendship that often resembles a business partnership. We have learned to celebrate each others’ successes and give support in times of discouragement. Both our businesses have grown in that time and we truly believe our friendship has been a part of that growth. We have also experienced the frustration and hurt that can come from negativity and judgement in the industry and we want to change that.

What type of workshops will you have and how often will you have them?

Our workshops are designed to empower photographers to challenge themselves in technical skill, business insight and relational perspective. Specifically, we are offering two educational opportunities.

The Coffee Date is a technical experience for beginners focused on the must-know basics of creating images manually on a DSLR.

The Workshop Experience is a full day, hands-on experience for wedding photographers where we will discuss business do’s and don’ts, marketing, client interaction, authentic pose direction, and post processing.

We anticipate that we might hold these workshops 1-2 times per year and are excited to see where this dream leads!

Why are workshops important in the wedding industry?

The wedding industry is constantly evolving as trends and traditions come and go. It is essential as a wedding professional to learn and grow along with the changing industry. Workshops are a great way to challenge yourself as a creative to consider other perspectives, improve your craft and build relationships with other industry professionals.

How big will these workshops be (attendance wise)?

Both of our workshops are designed to be an intimate experience, allowing for individual attention. We will have eight attendees for the coffee date and twelve for the full workshop experience.

Where will these workshops be held?

Our spring 2016 workshops will take place in Des Moines, Iowa at a local coffee shop and photography studio.

Tell us about #CommunityOverCompetition and what that means to you.

#CommunityOverCompetition was originated by the Rising Tide Society when a few photographers on the East Coast admitted that creative entrepreneurship can be ‘incredibly lonely.’ They decided to empower other creatives to this end and set their mission statement as ‘Educating and Empowering Creatives to Thrive in the spirit of Community over Competition.’

Of course, this mission speaks right to our hearts and we are so thankful that this vision has been sweeping the nation!

We know there is a wide variety of styles, approaches and perspectives in the creative world and we believe it is at the heart of the #CommunityOverCompetition movement that these differences should be celebrated, not judged!

We believe a competitive spirit is often borne of insecurity and fear, which tends to foster a judgemental heart and often leads to isolation. When beginners and veterans alike are too intimidated or proud to ask for help, they miss the chance to improve their craft and grow as an individual.

We think the famous quote by James Keller illustrates this idea perfectly. ‘A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.’

Have you noticed competition getting in the way of some Midwest vendors?

What we notice at times, along with competition, is a culture of judgement. Judgement of shooting style, editing preference, business model, you name it. The wedding industry is full of creatives, and as a result, we see a beautiful landscape of artists who see the world differently. Creatives are often very emotionally and personally tied to their art, which makes it hard to understand the art of another. However, the truth is that each artist brings something unique to the table that has the potential to challenge and inspire other artists.

The Rising Tide Society’s name was inspired by this quote from John F. Kennedy, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats,’ implying that the marketplace can only strengthen through widespread growth.

When you choose to set aside your pride and allow someone else into your life, you open yourself to growth, encouragement and relationships.

What are you most excited for in regards to the workshops and your partnership?

We both have a passion for teaching and development, though cultivated differently as Alex earned her degree in education while I have held several mentoring and leadership roles. We’re really excited to bring both our experiences together to share, encourage and challenge our attendees to pursue #CommunityOverCompetition as they develop their business.

We’re also crazy excited about our welcome gifts and sponsor surprises…so much pretty!

What can attendees expect from these workshops? You mentioned giveaways etc.?

We are so excited to spoil our new friends with adorable goodies, sponsor giveaways (such as Dainty Obsessions and PASS!) and vendor collaborations (like Shelly Sarver Designs and Trumpet & Horn!) during the Workshop Experience! Our time together will include both oral presentation and group discussion with real-time shooting, direction and post-processing critique. A styled shoot featuring local Des Moines area vendors, and a real couple will be coordinated and each attendee will receive a new headshot photographed by us.

Where can people catch up and find out the latest from on the workshops?

The best way to follow along and hear the latest about our workshops is through our hashtag, #alexandvaleducation and to subscribe to our newsletter (http://bit.ly/alexandvalsubscribe), where exclusive deals and future dates will be announced before they are made public. You can also follow us on our individual photography social media outlets.