A couple of months ago I found out about the European Wedding Congress which is hosted near Amsterdam at the Kasteel De Hooge Vuursche. It was a great opportunity to make connections with other photographers and vendors in the wedding industry, receive some mentoring, and catch some amazing photos at the kasteel.

It was my first time attending a wedding photography workshop, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I signed up for Jana William‘s class, even though I wasn’t extremely familiar with her work. After researching, I felt like her style was similar to my tastes, and hoped to get some great tips from her, especially on directing and working with publications and there were others great photography companies there, from sites as www.anniekinserphotography.com/ and many others.

I had also hoped that I’d get to do some shooting, and get a few images for my portfolio. I got more than a few!! I am extremely happy with what I came away with. I also came away with more confidence in my work, both in my style and skill behind the camera, and in the way I work and interact with my customers.

Inspired by this experience, I’m actually actively working towards setting up another styled shoot with local vendors. It really is great to connect with people in your career field, encourage, promote, and inspire each other, and walk away with new material for our portfolios, and new friends.

Thanks again for the coordinators of the event, the vendors, and the speakers. Looking forward to the next time! Now, of course I’m going to share some of my favorites from the day, so here they are!

Bride and groom hold hands on stone steps outside the Kasteel De Hooge Vuursche wedding venue.

Bride and groom walk hand in hand down brick steps outside a stone building at their wedding.

Bride and groom hold hands and smile while walking outdoors at a European wedding.

Bride and groom hold hands at a wedding while she carries a coral and cream flower bouquet.

Smiling bride and groom share a tender forehead-to-forehead moment at their wedding.

A bride and groom press their foreheads together smiling outdoors at the European Wedding Congress.

A smiling bride and groom gaze at each other during their European wedding portrait.

A smiling bride in a white dress leans affectionately against her groom in a dark suit at their outdoor wedding.

Bride and groom embrace on stone steps during a wedding, holding hands and a floral bouquet.

A wedding couple embrace on stone steps among blossoming trees at the European Wedding Congress.

A bride in white walks away along a path toward a grand manor house at a wedding.

A smiling groom in a tuxedo embraces his bride in a strapless dress outdoors.

Bride and groom share a smile during their European Wedding Congress 2014 wedding portrait outdoors.

A wedding couple kiss on a stone bridge beside a canal in front of grand European architecture.

Bride and groom share a kiss on stone steps beside a brick-lined water basin at their wedding.

Bride and groom touch foreheads and smile during their wedding against a backdrop of green foliage.

Bride and groom touch foreheads and gaze at each other at the European Wedding Congress 2014 in a leafy garden.

Wedding place setting with green dish, menu card, and twine-tied napkin with purple flowers.

Elegant wedding table centerpiece with lilies, ranunculus, and roses in small vases at the European Wedding Congress.

A candlelit table setting with floral arrangements and glassware at the European Wedding Congress 2014.

A purple and pink flower bouquet rests on draped fabric at the European Wedding Congress.

A wedding table setting with floral arrangements, teacups, and wine glasses beneath an ornate chandelier and fireplace.

A round wedding reception table set with pink flowers and candles at the European Wedding Congress.

Bride and groom smile on a cobblestone path beside stone steps and an ivy-covered garden wall at their wedding.

A smiling bride and groom walk arm in arm on the lawns of a stately manor during their wedding.

Bride and groom share a kiss on the lawn in front of a grand brick estate at their wedding.

A wedding couple embraces on stone steps beside ivy-covered brick walls.

A bride in a lace gown stands on stone steps at a European wedding congress.

Bride and groom embrace tenderly beside a stone statue in a lush garden at their wedding.

Tall arrangement of orange tulips and white blossoms decorates a wedding table setting with blue and white ceramics.

A wedding table set with blue linens and flowers beside a lake in front of a brick manor.

A wedding table with a blue and white tie-dye cloth and butterflies at the European Wedding Congress.

Pink peonies in a blue and white ceramic vase sit on a wedding table beside a place card and cutlery.

A wedding bouquet of orange and cream flowers rests on a stone lion balustrade against an ivy-covered wall.