In November 2025, I attended the Jesse Salter Photographer Workshop at her Kansas City studio and will forever be changed in such an amazing way as a photographer and as a photography business owner. Jesse is an absolute joy and her artistry is so incredibly unique, moving and beautiful. I’m inspired all the time by all sorts of photographers online but there’s definitely something very special about her work that flew me all the way to Kansas City to attend her workshop. It’s only now after the New Year that I actually have some time process my experience and everything I learned.
As an artist, I’m never completely satisfied with my work and I think that feeling is universally shared by most artists. My vision and my taste are constantly evolving.
After discovering Jesse, it awoke something in me that I’ve been searching for in my own work which is the storytelling element and finding unique ways to connect families so I can document them. I’ve always been drawn to the authentic moments between people but she has elevated that to a whole new level. I’m in love with all the things that she taught me and I’m so inspired and excited to create a way to make them my own.
I have always felt like photographing families is like giving them a gift. I deliver moments of their lives to them they never get to see because they’re in it. It’s a gift that they get to look back on for years to come- how awesome is that?! It’s really an honor every time I get to do that but now I’ve been inspired in new ways to see these moments. Ways that will help me capture them that I never saw before, so connected thus so beautiful.
Lastly, on top of everything I took away from her workshop, I made the best new photographer friends! This is such a lonely business because it’s only me, but the camaraderie and the laughs I shared with those other women/ artists who are all photographers and business owners themselves will never be forgotten. I hadn’t laughed that hard in such a long time, it was truly magical. I’m so thankful I met them them and that I was there… sometimes putting yourself in the room is all you need to do.
Here are just some of the beautiful moments I got to capture while I was there… let’s see what happens next in my own studio! I can’t wait!
