I have been fascinated with stories for as long as I can remember. Even my earliest memories involves stories, my father reading Tintin books to me on the couch or me telling stories to others to make them feel something. Because that’s what stories do. Make you feel. Today everyone is a photographer, just being able to take a good image is no longer enough. What sets a good photographer, or even a good brand, apart from the not so good, is their ability to make you feel something. And this is done through stories. glidden00979 For the last years I’ve traveled all around the world to shoot weddings and I’ve had a lot of success along the way. The most common comment on my blog is that I am a gifted storyteller. That I make people feel. "One of the best wedding stories ever told”  - Nirav Patel  "An Absolutely magical story told by an Absolute master storyteller.” - Mark Kalkwarf  "You are undoubtedly on of the best storytellers in this industry." - Drew Willingham "You are loco, motherfucker." - Fer Juaristi krogsgaard219 When I started teaching workshops, I began with teaching everything I know, but after almost three years of workshops, I’ve boiled it down to what I do best. What sets me apart from others and what has made me successful. Stories. In this one day workshop I will break down storytelling to its elements, show you simple techniques to tell better stories and share how I use stories in every aspect of my business. I’ve made my living telling and making up stories since 1998, so you could say it’s the only thing I know well. Photography is just another tool I use to tell them. After this day, I’m confident you’ll have your own tools to set you apart from your competition, but you will also create stories that mean more to you and your clients. deux_belettes_jonaspeterson060-1 Who is the workshop for? It doesn’t matter if you’re working as a wedding photographer, if you shoot families or even landscapes. It doesn’t even matter if you’re an amateur - EVERYONE will benefit from being able to tell a better story. I don’t want this workshop to be just about images or storytelling techniques, I want you to leave knowing that stories literally impact everything you do - in life and business. The workshop is for beginners and seasoned pros and everyone in between, we will learn as a group and grow as a group. When: 6 October 2015 Location: Chicago, IL - venue to be decided. Time: 08:30am for a 09am start. Until 5.00pm. Cost: $895 USD, you pay $495 now to secure a seat, $400 two weeks before the workshop Includes drinks, lunch and snacks. The number of seats are limited, so get in early to secure your spot. sold-out-graphic-300x201 workshop_capetownAnd finally, a thank you note from one of the attendees. Jonas, I just wanted to write you an email and let you know that you've changed my life. I don't say that lightly. Something (perhaps everything) about the workshop really resonated with me, and continues to do so now. A number of amazing things came out of the workshop and although it's hard to express this in words, I'm going to give it a go. I sat down the day after the workshop with a notepad and pen (and of course the obligatory writer's coffee). I didn't know where to start, so I just let the pen guide me. I noticed my breathing and heart rate slow, and I felt a sense of calm that I hadn't felt in a very long time. It was then that I realised that I needed to get to know my own story. I needed to find the real me. I've always had a hectic pace in my life. Everything has been rushed. To sit calmly and just be, was a wonderful feeling. And so I started, one word at a time. I've never been one to write a journal or read a great deal. In fact, I always hated reading as a child. Why I studied law I still do not know. I was the kid who was out making mess or playing on our farm while my mother told me I needed to read more (she was right, I did need to read more and still do!). However, the more of my own story that I wrote down, the more great things I started noticing. I started to appreciate my own journey. I started to see the great things that only I can bring to the table. Not just with photography, but with life in general. I've stopped worrying and comparing. I used to compare where I was at to everybody else. Hearing your story Jonas, made me realise everyone starts somewhere. I am where I am. I've stopped following wedding photographers that I haven't met/had a connection with. I don't look at what others are doing or how they do it. Unsurprisingly, I'm now much happier and more confident in my own voice and abilities. I've now had the confidence to start contacting people who inspire me - artists, writers and creatives that have a story I want to know more about. I'm now drawn to hearing their stories. Everyone I meet, I want to know more about. I've noticed, people volunteer information more freely to me now. I don't know whether it's because I share more of me, or whether they pick up on the vibe that I want to know more about them. So, all of this combined made me realise that I'm doing something every day that makes me supremely unhappy. I decided on a bit of whim last week to tell my boss that I'm leaving the law. I posted a fairly raw and honest update on my Facebook page afterwards and the response was somewhat overwhelming. I've had messages and calls from people this week that I haven't seen in ten years. It has blown me away. On a photography front, I can see the joy I'm bringing others. It is no coincidence that every shoot I've delivered (family shoots at this stage) since the workshop has had an emotional response. I've had some absolutely gorgeous emails from clients, and from past clients that had referred me. One of my favourite emails reads as follows: This is so beautiful. I cried the whole way through . You have done such an amazing job you are very talented cannot wait to see all on proofing gallery. Awww how exciting!!! Thank you so much for capturing our little family just how we are. Cannot wait to show people now. Finally, life has started to fall into place. Strangers actually just come up to me now and start chatting to me. I have always been a fairly outgoing person. However, as odd as it sounds, people do just come and start talking to me now. I've had more dates in the 3 weeks than the last 3 months combined and friends that I haven't seen in a long time have been getting in touch and demanding catch ups. I no longer have time for people in my life that are not in my corner. And I'm much more aware of who I spend my time with. I have direction with my life now, and enquiries are now coming in daily which is a lovely feeling. Again, it is no coincidence that this has occurred post workshop. So, thanks for triggering something inside me. I'm beyond excited about what the future holds. There are going to be tough days and days I feel like I've got no idea what I'm doing, and I'll roll with those. However, I feel like the workshop has truly given me so much. I hope you're well - I'll keep following your adventures and stories. You're wonderful. Aimee