Today Tori Leigh is here with us in our office doing a job shadow from Ezell-Harding We are teaching her the ropes and showing her random things that may help her in the future… and Ann says I’m boring… whateves… Ann sucks… Tori Leigh rocks

So anyone that knows me (Ann)…I ABSOLUTELY hate public speaking!  Hate it!…but Jen decided she was going to England (yeah…great timing!) and left me to do the FIRST career day at watkins!  Okay so i guess i have to admit…It wasn’t that bad but I completely worked myself up for the month prior to it.

Below were all the topics up for discussion:

• Graduate school: How to select a program, get in and most importantly, get out, whether you’re attending full time, part time, while working, etc.  Panelists: Watkins faculty/department chairs Terry Thacker and Steve Womack, Renaissance Center Curator (and Watkins alum) Amanda Dillingham.

• Business: Tips to start your own business or run a successful freelance practice, along with networking tips and how to sell yourself.  Panelists: Alumnus Ann Carroll of Photographix,  Bobbie Gallup of FilmNashville and Artist Manager John Dotson

• Galleries: Interested in showing your work in galleries? Learn more from exhibitors, curators and directors of residency programs.  Panelists: Sera Davis of Davis Art Advisory, Sabine  Schlunk of gallery F and Jodi Hays Gresham, TSU faculty and Gallery Curator

Actually I think our session had the biggest turnout with 20 + people…some I (and Jen) graduated with and others wanting to hear how to make a business work.  It was great to be able to share how Jen and I started Photographix and the valuable lessons we have learned throughout!  Thanks for letting us be a part of the special day!

Jen Cook graduated from Watkins College of Art & Design with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art Photography. She shoots for local magazine, Southern Exposure, and also owns her own freelance photography business, Jen Cook Photo, specializing in child portraits and lifestyle family sessions. Jen has been fortunate to photograph many celebrities privately including Sheryl Crow, Jessica Simpson, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Joe Don & Tiffany Rooney, among others. Her work can be seen in local bakery, Gigi’s Cupcakes, in all three Tennessee locations, – Nashville, Franklin, and Spring Hill. Jen’s client list includes, O’Charley’s, Amerigo, The Perfect Party, Dr. Angela Simpson, ProNet Residential, The Pink Cupcake, Reliant Bank, Molly Maid, Franklin Police Department, Dr. Ming Wang’s ”EyeBall”, Miller Piano Specialists, and more. Jen’s work has been published in People Magazine, Country Weekly, The Insider, Nashville Lifestyles, Sony BMG Nashville and Celebritybabyblog.com. Jen lives in Spring Hill, TN with her husband Daniel Cook, owner of The Bath Works, from London, England.

Ann Carroll considers herself not just a photographer but an artist.  She graduated from Watkins College of Art & Design with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art Photography.  She has a passion for all kinds of art.  Ann loves challenging herself to capture the simple beauty, expressions and emotions that defines her subject matter. Imagine a story without words, just images. In addition to her partnership in Photographix, Ann also owns her own personal photography business, Ann Nicole Photo, where you can find more of her work.  Her publications include Photographer’s Forum (Best of College Photography), Flair Magazine, Southern Exposure Magazine, People Magazine, Country People, Country Weekly, Nashville Scene: Weddings Issue, Enchanted Brides Magazine, and much more.  Ann currently resides in Franklin, TN with her two children Caelan and Sophie, husband Brandon, who is employed by Saint Thomas Hospital, two lazy cats and the best Jack Russell ever.

Ann and I love to have just as much fun at your wedding as you do, because we think it makes your photos come out that much more special! (Did that sentence make sense?? We get involved so people will interact with us more and feel more comfortable around us! These few photos are from our last wedding with Cami and Wes, and they just made us laugh so we thought we’d  share  The older gentleman took that 2nd photo of us bc he thought we looked silly trying to take our own pic (the 1st one), but we thought he was TOO cute, so we took our photo with him too! I love older guests at weddings, they are always so much fun! And he looks like some famous actor that I can’t think of!! Anybody know who I mean? The last picture is us with Hugh and Anita with hThree Events, the fab coordinators of the day!

Last night Ann and I went to the Wedding101 Vendor open house and had a blast!! The place looked great and all the vendors that participated totally made their space rock! Check out their site to get some great ideas for your wedding day. And take a look at these silly pictures that we took in the photo booth from Photo Booth Nashville, it was sooo much fun taking pictures with Chase Rivers of Eye Design Floral and Jill Cole with Southern Events!! We love you guys!!