I’m sitting in a café in the Village, staring down three photographers who look like they’ve stepped out of an Anthropologie catalog. Susan Gietka, Tishy Bryant, and Aubry Ramsey - they’re here to talk about their photography workshop, ‘Rise Up’, and I’m here to ask questions that make me sound like I know what I’m doing.
I open with the basics, trying not to sound as clueless as I feel. “Where’s this workshop happening?”
“Austin, Texas,” they say, in one sing-song voice - obviously hopped up on lattes.
“OK, why Austin?” I ask, pen hovering over my notebook.
Susan jumps in first, her words tumbling out like she’s been waiting to gush. “The downtown area has so many walkable spots for hands-on photo sessions, and it’s surrounded by natural environments. Huge fields, gorgeous sunsets, nature trails - it’s a treat! Most of my clients back in Jersey just want beach sessions, but Texas? We’ll be doing a lesson and shooting in a vast field of wildflowers in April. It’s magical.”
Tishy leans forward, picking up the thread. “Austin at sunrise and sunset - it’s something else. The downtown area comes alive with reflections and incredible lighting. And then you’ve got the wildflowers - vibrant blooms stretching across rolling hills. It’s breathtaking.”
Aubry finishes it off, her tone calm but insistent. “Austin’s backdrops are so diverse - every corner you turn, there’s something different. And in spring, with those wildflowers and a Texas sunset? It’s the cherry on top.”
Wildflowers, I write in my notebook, underlining it twice. It’s starting to sound like the key to the universe.
“When is this happening?” I ask.
“April 25th through the 27th of this year,” they answer in sync, like they’ve practiced it.
“So, what will a typical day look like?” I ask, knowing full well this is where the details will pour out.
Susan doesn’t disappoint. “Oh wow! We start bright and early, around 8 or 9 a.m., depending on the agenda. We kick things off downtown with a natural light photo session - Tishy leads that, showing everyone how to find the beautiful light she’s known for. Then it’s into the classroom to cover business topics. After lunch, we’re back out for another session - this time focusing on reflectors with Aubry or off-camera flash techniques with me. Evenings? Dinner together and a Q&A afterwards. By the end of the third day, you’ll feel happily exhausted.”
Aubry jumps in, her energy just as high. “It’s three action-packed days. Every morning starts early, and we go right through until sunset. It’s a mix of classroom sessions, photo shoots, roundtable discussions, everything. We also send out a questionnaire beforehand, so we can tailor the experience to each attendee’s needs.”
I scribble happily exhausted in my notes and wonder if it’s a promise or a warning. Either way, it sounds like they’ve got it all figured out.
“And what specific topics will you be covering?” I ask.
Susan takes the lead. “Oh, so much. We’ll go over finding and using beautiful natural light - with and without a reflector - posing, editing, social media strategies, lighting patterns, client workflows, pricing, working with seniors and their parents, off-camera flash, even how to handle direct sunlight. We’ll also dive into timeless products and how to work with dancers, from finding them to posing and lighting them. It’s everything you need to elevate your business.”
She pauses for breath, and I glance up to see the others nodding. This isn’t just a workshop - it’s a photography boot camp!
“How do the three of you work together during the workshop?” I ask, curious how they keep it all running.
Aubry answers first, her voice warm and thoughtful, like a teacher's. “We’re a dynamic team, no doubt. Each of us has a focus: Susan’s the master of off-camera flash, Tishy’s unmatched at finding natural light, and I specialize in using reflectors to nail those golden-hour shots. I love mentoring - it’s my passion - and I want everyone to walk away feeling empowered and confident.”
Susan nods and jumps in. “We work seamlessly. When one of us is teaching, the other two float around to check in and help attendees. Creating a welcoming environment is our priority - no matter your skill level, we want everyone to feel comfortable asking questions. My teaching style is patient and step-by-step. I encourage everyone to take their time, ask anything, and really get the shot before moving on.”
Tishy wraps it up. “It’s an honor to work alongside these two. We cover such a wide range of styles and techniques, giving everyone a well-rounded experience. I focus on hands-on learning, real-time feedback, and showing attendees how to engage with their surroundings. Watching everyone grow in this collaborative setting? That’s the reward.”
“Speaking of that, what do you hope attendees take away from ‘Rise Up’?” I ask.
Susan doesn’t hesitate. “Confidence. Knowledge. I want them to leave with actionable skills they can recreate on their own. The goal is to elevate their work, attract more clients, and grow their revenue.”
Aubry smiles, clearly passionate about this part. “Honestly, this is a big question, but the short version? We want attendees to feel empowered. Running a photography business means juggling everything, and we all struggle with something. If we can help them gain confidence in areas they’ve been struggling with, it can be a game-changer. This isn’t just about portfolio shots - it’s about gaining new ideas and techniques they can implement immediately.”
Tishy chimes in, her voice steady and thoughtful. “I want them to truly understand light - how it interacts with their subject, how to control it. Beyond technical skills, I want them to walk away with a clear sense of their purpose. Being involved in your community, giving back, and being relatable - it’s all part of building a successful brand.”
I think to myself, these attendees are in for a transformation!
“Will the live photo shoots and hands-on sessions be a big part of the experience?” I ask.
Susan lights up. “Absolutely! You’ll watch me work, ask questions, and get involved. We’ll have styled models for everyone to photograph. The goal is for attendees to not just capture amazing images but to leave with the knowledge and confidence to recreate those experiences at home.”
Aubry leans forward, her excitement infectious. “Hands-on is my jam. This is the time to experiment and step out of your comfort zone. At our last workshop, one attendee was hesitant to try something new, but I kept gently pushing her. When she finally nailed the shot, she squealed and jumped up and down. That’s the magic - building confidence through real-time success.”
Tishy nods in agreement. “Most definitely. I’ll be showing attendees how I see and use light to create warm, inviting images. These sessions are all about experimenting, building connections, and getting personalized feedback.”
“That all seems amazing! What equipment should attendees bring?”
Tishy answers first. “Camera, lenses, and a laptop if you prefer to take notes digitally. Just come prepared to shoot and learn.”
Susan nods. “Bring your camera and favorite lenses, of course. If you have Godox triggers, bring those too, but don’t worry if you don’t - we’ll have some to share."
Aubry keeps it simple. “Same - camera, lenses, and something to jot things down."
“Is there a limit to how many people can attend?” I ask.
Aubry answers with a reassuring smile. “We’re capping it at 10 to 12 attendees. Keeping it small makes it more intimate and ensures everyone has enough time to work closely with each of us.”
I jot down small, personal, thinking this setup sounds more like a creative retreat than a workshop.
“OK, how can people register, and what’s the deadline?” I ask, glancing up from my notes.
Tishy jumps in with the details. “You can register at www.riseupworkshop.com. Early bird registration ends on January 30th, so don’t wait too long!”
“This all sounds great - Is there anything else attendees can look forward to?” I ask.
Susan smiles. “Absolutely - building relationships, making new friends, laughing together, sharing meals. And, of course, you’ll hit your daily step count during the photo sessions. It’s a win-win!”
Aubry nods. “Lots of laughter and learning. You form real connections with the other attendees and us. It’s a safe space where we can all open up about the challenges of running a photography business and support each other.”
I jot down friendship, community, lots of steps, realizing this workshop isn’t just about taking pictures - it’s also about creating a network.
“Last question,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Will there be donuts?”
Susan grins. “You bet. Donuts will be on the menu, courtesy of our sponsor. Who needs a balanced diet when you can have a balanced dozen?”
Aubry jumps in with a laugh. “Donut underestimate us - of course, there will be donuts! You need the hole experience, after all.”
Tishy adds with a sweet smile, “A great variety - very filling, very sweet. Just like us!”
I scribble and underline donuts guaranteed in my notebook, smiling despite myself. Clearly, these three know how to sweeten the deal.
All this talk of wildflowers, styled models, and donuts has my head spinning and my stomach grumbling as I wrap up the interview. Taking my first step out the door, the cool air hits, and I can’t help but think about how much these three are offering - skills, inspiration, community, and, yes, donuts.
