A reflection on Big SNAP 23…
Play the video to witness Big SNAP 23
I thought that seeing as Big SNAP was over 6 months ago and I have finally had time to sit down and process this beautiful event after a busy wedding season that I should take a moment to blog about it.
Especially so I can show off some of the wonderful images and video captured by Camera Hannah.
Taking over SNAP has definitely been a journey for me and Rosie and it’s not easy. As with all businesses things take time to grow and we also take time to grow. Running events like a big photography conference/workshop/retreat comes with a huge amount of risk/stress and while we are yet to be in profit we are proud of each and every event we have created and hosted so far. Our commitment and vision for the future will bring the financial sustainability where we can pay ourselves in good time. I have run enough businesses to know that.
We have strived to create a space that is safe, inclusive, community minded, fun and full of value for the people who attend and interact with us. For SNAP this year we wanted to bring unique and diverse speakers to our stage who we knew would give our attendees so much value. We also gave people the opportunity to create work together with a stunning styled shoot and a portrait walk. It was also important to us to give plenty of space for people to socialise and make friends as well as taking step away if it felt overwhelming to recharge.
Each of our speakers were incredible. They bought their knowledge and wisdom but also they were vulnerable and open about their journeys. This is such a key aspect when it comes to sharing our experiences in the hope to help others, our struggles are just as important as our successes. That openness creates meaningful connection and genuine inspiration and I am so grateful for our speakers for living that belief.
Of course you have a vision for something and then you have the stress of bringing it together and trying to sell it without really knowing how it will work for those who attend. This was entirely new ground for me and Rosie.
To say it surpassed our expectations is probably an understatement. First of all, everything went perfectly to plan, except for the projector but we worked with it and it became an endearing feature, especially at the party where it was used to make beautiful coloured shadows of people dancing.
Yes we had the amazing talks, yes we had the most stunning styled shoot and yes the weather stayed on our side but actually it was the friendships we saw develop between people that really made it feel like a success. There was a moment when I returned from black rocks on the second night after we had wrapped up the styled shoot and I walked into the dinner hall and everyone was chatting, laughing and no one looked like they were being left out. It felt like you could move through the room and be welcomed anywhere.
I felt the most joy seeing people play board games together, tell stories around the fires, go for walks and also help one another during the business masterminding. Witnessing people become a community and knowing you played some small part in that is something that makes all the hard work worth it.
The hugs and tears on the last morning before we all left one another felt so filled with love. Me and Rosie were in a daze, ready to fall asleep for a week while people told us that we had changed their lives. I don’t even know what to say about that because hosting SNAP has also changed our lives. Sometimes in an incredibly stressful way but also in the most incredible way. As I said in my talk on the last morning it’s an and not an or.
We are so excited for SNAP 24, somethings are different next year. We aren’t making it residential but we are hosting it in the most amazing little creative town in Kent called Folkestone. As well as an incredible line up we will be able to offer sea swimming, yoga on the beach (subject to weather) another epic styled shoot and as well our beautiful venue the Quarterhouse we also have a venue on the beach for the evenings for quiz and a party on the last night. Supporting small independent businesses is also at the core of our values.
We are so excited about seeing everyone in Folkestone and over half of our tickets for next year are gone. We would love to welcome you into our community on the 23rd & 24th April 24 (welcome drinks on the 22nd)
I want to take a moment to thank our speakers from 2023…
Nadia Meli / Simon Leclercq / Tash Jones / Aida Glowik / Stephanie Large / Jo Greenfield / Sam Docker / Maddy Shine each and every single one of them were so generous with their knowledge. They helped so many humans improve their businesses and photography this year.
Also a massive thank you to Kirsty Mackenzie and Carmela weddings who made our styled shoot so incredible this year. Carmela weddings and Stephanie Large will be curating the 2024 shoot and it will be amazing.
And a massive thank you to Mount Cook Adventure Centre for hosting us. It was the perfect space for us all.
Lastly, a huge thank you to each of our attendees. For trusting us but also for bringing their own vulnerability and openness, we feel so lucky to have met you all and can’t wait to see some of your next year.
If anyone wants a more detailed insight to mine and Rosie’s experience with hosting SNAP in 2023 then you can listen to a whole podcast episode we recorded about it here https://open.spotify.com/episode/46Puun8EPOnbBYPBxqRZ41
Enjoy the photos and we would love to see you next year!
