what is colorpop?
For more detailed information, check out the FAQ section below!
Colorpop is an in-person weekend retreat for photographers of all skill levels! Photographers will shoot a variety of styled concepts in order to build or completely revamp their portfolios. Our overall theme is COLOR - each concept will focus on bright colors, props, wardrobe, and styling so that you can leave with a brand new portfolio that stands out. This event is an opportunity for photographers to grow in their craft, learn from experts, shoot high-level editorial concepts, network with others in the industry, experiment, and most importantly - batch content for months.
video by angel moreno
Check out Last Year's Event
About the event
NEXT
the photo shoots
PREV.
Photographers of all skill levels and industries are welcome to apply, from beginners to pros! Just keep in mind that this will be a fast-paced weekend, so knowing how to use your camera so you can capture shots quickly is necessary.
The majority of the shoots that take place will be creative portraits and editorial/fashion concepts, but there will also be couples/bridal concepts as well (with creative twists!).
We LOVE styled shoots as a way to flex your creative muscles, increase your skills, and attract your ideal clients! However, these types of shoots are incredibly time-consuming, cost-prohibitive, and stressful (!!!) to put together on your own. That's why we work together for months with our team to use our collective professional experience to:
- Provide you with as much unique, artistic, high-level content as possible (so you can stand out from the crowd)
- Give you more variety in your shots by swapping out elements within concepts (think wardrobe & prop changes)
- Plan dreamy custom styling and sets
- Bring in some of the best professional makeup artists, hair stylists, stylists, and models around so that each shoot is executed to its full potential
What we're all about
photos our attendees took at colorpop
and follow @shotatcolorpop to see news about upcoming events!
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frequently asked questions
What is Colorpop?
Colorpop is an event for photographers of all skill levels to come photograph a variety of styled concepts in order to build or completely revamp their portfolios. The event’s theme is COLOR - each concept will focus on bright colors, props, wardrobe, and styling so that you can leave with a brand new portfolio that sets you apart!
We also hope to choose a diverse group of photographers and encourage you to share knowledge with and learn from each other and your unique experiences! We want you to leave looking and feeling like a pro.
Who are these events for?
- Experiment outside of your box or expand into a new line of work
- Execute creative, pro-level concepts that you don't have the time or resources to bring to life on your own
- Get tips and guidance from Marina, Ashley, and peers.
What will I get out of a Colorpop event?
This event is built to help you grow your business with the content you create:
- Upgrade your website with all new photos that you're excited about
- Gain confidence shooting editorial-style shoots (and get tips along the way)
- Attract your IDEAL clients by showing them the work you're capable of
- Build community with like-minded creatives
- Get months worth of stunning content in just one weekend
We LOVE creative styled shoots as a way to flex your creative muscles, increase your skills, and attract your ideal clients! However, these types of shoots are incredibly time-consuming, cost-prohibitive, and stressful (!!!) to put together on your own. That's why we've been working together for weeks to use our collective professional experience to:
- Provide you with as much unique, artistic, high-level content as possible (so you can stand out from the crowd)
- Give you more variety in your shots by swapping out elements within concepts
- Plan dreamy custom styling and sets
- Bring in some of the best professional makeup artists, hair stylists, and models around so that each shoot is executed to its full potential
What type of photo shoots will be taking place?
What type of photo shoots will
be taking place?
The majority of the shoots will be creative portraits and fashion/editorial concepts, but there will also be couples and bridal shoots as well (with creative twists!)
We’ll also be giving you more variety in your shots by swapping out elements within concepts (think wardrobe & prop changes).
Diversity in models - gender, ethnicity, size, & number of models for each shoot
*BONUS* Each photographer that attends will get creative portraits taken by Marina
Is this a workshop?
Although this is not a workshop (the emphasis is on killer content, not education; no formal classes will be taught), Marina and Ashley will provide art direction, pose direction, and guidance throughout each shoot.
At our lodging, we will also be hosting a Q&A session and portfolio review led by Marina & Ashley!
What is the difference between the two weekends?
We are hosting the same event twice in order to allow more photographers to attend. The concepts, locations, lodging, and itinerary will be mostly the same, though there may be changes to model casting (and their wardrobe) due to their availability.
When applying, you can choose a preferred weekend if you have one.
Do I need a certain amount of experience to apply?
Photographers of all skill levels are welcome to apply, from beginners to pros! Just keep in mind this will be a fast-paced weekend, so knowing how to use your camera so you can capture shots quickly is necessary.
How will photographers be chosen?
In order to provide you with the best experience possible, we are limiting the number of attendees. In addition, we want to make sure beginner photographers have just as much opportunity as advanced photographers to attend.
While looking at applications, we also want to ensure that all attendees are set up to get high-quality results from the weekend. To facilitate this, we will be taking your goals into consideration as we go through applications. We will also be looking for a diverse skill set so that you can learn from each other. Please keep this mind when applying!
Because of limited spaces, last year we unfortunately had to turn away so many talented and passionate photographers who applied. Please don’t be discouraged by this!
We were blown away by the amount of applicants for our last event. We received almost 400 applications, but only had room for 40 to allow the event to run smoothly. We wish we could offer this at a larger scale but it’s just not possible if we want it to be a comfortable and enjoyable experience for attendees.
Our goal with Colorpop is to organize events regularly, so please don’t be discouraged from applying for future events if you are not chosen for this one. Thank you for understanding :)
behind the scenes
kelsey coste
“I didn’t expect to leave so incredibly moved and emboldened by Colorpop, but I'm ready to create profound imagery that moves people, that makes them feel something. I owe this eagerness, this inspiration, and this motivation to Colorpop. The time and financial investment was well worth it - there’s no way to put a price on what I’ve gained from this experience. Colorpop has inspired me to do whatever it takes to create whether it scares you or not, whether people like it or not. I finally feel like I should start taking pictures of what I want to take pictures of and I now know that I can do it!”
@visualsocietystudio
Hannah Holland
“To anyone who thinks they’ll never be able to make the leap into the deepest, darkest depths of their creativity: Marina and Ashley are the best people to prove you wrong. Even a short weekend with them will completely overhaul your idea of what’s possible. I was faced with the overwhelming possibility of making *anything* I wanted out of the concepts Ashley and Marina put together. When you go to Colorpop, you’ll find a community. You’ll create the best work of your life, and it will feel undeniably yours. When you have the chance to invest in yourself and work with Marina and Ashley, take it— the momentum will take you to the parts of yourself that you never knew existed.”
@hannahhollandphoto
maegan grendell
“Colorpop was worth every penny I spent on it. I went into it with high expectations, and they were exceeded. I met the most amazing people, was able to network with models I had been wanting to work with, build my portfolio, shoot the most dreamy set ups in the coolest places, learn from someone I look up to, and most of all step out of my comfort zone and get the push I needed to really do the work I want to. You can tell Marina and Ashley put their heart and souls into everything. They provided value in all areas of the event; social, creative, educational. They genuinely cared about the attendees and their time. I have never felt so empowered, fulfilled, and passionate about my job.”
@maegangrendellphoto
Neha Balachandran
“Colorpop was easily the best choice and investment I have ever made in my photography career. I learned so many new things, pushed myself out of my comfort zone on so many levels, and one of the best parts - I met so many crazily talented people whom I now call friends. It was truly an amazing time. Marina, Ashley, and the team were very accommodating to my needs as a Deaf photographer. I appreciated them for arranging interpreters and making this event accessible for me. I couldn’t have had a better experience!”
@JEEVANPORTRAITS
alex blake
“Colorpop was hands down the best investment I’ve made for my business. I went into the weekend thinking I’d get a trip to Utah, shoot really cool content, and meet Marina… all of which would have been worth it. What I didn’t know, though, is that I’d gain so much more than that - Colorpop launched me into going full time, upped my exposure more than I could have imagined, and brought me some of my now best friends that I even started a podcast with for other creatives. I would choose it 1000x over again.”
@alexblakephotography
sierra payne
“It’s difficult to describe how wonderful my Colorpop experience was. The sense of community was like nothing I’d ever felt before, everyone I met was so incredibly talented and uplifting! We all inspired each other through every shoot and all the fun moments in between, I know that I walked away with lasting friendships. The models were so talented and the styling and colours were an absolute dream. Colorpop has transformed me as a photographer, editor, model, and business owner. I will talk about this experience for the rest of my life!”
@_RACHELSIERRAPHOTO
Hannah Holland
“To anyone who thinks they’ll never be able to make the leap into the deepest, darkest depths of their creativity: Marina and Ashley are the best people to prove you wrong. Even a short weekend with them will completely overhaul your idea of what’s possible. I was faced with the overwhelming possibility of making *anything* I wanted out of the concepts Ashley and Marina put together. When you go to Colorpop, you’ll find a community. You’ll create the best work of your life, and it will feel undeniably yours. When you have the chance to invest in yourself and work with Marina and Ashley, take it— the momentum will take you to the parts of yourself that you never knew existed.”
@hannahhollandphoto
maegan grendell
“Colorpop was worth every penny I spent on it. I went into it with high expectations, and they were exceeded. I met the most amazing people, was able to network with models I had been wanting to work with, build my portfolio, shoot the most dreamy set ups in the coolest places, learn from someone I look up to, and most of all step out of my comfort zone and get the push I needed to really do the work I want to. You can tell Marina and Ashley put their heart and souls into everything. They provided value in all areas of the event; social, creative, educational. They genuinely cared about the attendees and their time. I have never felt so empowered, fulfilled, and passionate about my job.”
@maegangrendellphoto
kelsey coste
“I didn’t expect to leave so incredibly moved and emboldened by Colorpop, but I'm ready to create profound imagery that moves people, that makes them feel something. I owe this eagerness, this inspiration, and this motivation to Colorpop. The time and financial investment was well worth it - there’s no way to put a price on what I’ve gained from this experience. Colorpop has inspired me to do whatever it takes to create whether it scares you or not, whether people like it or not. I finally feel like I should start taking pictures of what I want to take pictures of and I now know that I can do it!”
@visualsocietystudio
alex blake
“To anyone who thinks they’ll never be able to make the leap into the deepest, darkest depths of their creativity: Marina and Ashley are the best people to prove you wrong. Even a short weekend with them will completely overhaul your idea of what’s possible. I was faced with the overwhelming possibility of making *anything* I wanted out of the concepts Ashley and Marina put together. When you go to Colorpop, you’ll find a community. You’ll create the best work of your life, and it will feel undeniably yours. When you have the chance to invest in yourself and work with Marina and Ashley, take it— the momentum will take you to the parts of yourself that you never knew existed.”
@alexblakephotography
sierra payne
“It’s difficult to describe how wonderful my Colorpop experience was. The sense of community was like nothing I’d ever felt before, everyone I met was so incredibly talented and uplifting! We all inspired each other through every shoot and all the fun moments in between, I know that I walked away with lasting friendships. The models were so talented and the styling and colours were an absolute dream. Colorpop has transformed me as a photographer, editor, model, and business owner. I will talk about this experience for the rest of my life!”
@_RACHELSIERRAPHOTO
Neha Balachandran
“Colorpop was easily the best choice and investment I have ever made in my photography career. I learned so many new things, pushed myself out of my comfort zone on so many levels, and one of the best parts - I met so many crazily talented people whom I now call friends. It was truly an amazing time. Marina, Ashley, and the team were very accommodating to my needs as a Deaf photographer. I appreciated them for arranging interpreters and making this event accessible for me. I couldn’t have had a better experience!”
@JEEVANPORTRAITS
Meet the team
Marina is a portrait photographer and has been hosting events for creatives since 2018. She now makes educational content for photographers of all skill levels and works with brands to create photo and video content, usually featuring creative portraits or women’s fashion.
host & creative director
marina williams
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Ashley works as an art director, stylist, and designer in the fashion, beauty, and food and beverage industries. She runs a creative agency specializing in styled product photography, stop-motion videos, and artistic brand and web design for female-centric businesses.
art director & stylist
ashley isenhour
follow ashley
Ashley and I met in 2018 running the photography department for a kids clothing company. After years of sharing photo shoot ideas that we’d love to bring to life one day, we decided to start hosting events where we could make it happen. Driven by our shared love of fun colors, we create concepts that involve large scale set building, eccentric wardrobe, and interactive props that make photos pop.
read more about why we do colorpop in this interview!
interested in Joining our team?
We’re always looking for new models, florists, hair stylists, makeup artists, and assistants for events. Click the link below to send us your info. Please keep in mind we're looking for those local to Utah, and if there is an opportunity, we will be in touch!
SUBMIT here
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