TMA Mentors Share Secrets from The Kindred Path GATHER Workshop: Behind the Scenes with Adrianne Shelton and Marie Elizabeth
Two of our beloved TMA mentors recently hosted their annual GATHER workshop through The Kindred Path, and we couldn’t wait to get the inside scoop on this incredible community-focused experience. Adrianne Shelton of Beatific Visions Photography and Marie Elizabeth of Marie Elizabeth Photography sat down with us to share what makes their workshop so special and why they believe in-person connection is essential for photographers.
The Heart Behind The Kindred Path
When Adrianne launched The Kindred Path in March 2020, the photography world was facing unprecedented uncertainty. “I saw the need for a little less heaviness and a little more joy in the industry,” Adrianne explains. What started as an online journal celebrating family photographers’ work quickly evolved into something much more meaningful.
“The Kindred Path is basically a beautifully curated photography journal that celebrates family bonds, the simple moments of life, and the messy-yet-meaningful journey we’re all on together,” Marie adds. “It’s shared to inspire both families and creatives in a supportive community environment.”
What began as Adrianne’s solo venture soon grew into a collaborative effort. After reaching out to fellow photographers for help, Marie joined the team, and together they hosted their first GATHER workshop in 2022. “We knew we had something special!” Adrianne recalls. The team expanded further when Kayla Victor brought her graphic design talents and the idea for a print magazine in late 2023, adding even more value to their growing community.
What Makes GATHER Different
The GATHER workshop isn’t your typical photography education event. “From the get-go we’ve referred to GATHER as a community workshop,” Adrianne explains. “We encourage our attendees to not only come ready to learn from the workshop, but come ready to share and learn from each other as well.”
The weekend experience typically includes:
- Welcome dinner Friday night for connection and introductions
- 1-3 educational presentations on Saturday
- 2-3 styled shoots for hands-on practice
- Plenty of Q&A time
- Good food and genuine community throughout
“The biggest aspect we are always focused on is community,” Marie emphasizes. “The everyday of being a family photographer can feel quite lonely from time to time, so we wanted to create a space where we can come together to not only create art and educate, but form friendships and connections we can hold on to when we’re back home.”
Behind the Camera: Their Workshop Setup
Both mentors came prepared with their go-to gear for capturing the workshop magic:
Adrianne’s Setup:
- Sony a7r IV with Sony Planar Zeiss 50mm 1.4 lens
- Nikon F100 with Ilford Delta 3200 b&w film
- Editing workflow: The Archetype Process Fuji profiles (Green Pack), with Imagen for base edits and Evoto for detailed retouching
Marie’s Setup:
- Sony A7 RV with 50mm f/1.2 GM lens
- Usually brings her Pentax 645 film camera (though she focused on digital for this workshop)
- Editing style: The Archetype Process profiles, typically Green Pack 1, Pro 400H 0 Normal Frontier
The Power of In-Person Connection
Both mentors are passionate advocates for the workshop experience. “Attending a workshop is like a full immersion experience!” Adrianne notes. “You walk away not only with new skills and portfolio images, but with a new group of friends that really ‘get’ you and you can continue to count on for feedback and encouragement.”
Marie’s biggest takeaway resonates with the core of what TMA represents: “We all share so many similar experiences as family photographers and humans. Every workshop there is laughter and tears because we know how to relate to everyone at the workshop.”
One of Adrianne’s favorite moments is “stepping back to see how others direct styled shoots or interact with their subjects. It shows us all that no matter what stage you are at in your journey, there’s always something to learn and something to share.” This philosophy aligns perfectly with TMA’s belief in collective wisdom and multiple paths to success.
Why Workshops Matter for Your Photography Business
The impact of workshops extends far beyond the weekend itself. As we know from our TMA community, the connections and confidence gained from being around like-minded photographers can transform both your artistry and your business approach.
“A little support goes a long way!” Marie reminds us, echoing what we hear consistently from TMA members about the value of community support in building sustainable, profitable photography businesses.
The Kindred Path team already has exciting plans brewing for 2026 that they can’t wait to announce. For photographers interested in joining their next GATHER experience, they recommend:
- Following @thekindredpath on Instagram
- Joining their email list at thekindredpath.com (scroll to bottom)
- Staying tuned for upcoming announcements
The TMA Connection
What we love most about Adrianne and Marie’s approach to The Kindred Path is how it complements the work they do as TMA mentors. Both experiences focus on building genuine community, supporting photographers at every stage of their journey, and recognizing that there’s more than one way to build a successful business.
Whether you’re part of our TMA community, interested in The Kindred Path’s GATHER workshop, or both, the message remains the same: connection, education, and support are the foundations of a thriving photography business and a fulfilling creative life.
