Pelican Hill Resort: Mike Colon's Workshop Part One

It is truly a blessing to be in Southern California; what many may call the "Mecca of Wedding Photography!" With a rock star photographer around every corner, it really raises the bar for everyone else around. And I mean that in a very good way!

I'm in the process of getting my "honeymoon body," as I call it. I'm working out every day during the week for the next 5 months to accomplish one goal, and that is to give Daniel Craig a run for his money when I put on that tux on our wedding day! (and as a sidenote, to give Brad Pitt (in Troy) a run for his money after that tux has been returned...HA!)

Wait, why was I on that tangent?

Oh yea! In my days at the gym this past week, I have worked harder, lifted heavier, and given more effort when the guy next to me is stronger than I am (pretty easy to do)! In seeing the weight he is lifting, I am driven to give it that much more! 110%!

That's how I feel about Southern California. I'm got Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk) around every corner when it comes to wedding photography, and I could not love a better challenge to be the very best at what I (we) do!

And speaking of the best, I had a chance to be stretched even more when I visited Mike Colon's 4 day Intensive a couple weeks ago! It was held at the absolutely breath-taking Pelican Hill Resort overlooking the ocean in Newport Beach. With the help of Ray Santana, everyone had a great time! If you haven't read about our experience at Mike's workshop that he held in Maui this past December go check it out!

I firmly believe that Mike's workshop was the launching point for Erin and I. It's when we both looked at one another and said, "We can do this, let's go all out!" Mike's wisdom and insight were invaluable to us! Not to mention, the guy cannot take a bad picture! And who else would you want to be learning from right? :)

Being in this industry is a daily challenge and it is one that we feel blessed to face head on! Being surrounded by the best causes us to give nothing short of our everything, to every bride! We love what we do! And as the ghetto-fabulous Jasmine Star say's all the time, "I'd rather fail at something I love, than succeed in something I hate!"

Here are some of the images from my experience at Mike's Workshop! It was great to meet new people and reconnect with old friends!

[b]ecker: Party of 5

Yesterday Erin and I attended [b]ecker's Party of 5 Workshop in beautiful Mission Viejo. The day was a whirlwind of information as Becker covered everything from client meetings and workflow, to branding and image. There were only 5 of us (hence the name) so everyone was able to pick Becker's brain and get 1 on 1 advice specifically for their own business. We had such a great time meeting new friends and talking shop over huge plates of food that night at Claim Jumper! Towards the end of the day before dinner, we headed out for a little shoot in the park! The models were a couple of crazy kids in love, just having a fun time with friends :) Here are a few shots of them, I hope you enjoy! To see more images of a really hot girl and some dude click here to go to Becker's blog!

Shooting with Scarlett in Vegas! :)

Hey guys! It's Erin!
While Gavin and I were in Vegas, I had the privilege of shooting with one of my friends Scarlett Lillian (who I met at Mike Colon's workshop in Hawaii) . She led a workshop on lighting and I had a blast getting to know other photographers and hanging out with Scarlett again.

Check out her amazing website! She's so talented! :)


Here are some of the shots from our night shoot at the MGM! :)

Mike Colon Experience: Day 3 With Jared and Rosanna

Although Jared and Rosanna won't be walking down the aisle just quite yet (April is coming up soon though!), they undoubtedly worked out all the kinks during today's photoshoot! Our shoot included a field with an ocean view, followed by a wooden beach boardwalk (also with an ocean view :P). As the sun was disappearing behind the horizon, we practiced with off-camera lighting and Mike Mijangos was incredibly nice teaching us lighting, exposing for the backgroun. He was such a stud holding the strobes for us the whole time. We had a blast shooting Jared and Rosanna for the second time this week. I loved how Jared made Rosanna constantly laugh with his singing, funny dance moves and whispering things in her ear. They made our jobs so easy.  :) 

Also, Gavin and I had the privilege of spending one on one time together with Mike Colon last night; something he provides to each of his workshop attendees. We got so much out of it and can't wait to be home just so we can start working on his suggestions! :)

Thanks Mike for your incredible patience and giving spirit with both of us! 

We were able to capture these images from the shoot... enjoy! :)

Gavin took this next picture coming up... He shot it in between another photographers arm. It turned out great! :)

Gavin nailed the lighting on this picture! Way to go babe. :)

Mike Colon Experience: Day Two

Hi Everyone!

Wow. It seems like everyday that we are here everyone just gets to be closer friends, our images get better, the laughing gets louder and louder. Nothing beats a room full of photography nerds, a plate full of poo poo's (appetizer in hawaiian...no clue about the spelling), and an awe-inspiring background. God is so amazing. He must have had one heck of a good time making Hawaii, that's all I gotta say! :)

Today's workshop portion covered what Mike is most renown for; his marketing and how he has risen to book the high end celebrity brides! He went over the 5 keys to marketing success this morning and it really spoke to me as to how to approach both my business and my brides. Without authoring a novel, I wanted to share with you what I learned to be the #1 key to "making it" as a photographer. It's all about who you are. You are YOU! You can't fake being you. You might be able to fool someone for a while, but ultimately your true colors will come out eventually and expose (photography pun...sweet) you for who you really are. Mike's advice to us spans across more than photography, but life in general.

"What do you have to offer? Be an optimist. Be a giver. Be humble."

Today we had a bridal shoot with Katie and Chris, a local couple who both had a quiet, tender, and sincere spark each time their eyes met!

Check em out!

I had to get a shot of the peanut gallery! Just a few of the awesome photographers we are hanging with this week.

We are up early tomorrow for some snorkeling and whale watching! See you tomorrow, goodnight!