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!

Mike Colon Experience: Day 1

***DISCLAIMER***

[I know, this blog post is a day late! Our internet went out at the house last night so we were disconnected from the world and thus will be getting things too you a day late now :( 

But...our hope is that you will be able to read (and see) a little of what the workshop is like! Ready??? Wait for it.........GO.]

So here we are in gorgeous Lahaina! Everything is just amazing. The sunsets and food alone are enough to make me never want to leave!

Every day we have a professional chef come in from 6-8pm and cook us a constant stream of 5-star cuisine. From freshly caught sushi, to mahi mahi in a pomegranate reduction sauce, we are loving it! (You know how much Erin loves food as it is...so just imagine how giggly she gets here at meal time)

Our first day schedule:

6:30am-10am: Breakfast

7am-10am: Massages

10:00: Introductions

10:30: Discussion: Equipment and Settings

12:30: Lunch Break

1:30: Discussion about Technique and Style

3:30: Engagement Shoot

6:00: Private Portfolio Reviews

6:30: Dinner

Every day follows this type of format; discussion in the morning and afternoon followed by a practical exercise and photo shoot.

So far we are getting pages upon pages of awesome notes as to how we can refine who we are and how we shoot.

Today our shoot consisted of two awesome couples and took place in down town Lahaina on the water and in town. Special thanks to Rosanna *Mike's assistant* and her new fiance Jared! This was their actual engagement shoot, so they'll have a proof book the size of Rhode Island to sift through :)

Also, our second couple Andrew and Joelle were just awesome and had so much fun in front of the cameras; they were naturals!

Here are a handful of our favorites. Aloha!

We all anonymously submitted one photo of each couple for review. This photo was selected by Mike as the best shot of the day of Rosanna and Jared! Nice shot Erin!! You are rockin it! :)

See you all tomorrow for more images and new locations!