Mike Colón | Blog

I've heard great things about this!

2009-06-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Cover Shoot for Grace Ormonde

2009-06-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thank Jeff Wright at Blue Skies Cinema for spending a day with me in Joshua Tree and many more days in his editing room making another awesome video for me! Click here to check it out!

WINNERS OF THE WEDDING CONTEST!!!

2009-06-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

First I want to thank and commend all of the applicants for their selfless giving and worthy causes! I was so impressed to see so many couples giving their lives to better our world!

After a long and difficult decision process, I have decided on a winner for my wedding photography give-away contest. I am proud to announce my winners Teresa Ornelas & Juvel Flores!

Congratulations Teresa & Juvel! On behalf of Mike Colón Photographers, Leather Craftsmen, and Pictage Inc., This deserving couple will receive the following gifts for their wedding:

An Engagement Session and Full Wedding Day Coverage by Mike Colón

A Leather Craftsmen Custom Designed 8500 series Album

Pictage Online Proofing, Bound Proof Books, Large Canvas Print, & $500 in reprints!

This couple's story really moved and inspired me! I want to share their story with you. Please read their application below:

Non-profit organization and contact information

We work for Mika Community Development Corporation (CDC), a non-profit organization located in West-side Costa Mesa that exists to identify and equip leaders in low-income neighborhoods to build communities with VISON.

Our office number is 949.645.0075, and you can contact our Executive Director, Crissy Brooks at 949-400-3095. You can also find more information about MIKA at www.mikacdc.org.

Why we work for MIKA and what it means to us

Teresa:

I work at MIKA part-time and I am a full-time student at Orange Coast College. I currently work at MIKA as the Youth Development Assistant and as a part-time Volunteer Coordinator. Some of my responsibilities are to assist my supervisors in administrative tasks that have to do with volunteer and youth development, which includes creating program applications, credit cards expense trackers, and other various documents that make their jobs easier.

I work for this organization because I want to help people appreciate and help their neighbors and take ownership of their community by walking with them and helping them find the resources they need in order to achieve the goals they have for their community.

I grew up in MIKA’s first neighborhood, Shalimar, and I see Mika as a huge help to families in west-side Costa Mesa. Before MIKA, many of us had few options as to what we could do after school. As I was growing up, many of the older youth, and even some of my friends, were involved in gangs and many other self-destructive behaviors. Shalimar, the neighborhood I grew up in, had a horrible reputation. I was ashamed of telling people were I lived because I hated the comments they would make after I mentioned it. I was lucky I loved school and learning, otherwise I could have ended in jail or doing drugs, or even pregnant, like many of the girls I hung out with.

I attended Express Yourself (EXY), a MIKA youth arts program when I was high school. I have never had any artistic talent, but attending EXY was far better than staying at home by myself or watching adults sell drugs to younger kids and much better than being outside watching the street drunks glaring at us in ways that were not appropriate.

Even though MIKA was not as diverse in its programs as it is now; MIKA gave me and many other youth options –activities we could do instead of getting in trouble

Juval:

I also grew up in the Shalimar neighborhood and I currently work as a Neighborhood Advisor at MIKA’s Center St. neighborhood. Some of my responsibilities are to help the neighbors organize neighborhood events that benefit the community by bringing them together. I also conduct home-visits with neighbors to connect neighbors with one another and give them an opportunity to share their concerns.

I am working for this organization because I believe that the opportunity was something God had planned for me. Before Mika, I had been working at a retail auto parts store for two years. I felt the hunger for something better, something with a purpose, something that held real value in my heart. I wanted something more than selling wipers or break pads for cars.

One day after a very frustrating and tiresome day at my former job, I drove home with a sense of happiness on my face, praying for something else. When I arrived I was preparing to do an oil change on my car when Crissy called me. She had a job offer for me; there was no arguing the fact that this job was planned for me. The first year, I still worked full time for the auto parts store and part time for Mika, because I was paid through Ameri-Corps and my pay averaged out to about five dollars an hour and I still had to find away to pay for my bills.

My second year at Mika I was able to leave the auto parts store and work full-time with an organization that shares the same passion that I do – helping people help themselves in a way that is good in Gods eyes. The work that we do means a lot to me because it shows that there are people in the world that will dedicate their lives to walk with others through the example that God has set for us.

We were youth that were helped by MIKA and we are blessed to be able to work at MIKA and give back to our community. We believe we have great things to offer not only to MIKA but to our community because we grew up in it and because we care about our community. We want to set an example to other youth and adults that there really are other options to improve our community and that it is possible to attain good things by walking with our neighbors.

Why wedding photography is important to us

Wedding photography is extremely important to us. We love taking pictures, especially of moments we care about because they make us relive the wonderful feelings we had during those events – the problem is that we are rarely in those pictures.

We both tend to shy away from the camera and we would like to be the ones taking pictures at our wedding, but by having our wedding photographed by a professional, we do not have to worry about it being done well. We know that wedding photography is expensive and our other option was to ask friends to take pictures, but they will not be as beautiful as a professional photographer’s would be.

CONGRATULATIONS TERESA & JUVEL! I WILL BE IN TOUCH EARLY NEXT WEEK!

Grace Ormonde Benefit Shoot for Thirst in Tanzania!

2009-06-03T23:05:00.001-07:00

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves.”

Join me and a dozen other wedding photographers for the adventure of a lifetime on a trip to Tanzania to benefit Thirst Relief International! Words can't express how excited I am about this! Check out this schedule!

July 13-14: Travel to Tanzania (staying overnight in Dubai - how cool!)
July 15-16: Grace Ormonde Fashion Shoot (8-10 page spread to be featured in Jan 2010 issue!!)
July 17-18: Deliver and Install Bio-Sand Filters (and capture impactful images for Thirst)
July 19-20: Overnight Safari (bring your big lens!)

July 21 Rest, Pack up, shop around Dar Es Salem
July 22-23: travel home (through Dubai again.. hopefully we'll get some poker in!)

This trip is sold out but there are two more seats and two ways to win! Click here to learn how!

Here is the list of the awesome photographers going on this adventure with us! These are all super great people with amazing talent behind the lens!

and Me :)

Also, JP & Kennedy Pierce are coming to document the whole trip in HD :)

Click here to find out more!

An Unseen Image from GO Fashion Shoot

2009-05-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorites from Grace Ormonde Fashion shoot that never made it to print. Who says you can't shoot at high noon?

Firenze, Italia 2008

2009-05-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

Outtake

2009-05-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

Here's an outtake from a recent fashion shoot. Thought it was interesting and wanted to share it with you. Thoughts?

Mike Colon Wedding Photography Giveaway!

2009-05-06T19:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've decided to finally do something I've wanted to do for a long time! I'm giving away my services to one deserving couple. I will be accepting applications immediately and will be making my decision based on the following criteria:

1. I must be available on your wedding date (obviously)

2. You (or your fiance) must be working full-time for a charitable non-profit organization

3. Your wedding must be in 2009

4. Applications must be submitted by midnight on May 20th, 2009

Please answer the following questions and email your entry to giveback@mikecolon.com

Q1 You and your fiancé's complete names and contact information

Q2 The date/location/venue for your wedding

Q3 Name of charitable non-profit organization you work for with contact information for verification

Q4 Why are you working for this organization - what does it mean to you?

Q5 Is wedding photography important to you? Why?

Q6 How did you find out about me and this give-away?

Please include in your email entry a photo of you and your fiance so I can post the winning couple on my blog. My decision will be made and announced here on my blog on Friday June 5th, 2009

Good luck!!! I can't wait to bless a great deserving couple out there!

Updated 5/7/09: CRAZY AWESOME NEWS! LEATHER CRAFSTMEN IS ON BOARD!

Ira at Leather Craftsmen just notified me that they will make a free custom album for the winning couple! Retail price on this Leather Craftsmen album is $5,000! Thank you Leather Craftsmen! This is such a generous offer and I appreciate you supporting this cause!

Updated 5/8/09: MORE AWESOME NEWS! PICTAGE IS ON BOARD!

I absolutely love it that these great companies are jumping on board with a spirit of giving! Michael Caro at Pictage just emailed me and said that they want to donate online proofing, hardcover proof books, a large canvas print, and a $500 credit towards prints!! Wow!! Thanks Pictage!!!

Mophie Juice Pack air - iPhone 3G

2009-05-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, first impressions of my new Mophie Juice Pack air - iPhone 3G after 1 day of use:

-A little bulky but feels nice in my hand and actually doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

-Looks a bit like a marshmallow but I like marshmallows :)

-battery life IS in fact double... I used my phone all day on wifi and didn't even use up the juice in the case so my internal iPhone was battery was still completely full!

-I really like having the extra battery life since I use the 3G network or wifi all day. This will be especially useful when I travel.

-I haven't dropped the phone yet but the case is solid and should survive a nice bounce off my garage floor.

-Power indicator on back of case is useful

-Only wish is that they made it waterproof :) haha

Join me in May for my workshop at Pelican Hill Resort!

2009-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Mike Colón Experience XI 4-Day Intensive

I'm so exciting about my upcoming workshop this May 18-21, 2009! It's going to be epic! Pelican Hill Resort, Orange County's premier wedding venue in beautiful Newport Coast, California has graciously volunteered to host my workshop. Talk about a chance to build the portfolio of a lifetime! Check out the Pelican Hill website to get a glimpse of the backdrop we will be shooting against.

Here are a few links to testimonials/reviews/comments on my workshop: Natalie Norton, Ray Santana, Joanna Tano, David Burke, Crystal Peterson, Chris Diset, Scarlett Lillian

"I’ll try to keep this brief as I know you’re busy. Thank you! Thanks for opening you life, business, and home to us. That workshop was the best I’ve ever taken. I’d be delighted to provide anything you might need to let others know how fantastic your seminar is....testimonials, images, whatever. Just let me know." Corey McNabb

I hope to see you there! There are a few seats still open. ***CLICK HERE TO REGISTER***

Are Wedding Photographers Recession-Proof?

2009-04-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

Are wedding photographers recession-proof? I'd like to hear your comments.

Carolina Herrera

2009-04-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

This year, Carolina Herrera held her bridal runway show at Tiffany & Co. on 5th Ave. It was a tight runway hence the skinny crop but I thought it was a classy choice of venues none the less.

I used Aperture's dodge and burn plugin to darken some of the guests in the right of my background.

Backlit

2009-04-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

I always look for strong backlighting for added drama like this image I grabbed in between standard runway shots in NYC for Amsale.

Amsale

2009-04-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love the simplicity of this design by Amsale.

Priscilla of Boston

2009-04-15T08:00:00.001-07:00

Priscilla of Boston does it right with red lipstick. If you're a bride, I don't think it would be wise to have a bridesmaid like this at your wedding :)

Douglas Hannant

2009-04-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Douglas Hannant's fashion show was the most interesting of the week. The music was dark and mysterious like something out of a twilight zone film. I loved every minute of it. I decided to grab shots of the models as they were entering through the mirrored doorway to add to the mystery of the event.

I used a customized action I created in Silver Efex Pro plugin in Aperture 2.0 to create an antique effect on this image that I originally captured in color.

Ines Di Santo

2009-04-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy. - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Ines Di Santo is IMHO one of the most talented designers in the industry. Her attention to detail always amazes me. Just look how the form of the veil compliments the shapes in the gown.

Platinum

2009-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Resurrection Day!

Photography appears to be an easy activity; in fact it is a varied and ambiguous process in which the only common denominator among its practitioners is in the instrument. - Henri Cartier-Bresson

I find the above statement so interesting. It's true, in fact, that even with 25 photographers stacked in a pit at the end of a runway all shooting the same subjects will each have their own interpretation of that moment. Whether it be composition, depth of field, or timing... we all see it differently.

Romona Keveza Runway

2009-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love shooting for Romona Keveza! She is such a kind person and has such a positive attitude. Her designs timeless and classic and her gowns are exquisite!

Peter Langner - NYC photoshoot

2009-04-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it really been this long since I posted last! I am so sorry! I guess it takes a surgery to slow me down enough to realize I've been ignoring my blog readers! I'm so sorry! I had a tear in my stomach muscle that was gradually getting worse from Jiu Jitsu and probably all the lifting from my recent move. I had it repaired this morning so I'm laid up in bed for a few days and this is my chance to do some blogging!

I just got back yesterday from NYC where I was shooting runway for the wonderful Grace Ormonde. She brings me out at least twice a year and have a blast every time! I have met so many wonderful people and I feel right at home there now with my friends. Uncleray always comes out to hang which makes it even better! This time we brought the wives since we have twins on the way coming in Sept or Oct and Julie had never been to the big apple. We had so much fun! Special thanks to Julie's high school friend Shelly for entertaining the wives while Ray and I took care of business!

Here's a shot from the private appointment I had with designer Peter Langner. I'll be posting an image every day for the next week for you guys :)

Here's some tech info on the image. Click to enlarge :)

Thirst Relief Auction Tonight!

2009-01-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

Its time again for the annual Thirst Relief International Mentor Auction. Gain valuable insight from today's leading photographers while donating to an incredible cause. Each private mentoring session is 90 minutes and takes place during WPPI. 100% of the proceeds go to benefit Thirst Relief. Please help support Thirst Relief and bid tonight at 7pm PST!

As a special incentive to raise more money for Thirst Relief, Mike will award the top bidder with his entire DVD set! That's a value of almost $1300!!!

BID ON MIKE COLON NOW!

Hawaiian Retreat Wrap Up!

2009-01-21T23:43:00.000-08:00

This is much overdue but I wanted to post the winners for the best images at The Mike Colón Experience X Hawaiian Retreat and give a few shout outs to the workshop attendees who I now consider friends and to the wonderful people who helped me make this dream a reality!

First I want to thank my dear friend Mike Mijangos of Mangotree Photography. Without him and his very connected wife Me Shell, this workshop in paradise would have never happened! Mike, you went above and beyond and I'm sure all of the attendees will agree with me when I say you did it with style! We lived like kings for a week! You also were a valuable asset to the group with your lighting and photography skills. Thank you for helping out with instruction and being such a giver all week!

Next I want to thank my assistant Rosanna who was equally responsible for making this workshop a success. In addition to her fine modeling skills (see images below of her with her fiance Jared), she managed the details from concept to completion with a fun and positive attitude.

And last but absolutely not least (because without attendees there is no workshop) I want to thank all of the very cool photographers (and husbands/wives) who came out to spend a week with me. You blessed me more than I can speak of and I pray that God richly blesses your business and families in 2009 and beyond!

Below are some of the winning images from each day's contests. I was extremely impressed with the photographs taken by all of the attendees throughout the week. It was a talented group who I expect to see many great things from over the next couple of years. Enjoy!

Corey Balazowich

The few of us who braved the rain and lava fields for an early morning excursion.
Clockwise starting with me: Mike Colon, Julie Colon, Natalie Norton, Luke Edmonson, Gavin Wade, Erin Kline, Mike Mijangos, Scarlett Lillian

Here are a few more links I found using google. They have more images from the workshop. If you have any other links please comment on this post with the links. Thanks!

Scarlett Lillian - Mike Colon Hawaii
Natalie Norton - Last Images from Maui
Natalie Norton - More Mike Colon
Natalie Norton - Mike Colon Workshop Day 1 Part 2
Natalie Norton - Mike Colon Workshop Day 1 Part 1
Gavin Wade & Erin Kline - Two Tickets to Paradise
Gavin Wade & Erin Kline - Day 3 with Jared & Rosanna
Gavin Wade & Erin Kline - Day 2
Gavin Wade & Erin Kline - Day 1
Joanna Tano - Mike Colon Day 2
Corey Ann - Hawaii Day 3: Rosanna and Jared
Corey Ann - Hawaii Day 2: Chris and Katie
Corey Ann - Hawaii Day 2: The Sights
Corey Ann - Hawaii Day 1: Rosanna and Jared
Corey Ann - Aloha!
Mike Mijangos - More Images from the Mike Colon Experience
Mike Mijangos - Mike Colon Experience X, Maui, Hawaii

Gracie Barra BJJ Blue Belt!

2009-01-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to announce that I received my Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu today. I am honored to have received the promotion from professor Marcio Feitosa, a legend in BJJ. I want to give a special thanks to all of my professors and training partners at Gracie Barra America for giving me a great start to a sport that I will enjoy for the rest of my life! Only 6 or 7 more years of training for my black belt :) I want to thank Kayron Gracie and professor Philipe "Furao" Della Monica for all of the private lessons and personal attention to my training. I also want to thank Mike Pesh for all of the great images from today!

50% Off Private Consulting for Limited Time!

2009-01-05T14:23:00.001-08:00

For a limited time, I am offering Private Consulting for 50% off!

My "I am/I am not" list for 2009

2009-01-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a list to encourage/remind/keep me accountable this year.