Shoutout to Mike Colon

I just was reading through Mike Colon's web blog, and have found it very interesting the conversation that is going on in his recent blog's comment box. Check it out, it's sure to rouse some deep thoughts, let alone a bit of emotion.

{Photo taken from another photographer's blog - David Burke Photographers}

Mike is a very successful wedding photographer in Newport Beach, California, and is a devoted Christian, and is always so open about his faith on his website and blog. Though I have never met Mike, some of my friends grew up with him and witnessed how he built his business. From what they've told me, Mike's success came from a lot of hard work, and faith in God. And though I may never charge $20,000 as my base price for wedding packages, I truly appreciate Mike's approach (as he knows how to MARKET himself) and his dedication to sharing his insight, rather than hoarding his knowledge to himself.

As a wedding photographer in the early stages of my career, gaining perspectives from my internship, school, and other photographers as Mike, I have come to pick and choose certain tips, practices, and styles that are forming into my own personal approach on wedding photography. And although I don't intend to follow Mike Colon's exact footsteps in his approach, I have come to respect him very much. Mike has found a system that works for him, and his clients are willing to fork up the extra money for what he offers. And Mike explains that he is always pushing himself to get better at what he does, which is something that I definitely want to do. It is so sad to me when I see a photographer so set in his or her ways that the market passes them by. Mike is definitely not one of those photographers.

So, here's a shoutout to Mike, check out his great portfolio, which is one of the reasons I wanted to get into the business in the first place. Again, Mike, thanks for being open about your faith on your blog.