Open Source Photo - Seattle 2009

Today I lead a shoot and my buddy Gene Higa and with Nathan Holritz as well, they helped me with the 20 or so photographers who were shooting our couple. We were teaching how to engage, lead and capture couples in a way that is contemporary and makes them look amazing. There is SO much going on in Pike Place Market. I love this little corner of Seattle! Home to where part of my family is from.

Thanks to Gene & Nathan for holding the always reliable California Sunbounce reflector for 2 hours

Then later, I gave my presentation on Leadership & Influence, the same I gave at WPPI 2009

I'll be giving a more intense workshop coming up in a few months in Oahu. I'm really amped about this one. Click here for more info!

WPPI 2009

WOW, what an honor to share my heart with the group of photographers at WPPI,
Such a great group of people, they stayed longer as I went 30 minutes over.

I spoke on Leadership & Influence, after being inspired by some of my friends, Mike Colon, David Jay, Dane Sanders, and many others. I put together a video interview of 15 top leading photographers sharing their heart on leadership. I'll post that on here, or a link to it pretty soon. California Sunbounce gave away a sweet reflector, and I gave away a mentor session which is part of the "To Be Announced" Series, check back for that info.

The upcoming Business & Shooting Intensive Workshops I announced are:
April 6-8 - San Luis Obispo CA.
June 28-July 1 - Oahu, Hawaii

for more info email seminars@mikelarson.com

Upcoming Speaking Schedule at WPPI 2009

I wanted to update those of you who are interested in what my schedule will be at WPPI 2009.

Saturday 2/14
- Party of 4! 12-5pm (This is filled up, sorry!)

Sunday 2/15

- Kiss "Get Simple" workshop 12-6pm check out this link to sign up, I think there are a few seats left! Located in Room 202 @ the MGM Grand Conference Center.

Monday 2/16

- Thirst Relief 12-1pm

Tuesday 2/17

-8-10am WPPI Platform (I'm so excited to share my heart and mind here...) Topic: Leadership & Influence.
- 3-4pm Pictage Open Discussion, Q&A, - Location: Pictage booth on the tradeshow floor

4-6pm "Meet the Speakers" I'll have a booth to chat to anyone who wants to come and visit. Location TBD.

Inspired

I have been inspired tonight. Honored to be asked to speak here at
WPPI, in front of a lot of people, to share my passion and my heart
for the wedding photographer industry. There are 11,000 photographers
at this convention.

This is the most humbling thing that I have been a part of. in my career here. Now, we all came before for a rehearsal to listen to Skip Cohen talk to us, basically the guy who runs WPPI. So as we all were circled around, he shared with us that there is 1 reason alone we were invited to give this presentation. "You guys are shaping the future of the industry, you are on the front edge. You are keeping it up. Each of you have been inspired and are inspiring others."

Wow. It's a very humbling thing to be asked to be here and I feel more responsible to be even better in every area of my business, my life and my character. I agree when DJ, says that "its easy to be the same as others, to copy and to follow, its hard to lead," Its a mind frame to be constantly thinking of new ways to push the edge and to do different stuff.

There are so many good friends here and I have met
so many new ones. This week has inspiring and has changed my life. I've
learned more than I've shared. Thanks to all those this week so I
met, say hi and stay in touch.

Me shooting...

I just got an email from a buddy who found an image from WPPI this year at Ballys in Las Vegas. (Vegas on the strip is overload and once you get out of the town, its just like any other city) Well, The rooftop shoot we did on Wednesday at the Platinum Hotel with BLR Life Photography was a blast, there was about 100 photographers there at one time or another during the 2 hour shoot & talk. We had some brand new Vera Wang Vera Wang Dresses, and this shot is was taken by Michael Steelman. Thanks Mike for the shot!

WPPI wrap up article on Mike Larson's "Step It Up Seminar Series"

The Shoot that I did with Brittany Hanson of BLR Photo on top of the Casino In Nevada during WPPI, this year in March, was showcased by WPPI-ONLINE! . Click on the link or the photo to read the story online!