Professional Resources for Photographers

Hello fellow inLIGHTin’ed Ones!

Long time no see. How has everyone been lately?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am always thinking and brainstorming… For example, I should be editing a wedding right now. Instead, I have finally came up with where I want to direct my inLIGHTin Workshops. Before I get going, these are all good things! I am in no way, shape or form stopping these workshops so you can let out that sigh of relief now haha ;P

Now in my head I always seen a ‘loop-hole’ in my workshops so to speak… I basically held up a sign that said, “come to me if you want to know anything and everything about photography…” That was ideally what my one-on-one workshops did. You came to me with what you wanted to learn and I taught it. However, in my 5 year plan, I planned on doing more speaking engagements, group workshops and team learning (both locally and on a national level)… How can I get to that point when I only affect one photographer at a time? Also, do I want to be known as the guy who is like the Bob Villa of photography or do I want to be known for being an expert in my strengths and passions? Why give you an overall general knowledge base of things when I can hone into the nitty gritty and provide you with more concentrated content. These are the questions that I have been racking my brain on and here is my answer!

I have a new direction for the inLIGHTin Workshops which will be effective immediately:
All future inLIGHTin Workshops will be conducted in a group environment and the topics of these workshops are now divided into four categories: Lighting, Post-Processing/Workflow, Photography 101 and Nature/Landscape Photography. These are the disciplines that I am most passionate about and love to teach. My lighting workshops cater to my passion for portrait photography. The nature/landscape workshops combine my love for traveling, sight seeing and fine art landscapes. Post-processing and workflow lets out the inner geek in myself and the photography 101 courses will be my way of giving back to the industry. We all started off somewhere so these Photography 101 workshops will get my students more comfortable with their cameras and hopefully help them to acquire a new found love and passion for photography.

Take a look at the following link for more information on what these workshops entail: http://www.inlightinworkshop.com/about/

I will most definitely still offer one-on-one workshops but they will come at a premium and on a more limited basis. Please contact me at Mike(at)inLIGHTinWorkshop dot com for more information.

I also hope to start taping these workshops and am looking to partner up with a videographer to help this vision become a reality. If you miss the workshop then you can always have access to it via these videos.

All in all, I have big, big plans for The inLIGHTin Workshop and I thank you for being on-board! If you are interested in hosting an inLIGHTin Workshop in your neck of the woods then please email me at Mike(at)inLIGHTinWorkshop dot com .

These workshops have always and will still be 110% about YOU. Therefore, I would love to hear your thoughts and comments so please comment on the blog below and let me know your feedback.

Thanks for reading and for all your support!
Michael

I first met Kenny when attending Mike Colón and Bob Davis’ Master Your Craft seminar down in New York City. He was very personable and ridiculously nice. On top of that, he had these amazing shirts for sale that I had to get ;P

After that, I seen Kenny everywhere I looked, every photo blog, every magazine I seen somehow up had Kenny in it! Absolutely amazing.

In a few short years, Kenny has made his way through the ranks and gotten his name out there in the industry like I have never seen before! His drive and determination has made him one of my biggest inspirations to date.

Kenny took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for us.

		What’s one word that describes yourself? Kenny Kim: Personable What’s your businesses primary area of photography? KK: Lifestyle Wedding Photography When did you start Kenny Kim Photography? KK: This is my 3rd year going in full-time. 2006.
> What first sparked your interest in photography? KK: Shooting for collegiate sports helped me learn the techniques. I’ve been fascinated with people since I was little. I have shoe boxes full of bad photos. What made you decide to pursue a career in photography? KK: Earlier in my career, a mother of the bride came up to me, gave me a hug, and told me that I was their family’s best photographer. She said that but didn’t see a single image I shot. That’s when I knew I could make it in this business. How would you best describe yourself and your photographic style? KK: I’m fun, engaging and personable. I approach each wedding as if it was my own family’s wedding. I look for candid and natural moments. What do you feel separates yourself from other photographers in your same profession? KK: I make an effort to build relationships with all my clients. Better I get to know them, better results I get. What other photographer or photographers have been a big inspiration to you? KK: I have so many wonderful colleagues that I need to thank. Particularly – Mike Colón, David Jay, Bob Davis, Becker – They helped me to get jump start in my career in the beginning. There are many others that I love to name but the list will go on and on. What else motivates and inspires you? KK: I get energized by people and the dynamics that each couple brings. What does a typical day of yours involve? KK: Weekdays are typical. I travel a lot, but when I am at home, I get up (slowly), get some coffee and usually start out browsing the web, catch up on my email and do some editing. I try to meet with people during the day but if not, then I’m doing various things related to my business. How often do you travel for assignments? KK: I think I spent more time on the road last year then I did at home. Eek! Do you have anyone else working for you? Do you outsource your work? If so then what do you primarily outsource? KK: I outsource all my album work. I have two wonderful designers working for me. I have a degree in graphic design but I learned a lesson that just because I can do it doesn’t mean I have to do it. So I also outsource all my graphic design materials to my good friend who is also an excellent designer. As for second shooters, I get lot of inquires of people interested in second shooting with me so I usually utilize them to come help me out at weddings. I make sure they have fun and capture great images! What was the coolest assignment/location that you have ever shot and why? KK: I love destination weddings. Having said that, my answer to the question would be the “next wedding” I shoot will be my coolest one. I really want to have that mentality and approach to each client I shoot for so that they will get the best of my work. What is your absolute favorite photo that you have ever taken and why? KK: I hate those “favorite questions” but this one I took back in 2006 still brings a smile to my face. I was with the groomsmen taking some shots of them getting ready. The ring bearer was one of the groomsmen’s sons. He needed some help with tying his shoes. His father saw he was having hard time, laughed and bent down to tie the laces for him. I love the relationship between them and the ring bearer’s boxers. It was a genuine moment that I was fortunate to capture. What advice can you offer other pros out there to take their business to the next level? KK: #1 – Make your business about serving your clients. Have fun. #2 Don’t ever forget rule #1. When did you start doing conferences, workshops and/or speaking engagements? KK: I have not done any workshops or conferences of my own. I’ve mainly just helped other photographers with their own workshops. (Mike Colón, David Jay, Bob Davis, Jeff & Julia Woods). I’ve been learning a lot from them and look forward to having one of my in the future. Not sure when that will be but once I learn how to fish well, then I’ll know when it’s time to teach others how to fish. Where can we see you speaking next? KK: I will be at WPPI in Vegas. You can find me speaking at the Pictage booth on Feb 17th from 12pm to 1pm. If you do not care to hear me speak, then come hear Robert Evans who will be with me. He’s pretty famous! Where can we see some more of your work? KK: www.KennyKim.com is my web site. You can also find me on Facebook and check out some of my work there! What advice can you offer in regards to being published, appearing in advertisements and getting sponsorships? KK: Build relationships with your vendors and editors! What camera equipment are you currently shooting with? KK: Canon Mark 1D III & 5D. What’s your lens of choice? KK: Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L What item can’t you leave the house without? KK: My iPhone What equipment can’t you wait for to come out and why? KK: Canon 14-300mm f/1.2L! If they ever come out with it, I’ll sell all my other lenses! Are you sponsored by any companies? KK: Boda Bag, GoBee Bags, and few others which I can’t mention right now. Do you have any plugs that you would like to make? KK: Please help support Thirst Relief International (www.thirstrelief.org). It’s a great charity you can help support them by visiting THIS SITE. I donate 10% of all sales to the Thirst Relief International.

Thank you Kenny for taking the time out for the interview and also for also being a great friend and huge inspiration!

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I am now taking booking for 2009 one-on-one inLIGHTin Workshops. The workshop costs is $300 ($250 for paying inLIGHTin Workshop forum members) and you receive the following:

- A 6 Hour Workshop (schedule for one day or two 3 hour days)

- A custom Designed silibus so you can cater your lesson around the topics that mean the most to you

- Hands on learning. Learn on-site and put your new knowledge to use while building your portfolio!

- Lunch/snacks/beverages

- A Free year membership to the inLIGHTin Workshop forum

- A one hour  post-workshop phone consultation to brush up on any material and to answer any further questions you may have.

Cool huh?

Contact me directly at mike@inlightinworkshop.com to book your workshop now. I may also be reached at (716) 491-8854 if you have any questions or would like to book your workshop in person.

Thanks!

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