Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Talk About Last Minute! Usher's Wedding in Atlanta...

This is a story I have to tell because it's so unbelievable! I got a call at 2:30am PST on Saturday Morning (9/1/07) and was on a plane at 6am. As I sat in first class on a Delta flight to Atlanta, I couldn't help but lean over and whisper to the sleepy fellow next to me, "I'm shooting Usher's wedding today." It was obvious that he could care less, but that didn't stop me from telling the guy in the seat in front of me next.

I made myself comfortable and looked down at my iPhone to see if UncleRay made his flight. There's a text message from him that says, "My flight is delayed.."I text back, "how long??" he texts "45 minutes :( I did get first class, sweet..."

Poor Uncleray, I woke him up when the deal was closed just 3 hours earlier and told him to pack his bags and some extra CF cards for a long day of shooting. It was pretty funny because at first he totally thought I was joking. His poor wife Anna had to get up and drive him to Miami Intl. Airport.

The plan was to get Ray there a couple hours earlier so he could start shooting some getting ready shots and I would catch up with him when my plane landed at 1:30pm EST. A driver was to pick him up when he arrived and take him to the Chateau Elan about 1 hour from the airport.

Plane lands and I get another text from Ray... "Been here for 40 minutes, no one here, I don't know if they have my number". I call him and first thing he says is "I had Anna hire a web detective for $15 to get the wedding planner's phone number but nobody answered." I couldn't help but laugh.

We jumped in a car and rushed to the resort arriving just after 3pm (ceremony to start at 5pm). We checked in, I synced our D2Xs camera bodies while Ray ironed our shirts (thanks for the burn on my shirt Ray!) and we hurried over to the briefing room where security hooked us up with wrist bands (so we didn't get tackled with our cameras) and the wedding planner (the amazing Diann Valentine out of Los Angeles) briefed us on all the happenings.

Check People Magazine on shelves today (Thursday 9/6/07) for some pics from the wedding!

P.S. I want to give a big shout out and THANK YOU to the famous Joe Buissink for referring this wedding to me because he's in New Zealand/Australia on tour with Yervant and couldn't shoot it himself. I also want to thank Bob and Dawn Davis and David Beckstead who also should have done this wedding but were not available because of limited flight options. And UncleRay, we make a great team! Thanks for being there for me again!

Click Here for the story on People.com
Click Here for more Usher & Tameka Images on People.com

54 Comments:

Blogger hannahjoy said...

The photos are great, Mike! I can't wait to see more.

9/06/2007 7:46 PM  
Blogger Ray Santana said...

Thanks for the heads up unclemike.Talk about short notice 4.00 am yea right...We could not have done such an Awesome job with out the Best Gear in the world Nikon baby...Goodtimes unclemike

9/06/2007 8:05 PM  
Blogger Kevin Meyers said...

And with all that last second timing to work out?! Good thing you both had Panerai to help! lol

9/06/2007 9:00 PM  
Blogger Dane Sanders said...

You made that thing happen man. You and your support team ... haha ... rock on Mike!

9/06/2007 9:15 PM  
Blogger Brian Hancock said...

What a story!! That's AWESOME! I can just picture you giddy with excitement when telling the people on the plane you're shooting Usher's wedding... i'm still waiting for my last minute celebrity wedding ;p

9/06/2007 9:35 PM  
Blogger kennykimdotcom said...

Mike this is so awesome. Congrats. I'll give you a big shout out on my blog. :-)

9/06/2007 9:38 PM  
Blogger Rodolfo Arpia said...

OMG... what a story, incredible! Sounds like fun though.

9/06/2007 10:07 PM  
Blogger Mike Colón said...

Thanks guys! This was such an exciting job for me. The stars aligned for this to happen and I'm still in a bit of shock. Please excuse some of the images People Mag chose for the feature... I swear there are better shots that the client did not approve. They are saving some for Essence Magazine and Instyle Mag. I'll let you know when those come out too! God bless you guys!

9/06/2007 10:33 PM  
Blogger Terry said...

Congratulations Mike! What an awesome story and, of course, photos!! I can just hear what Ray must have sounded like when you called him!

God Bless,

Terry

9/07/2007 3:20 AM  
Blogger David Burke said...

Mike, that is so awesome! I can't wait to pick up the magazines. Nobody deserves it more than you. I can hear Ray now... 'Dude, Sweet!'

Best.

9/07/2007 5:44 AM  
Blogger STEVE DePINO said...

Sooo Cool!!!
A Rock Star shooting a R&B Star's wedding!!!

9/07/2007 6:44 AM  
Blogger Detra, Matt 19:26 said...

Yea for you two! I can't wait to tell my dh that Mike Colon shot Usher's wedding! And your name is under the pic in People and everything!!! I can't imagine how you felt if I feel this way just "knowing" you, LOL!

9/07/2007 8:07 AM  
Blogger Bob & Dawn Davis said...

INCREDIBLE how things work out! Congratulations! ~ Dawn & Bob

9/07/2007 8:31 AM  
Blogger Micah said...

This is crazy talk! So awesome, Mike. What an opportunity! Where does this rank in terms of best experiences ever as a photographer?

9/07/2007 8:41 AM  
Blogger antonio said...

Mike I spoke to Ray. What a blast and lets hope not all the future ones are this tight.
Well done for pulling the stops out and bringing in Miami's finest on the job. Cannot wait to see more stuff, keep it coming.

All the best and hope to see you soon,

T the Brit.

9/07/2007 8:51 AM  
Blogger Melissa Rich said...

You go!!! That is so rad!! gotta love it when it all falls into place!! meant to be!!
nice work!!
M

9/07/2007 9:42 AM  
Blogger Alex Rodriguez said...

That is awesome, congrats.

9/07/2007 1:31 PM  
Blogger Teresa Wagner said...

WOW! Awesome surprise. Can't wait to see more images.

9/07/2007 6:03 PM  
Blogger Laura Landau said...

Yahoo! Now THAT'S a story for the books. I hope Aidan is learning all of Usher's songs. Getting ready for that band he's gonna be in. So cool! Congrats.

9/07/2007 6:14 PM  
Blogger Ricki Ford said...

Dude you ROCK!!!

9/07/2007 6:24 PM  
Blogger BRIAN KHANG said...

Congrats Mike!! If this happened to me.. I wouldn't know how to handle it.. it's so awesome!!

9/07/2007 7:07 PM  
Blogger mikeSTEELMAN said...

You guys rock! I'm so stoked for you...Praise God!

9/07/2007 9:28 PM  
Blogger Grazier Photography said...

Wow that's a great story!

Enna

9/07/2007 9:38 PM  
Blogger Bob & Dawn Davis said...

Hi Mike.. Thanks for your comments about our family video on our blog. See..... now you know why I've never breast fed... LOL!!! Okay... please remember having this (very short) conversation with me at the wedding... hahahahaha! Okay... I'm going now!!!! Hope to see you and Jullie again soon! xoxox ~ Dawn... and Bob!

9/07/2007 10:21 PM  
Blogger Garrett and Matt said...

Hey Mike,
Love the story...I'm going to start putting the phone by the bed :)

Congrats,

Garrett

9/08/2007 7:11 AM  
Blogger Moving Images Photography said...

Hey Mike,
Just caught a connecting flight in Miami and saw Ray sleeping at the airport? He said something about be on standby full time with you now? Dude your tough on your photographers, hope hes well rested for the next gig :)

Peace!

Adam Miasik
www.movingimagesphoto.com

9/08/2007 11:45 AM  
Blogger Greg Croft said...

Way cool.. I hope one day to have a story like this to share! :)

9/08/2007 9:39 PM  
Blogger Marie on Behalf of said...

Just one word Mike.

"Yeah!" ;-)

9/08/2007 9:58 PM  
Blogger Ron Dawson said...

Oops. I was logged in as my admin assit. Okay, here I go again.

Just one word Mike:

"Yeah!" ;-)

Ron Dawson

9/08/2007 10:00 PM  
Blogger Cathy said...

so cool! Congrats! :)

9/09/2007 7:35 PM  
Blogger sdohana said...

yeah! you rock mike. congrats!

9/09/2007 7:56 PM  
Blogger Michael Juiliano said...

nice score mike! hope you can show us some others someday. i would have come along just to iron. i'm quite good at it i think.

9/10/2007 10:27 AM  
Blogger Staja Studios said...

Mike -

That's awesome! It looks like you guys did a great job (although I wouldn't expect any less), and had a great time doing it!

Now that's one call at 2:30 in the am that I bet you were glad to get.

-

9/10/2007 11:07 AM  
Blogger Eddie Bojorquez said...

Sorry I couldn't make it out with you. I must've missed your call! : )

Congrats and thanks for sharing. I just need to know: Did they play Usher at the reception....and did he dance?

-Eddie
(Studio512)

9/10/2007 1:50 PM  
Blogger Jameel Morrison said...

Awesome. Congratulations!

9/10/2007 3:29 PM  
Blogger Mark Brooke Photography said...

WOW! what an amazingly awesome opportunity! Sounds like you had a blast

9/10/2007 6:10 PM  
Blogger Daniel J. Watkins said...

Yeah, I was booked too. ;)

Great job Mike. Have some fun w/ your revenge on DJ.

Dan

9/12/2007 6:15 AM  
Blogger Fred Egan said...

Mike-I've got stitches over here bro-LOL That's an awesome story.

9/12/2007 9:32 AM  
Blogger Cesar Perez said...

That is so awesome. You are so blessed! I'm sure you did an awesome job. The picture on the site is absolutely gorgeous. Look forward to meeting you one day soon!

Tanya + Cesar Perez

9/12/2007 5:26 PM  
Blogger russlowe said...

Yay Mike!

9/12/2007 10:56 PM  
Blogger KiaBia said...

And just to think the guy who shot my wedding 6 years ago is now wedding photographer to the starts. What a great experience for you, Mike!

9/13/2007 10:42 AM  
Blogger John&Lauren Manalili said...

Talk about a day of not being booked! haha. Congratulations!!!

9/13/2007 1:29 PM  
Blogger Jose said...

congratulations!!! very well deserved!

jose villa

9/13/2007 2:38 PM  
Blogger c r y s t a l said...

Wow! What a story! Way to pull that off! Congratulations, Mike!!!

9/14/2007 10:26 PM  
Blogger Mike Larson said...

hey mike, congrats bro, i love it when the impossible happens perfectly, nice...

9/15/2007 11:50 AM  
Blogger tomas flint said...

that's killer mike!!! nothing like the last minute...a story that you'll be telling for some time!

9/18/2007 7:08 PM  
Blogger Verovoz said...

Great thing happen to good People I just keep saying You are such a giver thats why God bless you with so many wonderful thing.

You Rock Mike

9/18/2007 8:35 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

Mike Great Job!!! I'd loved your photos....but next time, call me I'm in the ATL. (hee hee)

www.mwsphotos.com
www.camera-ready.blogspot.com
770-634-9999

9/19/2007 6:27 AM  
Blogger King and Spivey said...

Wow, that is a great story, Mike! I had a wedding at Chateau Elan that same day and they almost wouldn't let us in because they thought we were paparazzi. The photos are beautiful, great work!

9/19/2007 8:52 AM  
Blogger daria said...

Awesome story, Mike!
Hey I've tagged you!
See my blog for details!
:-D

9/21/2007 6:44 AM  
Blogger Alisha said...

OMGOSH I just have to say you ROCK!!! I've ALWAYS ALWAYS admired your work! Thought I'd stop by & say....SAWEET shots & I did see the pics in the magazine while I was standing in line at the grocery store!...hahaha!

9/23/2007 10:09 PM  
Blogger Cameron Ingalls said...

celebrity!

9/24/2007 4:57 PM  
Blogger Scarlett Lillian said...

LOL, so today I was in a salon today getting my hair done flipping randomly through the latest People magazine. I saw Usher's wedding and look down to see "Photography by Mike Colon". My jaw dropped and I felt like you on the plane telling everyone you were shooting Usher's wedding. I couldn't help but lift up the magazine and tell those around me "I know the guy that shot this wedding!" :-) Congrats on the exposure Mike! God is good! You rock!

10/02/2007 4:38 PM  
Blogger Katie Moos said...

Awesome! Way to jump right in there and get it! Sounds like you two had a blast!

10/24/2007 11:31 AM  

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