Thanks Franky!

Check out the cool gift I got in the mail from my buddy Frank Saldana!  It's a watch that wireless controls my ipod!  Frank came to one of my very first workshops in Newport Beach then came to The Colon Experience II in March 2006.  He's a talented photographer and such a humble and nice guy!

Warm gifts from Japan

Aidan modeling the familiar beanie and scarf

Chris Reeves for Christmas!

Julie knew just what to get me for Christmas. Underwear, chocolate,
and a Chris Reeves Sebenza!

This one is actually homemade!

I think I might eat it for breakfast

Close-up

Gingerbread houses!

Stockings!

We had a rough night because our boys are both sick with bad coughs so
everyone is sleeping in this morning. I might sneak a peak in my
stocking if Julie doesn't wake up soon :)

Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Magazine featuring Panerai

Thanks Jason Thon!

I got a package in the mail yesterday from my bro Jason Thon. It was a
cool black and white photo of me and Aidan that he shot earlier
this year in a custom Roma frame! I love it! He also sent a magazine that featured my
favorite watch company. I'll send a shot of it next :)

Movie Clip from Osaka, Japan

Here's a clip of me in Osaka, Japan giving a live shoot demonstration before a lecture (sponsored by La-vie Album).  I'm shooting with my D3 and 200mm f2.0 AF-S VR.  It was a fun group!  Below is an image from this section of the shoot.  I want to give a special thanks to Mr. Kobayashi who did an awesome job at choosing the location and lining everything up for us!

Clip from my new DVD!

Check out these clips from my new DVD - On Location with Mike Colon -Toronto-

Orders start shipping tomorrow! I still have a promotion going for a couple more days for $149 ($50 off!) ***CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW***

Video from my trip to Shanghai, China

I love the La-vie staff in Aoyama, Tokyo

I miss the La-vie staff in Tokyo so much that I searched for their blog today to see if I could find out if they miss me too. Based on the title of their blog post, I think the feelings are mutual. They were so much fun and even though they spoke mainly Japanese, they tried to make me feel at home by speaking English. I hope to go back soon! The image is from my Tokyo lecture and live shoot. What a great experience!

P.S. Someone please help me interpret what they said about me.. I'm dying to know!

Arrived in Tokyo Today...

The last several days have been insane! I was in Shanghai, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and now Tokyo. I wanted to drop a couple images and some feedback on the D3 for those of you anxiously waiting but I only have enough energy to stay up about 10 more minutes so I'll keep this short. I will definitely post some images and video shortly of my trip and the lectures and shoots I've been doing out here in Asia later.

Here's a couple shots of a model in Shanghai shot at 5000 iso with my 50mm f1.4 using only available light from the dimmed tungsten ceiling lights above. I'm so impressed with the low-light capabilities of this camera. I have not mounted a flash to my camera since I've been here because I simply have not needed one! The color at 6400 is as good or better than 800 on the D2xs. This is a groundbreaking camera that is going to change the way I shoot forever.

This b/w was converted from color and cropped in camera using the D3's new retouch menu. It's so much fun to be able to do this in camera. My favorite features are D-Lighting, Trim, Monochrome, Color balance, and Side-by-side comparison.

More to come tomorrow night (if I'm able to stay awake again) so stay tuned....

Shanghai!

This quality image was taken using Photobooth on my MacBook Pro, that's why it's backwards :)  I'm here in Shanghai, China about ready to paint the town with my D3.  It's 9am... I'll post some shots tonight!

Courtney Fries, Welcome to Newport Beach!

Congrats Courtney! Julie and I had such a hard time because there were so many great entries. We felt connected to Courtney for some reason and feel that we made the right choice! I can't even imagine going through what Courtney and many others who emailed have gone through! You all are saints and have big rewards in heaven! I have a special discount that I want to offer to any of the mom's who emailed me previously. If you email me (mike@mikecolon.com) I'll give you the coupon code. I have a few more seats open so this will be a first come first serve. It's the least I can do for all of you who took the time to tell me your stories!

Here's Courtney's email:

Hello Mike :) I am writing to you about the "mom" post you made on your blog. What a generous offering...truly all mom's are blessed to know that you think so highly of their efforts. My name is Courtney Fries. I am a mother to a beautiful little 3 year-old named Piper. Piper is an amazing child. Despite being born with Cystic Fibrosis, a degenerative genetic lung disorder, she has fought her disease strongly and without trepidation. Shortly after her birth, my now ex-husband, upon learning of her diagnosis at merely 2 weeks old decided that the road was too long and winding to make a go of it. He decided to take another path and leave the two of us to figure this thing out together and we've made a go of it, regardless of how trying it has been at times. Piper's daily regimen is comprised of early risings, chest physical therapy, nebulizer treatments and 9 different oral medications...this all before she takes a bite of breakfast and then a repeat of this regimen at lunch and again at dinner. Her strength and ability to smile through her misfortune makes every moment worth it. I find the most difficult part wanting to take her pain away...wishing that her 4 hour coughing fits at 3 am would end just so she could get a moment's peace. My photography offers me an immense amount of solace. I feel that through my photography I have been blessed enough to capture those moments that don't have "CF" stamped on them. It is most definitely a balancing act between CF Therapy, just being a mom to a beautiful kiddo and being a photographer all at the same time. I have to divide my day into hours...a schedule of sorts just to get it all done and not feel horrible that I am neglecting either aspect of my life. My photography is our livelihood, but in turn I am Piper's livelihood. I spend several nights a week at my computer until 3 am finishing sessions just so I will have more freedom during the day to be with my child. I wake up with bags under my eyes, but she's never the wiser...she has me there with her and that's all she knows. At the end of the day I know that's what matters...she may not live to be much older than the forecasted age of 35, but at least I know I devoted what I could to her and gave her all of myself. I have admired your work for so long and upon reading your blog I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was reading your post correctly haha. An opportunity to attend your workshop...to step outside of my daily regimen and do something AMAZING is something I could only dream of. I have an amazing man in my life now that is rooting me on...two thumbs up, willing to watch Piper if I'm given the chance to attend this once in a lifetime opportunity. I felt compelled to reply to your amazingly generous offer and it was merely with the hope of sharing my story and possibly having that "moment" where someone else could envision walking in my shoes. If anything, it has helped me to speak outloud what I have only been thinking to myself. I am sure my story falls in a long line of others that have been down long and winding roads. I only hope to stand out from the rest, even if only a small amount. I would make it my personal goal to see that my attendance to your workshop was one of the best "investments" you have ever made. My website is www.zoombugphotography.com I thank you for listening, most certainly!
God Bless~
Courtney Fries

Mommy Contest!

I'm sitting here looking at over seventy mommy entries for the free seat in my January workshop and I'm wondering how I'm going to make a decision.  This is not easy!!  Every mom deserves the seat just for being a mom!  I'll stew over my favorites today and post the winner later tonight.  Stay tuned!!