hi there! i'm michelle, southern california based photographer and curator of the coco gallery.

welcome to my blog where i share my life, my latest adventures, photo projects, random nuggets and the occasional stray thoughts.

for clients: to view my portfolio just click on this link - theCOCOgallery.com. to book sessions please send me a message through theCOCOgallery.com or contact me via michelle@thecocogallery.com | 949.734.0604



Friday, October 30, 2009

mila | dane sanders roadshow workshop

i'm not a workshop junkie.  actually i'm pretty level headed about what workshops i want to attend.  there are a LOT of options out there and the options were overwhelming when i was just starting out.  i set out with my priorities and then attacked methodically, even with all the homework on each one it's still a hit or miss on whether or not the money spent was well spent.  i never knew until i was done with the workshop if it was worth it.  different needs for different people you know?  up until now the only workshop that was REALLY worth the money for me was the lightroom 2 day intesive with jack davis that i took almost two years ago.  it was $300 well spent and i've used everything i learned from that class and then some.  it was also the most i had ever spent on a workshop.


last week i went to new york for the dane sanders roadshow workshop.  i won't lie.  for me it was expensive.  i spent the $750 for the workshop, curtis and i spent the money for plane tickets and a stay in NY during one of the most expensive times of the year.  it was a lot of bux.  i was hoping and praying that i wasn't going to regret the expense.  this was not a "how-to-shoot-photos" workshop.  this was a business workshop.  i needed this... or so i told myself.  i'm still just as the beginning stages of a business... and i make mistakes and bad choices.  i was hoping this wasn't a big one.  granted, curtis didn't have to come along and we didn't have to turn it into a mini vacation but i was using that as plan B consoling just in case.  but if this was bad i was going to cry over not getting my 70-200 f2.8 IS lens instead.


wednesday evening last week i found myself surrounded by love.  it's been almost 20 years since i've been to a soul searching spiritual retreat.  i was in shock when i realized that i found it in the oddest of places again.  a cleansing, liberating, exhilarating feeling of indescribable amazingness.  dane's workshop was a spiritual journey for my business.. and for me!  i walked in there looking for answers to my marketing walls and technical questions.  i walked out with a perspective for my business that will propel me to success!  i walked out of there with 12 other compatriots who felt the same way!  i walked out of there not as a ME but as WE.  i have a new family!  i have a support group!  and these 12 people are just the beginning.  we are on the ground level of a revolution in this industry.  there are communities across the country that have gone through the workshop and WE ARE ALL FOR EACH OTHER.  i know this sounds vague... almost hokey.. but trust me... it's the best workshop EVER!  if you have your own business, whatever it may be, not just photography... this is the best workshop for you.  


here's the photos from the workshop where we had a chance to shoot with an amazing couple (julianna and fernando) in new york's meatpacking district.









and here's the crew and the venue...




6 comments:

  1. Ahh, I love this post! I could not agree more with you!!! great shots of Juliana and Fernando! feel so blessed to have met you! and look so forward to all the great things coming your way, my way, our way! thanks again for setting up the treats!

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  2. I'm not gonna lie... this post brought tears to my eyes! Dane is a friend of mine and I have seen what the power of his workshop can do and seen amazing results from those who attended and have gotten a huge jump start into this industry. I was lucky enough to sit in the back of a recent workshop of his and just watch the people transform into successful business owners. I am so happy that you are now also on your way to success! Dane is such an amazing individual and I love being in his presence anytime of the day. It's amazing when you put Christ into the center of things and watch things grow in size before you! God Bless you Mila. I am excited to see what comes from this for you. :-)

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  3. Oooh Michelle, LOVED seeing this post especially after talking to you in person about it. I think I'm gonna try to do the Phoenix one, since the Hawaii one is when we're in Thailand. I might need to hire you to convince ryan to let me attend. ;)

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  4. Woo hoo Michelle! Looking forward to watching you apply what you've learned. I'm all FOR YOU!!

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  5. Your experience sounds so amazing. I'm happy for you and all that you are learning and how you are growing. My two favorite shots are the one of them walking up the stairs, and the one of them from the waist down.

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  6. Can you tell us how your business has improved since implementing his guidance?

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