Mon - July 9, 2007

Simply Elegant Workshops - Summer Blast

Posted at 10:02 PM    

Fri - July 6, 2007

Golden Gate School of Photography

Speaking of teaching. It was almost 10+ years years ago that I started perusing photography as a profession. I am so grateful to those who took the time to help me along the way. Well, a couple of weeks ago I was invited to mentor at Golden Gate School. It felt like I had come full circle. I was now teaching in the classroom where I got my start. I remember applying for a scholarship and winning, trying to decide on the right class to take. There were so many amazing instructors and I wanted to take them all. Needless to say that I continued to go year after year. But, this year I wanted to give back what I have learned along the way to inspire a new generation of photographers. Well, it felt damn good.

Here is my classroom set up.




Details of the wall prints. Sorry about the tape, it was a fast solution to getting so many big prints up without damaging the walls.




Leland Wong a amazing photographer here in SF. I have known Leland for years and asked him to be my trustee. THANKS LELAND!




Free Bay Photo Lab stuff, my two laptops, and ipod for cool beats in class.




Here is my class. Exactly how I like it. FUN, FUN, FUN! We all got together for a group shot with our models. I shared how to create a image with impact, client experience, post production, marketing, branding and creating a buzz. A crash course in two days. I wish you all much success in business and life.

Posted at 09:28 PM     Read More  

Thu - July 5, 2007

One on One workshops

Speaking to photographers all over the country about what they wanted in a workshop or where they got the most value. A big percentage of you said that one on one's were the real meat and potatoes. They could ask the questions they really wanted to ask and get answers that applied the their business. Well, today we did just that. Agnes Lopez, an amazing photographer from Jacksonville, Florida flew in with her husband to spend the day with me. She has a very successful business but was looking for something more. We spent the day discuss her business and what she could do to get to the next level. I basically opened up my studio and business to them and we talked in detail about what was working for me. Everything from $$$$ to workflow and having a life.

THANKS to you both. I had a amazing day sharing ideas and helping to inspire you. You inspired me as well. Remember, THINK BIG!

This is the first of a series of ONE ON ONE WORKSHOPS that I am offering. For a simple fee I will do the same for you. Are you a photographer looking to take it to the next level or have you been in business for a while and looking to revamp it? Well, I challenge you to come out a spend a day with me. That's right, a full day where we discuss topics that only apply to you and your business. I am a open book. Email me for details. gene@genehiga.com I will announcing something big, soon.



Here we are in the W Hotel. I like that they travel in style.


Here's a screenshot of her website.

Posted at 11:37 PM    

Thu - June 7, 2007

Elevate 2 in Orlando Florida

Here is a previous post from April of 2007:

Sometimes Ann and I meet the coolest people at WPPI. Well, this year we caught up with Garrett and Joy Nudd of Garret Nudd Photography . A husband a wife team who photograph fabulous weddings out of Orlando, Florida. We had known of each others work through some of the message boards. So it was great to finally meet face to face. We started talking about how our business were going and where we were headed. To make a long story short. Garrett and Joy are both very giving individuals. They run a workshop called "elevation 2" and asked that I come out and be a guest speaker. I humbly accepted. Funny how things just fall into place. I made a conscious decision to start giving back and helping others. The universe brought Garrett and Joy into my life. WOW.






What can we say. We were honored to take apart of such a awesome group. Welcomed with open arms we made the most of it. Thanks for having us. I grabbed this shot with Ann's new Leica.

Posted at 10:44 PM    

Wed - April 11, 2007

Elevation with Garrett and Joy Nudd

Sometimes Ann and I meet the coolest people at WPPI. Well, this year we caught up with Garrett and Joy Nudd of Garret Nudd Photography . A husband a wife team who photograph fabulous weddings out of Orlando, Florida. We had known of each others work through some of the message boards. So it was great to finally meet face to face. We started talking about how our business were going and where we were headed. To make a long story short. Garrett and Joy are both very giving individuals. They run a workshop called "elevation" and asked that I come out and be a guest speaker. I humbly accepted. Funny how things just fall into place. I made a conscious decision to start giving back and helping others. The universe brought Garrett and Joy into my life. WOW.


Thanks Garrett and Joy for the invitation.




Here is a shot of all of us at WPPI during the closing ceremonies.

Posted at 01:01 PM    

Thu - April 5, 2007

2nd Annual WPPI Thirst Benefit Mentor Auction - Winner

Jerry Yoon stopped by today for his mentoring session. He was kind enough to participate in the Thirst Benefit Mentor Auction. Jerry actually met up with me at WPPI and attended my talk.

Thanks Jerry for being such a cool guy and hanging out in the studio today. Nice break for the normal routine. Check out Jerry's website, he's got some really great shots on there.





So Gene's putting a gun to my head right now and is forcing me to talk his mentoring session up. LOL. :) Well, he was pretty good and Ann Hamilton was cooler, but it was actually Bogie that stole the show. He's the epitome of I'm going to just be what I be. He's their pug and he runs the place. Gene's also encouraged me to get a blog at all costs, so if anyone has any good tips on which blogger to go with shoot me an email please! I want to thank Thirst Relief for their awesome relief work and for setting up this mentorship auction, I couldn't have won a better mentor! ~jerry

Here is a cut and past from the Thirst Benefit Mentor Auction blog. Jerry and I were glad to make a difference.

Thanks for the great email, Jerry.

Hey guys,

Just wanted to drop a line and let you know that I had a really great time hanging out with you three in your studio.  I took away so much from it and it's really given me a much more solid direction for the future of my business.  Thanks for all the encouragement and inspiration.  Thanks for the book Gene, I read a few chapters and knew right away that it gives some solid advice, so I'm excited to finish that one soon.  Ann, I just saw your new website and man it's one smokin' site!  All that work and waitin was sure worth it.  I hope you got enough rest from the craziness of it all. 

-jerry

UNBELIEVABLE

WOW! What a Ride! Last night's WPPI Thirst Mentor Benefit Auction was unreal!

Bringing in nearly $25,000.00 or more! I am in awe.

6000 lives saved! Wow!


A Note from Thirst Relief International:

Dear Friends,

I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support that all of you have
shown for Thirst Relief International. It is truly a blessing and I am
in awe of the fact that over $24,000 was raised to help provide people
with much needed clean drinking water. Thank you to everyone that
placed bids... I am still in shock!

I also want to thank the talented photographers who donated their
time during a busy week to make this possible. It is truly a
testament to their character that they are willing to help others, by
helping others!

None of this would have been possible without all the hard work and
and help from Davina Fear, an amazing photographer in her own right.
It was even her original idea to do the mentor benefit!

I want to take a moment to address the controversy that took place in
the final minutes before midnight, and the subsequent confusion. I
want to reassure everyone that there was absolutely nothing unethical
that was done on our part or by Fotoverite, who graciously hosted the
auction at no charge.

Unbeknownst to any of us, the auction software built into the site
has a feature to prevent sniping, the practice of submitting last
minute bids just before the end of an auction which has become common
practice on other auction sites such as eBay. If you think about it,
no real live auctions are done that way, and the bidders always have
a chance to keep bidding until the point where they are not willing
to pay anymore, and it has nothing to do with a time limit. I think
most people would agree that this is certainly a more fair practice,
but we deeply regret that this policy wasn't made widely aware in
advance.

I understand some people where disappointed by the results, and I
truly apologize. I hope we haven't diminished your view of our
organization because of something that was out of our control. I
promise that next time, the auction rules will be perfectly clear, no
matter where it is hosted.

Noone forsaw this happening and I wish we could
make it better for all. It's simply impossible for us to go back and
do anything that works as a win, win for all. For those who did win, enjoy
your time! I would have loved to have met with all of the mentors!
I just want to thank every single person who participated from the
bottom of my heart. You have saved close to 6,000 lives and made the
world a better place.

Warmly,
Jim Hicks, Thirst Relief International

Posted at 07:26 PM    

Tue - April 3, 2007

wppi talk part 2

Jonathan Payne was kind enough to send over these pics of the talk we did at WPPI. So I wanted to share.


I love this with the branded star behind me.




Bay Photo printed about 20 = 20x30 prints for me. They were set on easels around the room. Thanks Steve.




Steve then gave me a awesome intro.




If you look closely, my mom and dad are in the front row. How awesome is that?




As I walked out, I noticed that the front two rows were all friends and family.










That room was packed. LOVE IT!





I am officially back in San Francisco and ready for a awesome wedding season. I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the process that got me here. With the launch of the new website, workshops and our 2007/2008 bookings, life is good. I think about life and how I can make the most of it. I set the goal of speaking at WPPI two years ago and doing destination weddings three years ago. How I was going to get there I had not idea. But, I will say that a lot of it had to do with the love and support of all my friends and family. I thank you all for being there. Thank you to all who follow my blog. Feel free to post comments any time. I love to hear what you think. I have some really great things in the works so please keep checking in as we head into the wedding season.

Posted at 07:13 PM    

Sat - March 31, 2007

wppi wrap up

10, 000 photographers reprensenting over 35 countries. WOW! the turnout was amazing. Four days in Las Vegas with a world wind of activities, so much to do in such a small amount of time. Ann, Tanya and I arrived on monday morning and it was straight to the trade show floor.

Ron Dawson of Cinematic Studios put together a cool video that lets you relive the whole convention. CLICK HERE.


DAY 1

We were greeted by some of the huge signs that lined the halls with all of the major sponsors. Bay Photo Lab is a major sponsor for WPPI. Ann spotted my portrait and a quick quote.




Left to right Larry Atibol, me and Steve Kurtz. Larry is the owner of Photo Lab and Steve is one of my early mentors. Check out the background with some of my shots in the booth.




We had a little time to see some of the vendors. I ran into everyone. My friend Becker who shoots weddings in southern california.

He's kind of a big deal.




This is Augie Chang, me and Maurice Ramirez. We grabbed hard copy of the March issue of Rangefinder.




This is Michael the CEO of Livebooks.




Two hours in Vegas and I was already working at the Livebooks booth. Gave a brief talk about how the website and why I loved it so much.





Jason Sandifer interviewed me for the new livebooks promo video.




The rest of the day we walked the tradeshow floor looking for new products to offer and of course new camera gear.


DAY 2

That night I had a 7:30 slot to give my presentation. I was not at all nervous by very anxious to give my best. But what made it so easy was that all of my photography friends were there in support. The first two or three rows were all friends and family. Yes, my family even made the trip out. My
mom and even Ann's mom came by. Her dad was not feeling 100% so he couldn't make it.


Here is is Steve introducing me the crowd. He gave me the greatest intro. I was very flattered.






We packed the room. All seats were filled, and people started to fill the sides the center aisle and and all the space in front. I estimated we had at least 450+ in the room. Great turn out.




It was good to see that my star made a impact and that people were taking notes.




Afterwards, Bay Photo Lab gave away some door prizes, Ron Dawson of Cinematic Studios gave away a DVD on blogging and I gave some marketing books. I also got to spend some one on one time with some of the photographers who attended.



The shots of me speaking were taken by Jonathan Payne. I will post more this week.


DAY 2 (late night)


We all headed out for sushi, sake and good times.




Of course one my best friends, Ann Hamilton.




Then it was up to the Ghostbar at the top of the Palms. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate, but at the top of Las Vegas.





Sometimes I drive Ann nuts. Can you blame her? LOL.




Here is my boy John Griffin and his awesome wife Jodie.



Tanya, Linda and Elisa Cicinelli.




Tanya and Ann have been nothing but the best offering me tons of support through out the whole process.




Here is the gang.




This is Jose Villa. We are giving a workshop together in San Miguel Mexico January 2008.




Julie Mikos, me and whole lotta wind.




Jose, Ann and Joel.





DAY 3

This is David Beckstead. He and I are teaming up for workshop in Ubud, Bali at the end of the year. I will be posting about it very soon. Details to follow.




Later that night we headed over to the awards banquet. There I caught up with Bill Hurter, editor for Rangefinder magazine.




This is Skip Cohen, President of WPPI.




My boy Jeff Carillo. He works out of Beverly Hills and shoots for Von Dutch and Ed Hardy. We are discussing doing LA workshops.




Ran into a bride and her girls on the casino floor.




DAY 4 - My birthday

Kept it pretty low key. Ann took me shopping at Chrome Hearts and we went out for dinner with my folks. We then went and caught a hypnotist show. Anthony Cools in Paris. Las Vegas was a perfect place for me to spend it. I started it in NY, went to Rome (Ceasers Palace) and ended it in Paris. It felt just like my destination wedding work.

Becker and Jessica Claire were out shopping as well.




I think my parents had more fun than I did. They just love Vegas. Nice way to end the week.

Posted at 04:27 PM    

Sat - March 24, 2007

Vegas baby Vegas

Well, we are off to Vegas this weekend. I get back in town on the 31st. So emails and phone messages will be put on hold till then. Unless of course you have a emergency. Send me all your good vibes. All of us at the studio have been really focused on this presentation. We worked out all the bugs and feel very confident that we are going to ROCK THE HOUSE. I am going to be making two big announcements about our brand extension. Think exotic.

The print competition is going on as we speak. The trade-show floor is set up and ready to open its doors. I hope to come back with lots of new products to offer. I will post them and tell you what I liked. I want to have some different types of albums, programs to make our workflow better and of course some new toys to bring to our weddings. So to all my current clients I will give you a heads up when we have everything in place.

Thanks for checking in and keep in mind that i am announcing the winner of the ONE LUCKY BRIDE give away. If you intend to and just have not had the time. Please make some. You never know.

Thanks for checking in and I have some wedding images to post. Last weekend I headed down to Mexico with John Griffin we got some killer wedding images look for those, soon.

Posted at 10:07 PM    

Mon - March 19, 2007

Thu - March 1, 2007

2nd Annual WPPI Thirst Benefit Mentor Auction

As we head we head into wedding season. I wanted to keep the theme of giving back going. I volunteered some of my time during the WPPI convention for a amazing cause. If you interested in how you can also get involved in giving back read below.





Who: You and generous and talented industry leaders who are donating their time, wisdom, experience and excellence in the form of 1-90 minute mentoring sessions.

What: The 2nd Annual WPPI Thirst Benefit Mentor Auction is happening this week! Each of the Mentors listed above has donated 1-90 minute mentor session to the highest online bidder. 100% of all proceeds will go directly to providing pure water for those who need it most via Thirst Relief International.

When: The Auction will be live March 1st-March 8th at midnight PST.

Why: Because over 1 billion people lack access to safe, clean water and nearly 2.5 million children die annually as a result. For $5 we can provide a lifetime of safe, clean water to one person in need! Click here to learn how.

HOW????: Follow these instructions in detail to place your online bid!

1. Click the link below (thanks to fotoverite.com for the free online auction)
2. Once you arrive at fotoverite.com click on the Thirst Relief Logo and register for the auction.
5. You'll then see all the different names and auctions you can bid on. Follow the intuitive online bidding format provided.

BID ON YOUR FAVORITE MENTOR NOW!! By clicking HERE.

Note: If you are the highest bidder you'll be required to make your payment online within 24 hours, by donating the amount of the winning bid at www.thirstrelief.org. If you fail to donate within the 24 hours you'll automatically forfeit your mentor session and the second highest bidder will receive the session. Please do not bid unless your willing to pay via credit card online within the 24 hours.

Posted at 12:40 PM    

Sat - February 24, 2007

PPSCV & PPGBA speaker of the month

January has been a busy month but very rewarding in so many ways. I was asked to come a speak at some of the local professional photography associations. PPSCV (Professional photographers of Santa Clara Valley) was the first stop. A great group and I actually knew a lot of the photographers in the room or have heard their names in the past. But, I was glad to be there and help kick off the new year. The second stop PPGBA (Professional photographers of the Greater Bay Area). One of the largest association in country. The Bay Area has some real talent it was my pleasure to be a part of the monthly meeting.

I wanted to take a moment to say "THANK YOU". To the board members and all the members for having me and allowing me to share how we do business. I hope I was able to share, help and inspire. I hope that you all will reach for the stars in your business and do something out of the box in your shooting and bring your business to another level of success. If anyone cares to share their experience. I invite you to post a comment at the bottom of this post.
And a special thanks to all my sponsors who come out to support me.

Please keep in mind that I am speaking at WPPI this year. Teaching a two day intensive at Golden Gate School of Photography. And lastly, I will give you a small hint. Today I just agreed to do a one (possibly two) week intensive destination workshop somewhere exotic. So keep checking and I will announce it as soon as we get all the details ironed out.




Here is some of the kind letters I received in the mail.

Dear Gene,

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to our group last week. Your program was awesome and I expect it will be well received at WPPI. The members that attended are still raving about it. It was great!

Thank You!

Alice Arevalo, President of PPSCV

Gene,

VERY, VERY IMPRESSED!!! You have really changed my way of thinking... Thank You for sharing & your valuable time! best regards.

Craig Smith. Member PPSCV

Hello Gene,

Thank you for your work a couple of weeks ago at the PPGBA meeting.  Your presentation was truly outlook altering.  I have seen many, and your words and methodology is one of the few that I has impacted the way I see my business.

I am now going to change my website, my market name, my business plan, even my attitude of where this business of photography will take me.  After nearly 10 years of struggling, I want to do better.  A lot of this is because of you.

You said that you offered workshops.  I would very much like to attend, please let me know when you're next workshop is.

Thanks again,

Maurice Ramirez, member PPGBA

Posted at 09:28 PM    

Fri - September 29, 2006

WPPI - Wedding & Portrait Photographers International March 24-29 2007

A couple of years back I joined WPPI, for many reasons. The association opened my eyes to many different things such as seminars, print competitions, new products and networking with other photographers. Once a year we gather in Las Vegas to get those creative juices flowing again. Ready to tackle another year of amazing weddings, portraits and taking our business to the next level.
Well, this year WPPI has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Rangefinder Magazine came out a week ago and announced its speakers for the 2007 event. I am proud to announce that I am one of the speakers. I was invited by Bill Hurter months ago to discuss my destination weddings. This will be one of the pinnacles of my career to date. I have had many success' to get to where I am at today. But, this will be one to remember. The week of event ends on my birthday, so it will be a great way to celebrate.

The announcement read: "The biggest and brightest stars in photography"

The title of my talk: "Destination weddings, Expanding your market globally" Award-winning California wedding photographer Gene Higa invites you to reach for the stars. Higa's "Dare to be Different" style has taken him around the world doing what he loves. Higa will share his vision and techniques for attracting the destination bride. Sponsored by Bay Photo Lab, Albums Unlimited.

Please stop by and catch some of the talk. The convention is being held at Paris and Bally's. I will be speaking March 27th at 7:30 pm in the Bronze Rooms 1-2. I have some really cool movies, slide shows, and lots of useful information.

Posted at 08:33 PM    

Mon - March 6, 2006