Photo Tips

When Community Makes All the Difference!

Me Ra Koh

I have to tell you a great story.

Back in early May, Brian and I were at the Sagamore in NY shooting Shachar and Jason’s wedding. One morning I woke up with a crazy Brown Recluse Spider bite. Over the next two weeks, the bite got worse and worse. (sorry Jeramy, not showing any photos of this one!) I was running a fever and having crazy night sweats. Blazey was asking me to try shooting webs every night (believing that my transformation to Spider Woman was just around the corner :)). But I have to tell you, I was a little stressed about shooting Virginia and David’s wedding. Their wedding event was four days long, and I knew we needed to give them every thing we promised AND MORE! I didn’t want it any other way–spider bite or no spider bite.

So I called our friend Gene Higa in San Francisco. I was wondering if he knew any photographers who could second shoot for us on the wedding day. Without skipping a beat, he said “Yeah. I know someone. I will be there!” Okay, Gene Higa is an AMAZING wedding photographer. He was just given the incredible honor of being one of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World. For him to volunteer his time…it was hard to accept. But Gene insisted. He wouldn’t have it any other way–I wanted to cry. I was so moved. And on the day of Virginia’s wedding, Gene was there and ready to assist us in anyway possible. Gene assisting us? Wow, what a gift he was and is. I’m telling you, Brian and I were BLESSED.

Have you met Gene Higa? He’s the real thing!

Me Ra Koh Wedding Photography Friends

If you haven’t heard of Gene, get ready to feast your eyes on his beautiful work! He’s also got a cool blog too! And, I also hear he’s teaching a workshop with the awesome Kenny Kim in Italy!

Gene doesn’t know this, but this is one of my FAVORITE Gene Higa images! Don’t you love it! I could stare at this image for hours!

Me Ra Koh Wedding Photography Friends: Gene Higa

Community makes all the difference in this world. Life can feel so lonely at times. I don’t know what we’d do without a community that cares. Brian and I met Gene through WPPI one year, and then we continued to get to know each other through Pictage events. I have to say we owe Pictage A LOT for most of the photography friends we’ve made in the industry. Pictage does an incredible job of bringing the best photographers together (not only best artists, but the best people). If your looking to plug into your local community of photographers, check to see if their is a Pictage User Group (PUG) in your area. And be sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming Pictage Conference in New Orleans this November. Check out the Pictage website for details. BTW, after having a FIVE hour meeting (yes, FIVE :)) last week with their new CEO, Jim Collins–Pictage has an even BRIGHTER future ahead of them. Brian and I are so excited about Jim being the new CEO.

But seriously, an incredible community makes all the difference in this life.

Gene, Gene, Gene…Brian and I are in your debt and more thankful than we could ever express. You are the best. You were there without question or hesitation. It was such a HUGE gesture of support and kindness to us. You have no idea. Thank you so much for giving us so much! And Ann!…thank you for coming with Gene!! What a gift to have you there too! You two are AWESOME!

Okay Washington DC ladies!! Ready to build community together in DC?! Registration opens this week! We’ve been working out the venue numbers to keep the registration at our normal price. Hopefully we’ll be able to release Registration in the next 24-48 hours. We’ll keep you posted HERE!

p.s. Today we start our “Top Secret Sony Project” in a small, secret southern CA town. I’m a little nervous. Say a prayer for me. Brian will try to show you some “behind the scenes” photos on the blog this week. Should be fun!

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  1. Amanda Mays says:

    Too cool! I love gene, not only is his work super fantabolous but his personality can’t be beat! Here’s a big time top photog that travels all around the world yet he treats everyone with respect& smiles as he’s known them for years. Super cool guy!!!!

    Getting involved in pug was one of the best things I ever did. It has been a tremedous help to me professionally but beyond that I’ve made some really great friends & had amazing fun times! Finding a local pug highly recommended!

  2. Me Ra, Brain and family-
    I love this post…and agree with you 100% on all fronts. The photography community is filled with so many amazing people and artists, and I’m so blessed to know you, and am continually inspired by all that you do.
    -Scott

  3. jeramy says:

    you’re right on that one. community makes all the difference. it’s how we were created to live. we all have the need to know and be known….but we resist so often out of fear or insecurity. but we find, if you push that aside for a second, that the rewards far outweigh the cost. seriously.

    so glad that this was demonstrated in your friendship with gene. i’m glad you’re healing up, and that no silly spider bite stopped you two.

    have a great day!

  4. Kara Hicks says:

    I totally agree! Community is SO huge! I was shooting my very first wedding on my own a few months ago (and was already freaked out), when I woke up the morning of with the FLU! After I threw up that morning, I was in tears having visions of me ruining my bride’s ceremony – can you imagine – throwing up during the ceremony or having to run out and make a scene?!?! So, I called 2 of my photog friends in tears and they were ready to tag team it for me that day – no hesitations! Then I was in tears over their generosity and feeling so very thankful for them! We made it through the 10 hour day together and if it was not for them, I think that would have been my first AND last wedding. Knowing that I have such a support behind me if that ever happens again keeps me actually continuing to book weddings. 🙂 I can’t imagine not having that kind of support! I am so thankful!

  5. Michelle says:

    I am starting to learn just how wonderful and embracing the photography community is.

    You are in my prayers and I cannot want to see what amazing project you are working on now!

  6. Sharon says:

    You could have called me! HA! I’m so funny!
    Gene Hega’s work is AMAZING!

    Can I just go to your PUG group Amanda?

    Who knew this the photography community was so embracing! At first I was so intimidated! But, now I have to most wonderful photographer friends! I know for sure I wouldn’t be growing the way I am without them!

    I can’t wait to hear about all this “Top Secret Sony” stuff going on!!!

    xoxox

  7. Hey MeRa, You are so right. This industry is overflowing with inspiring photographers who bless us all with their friendship and talent! You are Brian are no exception. And of course we adore Gene Higa! We can’t wait to see you guys again… I hope it’s soon! xoxoxox ~ Dawn

    Ps: Gene’s workshop in Italy is with Jose Villa!

  8. Sue Christianson says:

    Me Ra! Have fun today! Don’t be nervous! They will LOVE you & Brian. Have blast!!! Can’t wait to hear the news.

  9. So funny! I just discovered Gene and his wonderful work a few days ago via twitter or facebook (not sure which). What a remarkable gift he gave you! I agree, the community part of this industry is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s all about relationships, between your clients, peers, mentors. Genuine, supportive, creative, loving relationships. It’s been so wonderful. I was just thinking about that last night. About the Discovery Workshop, and the combo of personalities and how incredibly special each person was to the puzzle. How nurturing you and Brian are. How special that was in the Discovery process. I am thinking of you and praying for you during this very exciting, and probably even a little scary time. Much Love~ Carrie

  10. Kari says:

    I would not make it without my wonderful community.

    That picture is increble. I L.O.V.E it!

  11. Julie Watts says:

    I just met Gene Higa at the OSP-W conference. I was kneeling down switching lenses, and this hand comes from nowhere, picks up my 50mm off the ground from next to me and it’s Gene Higa saying he’ll hold it for me while I switch so it doesn’t have to be on the ground.

    It would have been a thoughtful gesture had it been anyone, but for Gene Higa to walk over and care about MY lens told me all I needed to know about him.

    And for those that are nervous about attending their first PUG, all I can say is that my first PUG meeting was one of the most pivotal moments of my photography career. I have the best photographer friends ever because of the PUG meetings. Take a deep breath and go!

  12. Kelly N says:

    You’re killing me with the buildup for the DC workshop! I’m so geared up to get the info, and to start building my own “community”, I’ve got hubby convinced and I just need the details. We’re going away on Thursday night where I will be without internet all weekend! Please open the registration before then.. Pretty please? I won’t be able to enjoy my vacation knowing i could miss out!
    I hope the Sony project turned out to be everything you dreamed it would be!

  13. Pamela says:

    Oh, Me Ra! My heart is still beating fast because I was so nervous today! I bartered with the best photographers in my city (that I liked their style…) to get photographs of myself for a new website. In exchange, I shot them on sailboats in a marina for their modeling portfolio. I was SOOOO nervous. I just handed over the cards & all of my insecurities & failures are written all over it. I didn’t get a chance to patch any of it up. I stepped out & up, win or lose… Thank you for this tiny slice of community, too. When you put out all the effort & love that you do, it comes back to bless you tenfold, when you need it most. Blessings on everything that you step out, in faith, to do. God hears even the tiniest prayer, a sliver of a thought, or maybe not even, yet, a thought at all… **humbled**

  14. denise karis says:

    WOW! yes, I LOVE G higa – thats so awesome! hes amazing – amaaazzhuuuuing –

    poor girl with your spider bite – blaze is so funny – ‘try shooting some webs mom’ ha!

  15. Kellie says:

    oh wow! what a coincidence, earlier this week i found the project wedding website and your favourite gene higa photo was on there! i stared at it for a while and was just blown away. he’s got great stuff, and combined with yours it will be an amazing wedding album!

  16. Kim says:

    This is such a great story. I was thinking this past week or so after I attended a concert where I was able to shoot many photos (so unusual – most concerts will not allow this or you have to have an “in”) how it would be nice if I could ask one of the many other photographers there if I could apprentice or if they had any tips. I didn’t do that, because I was too intimidated. If I get another chance, though, I will!

    I am on the edge of my seat in regards to the DC workshop, because I think I might just have to make some big sacrifices to get there.

  17. Jim Collins says:

    Me Ra & Brian …

    You guys are so great. You should know that I went home and told my wife that I got to spend 5 hours with Me Ra and Brian. I felt so honored that you guys took so much time to be here and dream a little and share your knowledge of this awesome pro-photographer community.

    Speaking of community. I want to go to Gene’s Holga workshop!

    Onward.

    JC

  18. omg lol says:

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