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mikeconphoto · 1 year ago

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"DR. ALEX PAINE: THE FITNESS PRO WITH A NERD-TASTIC TWIST!"- BY MIKECON PHOTOGRAPHY

Greetings, fitness fanatics and Star Wars aficionados! First and foremost, I’d like to again wish Alex a very Happy Birthday, and I pray that she enjoyed it to the fullest! Today, I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to the one and only Dr. Alex Paine, the tall, pretty, and hilarious fitness model from the enchanting state of Colorado. As the proud owner of MikeCon Photography, I've had the delightful pleasure of collaborating with Dr. Paine multiple times, and boy, is she a force to be reckoned with in the fitness community!

**A Fit Pro with a Sense of Humor: Meet Dr. Alex Paine**

Dr. Paine is not your run-of-the-mill fitness pro. Besides her jaw-dropping beauty and her impeccable physique, she is an absolute goofball! With a fantastic sense of humor and an unwavering love for Star Wars movies, she brings a nerdy twist to the fitness world, and we just can't get enough of it!

**Boundless Trust and Hilarious Moments**

Now, let me take you back to 2019 when I was getting ready to relocate to Germany. Dr. Paine, being the wonderful human she is, graced us all with her presence at my going-away party. Amidst the farewell tears, she managed to keep us all in stitches with her witty one-liners and contagious laughter. It was then that I realized that beyond being a fitness pro, she was a gem of a friend who brightened every room she entered.

**From Germany to Colorado: A Legendary Photo Shoot**

Fast forward to 2022, I was back in Colorado, and it was time for another memorable collaboration with the fantastic Dr. Alex Paine. Her radiant red hair and quirky charm were as captivating as ever. During the photo shoot, we had a blast capturing her passion for fitness and Star Wars. The shots were nothing short of phenomenal, and her goofy side shone through, adding an unparalleled vibrancy to the images.

**The Trust Game: Dr. Paine and MikeCon Photography**

Dr. Alex Paine is a Doctor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, and she takes her fitness journey as seriously as her scientific pursuits. She chose MikeCon Photography above all other photographers in the world, and boy, am I honored! Her trust in our team allowed us to create artistic shots that truly showcased her dedication to both fitness and her nerdy passions.

**A Thank You Email from Mama Paine**

But the love and trust don't stop there! Dr. Paine's mother, who also happens to be a bodybuilder, sent me a heartfelt thank-you email for working with her daughter as a professional. Knowing that another photographer had turned her down before, I was determined to make her photo shoot extraordinary. Together, we proved that embracing uniqueness and being a little bit of a nerd can lead to remarkable results.

**MikeCon Photography: Your Go-To Fitness Connection**

Located in the DMV area, we at MikeCon Photography take pride in our ability to travel frequently to Colorado and beyond, connecting with exceptional individuals like Dr. Alex Paine. We're not just photographers; we're storytellers, capturing the essence of each person we work with.

**Join the Fitness Fun: Go Viral with Dr. Alex Paine!**

So, my fellow fitness enthusiasts and Star Wars lovers, get ready to go viral with the one and only Dr. Alex Paine! Follow her fitness journey, be captivated by her infectious sense of humor, and embrace your inner nerd alongside her. Share this blog far and wide, and let's celebrate the incredible impact she's making in the fitness community. Remember, “Sharing is caring!”

And remember, at MikeCon Photography, we're not just creating images; we're capturing the heart and soul of each individual. So whether you're in Colorado, the DMV area, or anywhere in the world, let us tell your story and make your fitness dreams come to life!

Oh my gosh! I almost forgot to mention that Dr. Paine also designs and creates custom bikinis. Feel free to check out her website Xela’s Customs and get yours done today. She can ship all around the world! She has gone above and beyond to ensure that people get exactly what they need, when they need it!

#DrAlexPaine #FitnessPro #MikeConPhotography #StarWarsFitness #NerdyFitness #Colorado #DMV #FitnessJourney

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mikeconphoto · 1 year ago

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"CAPTURING BRILLIANCE AND BEAUTY: A FITNESS PHOTOSHOOT WITH LAUREN VARNER" -BY MIKECON PHOTOGRAPHY

Welcome to the MikeCon Photography blog, where we share captivating stories of our amazing clients and the unforgettable moments we capture through the lens. Today, we have the pleasure of featuring the remarkable Lauren Varner, a talented lawyer based in Colorado. Join us as we delve into her intelligence, professionalism, and undeniable beauty, showcased during a breathtaking fitness photoshoot at the scenic Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Lauren Varner: A Brilliant and Exceptional Client…

…Working with Lauren Varner has been an absolute privilege. Beyond her striking physical appearance, Lauren's intelligence shines through every interaction. As a lawyer at Varner Faddis, her law firm in Colorado, Lauren's sharp legal mind is evident in her attention to detail and meticulous approach to her work. It is truly inspiring to witness her analytical thinking and how she effortlessly balances her professional and personal pursuits.

Gratitude for an Extraordinary Client:

I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have Lauren as a client. Not only did she trust me to capture her fitness journey, but she also honored me by attending my going away party before I relocated to Germany. It speaks volumes about the genuine connection we formed throughout our collaboration. Lauren's warmth, kindness, and support have touched my heart, and I am immensely thankful for her presence in my life.

A Memorable Photoshoot with Lauren and Megan:

During our fitness photoshoot at Cherry Creek Reservoir, Lauren's radiant energy and passion for life were palpable. It was a privilege to do a separate shoot a few months later to capture her alongside her sister Megan, who shares Lauren's remarkable beauty and charisma. Growing up watching "America's Next Top Model," both sisters have developed an innate understanding of the camera, posing effortlessly and exuding confidence like professional models.

Beauty, Swagger, and Authenticity:

Lauren's beauty is simply breathtaking, and her captivating presence rivals any celebrity. Her natural grace and confidence command attention, making her a true standout. While some may compare her to the Kardashian family, Lauren possesses a unique swagger that is entirely her own. She embraces her individuality, radiating authenticity with every click of the camera. It was an absolute pleasure to capture her essence and showcase her inner and outer beauty.

Conclusion:

Lauren Varner's fitness photoshoot at Cherry Creek Reservoir was a remarkable experience that showcased her brilliance, professionalism, and unparalleled beauty. As a lawyer at Varner Faddis, she exemplifies intelligence and excellence in her career. I am immensely grateful for her unwavering support, and it was an honor to capture her journey alongside her sister Megan. Lauren's charm and camera presence, coupled with her unique swagger, truly set her apart. Stay tuned for more incredible stories and captivating moments here at MikeCon Photography!

P.S. A lot of people think it’s easy however, what a lot of people don’t know is that I went out multiple times to the reservoir and tested out my lighting at different times of the day to ensure that we had perfection. Hard work does pay off…Lauren and I put in a lot of preparation work to make this and every shoot we’ve done perfect!

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mikeconphoto · 5 years ago

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"FIT FEATURE: ALEX PAINE" - BY MIKECON PHOTOGRAPHY

First and foremost, I want to thank you all for reading this blog. I’m writing this one primarily because it’s been a long time coming since this came out. This blog is actually supposed to be in a magazine. I won’t say which one however, the magazine did say years ago that they’d use the images, but then when they had a change of staff, they then changed their tune and stated that they made no written promise that they’d publish the photos of Alex. Thus, was my reason for making my own, “Fit Feature(s)” on my own website for the world to see. I added more images from other shoots inside of the blog just to make up for lost time. Our initial shoot that was on 14 November 2016, so almost 4 years later, I’m going to post this. Alex has since updated the information on all of her accomplishments, so sit back and take a ride with me.

HERE WE GO! …Oh man, there’s a lot to say about this amazing athlete. Alex Paine is something awesome. I literally have met only a handful of people that are energetic and fun to work with in my career. No matter how many times I’ve worked with Alex, she has always brought me her best. On 17 May 2017, I received an email from her Mother Rhonda that read, “Thank you so much for helping my daughter, Alex, with her dream.” To me that was awesome because not a lot of parents take interest, or support their children’s dreams when they��re older. I’m always proud of Alex, and I’ll always support her because she’s just awesome people! Once you get to know her, you will know exactly why she’s awesome!

Describe your life before you started training.

Before I started training, health was never really anything that crossed my mind. I was not active, although a played a few sports in school, and I never cared about diet. I was fortunate enough when I was younger to have parents that understood the importance of diet and nutrition so I never had issues with weight until later in life. When I went to college I ate whatever I wanted and did not participate in any kind of active lifestyle. I quickly began putting on weight and indulging in a very unhealthy lifestyle.

How different do you feel now compared to then?

I feel stronger, more confident, and empowered by my accomplishments. I am a happier and healthier person because of the hard work and dedication that I have put into myself. By pushing the boundaries of my physical limits through training I have not only become a more successful athlete but these traits have crossed over into other aspects of my life and I have found that I work harder on my education and relationships. It is amazing how when one aspect of your life is in order the rest of it seems to fall into place. Be happy, be healthy!

Was there is pivotal moment that motivated you to start training? If so, what was it?

I was a junior in college when I started noticing that my life decisions had led to quite a bit of weight gain and I realized I was no longer happy with how I looked or how I felt. I knew that something needed to change. I was not active, I did not eat well, and I was starting to become very unhappy with my physical appearance. Although all of these were large factors the biggest turning point was when I went on a hiking trip with my friends. I have always loved the outdoors and hiking has always been a passion of mine; however, this time was different. I found myself struggling to keep up with my friends and feeling completely unprepared for the trip. I had stopped taking care of myself and because of this I was no longer able to do the things I loved and I knew then that I needed to make a change.

Do you remember your first training session? How different is your training today?

My first training sessions were all about cardio. I would spend hours everyday on the elliptical doing steady state cardio while I read or studied for exams. I figured as long as I was moving I was burning calories and that was all that mattered for losing the weight. This worked slowly but I realized I was not getting the results I wanted. I changed from cardio to doing some popular workout videos that incorporated lightweight training mixed with HIIT cardio and I started noticing that not only was I losing weight but I was also getting stronger. This is when I got addicted to weight training and strength development. I stopped doing cardio and focused on weight training, on lifting heavy, and just getting stronger. After two years of heavyweight training I decided that I wanted to compete in a bodybuilding show. Today my focus is on competing so I train differently. I still primarily weight train but focus more on certain body parts and concentrate on symmetry when deciding what and how to train.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of training for you? Why?

Seeing results! These may have been slow and gradual at times but when I take the time to look back and see how far I have come, the reward that I feel makes everything I have done to reach my fitness goals worth it. I am always growing, always changing, and always reaching new goals. Fitness is progress and this progress is what makes this lifestyle so rewarding.

What has continued to motivate you throughout your training? Why?

The fitness community associated with Musclemania and Fitness Universe have been a huge part of what has motivated me throughout my training. There are many different organizations out there and every competitor must find the one that fits them best. For me that has been Fitness Universe. The support they give their athletes is completely remarkable. They promote their athletes on social media and on their websites and are always checking in on their athlete’s progress. The production of their shows is also above and beyond that of any organization that I have ever seen. Each athlete gets his or her moment in the spotlight on the stage and each person is made to feel like a star. The community of athletes is like no other, I have made many lifetime friends in this organization – from competitors to promoters – and would not be were I am today in this industry if it was not for their support!

What are your qualifications - why did you set out to achieve these?

I attended Buena Vista University for my undergraduate degree from which I graduated summa cum ladde with a bachelor in biology. Currently, I am a full time graduate student conducting research on science education at the University of Colorado-Boulder. I have already earned her Masters in Molecular, Cellular, ad Developmental biology, studying Fat metabolism and Glucose homeostasis in Type II diabetes. I am currently pursuing my PhD in the same field studying Scientific Teaching.

Teaching is my passion. Whether that is fitness or science, I love it all. In the future I aim to become a teaching professor at a university where I can inspire and prepare young adults for careers in science.

In my free time I work as a personal trainer, posing coach, and I even run my own business - Xela’s Customs, for which I design and competition suits and theme wear. I make my own theme wear, bikinis, and have even been the sponsored suit provider for multiple local Musclemania shows. Recently I have expanded this business to be more encompassing to better serve my clients by adding hair, makeup, and tanning packages for athletes.

What have you had to overcome to get to where you are today? Did that change you in any way? If so, describe how.

One struggle that I have had to overcome is one that is actually quiet common among people in the bodybuilding/fitness industry, which is body dysmorphia. This is a disorder in which people constantly think about and obsess over their real or perceived flaws. The reason this is so common for those who focus a lot of effort into competing is because we are trained to analyse our bodies for symmetry, fat percentage, as well as muscle size and shape. This can be overwhelming and start to consume you. Body dysmorphia is something that consumed me after my first show and is something that I have and continue to struggle with on a daily basis. I work every day to not focus on my flaws and I consistently work towards reflecting on the positive aspects of myself. I push myself to promote my own self-love. It is important for competitors and everyone alike to be realistic and honest with themselves, not to put pressure on being perfect, and to love themselves and be proud of all the hard work they are putting into their health and fitness.

What is the number one lesson you have learned about health and fitness through your training?

Nutritional decisions are the number one component of fitness that will give you results; whether this is weight loss or muscular development, nutrition is key. Finding a nutritional portfolio that fits both your body type and goals is probably one of the hardest parts of fitness but once you have found what works it is easy to live a healthy lifestyle that promotes working towards your fitness goals.

What do you wish you had known when you were 16?

You only have one body so take care of it and don’t be afraid to chase your dreams!

Describe how training makes you feel.

I love training and spending time in the gym; the gym is truly my happy place. I can escape from everything when I train and just focus on the reps. Its freeing and invigorating all at the same time. There is no feeling like training hard in the gym. The release of endorphins I get when I train and escape from the world that I feel really makes training my favorite part of the day.

Do you have a quote that you live by? If so, why this one?

“Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” Fear of failure is what prevents many of us from chasing our dreams. You may have to face your fears in order to accomplish the things that mean the most to you, but once you have the reward is worth every part of your struggle. So face your fears head on and take control of your future!

What was your reason for taking health and fitness to the level you have? Why is it so important to you?

Competing is fun, but honestly my favorite part of fitness is helping others. I love being a motivator and helping others see their potential when it comes to fitness, I want to motivate and encourage, specifically women, to push the boundaries of what they believe their bodies are capable of. I want to be a role model to women. I want to motivate and encourage girls too see that being strong is amazing, that living a healthy lifestyle is rewarding, and seeing your body change is worth more than anything you can buy.

What advice would you give to women wanting to get into the best shape of their life?

Think about the other 23 hours in your day. Its’ not the 1 hour in the gym that will get you fit, it is the other 23 hours of the day. In other words, going to the gym is great for your health but if you neglect to provide your body with the correct nutrients, neglect to provide your body with the rest it needs, or give your body substances that are harmful in this time, you will not see the progress that you are working for in that hour at the gym.

What is the most important thing women need to remember when training? Why?

Progress is slow; it does not and will not happen overnight. You have to stay persistent and consistent in your training and nutrition if you want to see results.

Fitness is not a crash diet or a few weeks of weight training in the gym; fitness is a lifestyle. Fitness is a journey of self -discovery and change.

We all have days where motivation is low – how do you overcome these? Have you always been able to do this?

When my motivation is low I reflect on my goals. I think about what I want now in comparison to what I want most and then make a decision about what I can do today to get me one step closer to that goal. By having a goal and reflecting on that goal you keep yourself accountable as well as provide yourself with the perspective you need to keep moving toward that goal.

What would you like to see change in the health and fitness industry?

Honesty. This is especially important for women. When women see pictures of competitors, models, and girls on their favorite magazines they think “I want to look like that!” and in many cases what these girls look in these images is neither healthy nor maintainable. As a competitor I play with my foods, water, and even salt intake to look the way I do on show day and by the next day I will look completely different. Unfortunately, this information is not what is shared with these images, instead slogans like “lose 5 pounds in 10 days” or “get abs like these” are featured next to these women giving those reading these messages the hope to someday look like the model on the magazine. By bringing in honesty about what that model had to do to look like that or even just producing images of women who live a healthy and maintainable lifestyle, women will have a better understanding and more realistic goals of the body that fitness can give them.

What would a perfect Sunday involve for you?

Sunday is my rest day. I love spending my Sunday’s with family and of course my two little dogs. Sleeping in is a must, followed by a small brunch and a day at the dog park with my pups.

Contest history - Do you have a highlight? Why?

Musclemania Colorado Natural Tour

Ms. Bikini Mile High 2015

Mile High Model Champion 2015

Top 5 Finalist at Ms. Bikini Colorado 2015

Top 5 Finalist at Ms. Fitness Colorado 2015

Colorado Model Champion 2016

First Runner-up Ms. Bikini Colorado 2016

Colorado Model Champion 2017

Overall Colorado Bikini (Pro Card Earned) 2017

Colorado Model Champion 2019

First Runner-up Rocky Mountain Figure 2019

First Runner-up Rocky Mountain Women’s Physique 2019

Colorado Figure Champion 2019

First Runner-up Colorado Championship Women’s Physique 2019

Fitness America Weekend

Top 25 Finalist at Ms. Bikini America 2015

Top 10 Model America 2016

FirstRunner-up Ms. Bikini America 2016

First-Runner up Commercial Model America 2017

Top 10 Ms. Bikini Professional America 2017

First Runner-up Figure America 2019

Top 5 Women’s Physique America 2019

Top 5 Sports Model America 2019

Top 10 Ms. Bikini Professional America 2019

Diet

I eat 5 to 6 small-portioned meals throughout the day that are high in proteins and healthy fats and lower in carbs. I always stick to clean and whole foods. Some of my favorite clean proteins are chicken and tilapia and my favorite healthy fats come from nuts and avocados. Detailed information about my nutrition is copyrighted by my trainer and coach Allen (Watty) Watkins from Team Tried and True.

I highly recommend spending the time and money to find and hire a coach as they provide a scientific approach to weight loss and muscular development. I know some people do not always want to spend the money on this aspect of fitness but you have to look at it from the point of view of your health. You are spending money on your health, your well being, your confidence. You are only given one body and, in my opinion, there is no amount of money that would prevent me from taking care of my body.

Workout week

Monday – Legs (hamstring focus)

Tuesday - Shoulders and Triceps

Wednesday – Back and Biceps

Thursday – Legs (Quad focus)

Friday – Back and Arms

Saturday – Shoulders and Abs

Sunday - Rest day

QUICK QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite food to indulge on? How often do you treat yourself?

Halo top Ice cream is by far my favorite indulgence. Its low calorie ice cream that is high in protein, low and carbs, and best of all, tastes like real ice cream!

What is your best beauty secret?

As a makeup artist, I can not stress enough the importance of taking a break from makeup – I try to only wear coverage products, like foundations, when I absolutely have to, otherwise I just put on some light moisturizer with SPF and call it a day. This keeps my skin clear and breakouts to the minimum.

Who inspires you? Why?

Without the help of my parents and my boyfriend I do not know if I would be where I am today. Both of my parents were active bodybuilders when I was younger and have maintained a healthy lifestyle to this day. Having them there for me to push me to live a life of fitness and always being there to help me along the way has been truly amazing. My friends have been supportive as well. They are always there for me when I need help with my diet, workouts, cardio routine, or when I just need someone to listen. My coach, Allen Watkins of Team Tried and True has also been a huge inspiration for me. He has pushed me to be the best athlete I can be through intense training regiments and science based nutrition. Without him I would not be the accomplished athlete that I am today. My friends, family, and supporters have all inspired me every day to get up, to push myself to the limit, and to become the best me I can be.

Who is your fitness and body role model? Why?

Jen Heward - Youtube Personality

This woman is inspirational! She is open and honest about the fitness lifestyle, loves herself and encourages all women to do the same, and motivates women to simply be the best they can be. Her positive attitude and outlook on life puts a smile on my face and always leaves me feeling like “I can do this.”

Dana Linn Bailey and Dani Scho - IFBB Women’s Physique

These ladies are the original women of what is now known as women’s physique. Their hard work and dedication to the sport is what inspired me to start bodybuilding in the first place and they have been the real driver for my transition into Figure and Women’s Physique.

What do you have in store for the future? What do you want to improve on?

Fitness related: I want to train harder and put on more size and muscle before my next competition. I also want to become more involved in the Musclemania/Fitness Universe organization. I currently help to organize and produce the local shows in the Colorado area and I hope to continue to pursue this passion for both the local shows in the 2020 season. I am also working on growing my bikini/theme wear business to provide competitors with unique customized suits that simply make them feel like stars on stage. Finally, I am working on becoming a certified personal trainer so that I can help other women reach their fitness goals and find the same happiness that I have found through fitness.

I'm currently preparing for:

Currently I am in my off-season training for my next Fitness Universe competition – either at Fitness Universe Weekend in Miami or Fitness America Weekend in Las Vegas. My goal for the 2020 season is to acquire another pro-card in the Fitness Universe organization as a Figure Pro.

Website and/or social media:

Xelas Customs Bikinis Facebook: Paine4Gains Fitness and Xela’s Customs Instagram:@paine4gains and @xelas_customs

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mikeconphoto · 5 years ago

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"AESPAREL" - BY MIKECON PHOTOGRAPHY

Here are some photos from my commercial photo shoot with AESPAREL this summer in downtown Frankfurt Germany. I was honored to work with three different fitness models from all different backgrounds from Europe. I’d especially like to give thanks to Aleks, Jessy, and Nicole for giving me their all for that day!

AESPAREL Review of their experience with MikeCon Photography:

“We at Aesparel initially struggled to find a professional photographer that has experience and understand how to outline the aesthetics of our models and products.

It was easy to connect and Mike understood instantly what was required. We wanted some naturally looking, emotional photos to show the benefit of our Jeans.

So… Mike- Thank you so much for the photos! You have really managed to capture the whole day and get a feel for it…you are beyond anything we could have hoped for!!”

Bastian Siebenbuerger – CMO

#aesparel #fitness #fitness models #fitness model #europe #fitspo #commercial #commercial photography #mikecon #mikeconphoto #MikeCon Photography #frankfurt #germany #fitness apparel #Nikon #nikon europe

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mikeconphoto · 6 years ago

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"FITNESS PHOTOGRAPHER IN GERMANY" -BY MIKECON PHOTOGRAPHY

Achtung Deutschland!!!!!

! Well, if you don’t know, now you know now, I’m in Germany. To be more specific I’m officially located in Kaiserslautern, Germany. I arrived here on 3 March 2019, and so far so good. When I was younger, I grew up in Heidelberg, and Bamberg, so being back in Germany is very comforting for me.

Most people don’t like change. Most won’t do what others are unwilling to do. They get comfortable and stagnant. Most would have NEVER thought about moving outside of their comfort zone. They’ll make up excuses about the language barrier, the food, the driving, or the fact that Germans don’t have closets in their homes. I however embrace change and welcome all challenges, that’s what life’s all about.

So far I’ve been busy house hunting around the area, and trying to find the perfect place to set my roots. Being a photographer here in Germany has a lot of different challenges in comparison to one in the U.S. because you must have a license. I’ve seen on a few social media forums about how people will call the polizei if they see you out doing photo shoots. They also have a law concerning “GDPR” which is basically, get a model and property release for whomever you’re shooting with.

Regardless if you’re into fitness as a hobby, a beginning athlete, or a bodybuilding competitor with the IFBB, WBFF, DBFV, MuscleMania, UKBFF, or INBA please know that I am here to represent you while you’re at your very best here in Europe, or in the U.S. I’m here to work, and work very hard for you. I photograph any and all athletes. I’m here to push myself and exceed my client’s expectations and give them the respect and professionalism that they deserve. Regardless of your location in the EU, I will travel to you, or you can come to me and we’ll make a quality product together. Traveling around Europe and the rest of the world to do photography is something that I’m very used to. I’ve been a world traveler since I was 10 years old.

What we produce is for you and your personal use only. That means that you can use it for your own personal business websites, cards, branding, and more. All of the images I send to my clients are in high resolution. If it’s a strong enough image, yes, I’ll submit it to a magazine for publishing, however it must fit the narrative for that magazine.

As my banner states, I won’t be ready to start doing photo shoots until this summer, however we can talk and prepare for your photo shoot prior to the summer. For me, proper preparation for a photo shoot is imperative. There’s the location, hair, makeup, outfits, etc. that all need to be addressed, and all of those are important to me as well. You no longer have to wait to go to the United States to shoot with photographers that shoot my style…I’m here and I’ll definitely be more than ready for you and everyone else!

Danke! Tschüs!!

P.S. My German is a little rusty, so please bare with me. I’m currently in the process of relearning it.

Mike Conley of MikeCon Photography Instagram: @mikeconphoto www.mikeconphoto.com

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mikeconphoto · 6 years ago

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"ANSWERING PHOTOGRAPHY MESSAGES" -By MikeCon Photography

Insider Information:

As Photographers (Creatives) we all find inspiration from somewhere. As I’m preparing to move to Germany in a few months, I figured I’d push this out so maybe I can inspire other photographers here in Colorado, or around the world to step their game up and take care of their people. For me a huge inspiration for a part of my customer service came from the song, "Stan" by Eminem. If someone's reaching out to me about doing a photo shoot, then to me it's important, because my business is important to me, and so are my potential clients.

If people are reaching out to me to work with them, I respond back within 24 hours. If not, I take off 1% of their total cost after each hour that passes. I answer EVERY phone call, text message, Email, Facebook Messenger/Facebook Fan Page message, Instagram DM, hand and smoke signals. If I don’t respond within 96 hours, then I chalk that up to a free shoot. If they don’t respond back, then I chalk it up as a loss and keep it moving. You have to keep it moving people…I noticed a lot of my peers get caught up on rejection and failure. I did once, however after that one incident, I promised to never dwell on it because I did my job to the best of my ability and my team that was there did as well. (See… poop happens… I moved on!!)

Throughout my small tenure here in Colorado, I've been told from other photographers to, “Act like I’m busy”, or “Available, but unattainable”, so I can draw interest from potential clients. Now to someone who’s just dumb, that’d make sense, however for me, I’ve worked in the customer service realm for over 20 years when I was an active duty Marine. We’ve got to do better!! Yes, unfortunately, there are seriously people out there that won’t answer you on purpose. Regardless of however many clients I have at the time, I answer EVERYONE with a full-fledged, professional response.

For me it’s important to engage every client like they’re my first and only client. As a photographer, a part of your job is to make your clients feel good before and after the shoot. No, you can’t please everyone; especially those folks that show up unprepared, or ones who have worked with other people, however they won’t listen to your instructions because they unfortunately, “know it all”…Yes, it happens. I say, “your instructions” because essentially, you’re the director of the shoot and should know how to direct your clients with poses to make amazing photos.

Now there’s some out there who say that they abhor answering their phones and let their anxiety take over. I say to them…you’re losing business!!! I learned years ago from my General Manager (Mindy) while working part time at “Blockbuster Video” in Brooklyn Park, MN that, “The most important customer, is the customer that you can’t see.” I fielded questions all the time there and it too helped me as a Marine to take care of my personnel. If you’re okay with losing that business, then believe me, I will take it.

Answering inquires is just a small part of the job, and I wrote a small “post-it” note to myself years ago that is stuck to my computer monitor that reads, “WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!”, and you best believe that I do whatever it takes to ensure that proper communication happens on every level to make my business thrive. Did I mention that I even answer the phone for other photographers as well? Yes, I repeat, I even answer the phone for other photographers. I say this because a long time ago, when I was trying to find my footing in this business, there was a photographer online stating in a social media group, “If you have any questions, please contact me”. Well, I picked up the phone and contacted her in a completely professional manner, and just wanted to ask additional questions about the subject she was speaking about, however she was completely unprofessional. From that day forward, I said that I’d NEVER be that way towards any photographer. We’re peers. Regardless of skill level, we’re peers, and I won’t talk down to people. I’ll encourage, recommend, or suggest, but NEVER talk down to anyone the way I have from her and others. In closing, when I say, “We’ve got to do better!!”…it’s to encourage, and motivate those who want to succeed to do better. Make your clients a priority, and you’ll see it come back twofold!

Thank you for your time.

Semper Fidelis!

Sincerely,

Mike @mikeconphoto on Instagram

#communication #colorado fitness photographer #CastleRock #CastleRockphotographer #Colorado Fitness Photographer #Castle Rock Fitness Photographer #creatives #castlerockfitnessphotographer #Colorado fitness photographer #Colorado Fitness Photography #mikecon #mindset #MikeCon Photography #motivation

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mikeconphoto · 6 years ago

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"Denver Fitness Photographer" - By MikeCon Photography

Let me do some explainin'...

I used to shoot in a small studio. It worked when I was beginning, now...I shoot in a studio that's 10 x's the size as the last one, it's got plenty of room, and it's just nice to be able to move my lights around and as high as I want them to be. It's like my home away from home and I'm grateful for it, as I am still grateful for my first studio. You've gotta go as you grow!

I shoot in gyms...it's a nice thing to do, it's hard to do at times because people are constantly working out, and my equipment gets in the way, however it's a shoot that I do. Gyms are effective when my clients want to showcase how they achieved their hard work. To all of the gym owners out there that opened their doors to me and my people...THANK YOU!!!

I shoot outdoors...it's my first love because that's how I started before I could afford studio time. Outdoors is great because we get to hike up and down hills, water, enjoy insects, the weather and more. It's the hardest of all of the shoots to do because of the weather. Weather is a MAJOR factor. If the weather ain't right...it can affect what we've planned, unless you're one of my "brave and bold" people.

With outdoors, I can shoot with natural light, or mix it with artificial light to give it some "pop appeal". Water...I shoot in and on water, however not under (yet). Water is very hard to shoot in because it constantly moves, or is sprayed into my lens, and other factors, however of all of the shoots, water is a beast to work with.

In all of these...I'm highly proficient in what I do. I pushed myself to become proficiently skilled into mastering these various environments. That's the beauty of living here in beautiful Colorado, it prepared me for ANY situation that I may encounter; especially being a traveling photographer. If you're interested in seeing any of my various works, please feel free to visit my Instagram account and book a shoot. I'm primarily worldwide, however I do consider myself a Denver fitness photographer and I'm proudly serving my supportive clients!

Semper Fi!

Mike - @mikeconphoto on Instagram

#outdoors #denver #fitness #photography #photographer #Denver Fitness Photograper #Denver Fitness Photography #FitPhoto #Fitspo #Fitfam #mikeconphoto #MikeCon Photography #mikecon #blog #motivation

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mikeconphoto · 7 years ago

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DUDE, WHERE'S MY PICTURES?!? - By MikeCon Photography

Almost 3 years ago I wrote this blog, and I continue to push it out to people. The main reason I do is because it's my official guidelines to getting a great photo shoot out of me and anyone else that you may work with. Since I've written this blog in 2015, I've only had a handful of people NOT actually utilize it, and a few actually have the balls to blame me for their photos not coming out the way they wanted them to. If you follow the guidelines (which are basically common sense), you'll have a damn good shoot and an even greater experience.

The few people that didn't follow them are ones who've shot with other photographers that overuse photoshop, or really just push out mediocre work and hide it in unknown online magazines, then constantly claim that their published in something major. I'm not going to go into full detail, however I will say this, if you ever do a photo shoot with me and don't follow these guidelines, please don't blame me for your faults. Most times I'll accept the faults because I am the photographer, and responsible for everything on my shoot, and I'll do my best to keep the peace, however if you want to get down to brass tacks, nah.....YOU have to accept responsibility for your own actions and faults.

Below is the link to my guidelines!!!!

#mikeconphoto #MikeCon Photography

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mikeconphoto · 7 years ago

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"Ride Along" - By MikeCon Photography

***DISCLAIMER*** This does not have anything to do with those who've actually suffered from police brutality. It's an unfortunate set of events, however this is my personal accord from my "Community Relations" ride along that I witnessed firsthand.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank with a sincere heart the police officers at Denver's 6th District. Specifically, officer's Peltier, Neblock, Yepishin, and Lemmons. These gentlemen really opened my eyes on the true good that properly trained police officers do in the community.

As a concerned citizen living in the Denver area, I wanted to be more involved in my community. On television all last year and until now we all saw a lot of police shootings that have not just disturbed the black community, but the world. Like any normal black man in America, I was angry. I had reservations on how the civilian police were truly when you are dealing with them one on one. Yes, I said, "civilian police" because if you forgot from reading my "About MikeCon" section, I grew up in the military service because of my Father, then I did my own tour of service as well. With that being said, I've grown accustomed to how military police work. After speaking with officer Peltier from a few months ago when I did a quick shoot of him at Cheesman Park, he asked me to do a ride along with him and check out a day and see the police officer life first hand.

On 23 October 2017, our day began at 0700 (7 a.m. for you civilians) for "Role Call". We listened to the Sergeant passing the daily updates on things to look out for, and fugitives they're looking for before we hit the streets. We went downstairs and to his vehicle, got in and I wondered, 'How the heck is anything going on this early in the morning?', so I asked officer Peltier, "Does anything really happen this early, and on a Monday"? He replied, "Not normally, but you never know. Monday's are usually slow". We pulled out of the station, and sure enough, the radio squelched, and we were off to our first call.

We arrived at our first call at a hotel, where the front desk worker told us about one of the tenants being unruly. The next call really showed me a different perspective of people. There was a homeless couple that was sleeping in front of someone's home. After spending time to explain to them that they couldn't remain there, it was explained to me that the homeless problem in Denver has been a major one and to the point that there's not much they can do except shuffle them around the city. Yes, there's shelters they can go to, however most don't go because there's bedbugs, lice, thievery and some domestic violence that goes on in there. It's so bad that there's a special "Homeless Outreach Unit" that does their best to mediate issues that arise from the homeless and others.

As the day went on we encountered other domestic issues between family and roommates, then dealt with a depressed man, living in a hostel for sex offenders, dealing with severe depression, who subsequently ended up getting locked up because he had a warrant for his arrest (failure to appear in court). Other than that, there were quite a few calls that were for the removal of homeless people. It's apparent there's a MAJOR problem, not just in Denver, but around the entire U.S. It gave me a better perspective and shifted my mindset to trying to figure out what I can do to help this and contribute to assisting these citizens. Seriously, it wasn't a race issue in my head anymore, it was a human issue. Human issues should ALWAYS be the biggest concern.

Seeing all of the homeless people made me want to engage this problem first hand and be part of the solution to help the community. This year and for all the upcoming years I personally want to be more involved in helping people have food to survive. I'm asking that we all play a part in this and help our fellow man. There can only be a resolution if we all take a stand and make a difference!!

Semper Fi!!

#homeless #homelessness #Denver #downtown #Denver Police #6th District #photography #mikeconphoto #MikeCon Photography

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