I love shooting with other photographers;  the past couple of years I have shot with countless pro and non-pro photographers around the world.  Primarily I shoot with other photographers looking to improve their skills and I'm happy to be a mentor and source of inspiration.  I too have several mentors that have helped me from many aspects of the business;  it's an important part of the progression as a photographer and just important to be a mentor one day to other photographers that are beginning their own journey as a photographer. Yesterday I shot with a peer and friend, Jeff Medlin:

Jeff Medlin (image left)                                            Michael Thompson (image right)

Shooting with alongside a peer that has their "chops" and the ability to produce their vision is a different experience.  I highly recommend finding other photographers that are on your same playing field so to speak, so you can get out and enjoy a day of good ole fashion shooting.  That's exactly what I did yesterday with Jeff Medlin from Dallas, Texas.    READ MORE

As a professional photographer, the $830  I spent for a used Fuji X100 could be better spent on something that I really need.  Before I get into the Good, the Bad and the Ugly,  let me say that the X100 is way cool camera for all the reasons you probably have already read about.  I was so excited to have a hip looking camera that could possibly free me of my larger DSLR and lenses.  I was looking forward to having a camera that made me think more creatively and could produce stunning images that would shine in my portfolio.  I'm waffling...do I keep it or send it up on a rocket? 

READ THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY...

For a long time I have been wanting to create a special members only section called Mikey's Corner.  This is where I engage with a select few that are inspired by what I do.  You will have access to videos that will not be public, live chats, tag alongs, photo critiques, gear reviews and a whole host of other free goodies that will not be on the regular LUAS site!  So sign up here if you haven't already done so...

A few days ago I went to the Texas State Fair to make a video on Off-Camera flash photography with my new Fuji X100.  While getting warmed up before the video, camera operator Joe Chuang, asked me a few he was curious about.  The questions were fairly interesting so I decided to turn into a video. READ MORE

Lightenupandshoot is all about getting out and having fun with photography.  You don't need a ton of expensive gear to get amazing results or to have fun with photography.  It starts in your own backyard with an idea of what you want to shoot.  Grab your significant other, friend or family member and visit some place for the weekend with your camera or with your version of the Backpacker Studio.   Focus on people, the location, story telling and having fun...the vision or idea for photographs will happen. 

In this video I show you my minimal gear set up when I'm having fun on a weekend gettaway.  At the end I show photographs that were taken with a mixture of natural light or a one light set up.  Easy peasy!  

I have several mentoring Tag Along Workshop coming up. Email me for a list of details This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    If you can't make one of my travel workshops then you can learn my techniques at home with the Vbook (videos and a detailed pdf that covers everything!)  Buy Here

You can see all of my images at 500px here,  or view sample when you click READ MORE below.  The story created in 500px is one of my favorites,  this is how I love to tell a story and share these images with my friends/family.