Oh goodness- this scholarship would be huge toward moving my new business along. Plus- I respect and admire your work and the brand you’ve created for yourself. Who better to learn from?

Bonus- I have an accented ‘o’ in my last name too. Kismet!

I need to win a free spot to your workshop because I own every DVD that you’ve put out and I know for a fact I still have so much that I can learn from you. I’ve never been to a real workshop and I’m dying for a chance to attend one. I’m a local in Las Vegas and we rarely get amazing workshops like these that come to town! I hope you pick me. :)

I would love to win a spot for one reason! I can’t afford to buy a spot anywhere this year. I wanted to go to a workshop while I was at WPPI but then my car broke down last Friday. $1,100 later which ruined my budget for WPPI. So I will be going on the super cheap this year. Winning a spot to Mike’s workshop would be so awesome!!!

Thank you Mike! For giving us all the opportunity and being generous giving away a scholarship!!

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mike in Big Sky. He has such an amazing talent and is so willing to share it with everyone. I would love to learn even more from him at this workshop. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this, Mike!

Mike I think your work is great! I have some of your DVD’s and people have a lot to learn from what you have to say. I think the workshop will be invaluable to wedding photographers. If I win it, can i give away the scholarship to my friends who do weddings? I will not be able to attend on 02-18-11, Just had a baby with my wife…

Hi Mike – First off, thank you for offering a chance to win a scholarship at Your Seven Workshop at WPPI next Friday in Las Vegas. It looks like an incredible opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry. When I meet with potential clients to discuss their wedding photography, I always stress how important it is to hire a photographer who not only is an awesome fit personally, but someone who keeps challenging themselves technically to deliver the very best imagery to the clients. And I strongly believe this comes from attracting and connecting with the right couples, and attending professional workshops that continue to challenge photographers technically. I would love to be apart of your workshop next week and learn more and continue to produce imagery that stands the test of time. I’m not into creating images for my clients that are part of a fad, but imagery that captures beauty whether it’s from their weddings, welcoming their newborns into lives or even a simple celebration of a milestone anniversary or birthday. Photography is such an important element throughout many of our celebrations, and I strive to deliver quality and stylish imagery and experience to my clients. I’d love to attend your workshop and learn how your experience can help take my business to the next level stylistically and professionally.
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Mary in Toronto :)

Not sure if we are chosen randomly or by our story. I don’t have a sad story or even an inspiring one….I’m just pursuing my passion for capturing love with a camera and learning everyday, just like most here. Its a more challenging and amazing journey than I could have ever expected and I wake up each day so grateful for all I’ve been given.

Your workshop, I know, would enhance what I’ve learned from your dvd’s. Though I have hundreds of hours logged learning online and with books and practice, I’ve not yet had the opportunity to have hands-on guidance, which would be invaluable. Technical, Selling and Portfolio are the areas I think would have the biggest influence for me for where my business is at right now.

Thank you for the chance!

I live in Minnesota. It is -17 degrees here right now…so going to Vegas would be a very welcome opportunity ; )

In all seriousness, I hold you and your images in very high esteem. I would be honored to learn from someone that is not only talented, but who gives back to the community in as many ways as you do. Even though I have been shooting weddings for years, I feel that this workshop would be the kick that I have been looking for to elevate my images to the next level. I am dying to see how you work up close and personal and learn how you capture such intimate and beautiful portraits.

Mike, OMG This is AMAZING!!! I would love to have the opportunity to learn from you. I have followed your work for some time now and it keeps me inspired to keep going in my business. I’m from Anaheim, CA originally and Moved to Granger, IN about 2 years ago, and to say it has been hard to start a photography business in a place where you don’t know anyone is an understatement. But I think taking your workshop would give me the tools and knowledge to come back here and flourish.

Thank you for this opportunity and hopefully see you @ WPPI!!

Have a wonderful day!

Hey Mike, Jay K. from Savanna. Good to see you a few weeks ago! I just wanted to say Hi! Have a great time in Vegas!

My photography journey hasn’t been an easy road to follow and keep faith in. I have endured many personal trials, but they have only made me stronger and gave me the drive to become even more successful. My husband and I have been going thru a personal trial for over 4 years and last year, I wanted to attend WPPI last year so bad. My husband totally was against it. I ended up winning a pass thru my lab. Much against his will, he finally gave in. It was a completely life changing experience. I wasn’t going to attend this year, but my husband will not let me stay home. He has seen what a change it has made in myself, my business, and our relationship. You know it must be a good change when he is more than willing to keep 3 small little girls for a week by himself. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I hope WPPI 2011 brings all of what 2010 brought and more. Learning one on one from the worlds top wedding photographers would be astonishing. Being from a very small town in Missouri, I cold bring so much back to all the people here. I have grown so much since WPPI 2010 and I am ready to take it to a whole another level. My story isn’t some fluke thing to try and win a contest, It has made me. You can read about me on my blog http://www.pameladavisphoto.blogspot.com Thank you for the chance at such an incredible opportunity. This will definitely make someone’s year.

Where do I begin? Ive NEVER had any formal training or any type of mentorship. I’ve been just learning on my own with no real guidance, feedback, or advice. I’d love the opportunity to get to attend this AMAZING workshop from a FABULOUS photographer such as yourself. I want to take my business to the next level and beyond. I have high hopes and dreams and I am a go getter. But I can’t afford to attend all the wonderful workshops due to budget issues. So winning this scholarship would mean the world to me and it would really help me in the long run. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and thank you for considering me. I’d be a very very happy clam if I won!!!

You know that feeling when you are at the verge of something really amazing but you just can’t quite get there? You’re on the edge of the cliff looking down into the crystal clear water below and something inside is stopping you from jumping. It’s the gripping fear that maybe you won’t be able to swim.

I’ve been standing on that precipice for an entire year. I want to jump so badly! I want to live the life of a full-time, professional photographer. I teetering on the edge but needing more preparation for the plunge.

I love photography. But more than my love of photography is my love for the people I get to photograph. Each person I’ve worked with has touched my life in some way. My dream is to give them the most beautiful, honest images of themselves I possibly can. Each time they look at those images I want them to feel the love I have for them, the love they have for each other, and the love they have for themselves.

But… I need more “swimming” lessons. I need to learn more from those who understand the art and the biz. I would be overwhelmed and honored to be able to attend one of your workshops. And if I’m chosen… I promise to make you laugh!

Thanks!

As much as I’d like to win this scholarship, I’m going to nominate Kimmie Krauk. She’s an amazing photographer who would be blessed by this. I’ve never met a harder worker- she is SELFLESS. In addition to photography, multiple times a year she works with kids in Africa who suffer from post war trama. She brings healing through Jesus and the creative arts: music, drawing, writing. She also teaches STOMP to inner city kids when she’s home- and volunteers her musical talents at church. :) Love her.

As a mother of four young kids, I have learned so much during the past 10 years. Most importantly, I have learned not to give up on dreams I had before I became a mother but to dream bigger because I am now a role model for my kids. I dreamt about becoming a successful photographer, guided and taught by my grandfather, I enrolled in a college photography program. I earned an Associates of Photographic Sciences and started at a 4 year university. My husband and I welcomed a daughter into our lives and my dream was put on hold. Ten years and 4 kids later, I am now on a mission to accomplish my goal of becoming a successful photographer, not only for myself but for my family. I want to teach my kids that your course in life may change but your dreams still can be reached. Thank you for this opportunity to hopefully further my education and continue working towards a long standing dream in my life.

I’ve been worried about what to write in this comment box. Is Mike looking for someone to respond with a laid back funny comment? Is he looking for the best story? What should I say and how can I type THE winning answer? There isn’t much to say except I want to win really bad. I am just starting up and I am working on getting my business established in 2011 to quit my full time job literately one full year from now. I’m learning to master my camera while figuring out the first steps of establishing a company, working with clients, and building my portfolio. I have a long road ahead of me and would love to start out learning and gaining knowledge from someone who has years in the business under their belt and is respected in the industry. I have some favorite photographers and a local one here in Denver went to one of your workshops years ago. To see where she was and where she is now is incredible. I hope to have a similar story and start out standing up on my two feet ready to RUN! The information in your workshop covers my needs and I would LOVE to attend and want to really badly. So, This wasn’t really funny or maybe not the best story of the bunch but hey, its where Im at and this girl wants to Win! By the way, thanks for not only this opportunity, but for being super generous with this giveaway! Hope to meet you in person next friday!

I love the idea of learning and sharing ideas with other photographers in the workshop – I know the whole group will have a lot to teach each other, and your workshop will be just as valuable for the relationships that will be kindled as it will be for the education and shoot itself.

The most amazing photography groups and workshops I’ve been a part of weren’t just about what the instructor can teach its individual students – they’re about what we as a group can do to help each other – and those relationships that we take away will benefit us all going forward.

Well, where do I start? It’s so hard to put into words how you really feel, so I will hope that my winning vibes will reach you to hear my unspoken words. I would love to win an opportunity to learn from one of the best. I have only been in the industry three short years, and have found my passion in shooting weddings. While I am only half way to where I would like to be, I have never given up on my ultimate goals and dreams. To win, would mean great knowledge from one of the industry’s top photographers. It would also mean a great opportunity to learn more about my passion and how I can continue to grow to where I see myself in the next two years. Ultimately, anyone of these people deserve to win and there is no way to put into words why I deserve it more, because I don’t. We all have a passion to learn and thrive in this industry I just hope that I can take away the knowledge to continue following my dreams! Thank you for this awesome opportunity Mike!

Recently I attended the Orlando Pug group and had the pleasure of meeting Jim Davis Hicks. His talk about Passion in finding your true purpose in life outside of photography, created a spark in me that was missing. He said he found his with thirst relief. I have found mine with helping the homeless community. I would like to take my photography to the next level to be ableto reach financial goals to be able to contribute to my cause and help with my GOD given gift.

Thank you.

I have never been able to afford to go to a professional workshop! It is one of my dreams. I have been blog stalking you forever and I am always sad whenever you post another workshop that I cannot attend.

I know that attending would make a HUGE difference in my business and I would be forever grateful!

(I tweeted – @tiffanyrebecca)

hiya mike! i met you at the master your craft seminar in charlotte, nc a couple of years ago. the seminar was incredible, and really opened my eyes to a different way of seeing and connecting with my camera & my clients. ever since that seminar, i have always wanted the chance to participate in one of your workshops. i was unable to attend the big sky summit that my friend tracy helped with, but thought this might be the perfect opportunity if i was chosen. i absolutely adore what i do, and i am really ready to jump my game up to the next level. i am sure that through YOUR workshop i will have the necessary tools to do so. peace out my friend and even if i am not picked for this, i really hope to see you this year in vegas! -tara :)