Yesterday was OVERWHELMING with how many people signed up and all the emails we got! Brian and I feel so incredibly blessed! We can’t even tell you how fun it was to talk with you, email back and forth, and feeling all the excitement happen with so many of you! If you didn’t hear back from us yesterday, watch for my email today. There are still spots left, and we are so excited at how many filled yesterday and this morning!

One of the BIGGEST requests we got was to extend our Advanced Workshop into an option of being a two day workshop. We tossed the idea around a lot because we were planning to do something similar in 2008, but as many of you know the average cost for a workshop like this is $1599 pp. So after talking, thinking, planning, we decided to just go for it and give just about the best deal of 2007 for a workshop!

Here’s the scoop!!!

The first day will be Saturday, October 27th, and if you’ve signed up for that you can either stick with it or you now have the option of joining us on Sunday, October 28th for even more! Both days will be from 9:30am-4:30pm. With so many of you flying in from out of state, we want to make the most of your time here!

Day 1 will focus on all the stuff mentioned in yesterday’s post (advanced lighting strategies, shooting techniques with models, and a large focus on Photoshop and how NOT to get overwhelmed by post process).

Day 2, Sunday, will continue into a closer look at sharing some of your images from the model shoot and assignment, the in’s and out’s of how to have a photography business with topics on marketing, finding clients, pricing, branding, how to charge, contracts needed for portraits and weddings, and shooting techniques specific to couples/weddings and groups photo strategies whether it’s a family or a wedding, and a topic close to our heart–working together as a husband and wife team and making this an AWESOME experience and business. And then at some point the guys will probably get a beer together, and we’ll talk about specific issues to women and moms in the photography industry.

Yes, it’s going to be a JAM PACKED two full days!

I know you have tons of questions, so here are the most popular FAQ in the last 24 hrs!

Question 1: What will the second day of the Advanced Workshop Cost?

A. $450 for the second day. To some of you new to the industry this may feel like a lot and a definite commitment to your business starting up or growing from where it’s at now. But to those of you who have been in the industry for at least a year know this is a “screaming deal” . I can already picture a few of your faces being here! And make sure you get your business license on-line if you haven’t already so this workshops can be a tax right off!

Question 2: Is there a discount for doing both days of the Advanced Workshop?

A. Brian and I would like to offer you a $100 credit to use toward one of our Kits. When we speak at photography conferences we sell Kits packed full with information on a certain topic. The Kits are $100; and there are five different ones to choose from;

1. Associate 101 Kit–all you need in legal documents, contracts and pricing to expand your business with hiring associates.

2. Getting Published 101 Kit–all you need to know to get your images published in national magazines with a worksheet to give clients to fill out to help develop a story to pitch to editors, as well as contact info for several editors and the things each like that has taken Me Ra a couple years to pin down. As well as waivers and release forms for publishing clients photos.

3. Portrait 101 Kit–all you need to start up your portrait business from the questionnaire to fill out over the phone, to the release forms, how to prepare them for the shoot, and a special section on booking Newborn Shoots

4. Weddings 101 Kit–all you need to get your wedding business off the ground or maybe take it to the next level. The Kit includes; our wedding contract with clients that our lawyer has helped us develop, our excel spreadsheets to help keep your workload organized and payment due dates in place, our pricing strategy and packages, our bride questionnaire when booking, and our payment terms, and vendor lists of who we use and why.

5. Survival 101 Kit for Moms (my favorite and new)–this is my favorite kit that I’m developing for women who have children and are pursuing their dream of a photography business. I can’t wait to share more on all the stuff going into this one from boundaries to set for yourself, to must haves for yourself and your business, to weaknesses women tend to struggle with and how to tackle those in business, and more and more that I’ve got to keep secret for now. The rich content in this Kit is inspired by my amazing business coaching sessions and the work she’s done with me as well as many other Fortune 500 CEO moms!

We sell these Kits for $100 each, and we would love to give you the option to choose one for your business if you are attending both days of the Advanced Workshop!

Question 3: Is there a discount if you sign up for all three; the Beginner, the Advanced, and the Second Day for the Advanced Workshop?

A. Absolutely! It’s called “The Big Three” discount! If you sign up for all three, we will give you $250 off. The original discount still stands for signing up for a Beginner and Advanced Workshop. That discount is $150 so the total is $750. But if you do all three the total (after the discount) will be $1100, plus the $100 in credit to one of our kits.

Question 4: Can I buy the Kits if I’m only coming to the Beginner Workshop?

A. Of course! We’ll be offering a discount on these Kits as well as other products we carry at each of our workshops!

Question 5: Can I buy these Kits if I’m not able to attend a workshop?

A. Absolutely! Stay tuned on our blog, and we’ll let you know when they are up on our e-store. Probably after we get out of high season craze.

Question 6: Will there be any thing happening at night?

A. Yes, depending on how sick of us you are! For those of you staying for both days of the Advanced Workshop, Brian and I thought it would be fun to have dinner all together! So keep your night open!

Question 7: What about accommodations and transportation?

A. The workshop is being held at the beautiful estate called the Villa! They have four rooms available and are offering 15% off to our workshop attendees. Be sure to give them a call soon so that you can take advantage of this great deal! Their rooms are just dreamy! Villa’s # is 888-572-1157, ask for the hostess Kristy, and tell her you’re with us! Here’s a photo! But check out their website!

Transportation? Make a reservation with the Capitol Airporter by calling 253-927-6179. They’ll bring you right to the b&b and take you back to the airport. We’ll provide any other transportation you may need.

As I mentioned, we still have spots left in the Beginner’s Workshops too! These are for women only (sorry guys). But the Advanced Workshop, whether you join us for one day or two, is open to both men and women! Which brings me to my last FAQ.

Question 8: Is there a couple’s discount for those of us who are married and both wanting to come?

A. I guess! (lol) Being that we’re a married team, we know what it’s like to try and choose the “lucky” person that gets to go to the workshop. It’s usually me. But no, we want to make this as possible as we can for those of you who both want to come because we feel like it would be an incredible benefit to you as a couple! So if you’d like to both attend, your married couple discount is the second day being free for your spouse! Does that sound good? And yes, you can still have the $100 credit to one of the Kits. But you have to babysit our kids Sunday night so Brian and I can go see a movie!

Whoops! on more FAQ!!

Question 9: How do we sign up?

A. Follow this link to our e-store, and you will find the different options of signing up. If you are doing the Advanced Workshop for both days, we ask for a retainer of $550 to hold your spot. If you are planning on taking advantage of the couples discount, the retainer to hold both your spots is $700. If you are planning on doing all three “The Big Three”, the retainer to hold your spot in all three is $600.

Remaining balances will be due within thirty days of the Advanced Workshop dates. The retainer is non refundable if you have to cancel and the remaining portion is refundable if you cancel within 3 weeks of the workshop. However, if we fill you’re spot, we will gladly refund you the whole amount!

***Click e-store! *** to reserve your spot!

I think that’s it! Feel free to email or call with any more questions! Can’t wait to meet you ALL!!!

FYI–I guess that’s not it because I almost forgot!!! If the interest in this 2 day Advanced Workshop (or one day if you prefer) is over the top, we may extend the limit to 30 and fly in a surprise guest!

To see the Workshop Trailer, check out yesterday’s post!

A Short Bio: Me Ra and Brian started Me Ra Koh Photography Inc five years ago. They shoot weddings and children worldwide. Their work has been featured in national magazines, and they have also won numerous international awards for their children and wedding images. This September, their studio will be featured on VH1′s My Big Fat Fabulous Weddings. Me Ra and Brian keep a busy schedule full of speaking engagements nationwide, shooting together and raising their two beautiful children.

To read their bio and see their work, visit their website.

For the latest news, click on the Press category in this blog to the left!

To see a fun trailer of them in action for the upcoming VH1 wedding click My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding!