What have you done for yourself latley?

Owning your own business is tough! Having three kids under the age of 6 is tough! Constantly being on the run caused me to develop some even worse eating habits...

I was recently updating my website when I found an old photo of me from 8 years ago when I first started Michael Alan Bielat Photography.

I looked in the mirror and it was a huge wake up call for me! It was time to get back into shape before it got more out of control.

I've dropped over 25 lbs. within a month just by following some Team Beach Body workouts along with my wife.

We each did The 21 Day Fix and Shakeology challenge pack and we're having a blast.

Nothing was cooler then when we were working out one day and looked behind us to see our three children trying to work out with us...

It was an amazing feeling to know that we are instilling some health values in our children and leading by example.

The 21 Day Fix is something I would recommend to anyone! It's great. The workouts aren't horrible and they shed inches like no other... It's 21-day program of simple portion control and 30-minute workouts that anyone can do. Weight loss is FAST! You don't have to weight food or count calories, carbs or points. It's easy for anyone to lose up to 15 pounds in 21 days.

 

Shakeology is jam packed with nutrients, vitamins, prebiotics, probiotics and it's all natural! The best part is that it's delicious so you feel like you are cheating!

They've worked for me and I know they will work for you.

Click here to contact me if you have some specific questions and I'll be more than happy to coach you along the way!

Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon!
~ Mike

eBook and iOS App Sales

Just a quick heads up that my two iOS apps: The Wedding Photography Inspiration Guide and The Portrait Photography Inspiration Guide are now on sale for only $0.99 each! For those of you who are on Android devices then I recommend getting my Wedding Photography Inspiration Guide eBook which has been marked down to just $2.99. Download it from the Amazon Kindle Bookstore and open it up using their Amazon Kindle iOS App. This eBook contains nearly 100 pages of informative and helpful tips and tricks to take your wedding photography to the next level.

My apps and book have been a huge success and I want to take a second to thank you all for your support. - Michael

More great news! The Portrait Photography Inspiration Guide is now on Apple's App Store.

The Portrait Photography Inspiration Guide is the best app a portrait photographer could have.

• Did you recently purchase a Digital Camera and want to take better photos of your family?
• Are you about ready to photograph your first portrait assignment?
• Are you a portrait photographer who just wants to step outside your comfort zone?
• Are you're a photographer who is stuck in a rut and in desperate need of some inspiration?
• Are you a professional photographer looking to find your own style?
• Do you own a photography business and want to start charging more money?

If you answered YES to any of the following question then "The Portrait Photography Inspiration Guide" is for you. This app contains nearly 100 Images captured by Michael Alan Bielat, founder of The inLIGHTin Workshop to help get your creative juices flowing.

Michael has also included a Photography 101 and Business of Portrait Photography Document to help you and your business be the best it can.

"The Portrait Photography Inspiration Guide" has a very intuitive User Interface that makes browsing through the images a breeze.

Click on any photo and read little inspirational tips and tricks. Start becoming a better photographer and discover your own voice through your work.
This app has a very intuitive User Interface that makes browsing through the images a breeze. Click on any photo and read some inspirational tips and tricks. Start becoming a better photographer and discover your own voice through your work.

Download it today for your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/portrait-photography-guide/id764586016?ls=1&mt=8

Thanks for all your support everyone!
~ Michael

Light Painting - Example

I cannot for the life of me think of why I haven't done light painting before. I believe the first time I actually tried it was when I was in Joshua Tree National Park doing some star trails. The foreground needed some light so I used a flash light to expose them. Fast forward to 2012 and I brought it back to the table for some of my wedding clients.




Here's what I used to get this shot: 
- Nikon D800 Digital SLR Camera
- Nikon 35mm f/2.0 Lens
- Nikon SB-900 Speedlight
- Tripod (any will do really)
- iPhone & Flashlight Type App.
- A dark place.
- A subject(s) that will stand still.

The camera settings are open to interpretation based on where you are. I played with my ISO between 200-400. My aperture was around f/8 and my shutter speed was very slow, around 10-15 seconds until I had something worth while.

The main concept for properly exposing the shot is: 

1. You need stop down the aperture and low ISO so that the light you paint with just tickles the subject. If you are wide open then one hit of the flash will flood your shot.
2. You use your speedlight in manual mode off camera and do a "test fire" so the flash hits your subject. Do this to taste.One hit may be all you need while other times you may need. Other times, you can pop a couple behind your subject. f-stops around f/8 and f/16 start to show this awesome starburst effect with light that can be really cool.
3.  The shutter speed needs to be slow so that you can run around and paint with a continuous light source. In my case, I had my iPhone and some flashlight app that changed my screen color. What you see ghosted in the background is just the light emitting from my iPhone as I ran around my bride and groom. The exposure was so long that I didn't get picked up however. Be creative, you can use whatever continuous light source you want. Even rope lights and kid toys.
4. Always be moving when running through the frame. If you are slow or your flash hits you then you will show up in the shot. Otherwise, with such a long shutter speed you shouldn't even show up.
5. You need to have your camera on a tripod. I set my camera to a 5 second timer so I can get prepared to run around like a crazed lunatic.
6. Your subject HAS to be standing still. If they move, that slow shutter speed will surely pick it up and then you have to re-do the shot. Try to shoot while it's warm out because even cold shivers can get picked up.
7. TRY AND PRACTICE BEFORE YOU TAKE IT TO A SHOOT. No client feels comfortable when you are fiddling with gear and not able to make the shot after you hyped it up.

That should be all. Thanks for your support.
Comment if you have any questions.
~ Michael

inLIGHTin'ed Storefront Updated

... and look at the prices!!! Consider it a thank you sale for your patience. I've received numerous emails asking about the store and why they can't buy anything from it anymore. Head on over to the Store and pick up whatever you want at ridiculous prices: http://www.inlightinworkshop.com/p/store.html Thanks for your support! ~ Michael

Follow The Wedding Photography Inspration Guide

Follow The Wedding Photography Inspiration Guide on all the Social Media Outlets for the latest info. Each site will have different freebies, goodies and contests and all that sweetness.

Twitter: Follow @WeddingPhotoApp
Facebook: Wedding Photography Inspiration Guide Fan Page
Google+: Wedding Photography Inspiration Guide on Google+

Thanks for your support. Two more days until it's up on the App Store! Exciting times.
Michael

Store Back Online Soon

I've been having a bunch of issues with the shopping cart for this site. I'll have it back online soonish with some killer deals and promos. Sorry for the inconvenience. Michael