Welcome to the first interview in our Coffee Break series! Jules Café is committed to providing you with great information from sources around the world, so we will be featuring photographers who inspire and motivate in the Learn-Grow-Share spirit.

One photographer who has literally been shooting all around the world is the fabulous Gene Higa. Gene’s  engaging personality and beautiful photography has taken him to places across the globe as one of the industry’s premiere destination photographers.

Recently named one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world, Gene Higa travels the world doing what he loves, photographing weddings near and far, and is one of the most sought-after destination wedding photographers today. Originally from Los Angeles, Gene makes his home in San Francisco, but calls the world his office. Gene has been commissioned to photograph weddings all over the world, including Spain, Philippines, Peru, India, Italy, Greece, Hawaii, Jamaica, Thailand, Brazil, Barbados, Mexico, as well as across the United States.

I was thrilled when Gene agreed to be our initial interviewee for this series, as I have always admired him and consider him a very good friend. Gene is always looking for the next big thing for his business, and for himself. He is constantly pushing himself to do better, and yet he also is very interested in helping his colleagues around him. Gene has an easy-going and friendly personality that just makes you want to hang out with him and get to know him more! His rise in the industry is not by chance, this photographer works hard at what he does and strives to be all he can be.

Gene, thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. I appreciate you and your honesty!

LEARN: What’s something that you feel like you’d like to learn more about, something you are continually learning?
Video. Since the birth of the Canon 5D mark 2. “Video”, is the buzz word in the industry. I have to be open to the possibility of incorporating video into my business. If I don’t do it now, I may fall behind the times in a year or two. The time is now for video to be a part of my business. I used video in my marketing plan several years and ago and I am glad I did. I always want to be on the cutting edge of technology. It’s important to my clients, the industry and my business.

What is something that you wish someone would have told you before you had to learn it the hard way?

Learning things the hard way creates integrity. I have always been a hard worker and have no problem failing at something. I maintain focus and find another way to achieve my goals. But, If I had to do it over again, I learned the hard way how to invest my money and take care of the financial part of my business. Everything is fine now, but that was the most important part of my business. How to make money, save it, and invest it.

GROW: How have you grown in the past five years in your business, in your own personal quest for growth, in your awareness of the world around you?

I grow every year. Maybe not taller, LOL, but I am very curious being. I ask questions, I listen and I learn from everyone I meet. You can learn something from everyone. Remember that. I have found true friends in this industry. I have always stayed true to the friendships I forge. I never forget that I photograph weddings for a living. That is not what defines me as a person. I will continue to create new relationships personally and professionally.

How would you recommend others grow—do you have a favorite marketing tip, workshop suggestion, or convention to attend?

Growing is simple: Be the most responsive to change, be fearless in your approach and be willing to fail.

SHARE: How do you feel that you contribute to the industry?

Photography is the one thing in my life that has been good to me. So I am good to it. WPPI changed my life over 5 years ago. Its time to give back what I have learned, things I have failed and give inspiration to others. The answer to that is Gene Higa workshops.

What is something you would like to share with your fellow colleagues? How can they turn around and do the same for others?

To always help one another. Don’t hold your cards too tight. Once you learn to give what you have and expect nothing in return, you will find that it comes back to you, 10 fold. There are no secrets in business and certainly no shortcuts.

Favorite charitable contribution?

My mom has in the past battled cancer. I have lost family member to this terrible disease. So a portion of my workshops income goes to the Susan G. Koman foundation.

Thank you, Gene, for taking the time stop for a cup of coffee with us today.  We really appreciate your time and valuable insight!  For further inspiration from the charming Gene Higa, check out the following links:

http://www.genehiga.com : web | http://www.genehiga.net : blog | http://genehigaworkshops.com : workshops

Gene is offering workshops around the world, so make sure you visit his website to get in on one near you! As you can see below, Gene’s workshops are not your average workshop!

Gene gets some love with a Famous Bianchi Sandwich!

Gene’s images have been featured in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Elegant Bride, Your Wedding Day magazine, Modern Bride, The Knot Weddings, and the last 15 consecutive issues of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine, including landing the cover image of the magazine’s 2008 special issue. In 2007, The Knot voted Gene as the “Best of Weddings Pick” for Northern California. A WPPI platform speaker, he has been profiled in Rangefinder magazine, Photo District News and Studio Photography magazine. He is sponsored by Bay Photo Lab,Cypress Albums, Pickpic, Boda Bags, Albums Unlimited and liveBooks. Gene also teaches and shares his approach to shooting weddings with professional photographers across the country, inspiring a new generation of photographers to reach for the stars.  Be inspired! Here are some images of Gene’s stunning work: