I’m back from a wirlwind adventure in Vegas that included a mini vacation with friends and then a much needed business trip full of inspiration at WPPI. This was the third time I have gone to Vegas to experience the speakers, tradeshow and most importantly all the networking with photographers from all over the world. So excited about all the wonderful people I met.

In the past I felt lost in the sea of photographers, not knowing what worked for me in my business. This year I felt confident, knowing that I already had established my workflow, made my own business decisions and could confidently walk through the tradeshow without feeling overwhelmed.

The best part of WPPI is networking with the photographers I already know who are a big part of my life, like the AKC girls, and the ones I didn’t know but can’t wait to learn more from.

Thanks to WPPI, VEGAS and the wonderful girls of Alpha Kappa Camera for making this WPPI a trip to remember! Looking forward to WPPI 2011!

1st row: Lizette, Melissa and I outside Cesear’s Palace. Olga and Rocio at a Mexican Restaurant.

2nd row: Cristi and I at a Mexican Restuarant. Jasmine Star Platform class at WPPI.

3rd row: Tania and I at the Airhorn and Laser party. The AKC girls at one of our many dinners together at WPPI.

Visit My Portfolio

Follow me on Twitter

Add me on Facebook

Contact Me

Here is a map Cristi made.

For the rest of the week we will be relaxing by the beach and talking shop. Learning from each other and just having a great time. 

Here is a list of the other girls here. 

Trina from Utah, Cristi from Arizona, Kara from Michigan, Sam from Maine, Shea from Tenessee, Lee Ann from North Carolina,Amelia from Alabama, and Lisette from Georgia.

Here it is:

I’m a firm believer that you have to keep learning and pushing yourself to become a better photographer and business woman. This workshop was just that, a little photography and a little business. If you follow her blog you will learn a lot, but meeting Melissa Jill in person and listening to her pour out information was just the right thing for me.  

Happy Friday!

Twelve other girls joined me on this amazing workshop where we learned about the business side of photography, which I so wanted to hear about. I can take the pictures, but being a small business owner can be hard sometimes. She did a wonderful time explaining how she goes through her workflow with each wedding and business aspects. 

On the first day we had all photo talk-lighting, off-camera flash and picking locations. We also had a mock engagement shoot with a beautiful couple.

On the second day it was all business talk, website and branding, with some individual consultations with Melissa. 

Here are a few photos!

Here is a photo of us modeling our shootsacs!

Melissa took these headshots of us the second day.

Here is roll call of all my new friends. 

Allison Roen from Iowa, Angela Abeyta from Colorado, Erin Duggin from Missouri, Gail Werner from Indiana, Gwen van Rooyen from Vancouver, Canada, Jen Wiemer from Missouri, me, Jessica Hampton from Arizona, Dixie dog (Melissa’s doggie),Kama Demczyk from Ohio, Laura Thompson and Stephanie King–mother/daughter team from Florida, Tina Hertzler from Pennsylvania and Suzanne Searle from Arizona. 

While she did that we took a few pics of each other. 

It was a great workshop, concise and straight the point information that all photographers should know. Just what I needed to know and hear! I definitely recommend this workshop!

The past week I have been in Vegas for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). 

Besides learning new things and finding new and interesting products for my wonderful clients I was able to network with some great photographers.

It’s amazing how you can connect with someone from another state/country and feel like you know them because you follow them on twitter, their blog and facebook. Social networking online is just out of this world.

—

Here is a short recap of my 4 days in Vegas!

Sunday:

Flew out at 9 a.m.

Checked into my hotel room around noon. 

Meet Araxi for Crepes at Paris Hotel.

Walked back to the MGM and took pictures.

Meet up with Heather and Meg and went to the opening ceremonies. After that we hit up the Finao Party!

Katherine arrived later that evening and I joined her and then hit the sac.

Monday:

Started off with some classes.

Hit the tradeshow, where I was helping out in the Shootsac booth.

Got lunch and the food court with Katherine and then back off to some classes. 

Exhausted after so much learning.  

Photographed a night shoot with the fabulous Scarlett Lillian and other 20 photogs.   ***Photos to come!!!***

Even though it was cold, went back to the room and got ready for the much anticipated [b] party. 

Called it a night after watching Heather at the roulette and blackjack table. 

Tuesday:

Woke up in time for the morning session, but nothing caught my attention.

Met up with the wedrockers from Monterrey and Daniel from Reynosa.

Walked around the tradeshow scouting what I was going to get for new equipment.   ***Photos to come soon as well!***

The class I really wanted to go see was jammed packed and we got kicked out for fire code reasons. 

Accompanied Katherine for dinner and then went to the room to change for dinner with Heather and Meg and five new friends.

The pictage party was next on the agenda and fun was had by all. 

As tradition would have it, I accompanied  Heather to the tables. Lo and behold I came out $100 richer playing at the roulette table. Beginners luck!

Time to sleep a couple of hours before the last day.

Wednesday:

Up way to early for the Jerry Ghionis lecture. Only for that class would I wake up at that hour. 

Being the last day I was there I needed to get all my purchases done.

I then met Katherine for lunch with Lee Ann.  

And sadly but so it was time to leave to the airport shortly after that. 

—

I had an incredible time meeting new and seeing old friends, bumping into the Houston crew here and there but mostly just soaking in what a wonderful career I have and feeling blessed to do what I love to do!!

Here are some photos from the trip all taken with my G10!

WPPI is next March and I know I’ll be headed out for that one too! Can’t wait!!

I’m excited to announce that I will be attending Melissa Jill’s two day workshop in May!! Whoop!!

Melissa is a great photographer and she is one of the many blogs I read. I know that her workshop will be well structured, just like her explanations are on her blog.

For more info on her workshop, check out her new website.

There were two teams, here is a video of one of them.  For more info, you can visit F Stop Beyond.

I’ll be back to post about the last wedding of 2008.