Monday morning I jumped on a plane to Vegas for WPPI -- an annual wedding & portrait photographer's convention. I've gone a number of years before but this was my best experience yet!
I didn't plan to have any fun. There were over 15,000 photographers there so I figured it would be mass chaos and I would have a hard time connecting with people I know or want to meet. Masses of people & small-talk are not on my list of fun times. It did end up being mass chaos but I ended up loving it so much because I WAS able to connect with friends and it seemed like every time I turned a corner or looked up there was someone to hug and love on. It was kind of like Christmas. I've been in the business for almost 7 years now and I think I enjoyed this convention so much because of the relationships I've built over this time. It's such a blessing to be able to connect with people at an event like this on a deeper level rather than just making small-talk, which is what I did at my first WPPI.
I didn't take a lot of photos while there and spent most of my time walking around the trade show, hanging out with friends and eating. The above photos are from my iPhone and include a photo of me with Danny from Photojunction (who I've been in contact with for years but have never met in person due to the fact that he lives in New Zealand) and me with one of my former brides, Selena. I was shocked to run into Selena there. I knew she worked for a studio in Utah but I guess I don't associate her with the photo world. But how fun!! I love running into my brides in random places!
One of the highlights of the trip was reconnecting with my team from Tanzania and seeing this awesome album that Leather Craftsmen put together of photos from our trip:
I didn't plan to have any fun. There were over 15,000 photographers there so I figured it would be mass chaos and I would have a hard time connecting with people I know or want to meet. Masses of people & small-talk are not on my list of fun times. It did end up being mass chaos but I ended up loving it so much because I WAS able to connect with friends and it seemed like every time I turned a corner or looked up there was someone to hug and love on. It was kind of like Christmas. I've been in the business for almost 7 years now and I think I enjoyed this convention so much because of the relationships I've built over this time. It's such a blessing to be able to connect with people at an event like this on a deeper level rather than just making small-talk, which is what I did at my first WPPI.
I didn't take a lot of photos while there and spent most of my time walking around the trade show, hanging out with friends and eating. The above photos are from my iPhone and include a photo of me with Danny from Photojunction (who I've been in contact with for years but have never met in person due to the fact that he lives in New Zealand) and me with one of my former brides, Selena. I was shocked to run into Selena there. I knew she worked for a studio in Utah but I guess I don't associate her with the photo world. But how fun!! I love running into my brides in random places!
One of the highlights of the trip was reconnecting with my team from Tanzania and seeing this awesome album that Leather Craftsmen put together of photos from our trip:
It was HUGE! And it had my photo on the front as well as a few of my images on the inside. I just love the fabric from Africa that they used on the cover. My whole team signed the album and then it was auctioned off to benefit Thirst Relief. So cool! The amazing thing is that Leather Craftsmen made smaller versions of this album and GAVE THEM to every single one of us from the team!! What an amazing gift! Thanks Leather Craftsmen!!
I made a few new fast friends at WPPI who I'm so excited to keep in touch with and God really blessed me through a worship meeting that Photographers' Unite organized. I really see Him working in amazing ways through the Christian photographers in the wedding industry. It's just the coolest thing to be at a huge convention in Vegas and to be able to connect with other people who share my faith.
And to wrap up this post, here's some photo booth photos of me and my convention roomie, Jamie Delaine who is just. plain. awesome. And kinda hogs the bed.
I made a few new fast friends at WPPI who I'm so excited to keep in touch with and God really blessed me through a worship meeting that Photographers' Unite organized. I really see Him working in amazing ways through the Christian photographers in the wedding industry. It's just the coolest thing to be at a huge convention in Vegas and to be able to connect with other people who share my faith.
And to wrap up this post, here's some photo booth photos of me and my convention roomie, Jamie Delaine who is just. plain. awesome. And kinda hogs the bed.
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