This year I attended my first ever photography conference and trade show! There are a few amazing conferences to choose from but ultimately WPPI was my first and I think I made an excellent choice. I traveled to Sin City with my amazing friend Meagan (a fellow photographer and part time boss who I adore shooting with and for). She is a photography vet formerly working the trade shows as a vendor and ultimately quitting to start her dream career of owning her own photography studio. She really helped me to make the most of my trip and know where the heck I was going and what to do. Before heading out we had sort of mapped out our plan of what amazing photographers we wanted to see speak. The topics of these talks vary from inspirational to business advice to how to shoot smarter on a wedding day or how to develop your true style. Each of these talks really taught me so much about myself as a photographer and as a business woman.
One of my favorite talks was by the amazing Katelyn James. She took her wedding business from a college dorm room and it has blossomed into an amazing community of couples. She gave a very inspiring talk on how to really create a community with the amazing people you are blessed enough to photograph. It was amazing to see a photographer who has really created a business model that works for her and allows her to do what she loves.
I was able to see some other fantastic photographers such as Cliff Mautner, Lindsay Adler, Tamara Lackey and The Chrismans. The Chrismans gave a really amazing talk about taking risks in your photography. It made me realize that I should never just be satisfied with the “safe shot”. I should always be pushing myself to try new things, think differently and work! I really enjoyed all of these talks.
Lastly, I saw Elizabeth Messina’s speak. She is a very well known film shooter who has created a fabulous body of work. One of my take away messages from Elizabeth’s talk was that I should always have projects that are for me and my art. Yes, photography is a business and a wonderful way for me to make a living, but I began this business because of my love for this amazing art form. I love capturing life. Elizabeth told us about some of her passion projects and how they allowed her to discover a new level to her craft. After seeing the creamy, gorgeous quality in her work and her love of the film medium I was inspired! Her talk inspired me to give up my fear of shooting film, and tomorrow I am doing my first shoot on film with the amazing Amanda Brubaker of Amanda Brubaker Photography! She is a huge advocate of shooting film and is going to help me make the most out of this amazing medium. I can’t wait for tomorrow! Stay tuned for my first film shoot! No fear!
Enjoy my time at WPPI through iPhone photos!
The pool time was such a welcome break from the year of the polar vortex. Between classes we took time to soak up the sun. And we got to check out the craziness of the Las Vegas strip! This was my first time in Las Vegas and there are so many colorful details in this city.
Meagan even got me up super early one morning to run a 5k to the Las Vegas sign and back. This was my first ever 5k- can you tell how happy I was about it?
Our meal times at the Wynn became a food shoot pretty quickly when we saw these adorable little desserts! 
Meagan and I also found a delicious Mexican place for fish tacos. We love Dos Gringos Mexican Kitchen in Media because they have awesome fish tacos so this was like a little piece of home out in Vegas.
And a photographers work is never done- Meagan was stopped by this couple in the Wynn’s gorgeous lobby to take a photo for this vacationing couple.
Wish me luck on my film shoot tomorrow, I will be posting that as soon as I can!
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