I recently returned from my 3rd trip to WPPI in case you are not sure what that is, it stands for Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.  A ginormous convention hosted by the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.   There are incredible speakers who host workshops, master classes, platform classes( free to all who register) and after hours networking events and parties.

This, as I said was my 3rd year going and I did things a bit differently this year.  I primarily attended master classes which are smaller ( 35 people)  vs the platform classes which can be 900+ people and often times its so full you cant even get in.   This year I attended 3 master classes.
~David Beckstead
~Cliff Mautner
~Jose Villa

I chose these 3 photographers as they are people I admire in different ways and felt I would get the most out of their classes.   Stay tuned for part 2, where I will talk in depth about my experiences in their classes and what I felt I learned.

I didn’t attend the platform classes I really wanted to, because I didn’t prioritize my time well and had too much going on.  I also wont lie Tuesday I just couldn’t bring myself to get up.  Not a good thing and I wont be doing that next year.

Besides the master classes I attended A few parties ( Airhorns and Lasers) and (PIF) I am a member of the PIF team so it was more working then “partying” but I had a great time and I love being part of that family.  That I will also go into details in my 2nd wrap up post.    I also hosted and organized two photoshoots, as well as attended the Victor Sizemore Mentor Shoot ( photos to follow).    I think partly I overextended myself this year and tried to do so much in such a short amount of time.  I know that next year I will really think through my timeline.  (something I recommend to anybody going)

I was able to spend time with some great photographers at all of these events and I also must thank Mike Wise who who an integral part of helping me with the shoots.   I met Mike last year at the Neon Boneyard Shoot that I organized and we have remained good friends ever since.  I also couldn’t have done it without  Eric Guideng who hosted one of the shoots at his studio and really helped pull it all together.  I also met Eric last year at the Boneyard shoot where he was a model, little did I know that Eric is a great photographer and business man as well.    Its great to know that I have people in my corner I can count on and I couldn’t have done it without  either of  your help.   Thanks to you both.  

WPPI is one of those things I look forward to all year, and when you are there the time goes by so quickly.   Once I get home, I often find myself a little sad that its over so quickly and more so overwhelmed with the information I have learned, the inspiration I have picked up, and the photos I have taken.   Don’t get me wrong, I would do it again tomorrow in a heart beat but I often liken it to planning a wedding.. there is this huge build-up and then its over…   back to reality!

So while I try to compile all the information together from my extensive notes and apply this to my business, I will leave you with photos from my Trash the Dress Session and Photos from the Victor Sizemore Mentor Session…
ENJOY and feel free to comment and share your stories also!

Trash the Dress session- MGM Signature Suites Pool and surrounding areas.

Victor Sizemore Mentor Session
Styled by Grey likes weddings

Emma
emmajane photography
425-791-4086
emma@emmajanephotos.com
www.emmajanephotos.com

Many of  you may remember my 2009 WPPI photoshoot which was at the Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas.  You can view the photos and blog post from that shoot here.    We had about 35 photographers from all over who were in town for the 2009 WPPI Convention.  With models ready to go we shot for about 2 hours and the images from that shoot are something else.  Not only was it a great shoot, but it was  a fantastic way of meeting new photographers and networking.  Many many new friends were made.
This year the shoot has evolved into many many things.  We are holding 2 sessions so we can accomodate more photographers, and we are using a studio owned by Eric Guideng.  Eric was a model from last years shoot and is actually a photographer in Las Vegas.  With Eric’s help we are casting some of Las Vegas’s top models and makeup artists.  We are utilizing cars and motorycles to spice it up.  We are creating a 50′s style pin-up shoot.  We are possibly looking at a body painter, which opens up many unique photo opportunities.  We will also have a bridal couple.   As well as shooting in the studio we will be splitting down further into groups and going on location to shoot with the models outdoors. 
This is going to be an incredible shoot and I am just thrilled it is coming together.

DETAILS
Date-Wednesday, March 10th
Time- Session #1 11:00am-1:30pm and Session #2 2:00pm-4:30pm
Where- ( Address to Eric’s studio will be sent to those who register)
Cost- $50

How do you sign up?
You can paypal me directly and you will be sent the event information and join the facebook group and event page.
Where do you paypal me?  emma@emmajanephotos.com ( please use personal/ gift tab so they dont take fee’s out, this helps keep costs down)
If you have ANY questions, please do not hesistate to contact me directly at emma@emmajanephotos.com

I look forward to seeing some new faces and hanging out with some familiar ones!

See you in Vegas Baby!!!!  ( Tigers, Mike Tyson, Jagermeister shots, quickie weddings, $80,000 in Bellagio chips and babies not included) 

I don’t know if everyone has had the chance to see the completed videos, but you should really check them out.
I posted the first part of the series on my old  blog but I wanted to make sure any new visitors were able to check it out.

Please visit The Longest Day on F -stop beyond.

There were many many wonderful photographers who took part in this, including Jim Garner who I met recently at OSPwest but who I also heard talk at WPPI.
Here is one of the videos but check out the entire series as well as the winning videos here at f-stop beyond.

The winning video was shown at wppi 2009.    I am already excited to return to wppi 2010!