First Year at WPPI Vegas

Dear Lungs, 

Please forgive me for dragging you through smoky casinos seven days in a row, several times a day. I promise I asked for a non-smoking floor at the Luxor, and had no idea it was impossible to escape out of the ash tray which felt like the size of the Grand Canyon. I promise, it's you and me and fresh air from now on since we're finally home.

I would say our first time at WPPI was successful despite being suffocated. Taking two two-day workshops, a shoot out and five platform classes plus walking the exhibitor floor three days in a row searching for the perfect albums and camera gear has definitely exhausted me. And yet, I don't feel the least bit overwhelmed. I feel motivated. Motivated because everything I learned in these last seven days has been invaluable. Words can not begin to describe what this week has (hopefully) done for my business and artistic approach. Gratitude. That's all I have for the amazing teams that hosted each workshop I took (posted below) and the speakers I saw: Jose Villa, Elizabeth Messina, Dawn Shields, Jeff Medford, Ross Hockrow, Jim Garner, and everyone who worked so hard to make this convention a fruitful experience for me as well as 16,000 other attendees. 

Here's a quick visual recap of the week and what turned out to be an extraordinary experience.

Pix from my two-day workshop with Salvatore Cincotta, Shoot to Sell, with our lovely and talented models/musical duo, Brett & Susan. 

Then, it was off for some fireworks with T&T Dynamite's The Art of Directing, Tanja Lippert and her partner in crime, Tia Reagan with gorgeous models, Ryan, Paris and David.

Lastly, a 6am shoot out with the awesome team from CT, Justin & Mary. Unfortunately, I was SO not awake yet, I honestly can not remember our models' names for the life of me. Which shows you, I am already a bad bad photographer - that's such an important element to connecting with your clients! Update: Our models' names were Elizabeth and Ryan!! Thanks so much for leaving a note, you guys!!! So happy to hear from you! Whatever gorgeous pill you take to look this good & happy at 6am, please share!! 

Now, off to prepare for a big Bridges of Promise presentation this weekend and hopefully find a few minutes to turn myself into someone my husband would like to be seen with in public. We're off to a NIAF event this evening. Let's see if I can stay out past 9pm!?

Trish & Chip. Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. Destination Wedding.

Valentine's Day seemed like the perfect day to post a few photos of Trish and Chip's Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay destination wedding. Very few details distract from what was most important to the bride - marrying her prince charming. Trish chose to keep the focus on her forty closest friends and family who all flew from Arkansas along with the bride and groom to celebrate their union on New Year's Eve.

I had such a lovely time (not only because I photographed an amazing couple but I also spent time with my dear friend, Rowena and her husband, John, who kindly referred me to this couple.)

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! May it be sticky sweet and full of love and hugs.

Gaining Perspective, Feeling Crowded & Joy.

Dear Visitor, 

If you've popped by only to find that the blog hasn't been updated in a while, I apologize for boring you and letting you down. I've been busy. But more than busy, I've been thinking. And thinking. I'll be very honest and say that I'm reevaluating myself and my work. January turned out to be a much busier month than anticipated which left very little time to re-new, incubate, and assess 2011's successes and failures and determine the direction for 2012. 

Now, we're already more than a week into February, print orders are flying in, and all I can think about is my first time attending WPPI Vegas. A whole week in Vegas…. with 16,000 photographers!! 

The thing is, I've made so many mistakes over the last twelve months that I have so many ways in which I plan to improve my work and business practices that I can't imagine what returning from WPPI will feel like. The good news is, learning never ends. The bad news is, learning never ends!

My goals in Vegas are to 1. Have a good time, especially with my pal and roomie, Gorete Ferreira. 2. Make at least one new friend 3. Try not to look like a zombie for the dawn shoot out with Justin & Mary on Tuesday, the 21st, and 4. Learn as much as possible about how to improve my business protocols in terms of a. marketing and b. selling. - and that's why I'm taking the two day workshop with Sal Cincotta - Shoot to Sell.  Addendum: I'm also signed up for T&T's Dynomite Art of Directing. I've been aching to take this workshop since I started my biz. Can't wait!!

In the meantime, here's a photo of beautiful Joy, a new model with Exalt Model and Talent Agency.

Wish me luck, because I'm AWFUL when it comes to crowds!!!