I wasn’t going to attend WPPI this year.  almost.

You are what you make of your WPPI journey.  I booked my trip last minute (mid January 2014), and I am so happy I made the decision to attend.  As this is my fourth year attending WPPI, every year has been different but have amazing highlights; it has been interesting seeing how WPPI impacted myself and my business.  For some, this is the best week of their lives.  In my opinion, it’s not the best week of my life, but because I’m in the wedding and portrait photography business, it is a very important one.  Though I didn’t plan my week very well, I came into this year with a goal and purpose:  To better my imagery, business, and network.

The classes, speakers, the trade show, the awards hall, and last but not least – it’s about the people you network with.

What makes this trip successful is setting goals for yourself.  Every single year, WPPI has a new purpose and meaning to my photography art and business.  In the past, I usually attended with other photography friends following similar journeys and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.  To be honest, this year, I planned this trip very poorly.  I signed up/”pre-boarded” classes I wasn’t even sure I wanted to attend, and to be honest – I didn’t know what my schedule was like until the day before I traveled to Las Vegas.  However, I had a clear understanding of what I wanted to accomplish, so I knew what I had to do to make the most out of my trip.

My goals of this trip included:

1)  Print Competitions:  Preparing myself for re-entering the WPPI print competitions.  Since I won my first accolade in 2012, I remember the feeling of stress and anticipation while sitting in the judging rooms.  I didn’t have the time to prepare my prints for the last year and a half, so I wanted to get back into the habit of doing so.  Sitting into the judging rooms re-energized me and put me back into the mindset.

2)  Education.  Attend classes with speakers I haven’t heard before.  I attended classes with speakers I haven’t listened to before that I felt would help me with my art and business.  I also attended classes with speakers I thought would benefit the path I want to go in. Some of my favorites were Roberto Valenzuela, Christian Lalonde, MJS, Ben & Erin Chrisman, and so many more.  I wish Scott Robert Lim and JeZa Photo had their own Platform classes, but they were in Master Classes this year.

3)   Networking.  Some may say, “why do you need to make new friends when you already have ‘x’ amount?”   Wanting to create and build new friendships & learn more about friends that I’ve met at past years’ trips have been so beneficial.  You meet people travel many more miles to be there who want to be and ARE creative just like you, so you’re in an EXTREMELY positive atmosphere with other people who want to inspire one another.

SHABANG! It’s Peter Hurley with the Hasselblad H5D

Scott Robert Lim speaking at the Sony Booth!

Some cool new Southern California Photography friends!!

WPPI’s opening night party at Hakkasan

Gurm, Tauran, and myself! LOL.

I <3 NG!!!! Go Team NG!!!

 
Nothing is ever handed to you on a silver platter at WPPI.  However, if you want it, then everything is there for you to go get it.  The resources, the people, the knowledge, products, and answers.

Some of the speakers and friends that made my trip amazing includes:

Matthew Jordan Smith  – (Assisting MJS on a Sony Press event early last year in San Francisco Fairmont Penthouse has created an amazing friendship.  MJS is ALWAYS an inspiration to me.  With a smile on his face, and a continuous amount of personal projects that help excel and make his dreams come true).

Roberto Valenzuela, amazing photographer from Mexico, and now resides in Southern California.  Wrote the book(s) Picture Perfect Practice, and Picture Perfect Posing.  He writes his book so that the photography and posing concepts make sense.  I’ve read his first book a few times and lent it out to a photographer who works at Starbucks in my home town (Aimee, if you’re reading this, hope you’re reading it!).  I can’t wait to begin reading his second book.  I HIGHLY recommend his books!  (see links embedded above).

From the amazing Christian Lalonde’s platform class – Jason Groupp! Where’s Wald…Michelle?

Christian Lalonde:  I’ve always been interested in composites, and even more a fan of Christian’s work.  Attending his Master Class last year gave me a better understanding of how to work and create composites, and attending his platform class this year was a great refresher.  It’s amazing what one can do in a year.

And last but not least, Scott Robert Lim – I have so much to say about this amazing mentor, but I’ll keep it short and sweet.  If you’re looking for a mentor to take your imagery, work, and business from 0 to infinity, consider investing in a week long workshop in a beautiful destination like China, Bahamas, Paris, Italy, Hawaii…and so many more.  You’ll not only take your photography to the next level by learning more about lighting and posing, you will create relationships and make lifelong friends from people all across the world.  Scott has brought together handfuls of amazing people, and I can’t explain how happy I am to watch him grow tremendously.

This image is still my pride, joy, and glory.  Taken by Scott Robert Lim, China 2010.

Bittersweet to be leaving early and missing the Awards Ceremony (this is my first time in my four years missing it!), I’m glad I attended.  If I didn’t, I would probably be at home pulling out my hair and forever regretting not attending!  :O  For those who have not attended, I highly encourage you to attend at least ONCE!  It’s overwhelming, but – you can never stop learning.

I want to thank all the people that I met throughout this trip, as well as the ones I had the opportunity to see again.  I met some really amazing people from the Bay Area, Los Angeles/Southern California area, Canada, eh?  Lastly, shout out to Scott Robert Lim and our SR Family!  Honestly, without knowing the amazing, creative people, this journey would be lonely.

After the short time that I was here, I am now refueled, re-energized, and excited for all to come this year.  See you next year, WPPI!  #savethedate

xoxo, <3 mn